Converting a enclosed trailer to a RV TT

mr_andyj wrote:

mr_andyj wrote:
I have one. It is smaller than yours but I am usually going solo.
They are called Cargo Campers.
I have a big bed that fold up , so it is literally both cargo and a camper as I can still haul things with the bed up, much like the back of a Toy Hauler.

If you are handy this will be a great way to get exactly what you want. If you will be learning all the trades then you will learn a lot, make a lot of mistakes, but eveuntally get it done and be happy.

It does take a lot of time.

I have the #1 rule: Never use a 2x4.
#2 never use pre-built homedepot cabinets or counters. They are made for houses, not small spaces.
#3 everything you do needs to be space saving and preferably have dual-uses.

The cheapest and easiest thing to do to build up your cargo trailer is go buy a used camper that is super cheap, $500 or $1,500 even. If all the things work in it this will save you thousands of dollars!!!! I can't stress this enough. All the little things will add up.

I had the cargo trailer, and I had laying around about $2,000 worth of RV camper things (AC, Heater, Danfoss compressor Fridge, Water Pump, Water Tank, Electrical system, one solar panel (bought another), batteries, Ceiling Fans etc... I still spent about another $2,000 and counting.

Including trailer, what I had and what I spent the grand total is well over $6,500 (trailer counts for about 2,500).

I spent a lot of time insulating the ceiling. Just cutting the foam to fit in place is time-consuming, then I cut long strips of 1 inch boards and added another layer of 1 inch insulation, and more time to cut the foam panels. Remember to run the electrical wiring before so you have wires in place.

Do insulate the roof/ceiling and all the walls, the floor is optional.

Cutting out for the windows, adding in 1 inch thick blocks of wood in the hollow space also took a lot of time. You do not want to mess this up.

I welded in extra square tubing in the ceiling where the AC unit is to make it stronger. Planning took as much time as execution.

I am currently still pondering the best way to put propane in. Finding the right sizes and lengths of hoses, tubing, pipe, adapters etc is a big job. Easier to just take out of that junk camper you bought cheap and put in the new cargo camper.

Be sure that everything you build into it keeps the trailer balanced side to side, and also that there is not too much weight on the tongue or too much at the rear (rear weight will cause trailer sway).

Build everything light. Chose light over durable.
Do not use big plywood/ thick plywood. Use the lightest, flimsiest wood you can get away with. You will be amazed how it becomes strong when all bolted in and squared up with other things.

No nails. Glued and screwed is the motto.

You will use 500 screws.

Sheet metal screws are better than wood screws. #8 and #10 screws.

Tek screws are your friend for metal. also #10 or #8, well, your best friend will be the cordless impact wrench.

Use angle iron generously - aluminum or steel, and thin steel when you can, or sometimes just an angle piece for a small thing. In homedepot decking section they have shaped metal for building decks that might be useful. Angled metal works better than using wood blocks to connect things at a right angle. The kind with the holes already all over it is super useful, but the blank ones can be drilled if you have a drill press.
Angle iron will take up less space than using weak wood.

Dicor Lap Sealant, self leveling. Choose your color.

Elmers wood glue is strong. The wood fibers will break before the glue bond will.

Consider what will be glued and what will be just screwed. Screws can be undone and redone for repairs, glue is much more difficult to take apart and you will likely break whatever is glued.

Showers and bathrooms are huge spaces that only get used minutes per day. Given you mentioned two females you likely have no choice, but for a man's RV you can have an outdoor shower, a bucket (for #2) and a laundry detergent gallon jug (for #1). There are ways to set up a temporary indoor shower and use the sink wand extension as your shower head. I have a folding dog bath tub, looks like a small pool, to stand in to shower and just set up a shower curtain.

Man's RV can also forego heating water. Man up and take a cold shower, you wash your hands in cold water.... but again, if females, then you are building an entirely different camper..

If you can make folding beds then that will give you a lot of room in the daytime for those cold or rainy days, otherwise you will be living on the beds.

Can't figure out if you are joking or for real but that is pretty over the top reaction..

Simply put, cargo trailers start put extremely heavy which makes them less than ideal.

I would agree with buying a junker, then use whatever good parts like windows and other items.

Think light weight construction, RVs typically use 1x2 construction and 1/8" paneling to save weight. Build your own cabinets, use 1x2 s for framing the cabinets and cover with your thin paneling.. IE make a "sandwich" for strength instead of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood.

If you design it well you can also use your trailer as a "toyhauler".

Personally though, it is very easy to dump a lot of time and money into this project and in the end when you decide to sell it, you will not recoop the time or money out of it and might even be a difficult sale..