Building a micro camper for Maker Camp in the Catskills | converting a cargo trailer for off grid
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2022
- This cargo trailer camper conversion is my version of a low cost minimalist camper build. I started my #microcamper with a 4x8 U Haul cargo trailer, adding a lithium-ion battery pack, air conditioning, and a memory foam bed for off-grid comfort. I call it my Bed Box. Let me know what you think!
Catskill Mountain Maker Camp - catskillmountainmakerscamp.com/ 
Хобби
Come to maker camp. We can hide it in my yard 🤐 hahah😂😂😂 awesome
😅 Problem solved! I'll disguise it for the trip and drop it off. Hint: it's the big blue toaster 😎
@@JordanWorkshop are you in the clear !??
@@jimmydiresta Yes, I've been talking to Uhaul. They seem more reasonable than most here give them credit for. I'll have its ownership history back from the DMV shortly. Great setup at Maker Camp this year!! I wish I had recorded more of it. Should have a trip video out in a few days
@@JordanWorkshop brilliant idea to use this cargo container U-hual!! I would recommend you watch yt ch Chuck Cassidy. He is a professional skollie conversion bus builder. He recommned putting spray foam between the metal and wood so that you dont get any condensation behind the walls that could cause mold issues.
Happy camping!! 🌲🌲🌲
Beautiful trailer. Maybe more insulation & a small wood burning stove or even a pellet stove.
I can believe it! I clicked on this video and was thinking to myself, “this guy’s voice has in uncanny resemblance to my former co-worker’s voice!” Then realized it WAS Scott! Hey buddy! Nice video! Love the build!
Hey Darren! Thanks! Good to hear from you! Still doing the woodworking?
@@JordanWorkshop Yep! I’ll text you sometime.
You pass this off as a casual and "rough" project. You're too humble; this is an incredible job.
I like the idea you are towing it with a Range Rover. It'd be comforting to know you have somewhere to sleep when waiting for the tow truck.😀
I applaud both your skill set and dedication to repurposing/reusing material. The amount of "waste" in our society is horrific and your project demonstrates just how someone with a bit of vision and effort can make a dent in the problem. Shop skills should be taught to everyone in school (and I say this as a retired English/communication prof), along with basic gardening skills.
Totally agree. As a women who never held a power drill in my hand until I was in my late 40s, I wish I had learned shop skills when I was young. Life would have been different.
Well said!
You should be going to maker camp as a instructor. Your skills as a travel trailer builder can easily turn into a business. Building for others as a career is in your future if it interests you. Well done sir. You give me and I'm thinking, other people who watched this, inspiration and hope to do something themselves. Thankyou for sharing.
Hey, I live near Machu Picchu!
This was SO much more than I expected when I clicked on the video. Truly impressed with your wide range of skills and knowledge that allowed you to make this. Very concise video too; it really shows just how much goes into making a tiny camper.
Love the old uhaul trailer, never knew you could buy them.
I like that you're not just throwing money at problems, good luck maker.
Very nice job especially with all the repurposed materials. Wish I understood electronics and electrical like you. Well done
Good job. Each individual battery pack needs a fuse or breaker. You may want to seal around electrical compartment sides with sealant or rubber strips. The low pressure area behind tow vehicle may direct water/salt spray into those gaps. Add a 12V computer fan and speed controller for ventilation. It helps cool things down if it gets too hot with no shore power and drown out noises- good or bad😊.
Thanks! I'll add these to my list
nice job. im amazed at the comments, everyone is an expert, half of those sound like theyve been watching too many law and order tv shows. four words in response, "you have the title".... again nice job on the conversion!!! you gave me an idea or two, for my trailer, thanks!!!
Thanks for making my day with the "repurposed tree"!
Awesome job. This has to be one of the best trailer builds I've seen. Love that you showed repurposed materials, showing a good way to save some money. Would love to see the finished product.
Have you ever been called an over achiever? Definitely a beautiful job in progress. I have camped in a 4x8 U-Haul twice and a 5x8 U-Haul once. I wanted to test the space. Just me camping, not a couple. I appreciate the info (watching you do it) on how you disassembled certain structures inside and cut out window etc. A simple tarp canopy hanging off the back or a pop up shelter completes the deal. Thanks for posting.
I have nothing but admiration for people with this much knowledge to make cool stuff.
Pulling a U Hual trailer years ago is what got me to thinking,,,,hmmm " why couldn't you turn one of these trailers into a camper" well fast forward a few years I purchased a 8.5 X 18 cargo trailer and converted it into a camper!! When I was kicking the U Haul trailer idea around all those years ago I never moved forward with it because I could never find a used U Hual trailer for sale! Anyway looking forward to see I how you do this build so far it's AWESOME!
