Forum Discussion
centerline
Dec 31, 2017Explorer
I agree with the previous replies.
I had the same idea at one time.
after owning many older trailers and campers, I finally got tired of the leaks and constant repairs of the components and such in "pre-built" units, AND, I wanted room to haul my atvs also.
so I bought a new 24ft interstate cargo "car" trailer with the specific intent to convert i into a comfortable camping trailer, with the ability to haul 2 quads in...
I succeeded and have gotten many compliments on it.
I built a queen murphy bed and a bulkhead for an enclosed potty area forward with an electric flush portpotti.
it has installed shelving throughout and a mounted microwave oven
for heat, I installed a newport-dickensen marine diesel stove. it keeps the interior temps at 68-70 degrees down to about 17degrees outside (been tested).
it has an insulated roof and floor and is wired for 110vac and 12vdc with an installed charger.
it also has a custom built stainless steel roof deck for hauling a small boat and has an installed roof pod for extra storage.
its warm, dry and extremely low maintenance.... and it is for sale...
the down side to it, it sets too low for tanks to be installed below,
so its conversion capabilities are limited without some expensive modifications or special self contained deck mounted components.
as comfortable and roomy as it is for an "outdoorsmans" camp trailer, with nearly as much space as a 32ft toyhauler, it comes at some expense because its not loaded down with a sink, hot water heater, plumbing, built in furnace or air conditioner, all of which take double flooring or roofing for duct work.
neither does it have a couch or easy chairs, dinette or installed stove or propane system.
we use folding camp tables and chairs that can be stowed when we have the quads loaded and traveling
it is more set up to live cheaply and simply "off the grid", with a small honda genset for charging the batteries and running the microwave oven when necessary.
at one time I planned to mount solar panels to the roof, but I found I didnt need them...
and as life will sometimes lead us in another direction, it has led me in a direction where I no longer use this trailer.
I agree that a manufactured toy hauler would be your best option, but only because it has all that you want, and all the work has been done.... its ready to live in. and it will cost more to do a conversion than it does to buy a nice ready-to-live-in used unit.
the "toy hauler" recommendation only because it has an open floor plan and would allow you to move around easier... and on summer days, its nice to open the back door and enjoy the outdoors for awhile.
the only downside (in my opinion) to a manufactured unit is, there is always the worry of eventual roof or window leaks and the costly repairs of the damage caused by them, and the cost of component repairs, such as troubleshooting and electronic control boards
everything is a trade off...
I had the same idea at one time.
after owning many older trailers and campers, I finally got tired of the leaks and constant repairs of the components and such in "pre-built" units, AND, I wanted room to haul my atvs also.
so I bought a new 24ft interstate cargo "car" trailer with the specific intent to convert i into a comfortable camping trailer, with the ability to haul 2 quads in...
I succeeded and have gotten many compliments on it.
I built a queen murphy bed and a bulkhead for an enclosed potty area forward with an electric flush portpotti.
it has installed shelving throughout and a mounted microwave oven
for heat, I installed a newport-dickensen marine diesel stove. it keeps the interior temps at 68-70 degrees down to about 17degrees outside (been tested).
it has an insulated roof and floor and is wired for 110vac and 12vdc with an installed charger.
it also has a custom built stainless steel roof deck for hauling a small boat and has an installed roof pod for extra storage.
its warm, dry and extremely low maintenance.... and it is for sale...
the down side to it, it sets too low for tanks to be installed below,
so its conversion capabilities are limited without some expensive modifications or special self contained deck mounted components.
as comfortable and roomy as it is for an "outdoorsmans" camp trailer, with nearly as much space as a 32ft toyhauler, it comes at some expense because its not loaded down with a sink, hot water heater, plumbing, built in furnace or air conditioner, all of which take double flooring or roofing for duct work.
neither does it have a couch or easy chairs, dinette or installed stove or propane system.
we use folding camp tables and chairs that can be stowed when we have the quads loaded and traveling
it is more set up to live cheaply and simply "off the grid", with a small honda genset for charging the batteries and running the microwave oven when necessary.
at one time I planned to mount solar panels to the roof, but I found I didnt need them...
and as life will sometimes lead us in another direction, it has led me in a direction where I no longer use this trailer.
I agree that a manufactured toy hauler would be your best option, but only because it has all that you want, and all the work has been done.... its ready to live in. and it will cost more to do a conversion than it does to buy a nice ready-to-live-in used unit.
the "toy hauler" recommendation only because it has an open floor plan and would allow you to move around easier... and on summer days, its nice to open the back door and enjoy the outdoors for awhile.
the only downside (in my opinion) to a manufactured unit is, there is always the worry of eventual roof or window leaks and the costly repairs of the damage caused by them, and the cost of component repairs, such as troubleshooting and electronic control boards
everything is a trade off...
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