Update: On my RV Building Plans....

Gdetrailer wrote:


No doubt your custom build will cost considerably more. But for some of these reasons.. "One Offs" typically are much more expensive, this is due to multiple factors like over all design, materials, special tooling, labor, scale of economy which includes bulk purchasing of materials. RV manufacturers save considerable cost by designing and building RVs in bulk, pretty much a cookie cutter approach building thousands of the SAME unit on one line.

I agree that a custom build will cost me more. I'm not sure what you consider "considerably more", but I am budgeting $15k for the cargo trailer and another $20-$25k for the finishing. Maybe another $5k in over-runs (as with any build project there is a tendency to add things in the process) The money is in hand - no loans ready to go. Yes, RV manufacturers are able to purchase materials in bulk quantities saving costs. But those same manufacturers also tend to put a big consideration on profit margin first. A dealer once told me that the key to the RV business is "eye candy." It's why you rarely find a new RV with a good mattress. A good one and a crappy one look the same on the sales lot. The crappy one costs 75% less.

A cargo trailer design by its very nature results in a considerably heavier trailer, it is designed for hualing cargo so the ALL the strength is in the STEEL FRAME, there is very little structural strength in the side walls and roof. Cargo trailers are designed to carry extremely heavy loads on the FLOOR of said trailer. This results in a very heavy empty trailer.

I am banking on exactly that point.... that a cargo trailer has a strong frame and can haul. It places less emphasis on weight considerations. (one of the most important design variables in a custom build) I agree that the sides and roof require structural support.

Travel trailers on the other hand have light weight steel frames and USE the "box" on top of the steel as part of the overall frame (the side walls and roof create a very strong structural frame system). This allows the travel trailer to have considerably less weight but yet be strong enough to carry same weight as a cargo trailer. Cargo trailers by themselves are not cheap.

I agree that cargo trailers are not cheap...especially the type I intend to purchase (seamless aluminum exterior, extended height, tube framing).

Your "design" basically is nothing more than a cargo trailer with a cot, desk, cassette toilet.. Pretty much ANYONE could simply buy a cargo trailer and put those things in and call it a day.. There is nothing "Earth shattering" which would entice the average RVr into wanting it.

Other than an entry door that opens inward, a larger than normal RV shower enclosure and a few other design concepts I would agree that there is nothing remarkable or "earth shattering" about my design. I am not intending to reinvent the wheel, just produce a better more efficient wheel. A "cargo trailer with a cot"? LOL.... I gonna have to remember that when I'm writing the builder check. LOL

There is not really much of a "market" for an expensive cargo trailer with basically nothing but minimalist shelter. Folks who ARE looking for such a minimalist shelter would most likely BUILD THERE OWN and completely forgo buying yours.

I would agree that there's not much of a market for an expensive anything these days, but while a prototype vehicle most likely would cost more to build that does not mean subsequent units would. By your own admission "one-off's" incur exceptional design and tooling costs.

Depreciation on your home built design will be even more extreme due to its very limiting nature of the design. It will appeal to a very small audience IF you are lucky ( but it most likely will be only you).

Ok, what you say can be true, but it also can not be true. One of a kind or unique built products can have a significantly higher value...especially if they're built well. Is there a mass market for a small well built travel trailer designed for solo 4 season travel? I don't know yet. Let me get the first one built and on the road and I'll let you know 6 months after. What is undisputed is that the tiny house/dwelling/rv trend is catching fire, rising fuel costs make small sizes appealing, a more single-independent social culture is growing and most travel trailers on the market are not really designed for full-time travel.

Such a highly stripped down and customized cargo trailer is a huge gamble with a very small chance of any profits. You would HAVE to be able to make it LESS expensive than a popup tent trailer if you had any hopes on selling it.. That's not going to happen.

There was once a guy that wanted to start a coffee company in one of the hottest weather spots in California. People told him he was crazy, nobody would invest and most told him "it's not going to happen." That guy is Howard Schultz...and that coffee company is now known as Starbucks.


My suggestion is if you "want" this design for yourself only then go ahead and build it since it will fit YOUR "lifestyle". But if your even thinking or planning on attempting to sell it to the public you BETTER get yourself some very good Business 101 courses and then rethink the plan. Getting into the custom RV business is harder than you think, the folks who are looking for custom RVs are doing so because they can not find quality or a specific feature or layout THAT THEY WANT. Basically not what you the designer "thinks" they want..
Rule 1 of business - You HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS.

First, since when does the customer ever know what they really want? (At one time even Ford Pintos sold well) Second, the whole RV manufacturing industry is built on a premise contrary to customers needs.

Rule 2 of business - REREAD RULE 1
Failure to follow rule 1 results in FAILURE of said business.