I loved all the repurposed items from the trailer to the server rack awesome job!
I was a mechanic for U-Haul for 12 years. The box trailers were never sold. We cut them up and scrapped them. They did sell auto-transports and tow dollys though. If you get seen with it they will probably take it from you. I've personally seen them take trailers modified just like yours that people unwittingly purchased and had no idea it was stolen. Not sure about their policy now since I haven't worked there for a few years.
This one was built in the 1970's. It has a valid NC title. It sounds like some made it out into the wild back then. Still tracking down info though
I dont know how NC is, but I will say every one of these that I have ever come across that was stripped and no longer had UHAUL on it was stolen. Most of the time they had been registered as "Homemade" but once you talked to UHAUL and found the real VIN, it was stolen. Nice work, and I hope that your trailer is legal in that sense.
Yeah, it's stolen. Doesn't matter what "title" you have. U-Haul has never and will never sell their "Van Trailers"
@@JordanWorkshop Absolutely guarantee you it is stolen property. U-Haul will go to court with design patents and a corporate affidavit swearing they do not sell these trailers. No Judge has ever ruled against U-Haul in these cases. Do yourself a favor. Dismantle your modifications and return the trailer to a U-Haul corporate location. They will not ask questions. If it is recovered with the modifications in place, you’ll lose them, along with the trailer. I know this. I’ve taken trailers from people. I’ve been to court. I’ve never lost.
That is still very true.
Great build video and good luck with U-Haul!!
Wow. So talented. I wish I had just half the skills you have. Electrical is so intimidating.
Wow - I think you did a great job and with so much repurposed material? Impressive!
That's amazing! Fantastic conversion, totally in awe of your skills and resourcefulness !
Thank you! I just checked out your build video. Looks like you're in for an amazing journey! I'll be following along on your channel
Your attention to detail is amazing, a labour of love , but what a fantastic camper and the savings is phenomenal. Cheers
I really like what you've done here. Nice work. I take it that you're not really done with everything but the idea of taking a U-Haul trailer and making something so much more functional out of it is just incredible. I wish you the best.
I love what you’ve done 💕This camper will make it to a lot of places 🎉 Your recycling skills are amazing. Thank you 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🥂🍾
I think you're doing a fine job with this trailer. I like the looks of it. Reminds me of the "Old-School" look.
Love it!! Thoroughly enjoyed seeing your knowledge and skill and putting it all together using repurchased items.
That was awesome! And Inspiring! I have an old enclosed car hauler from my dad I tried to do something with years ago. This makes me want to go back to that project. Thanks for sharing!
Well done Jimmy. You make a conversion look easy; which it isn't. 😃
Very nice build. I like how you repurposed many things, yet managed to get a somewhat decent look, considering the time you spent on this. With more time to spare, you could play around with all the rough stuff as well as add some details here and there. Not just cosmetic ones, but practical.
Super impressed. No one would ever guess that used to be a Uhual trailer. Wow.
That repurposed server rack was a nice zero waste touch. Chefs kiss
Great conversion Jordan. These older ones are so well made too. All metal and no pressure treated wood slats. Anyone thinking of doing this to a newer one, keep in mind there is some pressure treated wood that will need to be swapped out.
Not Stolen! - Thanks for all the concern about this being a stolen cargo trailer. I'm not sure how U-Haul lost ownership of this one. It is, however, legally titled to me as at was for the person I bought it from. The numbers on the frame match the title. I've talked to the DMV theft bureau and I'm trying to track down more info from U-Haul. It appears to be a very old unit, maybe 40 - 50 years old. I'll let you know in a future video when I find out more. Helpful replies (identification, U-Haul legal precedent) to this pin are welcome :)
I go to a scrap yard occasionally and I sometimes see this same size trailer (sometimes bigger) on the pile.
NICE! It's small and tidy. I love seeing repurposed things and especially when it is about camping!
I think it should make it, and even if it doesn't, you have a handyman who can fix anything.
I never would have thought of using an old tree like that. You are truly a repurposing god, sir.
hey, when a man got wood...its use it or lose it.
Looks great for it's intended purpose. I would consider raising your bed onto a short platform so that you could use the area between the bed and floor as storage. Get some of those thin plastic containers with wheels and slide them under the bed platform. You can use for clothes, dry food storage, or something else.
Either raise it for storage underneath or lower it for more headroom. Having it on 2x4s didn’t serve a purpose that I could think of.
