HELP! I'm building a custom travel trailer.

2012Coleman wrote:
I'm not bashing your plans by any means, but one point/counter point that you don't make on your blog is why you would budget 35 - 40 K to build your own TT when that price will get you a nice 4 season TT? Have you looked? There are even hard sided pop ups by Trailmaster.

Also agree about the build quality of cargo trailers.

Agree as well with Westend regarding tanks. You can't just dump gray water anywhere. What are your plans in this area?

:E "Bash me".... I need a good 'bashing." :---) I can take it! I prefer straight talk and reality checks. I did address your thoughts a reply or so back, but what do you think is a nice 4 season TT for 35-40k? Thanks for the comment.

dvdchris wrote:
Looking over the plans I see
-no propane
-no generator
The electrical demands for the listed equipment, running it off grid '80-90%' of the time, are impossible for a solar/battery system on this size trailer.
-80 gallon fresh water and 40 gallon grey tank? on a 15 foot trailer. As someone else said, the water tank logic doesn't add up.
This is a trailer designed for FHU as it stands now, not off grid.

:E Yes, I do have to get the whole electrical system figured out. I don't put as much time into now because I am focusing more on the structure. But it will have deep cycle batteries, propane, a generator and a decent solar system. Other than carrying a case of AA batteries is there any other power options?

Well, I was thinking that an 40 gal tank wouldn't need to hold 80 gal because it could be discharged. What might you suggest on this?

JN_B wrote:
Couple comments...

While I understand people's desire to build their own, I have to ask why? Don't take this the wrong way, as my parents have redone a motorhome, and it was a great project. Basically, just want to know your reasoning.

Next up, would be floor height. I would drop it as much as possible. At least in the sketches it is way above the wheel well. I'd move it to top of wheel well at most. Also, it looks like there isn't much outside storage. Just a couple small openings. Maybe consider a pass thru?

Windows...I know you say security is a concern, but a week of rain and no windows, you'll be in the crazy house..

:E Thanks for your comments. "Take it the wrong way"? No, don't worry about that. I want to be challenged and defend my decisions. Please give it to me straight. Why build? For the same reason you wouldn't want me coming to your house and rearranging the furniture the way I like it. RV manufacturers build things that have to appeal to many, but I think in the process they wind up really appealing to few. The end result is that the RV buying decision becomes a decision of making concessions. No one would ever need to walk on an RV sales lot again if they could just go up to a dealer and say "this is what I want....give it to me at a fair price." Yes, I am going to pay more for a custom built trailer... but I'm going to save money too by not paying for the oven and burners I'll never cook on, not paying for the the garbage jack knife sofa, not paying for 28 plastic cup holders, not paying for that useless floral wallpaper accent thing that lines every RV on the planet, not paying for a refrigerator that takes up floor to ceiling space only to keep things semi-cold, not paying for a dozen mirrors they now stick everywhere including the ceiling. I think in the long term the benefits of better insulation, better specifically chosen equipment and a better construction will make me come out ahead over time. And, in the process I get a floor plan I feel comfortable in... not ones like where the kitchen counter juts into the walking space or to get from the bedroom to the living room you have to walk through the bathroom or where to get into bed you have to turn sideways and shuffle along the wall. Good question!

myrvplans1 wrote:
A hundred grand is nothing in the RV industry today.

That's true, but paying forty grand for a 16 foot travel trailer seems pretty high, even by RV industry standards.

Also on the subject of value-for-the-dollar:

I s'pose you're not thinking too far down the road, but it may be worth considering that cargo trailer-based highly personalized trailers have very limited resale appeal, especially when they lack some of the basics (kitchen?) that folks usually expect in trailers.

GrandpaKip wrote:
The challenge of building an RV from a cargo trailer can be enjoyable. Mine was. I bought a 6x12 V-nose and converted it. The first thing I did was get a mess of cardboard and mocked up the interior. I used RV/Marine grade materials and made all the cabinets and fixtures. Took about 3 months off and on to finish. Then we pulled it all over the southeast. Was sorry to see it go when we decided we needed a little more room inside.

Have fun and good luck.

:E Thanks for your feedback. I have some software that allows me to move around objects on a floor plan. I also taped it out actual size on my garage floor and did walk thrus. Having the 3D model and renderings made probably saved me 1000's as I saw mistakes before they got built. 6x12 is a bit small... did you sleep standing up? I'm leaving the building up to people that have the professional skill. (I'd no sooner do my own brain surgery) :---)

69 Avion wrote:
This may not be what you want to consider, but some cargo trailers aren't built as well as top end travel trailers. If you want a great trailer to start with, get an old Avion that is from a dry climate, and have it rebuilt. You will have a much better exterior and one of the best frames on the market.

