I will just say again that an indoor shower and toilet or must haves for lots of us older folks. I would love to have seen something like that and your wonderful family trailer.
Well thought out,and very stealthy on the outside. If it had a “full” bath it would be a studio apartment on wheels. Imagine the rent you could charge...lol....Nice build 😎👍
Looks great. I really like the idea of the backdoor raising up to extend the kitchen area and to cover that area. You could cover that area with a tarp on the sides and use it for a shower area too.
I often thought about using a residential refrigerator in a camper, my concern was for the compressor bouncing around especially in the rear like you have it, apparently it's not a problem. Nice job, it looks great!
Nice ideas, especially the external kitchen. Thanks for posting. I have an open 16' trailer, which I may convert to a pop-up style camper with extra tall sides.
Are you tired of having your kitchen outside yet ?....I bet you are....the imagination soars with the possibilities of a blank canvas...I am looking to do this as of Jan 2020..built up my empty new 1972 dodge van back in the day....this time Aluminum Cargo trailer....maybe have a ramp open like yours but with a swing out kitchen or slide out kitchen that can be inside at night and other times or out in good weather,,,,thanks for the ideas...
Yours is only the second or third travel trailer/cargo trailer/any kind of RV that has a big enough refrigerator. A refrigerator and a way to shower and go to the toilet inside are the three most important things for me. A comfy chair and a half Barcalounger would make it perfect for me.
Nice trailer. Very few people understand the value and importance of aluminum trailer construction, even the frame. 99.9 percent of them are steel und ungodly heavy and rust almost immediately. The aluminum looks like the day you bought it forever. I bought mine 20 years ago. It was two to possibly 3 times the cost of steel but at 6x12 it can be pulled by almost anything. Not the case with steel. More than twice the weight, plus the rust issue. I have been offered what I paid for my trailer many times and have not even considered selling it. They are very rare because no one wants to pay the money. I use mine as a ramp door cargo with side door and roof vent and moto camp at various events with screens installed in door opening. Use cots and a portable potty and Yetti cooler. It's great and beats pitching a tent. Locks up nice when not in use and so light to haul. I mainly use it for my business to haul equipment but often help family move with it and in the winter it becomes my storage unit. I love having a cargo trailer and have had many fun weekends camping in it with no modifications other than a piece of carpet on the floor.
This looks great, my husband and I are just starting to look into converting our cargo tailor and so many of the ones online include bathrooms and a big kitchen with a converging table/bed. This is more of what we are wanting, just something with a bed, room to work, some storage and maybe a small cooking space. We LOVE the kitchen idea on yours and will most likely be using that on ours! Thanks for the inspiration!
I would do things differently because the bugs would be a problem for me cooking outside all the time. Also, I love the freedom of boondocking so I would have mine set up for that. Cook station/dining inside, definitely a two-way fridge, twin-sized bed lengthwise (just me:)), compost toilet(luxury), and shower. I like that you used the flip-out windows so that you can open them and not worry too much when it rains. My rv has them.
What is your approach for water and cleaning dishes? I love the outdoor kitchen, but have you considered putting in some sort of sink? I’m in the process of planning a build and have never seen the cargo door flip up like that. Great idea.
I’m self employed, graphic/web design and my wife homeschools with the kids. I have set up my business so I can work from anywhere so take advantage of it.
Love the set up, the inside heighth, the storage and the outdoor kitchen with rain/sun shade. Fantastic Fan or MaxAire Fan could make a substantial difference for air circulation on a calm night. Didn’t see a sink to wash your hands while preparing food? Camping is dirty/dusty, from experience. Running water is crucial for meal prep or post bathroom and to do spit bathing. Mosquito proof netting around the kitchen area with Velcro closures would surely make a difference! Roll the mosquito netting up and store it on the inside of the overhang for kitchen area.
@@Wander_for_goodhave you had any problems with weight distribution having the kitchen in the back (lots of heavy things)? We want to do the same, including the same size fridge, but worry about this issue.
@@JT19230 it was fine for us, we did a test drive with the weight before making anything permanent, I was worried about sway but had no problems. I think the dual axels helped and I can’t recall now if we had the wheels installed a bit further to the rear now or not when it was built. Good luck with your build.