That was the first time I watched the electrical creation of a battery and understood. That was awesome.
Very very cool build! Reusing material is the way to go, bravo!
My biggest question is how did you get one of those trailers? I've gone to several locations hoping to purchase one, either a the end of its service life for the company or even something newer at a premium. Every time I've been turned away with a very specific "We don't sell our trailers. When we can't use them, they're destroyed."
I've actually done the same. But was told, anyone that has one of our old trailers, got it buy illegal means. Not saying he did, just what I was told.
Same. They patened the design. So the original uhauls vould be identified if they were not returned.
Don't return it. They charge you a cost. Problem solved
Yeah I’ve heard all the same even a Google search will tell you if you come across one. It’s stolen
talked to few U-Haul rental locations and as well a phone call to national. They also say, they refuse to sell trailers period. they recycle and repurpose them themselves. Meaning those that actually bought it must have "certificate" of sale approved and witnessed in a courthouse. Otherwise, UHAUL will go beyond suing and reclaiming the trailer (and send bill to you for "restoring it back to original state"). ONLY trailers sold is the original camper trailers and is not even in UHAUL inventory. (i learned from old timer rental staff, UHAUL figured out repurposing practices, took remainder "half" of unsold camper trailers and repurposed them.)
OP posted this October 2022. bet you U-Haul figured out who and legally beat of the restorer that restorer did not post what happened afterwards.
Fantastic job! I like how you were able to repurpose so many pieces.
I’m curious how much money you ended up putting into building it!
I love it! Simple yet everything you'd need!
Woah! How did you score a U-Haul trailer??? They don't sell them and they go to great lengths to make sure old trailers are recycled and not sold.
Someone stole it and then sold it to him, more than likely.
They do sell them after so old. They are they are in auction in West Virginia that has the old wore out U-Haul trailers even trucks you need to do some more research
That's what I also was told..
I worked for UHaul for a few years. We were told that due to liability issues they don't sell their old trailers...
@@timothycline7434 Where is this? I am in Berkeley Springs and really want one!
That looks like a U-Haul trailer... curious how you got a hold of one. I've NEVER heard of U-Haul selling them. They actually have a very strict policy of destroying them at EOL.
I was just about to type the same thing. He must live in a state that doesn't register/plate small trailers. I'm shocked that one made it into the hands of a consumer. They're destroyed on purpose to prevent that.
You did a really good job, inside & out ,creative , smart & technical.
Excellent repurposing. And the electric blanket was a great idea.
I’ve never seen a used U-Haul trailer for sale. I’m still stuck on that. Nice work!
That's because they don't sell them - this certainly was stolen at some point in it's history. Possibly impounded, a lein put on it, and tow company sold at an auction. That's about the only way these get in the wild. If he has a title for it I'd be impressed. There are "property of U-haul" stamped in several spots. There's a tube under neath hidden that should even have it's registration.
That trailer has to be hot. Uhaul doesnt sell their trailers. I would buy one if they did
U-Haul does not sell their trailers. It is literally and technically a "Stolen" trailer.
Sooooo where do they sell them?
They dont.
I concur with other posters. Mesmerizing to watch. As someone who lacks these skills, would gladly pay to attend classes on how to build my own
The video is definitely an inspiration for me! The repurposing of so many materials is quite impressive and is also quite necessary in this day and age! 😊👍🏾
You probably considered insulating the trailer? Or, did you skip over that part in this video?
Where & how do you go about purchasing a use U-Haul pull behind trailer? When we asked our local agent here, we were told that U-Haul trailers are never sold but simply scrapped.
they don't sell the trailers only car dollies, i currently work at uhaul as a trailer technician
what a great idea! I never thought of using a uhaul for something like this. so cool!
You McGuyver’ed your own camper, impressive!
Amazing transformation. Only thing I might do do differently is substitute 2X3 for the 2X4 you used to build the floor. Would save an inch of floor height.
yeah that looked like some real estate that could have done something
Fun fact: U-Haul doesn't sell their trailers and scraps them when no longer in use. If you ever see a used one in private hands, it is stolen. People rent, steal them, then try to remove all the serial numbers and get them re-registered. It sometimes works too. Bit more often they get spotted eventually, confiscated and the person with it charged with theft.
So make sure you don't have an old U-Haul trailer!
They do sell their trucks though.
That isn't completely true. If the unit was seized in an police or is in a government auction they can be purchased. VERY RARE....
No...they still are property of U-Haul and would be returned to them. It's stolen...most likely not by this craftsman, but somewhere in its life it was stolen.
