Enclosed Trailer mods, any experience and advice?

[languiduck]

I picked up a 5x10 enclosed utility trailer to pull behind me when I'm not hauling my Jeep on the car hauler. Got it from an older gentleman and I'm not exactly what he used it for because it's pristine. He sealed the floor on both sides with some kind of epoxy paint and finished the walls and stained/sealed them. He also put carpet in on the floor. Anyway, I know some of you pull an enclosed trailer and I'm looking for pics, writeups, tips, advice, etc on how you modded yours. I do want to use it for other things and for future use so I don't want to build anything large and permanent in there. In fact I may make it so our son can sleep in there and have some space to himself for those long weekends. I'd want to haul things like coolers, little giant ladder, small generator/gas can, fishing poles, maybe some firewood, camping chairs.....you get the idea. There's probably a bunch of things I'm not thinking about. Right now I'm not really interested in solar panels.

[Tizi]

Furrion 110V In



110V out

[Tizi]

[noteven]

My needs are becoming simpler and less as I travel more... I put E-track in a basic cargo trailer on the floor and walls. I'm thinking L-track would be a better choice on a do-over - more compact, easier to clean. A side awning is on the list. The one 11 feet in the air on the back of the truck campler doesn't supply much ground shade.

Off to view some of the posted links to other sites and ideas now. 🙂

[Rickj91]

http://www.tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=42
Here is a forum that is all about Cargo Trailer conversions. I use it all the time. Like truck cmaper people, they are very resourceful and helpful.

[towpro]

trail-explorer wrote:

towpro wrote:
...and its illegal to haul firewood anywhere anymore. ....(there is some firewood dyed in kilns

It's not illegal to move firewood. I move it from the mountains to my house.

Dyed firewood, what's the point in that?

spelling error. now says kiln dried firewood.
the heat kills the bugs.

and here is what PA has to day about moving firewood.

It is against Pennsylvania’s regulations to bring out-of-state firewood into the state. Nearly all types of out-of-state firewood are prohibited via this regulation- hardwood, softwood, kiln-dried, seasoned and green. Packaged heat treated firewood with a stamp showing treatment of at least core temperature of 160°F for a minimum of 75 minutes is permitted.

[languiduck]

Thanks, all great ideas. Sorry if I got snappy at my first response, but I had already done google images and searches and didn't see exactly everything.
As for the firewood, I do take it places but I burn it all before I leave. I'm near the coast so I'm not bringing the Emerald Ash anywhere, but I make sure I don't bring it home too.
I do need to figure out how to mount a gray tank in there. I can keep the gas cans on the tongue. A couple things to get me started is a way to secure the 4 step little giant. Hang it, or just stand it up and secure it with an etrack? Also fishing poles, etc. Just screw hooks in to the wall?

I was thinking of adding some shore power like Tizi just mentioned.

It is a single axle, there is no drop down gate, the rear doors are double swing open.

[Tizi]

I added a RV converter/charger, shore power in, 2 6V golf cart batts, 1000 watt inverter, solar, lighting, 110 outlets, USB and 12V outlets. Ill post up some pics

[trail-explorer]

...but, getting back on topic:

A really good resource for cargo trailer mods is a motorcycle forum:

Enclosed Trailer Setups

[trail-explorer]

towpro wrote:
...and its illegal to haul firewood anywhere anymore. ....(there is some firewood dyed in kilns

It's not illegal to move firewood. I move it from the mountains to my house.

Dyed firewood, what's the point in that?

[jimh406]

Not necessarily illegal to move firewood, but can be a bad idea. https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/11/unintended-consequences-of-transporting-firewood/

[towpro]

If your going to use it for sleeping quarters for your son, keep the gas out of it or it will stink. Also it will get hot in these trailers.

I have a feeling that size trailer is single axle. test what happens if you stand on tailgate when trailer is disconnected. Will front of trailer stand up in the air? (pivots on axle?) you may need rear jacks.

and its illegal to haul firewood anywhere anymore. with evasive bugs like the Emerald Ash Borer eating up the eastern US, local governments ask that you please leave your firewood at home. (there is some firewood dried in kilns that is marked bug free you can move, but its packed in little bundles wrapped in plastic with notice on warping.

I use my trailer all the time for moving all those things I like to take along that I don't have room for in the camper. chairs, coolers, Surf fishing poles, beach stuff, BMW motorcycle :), etc, etc. I also have a 25 gallon water tank and pump built into the V nose of mine for carrying extra water for camper. But be careful with this added weight on the tong if using hitch extension.

[DutchmenSport]

languiduck wrote:
Good grief, I know what google is. Why bother responding if you have nothing personal to add? If thats how it is here, then this forum is obsolete. Please, I'm asking for personal experience from truck campers

Wow, someone didn't have their morning coffee. Sheesh! Just trying to be helpful. Excuse me for NOT being a mind reader!

And FYI, you are asking about a utility trailer conversion on the TC forum. Anyone can have a utility trailer. I've had several myself.

Maybe I should get my morning coffee now!

[RoyB]

languiduck wrote:
Good grief, I know what google is. Why bother responding if you have nothing personal to add? If thats how it is here, then this forum is obsolete. Please, I'm asking for personal experience from truck campers

I saw one of these ADD A TENT BED done to a trailer at an event which I thought was a great idea... Only had a few inches sticking out on the in side of the trailer when folded up... Probably too big to be used for your very small utility trailer but is a great idea to me... Looked like this uggh 'GOOGLE IMAGE'



Give us a break on sending folks google images... They are there for all of us to use and spread the knowledge. I goto them all the time here... With the multitude of postings everywhere I like the idea of google searches for every idea I come up with... Someone Somewhere has done it already...

Roy ken

[Bedlam]

1. Run e-track on the walls and floor to tie items down.
2. Add solar to the roof and batteries to the tongue or interior so you have extra reserves. Connect them to your camper using an Anderson or 2-pole high amperage connector.
3. If you like to extend dry camping, add a fresh water tank to the trailer with a 12VDC transfer pump to refil your camper.
4. If you cannot disperse gray water, carry a waste tote to dump your holding tanks until you get to real dump.
5. Add a TV or fridge in the trailer to make it a man cave.