Community Forums

Cowpie1 · 12-09-2018, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Just be aware that not all campground will accept it.....same with school buses

Well, one of the additional characteristics of doing a Cargo Trailer conversion is stealth. Most that do this sort of thing are more into boondocking than living at RV parks. And having a cargo trailer is far more inconspicuous and one has a much wider variety of locations available to camp for the night. And the various government parks really don't care if one is using a cargo trailer.

60sumtin · 12-10-2018, 07:06 AM

Keep us posted on your progress. Can't wait to see the final project.

Bob_E. · 12-10-2018, 10:51 AM

Another option is to buy an older camper in the size that you desire and gut it and build what you want. The benefits are that they can be picked up relatively cheap, you get a RV title (which can be big if you want insurance), and if you choose a good one, you will have most of the mechanicals/appliances, etc. which can be quite expensive to buy all new from scratch. That's what I am doing. I picked up an older 33ft Fleetwood Wilderness for $650 and tore it down to the frame. I'm currently in the frame strengthening stage and will be adding a slide-out. Then all new wood framing, etc. To buy what I wanted was over $40K. I figure I'll have around $10k in this project and it will be built to my specs and better than a factory one thrown together in half an hour. Plus its a fun hobby for me...something to tinker with when I have time. I'm in no rush since I have access to my parent's camper that we've been using.

Scarab0088 · 12-10-2018, 05:41 PM

An older TT would NOT be too stealth..refabbed or not

Cowpie1 · 12-11-2018, 04:11 AM

And an older TT would not be nearly as structurally strong either. Another one of the main purposes of doing a cargo trailer conversion is structural strength. And it would be impractical to do a one piece aluminum roof like one gets with a cargo trailer instead of some card stock thin rubber roof on a TT that can be punctured easily by a tree branch. And to do what one could do with a cargo trailer, in terms of 4 seasons insulation, a TT's structure would have to be taken apart and rebuilt also.

PKI · 12-12-2018, 02:47 PM

Have you looked at Airstream, Avion, Silverstreak and kin renovations?

Not to send you away from the construction trailer conversion, but reviewing all options can be of value.

One of the big advantages of rolling your own is to limit the quantity and location of flammable materials that you use in the construction.

Always thought that folks who used a construction trailer for work could have two inserts. One for tools and one for RV use. If held to the right height, they could store in a common two car garage when not in use. One set of wheels to register and maintain would be better than two.

60sumtin · 12-13-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowpie1

And an older TT would not be nearly as structurally strong either. Another one of the main purposes of doing a cargo trailer conversion is structural strength. And it would be impractical to do a one piece aluminum roof like one gets with a cargo trailer instead of some card stock thin rubber roof on a TT that can be punctured easily by a tree branch. And to do what one could do with a cargo trailer, in terms of 4 seasons insulation, a TT's structure would have to be taken apart and rebuilt also.

You've mentioned building a "true" four seasons trailer so I'm wondering what's your definition of four season use? Building it so its livable not only in the heat of a Texas or Arizona summer but also livable in the cold winters months of North Dakota or Montana? If so what are your plans insulation wise to it make it fully livable in such temperature extremes. Or will it be used like most RVs the other way around - summers in the north, winters in the south?