HELP! I'm building a custom travel trailer.

No problem here, my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it....it's your money and you can spend it however you like. Post back with some pics when the build starts so we can all share in the adventure.

westend wrote:
The really great thing about using an empty platform, beyond building for just one's own needs, is that a builder can get everything better, mechanically, than a typical travel trailer. Being able to put an adequate amount of insulation inside is one of the major benefits. Making plumbing runs and electrical runs in some type of logical order rather than snaking a circuit around a cabinet or putting a pipe on the exterior is definitely an upgrade.

I guess it boils down to which things are important, the cosmetic aspect or the functional one. If done right, a builder can get a lot of both.

:E I think that is well said. I read a number of RV magazines, log in to RV forums, blogs, etc. and all of these informational sources seem to provide suggestions and solutions to typical RV design issues that many would think the RV manufacturer should have solved in building it. Building a custom RV gives one the opportunity to build solutions in. For instance why do they still put metal heating vents in the center of RV floors?? They are just awful to walk on with bare feet, they scratch up when the you vacuum over them and they are just about impossible to keep free of dirt. (and most RV's are surrounded by or parked on dirt/grass surfaces) Thanks for helping me spread the gospel. :--)

The #1 thing noted by anyone that steps into my rig is the cessation of any exterior noise, i.e. it's dead quiet inside. This is the result of attention to insulation and the Low-E windows. Typical cargo trailer wall studs and ceiling rafters are shallow, formed metal. You will have the most benefit by increasing wall and ceiling dimension for insulation. If I was doing a scratch build, I'd strive for 3" in those areas. That will result, in a typical spray application, of around R-18 -> R-22. I have 1 3/4" walls with a 1/4" foam insulation thermal break, a plastic vapor barrier, and 1/4" Lauan paneling. I've done some winter testing with my heating sources and even at -0 temps, a small electric heater will maintain good interior temps. The insulation is at the heart of everything, less energy to heat and cool, less condensation, and more comfort.

GrandpaKip wrote:

myrvplans1 wrote:

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) :---)

Actually had a full size double bed, 3' of galley, 2'x2' shower, porta potty and a fair amount of storage. The v-nose added almost 2' more. We gave it up because we wanted inside eating during nasty weather.
I can see that a lot of your budget will go to labor; there was a fair amount of that in ours, but it was free :-)
I also believe that cargo trailers are inherently stronger than campers. You might want to rethink putting utilities in the walls like a house. Almost every wire, pipe, fitting, etc. was easily accessible in ours. They were hidden behind trim and panels that were all screwed on.
Good luck with your project.

Yes, in a project like this most of the $$$ does go to labor as the materials beyond the initial cargo trailer are generally inexpensive. Someone with good construction skills and lots of free time could probably build this for less than half of what I'm going to pay. I would agree with you that cargo trailers are strong and I want to build within that kind of structure. My intention to spray foam the exterior walls would make running cables and plumbing in them very difficult to service and would compromise the integrity of the insulation. And by leaving the exterior walls intact I could always make interior design modifications without having to cut into them. Thanks again for your feedback. Your build inspires me!

HnM wrote:

AirForceAngler wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
OP is clearly not looking for ideas only to rationalize her construction plans. Best of luck and hope you post back with build pics, it sounds like an interesting project.

If it was my $50K I would certainly want more than a 15' cargo trailer with a window and a bag toilet.

I was thinking just about the same thing. She came on here looking for advice and recommendations, but when some experienced folks tried to give her some advice, she just found ways to rationalize around their suggestions. Some people just have to hit themselves in the head with a hammer to find out that it hurts, they won't listen to those that will tell them it hurts before they do it.

2X on the above.
OP might get more posters to offer advice if she did not respond/rationalize each suggestion.
I sure won't offer requested "HELP!" and then have it picked apart.

Thanks again for hanging in there. My advice to you is to relax and accept that it's okay to disagree with others in forum of ideas. If your suggestions can't hold up to challenges then they were most likely not worth listening to in the first place.

"The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know."
Napoleon Bonaparte

HnM wrote:

AirForceAngler wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
OP is clearly not looking for ideas only to rationalize her construction plans. Best of luck and hope you post back with build pics, it sounds like an interesting project.

If it was my $50K I would certainly want more than a 15' cargo trailer with a window and a bag toilet.

I was thinking just about the same thing. She came on here looking for advice and recommendations, but when some experienced folks tried to give her some advice, she just found ways to rationalize around their suggestions. Some people just have to hit themselves in the head with a hammer to find out that it hurts, they won't listen to those that will tell them it hurts before they do it.

2X on the above.
OP might get more posters to offer advice if she did not respond/rationalize each suggestion.
I sure won't offer requested "HELP!" and then have it picked apart.

I don't think the OP has been heavy-handed in any of her posts. This is, after all, supposed to be a discussion of her project. If she wishes to keep to her original plan and posts reasons to explain why, that's part of the discussion.

I don't get bent out of shape if my ideas don't gel with others. I'm only responsible for the effort, not the outcome.

AirForceAngler wrote:

BurbMan wrote:
OP is clearly not looking for ideas only to rationalize her construction plans. Best of luck and hope you post back with build pics, it sounds like an interesting project.

If it was my $50K I would certainly want more than a 15' cargo trailer with a window and a bag toilet.

I was thinking just about the same thing. She came on here looking for advice and recommendations, but when some experienced folks tried to give her some advice, she just found ways to rationalize around their suggestions. Some people just have to hit themselves in the head with a hammer to find out that it hurts, they won't listen to those that will tell them it hurts before they do it.

2X on the above.
OP might get more posters to offer advice if she did not respond/rationalize each suggestion.
I sure won't offer requested "HELP!" and then have it picked apart.

myrvplans1 wrote:

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) :---)

Actually had a full size double bed, 3' of galley, 2'x2' shower, porta potty and a fair amount of storage. The v-nose added almost 2' more. We gave it up because we wanted inside eating during nasty weather.
I can see that a lot of your budget will go to labor; there was a fair amount of that in ours, but it was free :-)
I also believe that cargo trailers are inherently stronger than campers. You might want to rethink putting utilities in the walls like a house. Almost every wire, pipe, fitting, etc. was easily accessible in ours. They were hidden behind trim and panels that were all screwed on.
Good luck with your project.

AirForceAngler wrote:

NYCgrrl wrote:

P.S. OP means "opening poster"

Or Original Poster. ;)

:E TY ..."THANK YOU!" :--)

NYCgrrl wrote:

P.S. OP means "opening poster"

Or Original Poster. ;)