:E Thanks for your feedback. I would disagree with you on the quality factor of cargo trailers. Most governmental agencies use cargo trailers as command centers and they have custom cargo trailers stationed arctic locations. Race car drivers use them to transport their high end cars (sometimes 2 at a time in a stacker). Fedex and UPS use them. So does Uhaul. A cargo trailer is tough... it's basically a truck without the engine. Avion? Had to look that one up. Wow! that goes back a few years huh? That thing looks like the EM-50 from Stripes. (and please don't call me Francis :---)

gmw photos wrote:
True enough burbman..... for a hundred grand budget, a person could buy a Lazy Daze class C, and put a small cargo trailer on the back to throw the motorcycle in ! :B

:E Thanks for your comment. A hundred grand is nothing in the RV industry today. I saw some motor homes at a show last week where I am sure the 4 tires cost that much! :--)

BurbMan wrote:

gmw photos wrote:
An inward opening door is going to provide you some interesting challenges in making it water tight.

Agreed. When you're going down the road, wind buffeting the trailer is pushing the door closed against the seal on a traditional trailer. There is no pressure coming from the inside. If the door swings in, the only thing holding the door against the seal is the latch.

I would second the idea of looking for a small RV. Yes they are still making cheap TTs but there are also some well-made ones like the Arctic Fox that are insulated and have dual pane windows etc. A steel-sided cargo trailer is not necessarily the best starting point from an insulation standpoint.

I would consider going a little longer, maybe 18'. I know you want to be small and nimble, but if you plan on any winter weather, you will appreciate a place to hang a wet coat or put a pair of snowy/muddy boots that is out of the way. Also a cooktop inside is a must IMO...makes it easy to brew a pot of coffee or make a quick meal without having the start the generator and use the microwave. If you are thinking of "stealth" camping where folks think you're just a cargo trailer, running the generator is not a good option. Overall that extra 3' won't mean anything if you are towing with a 3/4 truck, but will give you the room to add a cooktop and coat closet. Other than that I think your layout is pretty efficient.

Completely different thought....for the type of traveling you are thinking of doing, on the go and not staying in one place, you might be better off with a class B van or a small class C. Easily do-able with your budget, easy to park without attracting attention and has everything already, maybe something like this:



Or possibly a truck camper that fits in the bed of your 3/4 gas tow vehicle. For the monry you are looking to spend, I think you have better options that building your own from a cargo trailer.

:E Thanks for your feedback. I owned an Arctic Fox 31W. Northwood makes a great product, probably one of the best. But, I went through my trailer thoroughly and even Northwood cuts corner on insulation, uses plastic fixtures, the cabinets never stayed closed in transit, they use the same crappy wood toned cabinets that is on my $39 Ikea bookcase and every other RV and quite a few other low quality items. I didn't see that when I bought off the sales lot because at that time like most I'm thinking hey it's got a TV (...dumb) Now, I'm a bit smarter and I'm going to build one the these things the way they should be built and that means there will be costs going into things that don't have retail marketable value to an end consumer. (A dealer can't show or sell a higher value of insulation)

I'm going with a seamless/screwless aluminum exterior. This is the type of material that many over the road trucks use. I might consider going to 16'(only because that's a standard cargo trailer size in the industry) But, I did start out at 13'...and had to creep up slowly to 15'. Coffee pot??? You still have one of those?? I got a Kcup machine and I'd sooner give up a kidney than that :---) I'm not really thinking "stealth", just not looking to draw attention. I want to not look expensive or wind up as the subject of a Dateline episode.

The class C was an option for me, but that would mean when I want to go to the store to say get some milk I'd have to take my purse, my cell phone... oh, and my house!

The wind pressure against the door is something of concern to me and I am going to have to look into that. But I think you are right it's going to have to be secured well. Great comments!

cjoseph wrote:
The structure that you will need to support your floor above the designed "true" deck will add weight and cost big bucks.

I'm not sure a custom trailer manufacturer will do that. Plus, you are losing valuable space to the double floor joists that you will need. The "true" bottom of the trailer will have framing and your floor will have framing.

The below might take away storage, but you could have them fabricate some motorhome styled storage compartments to hang off of the structure.

examples of deck-over trailers

That's a good point Chuck. If I were framing out a subfloor in a situation like this, I would do it with tubular steel to get maximum strength with minimum material size.
And again to the OP, you can do all the design work in CAD, and a bit of research will tell you what the various weights are different sizes of structural materials, and your CAD program can calculate your approximate weights.

The structure that you will need to support your floor above the designed "true" deck will add weight and cost big bucks.

I'm not sure a custom trailer manufacturer will do that. Plus, you are losing valuable space to the double floor joists that you will need. The "true" bottom of the trailer will have framing and your floor will have framing.

The below might take away storage, but you could have them fabricate some motorhome styled storage compartments to hang off of the structure.

examples of deck-over trailers