I was a Field Relief Manager for U-Haul for years. There is no way to legally own one of their Van Trailers.
Can a person make a trailer inspired by the uhaul trailers? They don't seem that complex to remanufactured yourself with the right tools. Would uhaul try and sue for rebuilding their patent?
@@Reese-jk5kn you can get a 5×8 aluminum sided trailer just about anywhere. U-Haul has patented the front tongue design on their trsilers...the fender and runningboard design and the corner caps. Those are only built by U-Haul. I honestly would pick a different manufacturer design to immulate just to avoid the potential hassles
hey... that's not a fun fact,,, lol
Great job, I really like it! If I were doing it I’d think all it needs is a kitchen box mounted to one rear door and a BBQ grill mounted to fold away from the trailer on the other door so one could safely have everything needed to cook attached in back (like the teardrops do). Attach a tarp to the back of the exterra mount and a few surrounding trees and the cook is undercover when cooking. Great video!
IMPRESSIVE! Where'd you get the uhaul from?
Thanks! I bought it locally from a guy who says uhaul sells their old ones. It had a title so hopefully it's legit
UHaul generally doesn’t sell their trailers. You might want to dig a little deeper
They don’t sell them ever.
This is an awesome build. I've thought about using a U-Haul trailer but U-Haul doesn't sell there old trailers. You might look into it because it might be stolen. Butch Moehrke an Auditor with U-Haul wrote "U-Haul trailers are not sold. As each trailer ages by another year the repair maximum is lowered. Once an old trailer can no longer be maintained or repaired for specific price, it is taken to one of our 175 U-Haul maintenance facility where it is cut into small pieces and the axle is cut in half." Be careful you don't get hit with theft. Like the build though.
That's exactly what I thought. While working at uhaul, I had to help recover a trailer that was being used by a gardening company that was obviously a uhaul cargo trailer. Even though they bought it from, I think the guy who stole it and had paperwork, uhauls lawyers took it.
Looks good I LIKE the conversion of A U-Haul trailer 😊😊 👍👍👍
Really cool build! Nice use of surplus material!
The "repurposed tree" got me. XD
You are a master craftsman! That was fun to watch your build.
THIS GUYS DIY SKILLS ARE WELL BEYOND MY SKILL SET. VERY FUN BUILD.
Love seeing these types of builds. You got skills man! Keep it up!
Great job! Love the craftsmanship & recycled essentials.
You had me at Repurposed: tree. My personal lol moment, just had to stay till the end. And subbed. This is awesome.
Glad it came up in my feed.
Safe travels
This is one of the satisfying videos I have ever watched. Great job!
That’s beautiful. I’d love to find one
Beautiful, technical job well done, wonderful to watch.
Great build! Those U-Haul trailers are built like tanks! It will make it anywhere!
love what you're doing here, and love how many times I saw the word re-purposed
You have done a great job in the build of this trailer. Keep it up.
Fantastic build, sir. I wish I knew how to do this stuff. Seems like you know everything
Impressive skill set. Love the repurposing of the tree. 😅 Great work.
Great idea! I believe these trailers are much stronger the a regular “trailer”
That's the coolest thing ever!! I love it!!
Talented builder!
You bet, it should exist! Good job, looks comfy, cozy!
Excellent job on building your camper. It'll make it and you'll have fun.
great video.... you are an extremely talented individual. additionally, the amount of repurposed materials is incredible. thanks for sharing.
I need one of those so bad I had a pop up camper and I got it taken with everyone I owned in it and now I have nothing I'm getting ready to go to Colorado and I don't exactly know we're in going to be living but I know God has some kind of a plan for me I loved the video God bless
Awesome little unit!
goldsmith/master jeweler, photovoltaic/solar thermal technician here: you have the gift of mad skills 👍
That is such a cool idea, its like a glorified tend thats a lot better and with the added bonus of power! incredible work!!
So so so awesome!!! Angels be with you always
Awesome build! Thanks for sharing
Very creative use of repurposing items!
Thanks for the idea for the uhaul trailer. Nice work my friend.
That is a pretty sweet camper that you constructed. Nicely done!
That's some quality free hand power saw work friend!
Very COOL .. Never thought about a U Haul Trailer .. Good Job 👍
I really loved this build.
Nice workmanship. I think it will make it Keep on keeping on 👍👍
Too cool! I hope to build a similar project soon. Thanks for the build info!
Nice work.. mad skills with saw.
Fantastic Job there Jordan.
Really cool project might build one myself.
Respect for repurposing! Kudos for creativity!
Started out so well...