Enclosed trailer to be camping trailer?

[rn09]

I have been shopping for a used 2005 - 07 Keystone Outback 21rs but they cost around 10k to 13k from where I live. Yesterday, crossing this web site and I saw v-nose enclosed trailer. Can I make it to be camping trailer? I don't need all the fancy just wanted it simple for family of 4 (two adults + two kids)

1. Can I make two window doors, one on each side?
2. Just need a portable AC, a small frig which I already owned.
3. For sleeping, we lay out two queen mattress and we are set.

trailer

It costs less than 4k brand new.

Any experiences, commends on this?

[Road_Phantom]

Ive see people use uhaul trailers. Think of it as a hard sided tent.

[Community Alumni]

They make really nice hunting trailers. Not only do they serve as sleeping quarters, but you can also use it to haul and/or dress your catch. Since people normally waterproof the floors, they hose out really easily. Anyway, I've seen lots of trailers similar to what you're thinking. Here's a link to a guy who had a similar idea as you. His trailer was beautifully done. Wait until you see the end product.

Trailer Build

[RVnMC]

rn09 wrote:
I have been shopping for a used 2005 - 07 Keystone Outback 21rs but they cost around 10k to 13k from where I live. Yesterday, crossing this web site and I saw v-nose enclosed trailer. Can I make it to be camping trailer? I don't need all the fancy just wanted it simple for family of 4 (two adults + two kids)

1. Can I make two window doors, one on each side?
2. Just need a portable AC, a small frig which I already owned.
3. For sleeping, we lay out two queen mattress and we are set.

trailer

It costs less than 4k brand new.

Any experiences, commends on this?

Check out Aero trailers for ideas...
Aero Trailers Living Quarters Trailer

[ktmrfs]

Been there, done that. I ordered the trailer with a door in the spot I needed for a front galley. Ordered it with a window. Then built & installed a gally with stove, dorm fridge, cabinets. Then added a shower and porta pottie. A 20 gallon fresh water tank, 40 gallon grey tank, closet with microwave, overhead AC, furnace. Built a fold down bed with overhead storage that could be converted from a twin to full size, fold down couch/bed, and a table with round tube legs. Use it to haul 3 motorcycles, my homemade toyhauler. DW and I used it for years before we got our 30' outback. Still use it for getting to small campgrounds and when MC riding.

Rhinolined the floor, just hose it out to clean it.

It takes some work and good DIY capabilities, but you can turn it into a very useable comfortable TT.

One word of advice. cargo trailers are HEAVY for the size. steel frames not aluminum. My 7x14 cargo trailer was about 4000lbs EMPTY as delivered. about 5000lbs by the time I got it converted.

[Southedistoman]

Saw quite a few trailers done up like this back when we rode atvs in TN and WV. One guy even went so far as to buy a salvage TT for like $1000 at an auction. Took the fridge, AC, stove, and toilet out and put it all in his cargo trailer. He dismantled the rest and sold the aluminum skin and steel for scrap and was only in it for a couple of hundred. He set it up like a park model, wired and plumbed, but no tanks. He could load atvs all the way to the nose of the trailer. Nice setup, I could have been happy with it for a regular camping trailer.
What you want to do has some merit. Good luck.

[oughtsix]

I have seen many more cargo trailers converted to travel trailers in the Toy hauler world. From what I have seen most cargo trailers are made to haul a considerable amount more weight that a typical travel trailer and use sturdier axles which I would consider a plus. I think I have even come across some factory converted cargo trailers.

Cargo trailers come in various interior heights. At 6'3" myself I would want one with a 7' interior height. Those V noses have got to help with wind resistance considerably.

[dadmomh]

I think it's doable assuming you have the skills and tools to do the job. My DH has a smaller utility trailer he uses for his RC airplanes and he constantly says he wished he had one with the side door also. Looks like you're covered on this. I also was thinking about the emergency exits and how you could remove the swing bar to make sure you're not locked in.....then I remembered that our Rockwood has 2 doors and both of them have the large swing handles which keep them from being opened from the inside. So assuming you go with this project, would strongly suggest you contact one of the RV manufacturers and check out the emergency window and add that. It's not for everyday open and close, but for emergency only, so you might want to be a third window. You should be able to pick up some cabinets at a builders outlet or one of the regular DIY places to set up a kitchen work area.

A few concerns would be getting money and time invested and then decide you really would prefer a standard trailer....might have trouble finding a buyer and you might be out $6000 or more. Have you looked into a hybrid travel trailer? They generally are less $ and even if you had to do some driving to pick it up, you might come out ahead. You should be able to find a few year old hybrid for the $6000 - $8000 range. I know that hybrids are scarce in CA, but you could do some online searching and maybe work out something within a reasonable drive. Comfortwise, I know you'd be ahead. I would continue with your homework on this and price it out vs something ready to go. Good luck.

[DougE]

Here's my 6x10 V-nose. All new, including trailer, for under $5k. I added a battery, 120v service, A/C, backup lights, shelving, sofa/bed, TV.
With a larger used trailer you should be able to meet your goal.

[ve7prt]

We did this ourselves. I took a 2008 Forest River 24ft car hauler and converted it to a camper/RV. I did all the wiring, through-hulls, plumbing, and had a friend help with framing and paneling. Works great, and probably handles our road better than most regular RV's would. Not to mention, we built it to our specifications, not to what bozo who's never camped or RV'd in his life came up with. Heck, even the dealer we bought the trailer from agreed the car hauler would stand up better than a regular RV.

You can read about our trailer here.

Cheers!
Mike

[majorgator]

Enclosed trailers can be heavy when empty, heaver than a conventional TT
they are lower to the ground, which might make holding tank problematic
many of them aren't very tall on the inside

[Dog_Folks]

Seen them, and have no problems with them.

Just one small caveat: Some parks require a factory built RV. It is an insurance thing. Not many do but it might be worth checking into in your area.

If you are going to do any campground hosting, a lot of those positions require a factory built.

[rn09]

DutchmenSport wrote:
....
They used cots for beds, a stand alone Coleman camp stove, a stand alone port-a-potty, hung a bar across the front for clothes, used Tupperware style totes for their clothing and food, all stacked nicely like dresser drawers, a folding card table and umbrella collapsible style chairs. They had an electric cooler (not a refrigerator), they could plug in outside or inside. Everything was completely portable, movable, and on a whim, it all could be emptied out and used for any cargo needs.

...

This is exactly what I had in minds. I have all of those things since I sold my pop-up two years ago. And ofcourse, TV for the boys is a must have at night 🙂

Taking advice from Trackrig. I am looking for the used.

[memgrove]

Just make sure that the doors can be opened from the inside and not locked shut from the outside.

[boosTT]

IMO: I would just look for an older/cheaper used travel trailer. In the end, the "real" camper will be a lot nicer and more practical for camping.

I've even saw U-Haul trailers at campsites...

I would also recommend looking at "work n play" trailers.