That's a sweet setup. I wish I had a bigger vehicle so I could convert to a heavier more full featured build like this. I'm building one of these right now. Albeit smaller and more raw.
I just love this set up and the closet is fab ,the only thing is the kitchen outside if the weather gets stormy and wet do you have something to put over the tailgate like a tarp or kind of tent,again love your setup.stay safe from Scotland
the rear door keeps us mostly dry, only if wind pushes the rain do you get wet. We do have a tarp we have used occasionally but if anything we put it over the man door so we can take our wet boots off before stepping inside
Is the area behind the computer desk just wasted space? How does it handle being towed down bumpy rough roads, like when you're up in the mountains primitive camping or boondocking? Did you have to alter the traitor suspension? I had one similar for landscaping and it would bounce all over the place on rough roads unless you were going real slow. That fridge is made for stationary use, I'd be surprised if it lasts too long off road.
Very sharp, Although I would suggest maybe two roll up blinds in front of the shelves and hanging clothes in the closet/bathroom..to give the sense of a separate space and separate function..but the whole thing is boss regardless
That is a really nice conversion...I really like what you did with the kitchen at the back. For me, being solo, I would just change it to a half-size fridge and build in a single burner cook-top above. I assume electric is shore power or a generator?
Excellent. Love it. and the details. I'm looking to get one now ...and have an RV king mattress. What is the width of your trailer and how does the bed lift ? Would like more details on the bed platform.
Thanks! Our trailer is 7' wide so easily fits a king residential mattress with a few inches to space on both sides. We simply built some slats (1" x 3" boards every 4" apart) framed with some 2"x 3" along the edges and two as supports down the middle opposite the way the slats go. Few large hinges on the headboard side screwed into the wall. then as a base we cut a thick sheet of 1" x 4'x8' plywood into 4 lengths so 12" each and put them on their sides under the bed - they line up with the 4 2" x 3"'s so all the weight sits on those 4 plywood boards. The two side boards are screwed into the side walls (with some spacers of scrap wood so the frame itself doesn't touch the walls) and the middle two are screwed into the floor with L brackets. Everything lines up nice and we have 4 long storage channels under the bed. We added one piece of 1" x 3" that acts as a leg when the bed is lifted up so it will stay up on its own. Hope that helps explain it a bit. Good luck with your build!
We did but where we were/time of the year we haven't really needed it. Except in New Orleans the skeeters were nuts. We do have screening from a gazebo we can pin up if we really need it.
Can you/should you use a residential fridge on a moving platform? Every time I bought one, it came with instructions that said you should "let it rest for a few hours after transportation" before plugging it, I assume there's some issues with the refrigerant needing to settle?
Great question. I believe that is only if you lay your fridge on its side for transport (that's what came up too on a quick Google search to confirm) or maybe for older fridges. We've driven a lot and fridge always starts right up when we get power so no issues (knock on wood!)
Hi Mark and thanks for the video (3 years later)! Do u still have ur trailer conversion? I just bought a 6'x12' trying to replicate a kitchen like yours! Wud u mind if I ask u a few questions? Because... I can't find ANYONE in Seattle (or anywhere) to help me with this conversion and it's becoming way too overwhleming for just myself! 😖 I'd pay you by phone/Venmo if u could help me! Anyway here are my questions if u hav time and don't mind me asking. Thank you in advance! 1 - It looks like there is some dark brown wood? framing? (or trim?) surrounding ur upper cupboards. How did u attach them to the ceiling? Any plans? Unfortunately, my ceiling is curved. 2 - Is there anything u'd change about ur kitchen now that it's been a few years? 3 - Can u notice any sway while towing due to the kitcen/fridge weight being in the rear? 4 - My counter area is about 1.5' back(vs yours being 2"?) allowing me to cut/prep/use the counter space while standing inside. How do you use yours (counter)? Do u have to stand on some kind of platform? 5 - How did you do (what is that) vertical dark wood (that matches the cupboards) that makes your back kitchen wall? What did you support it to? 6 - Do you wish you had built a pass-through area to the front of the trailer vs always having to go around to the side door? My apologies for all of the questions and I promise to try not to bother you again! Thanks, Art-n-Kiko the Black Lab
Hey Art. Thanks for your comments. We used the trailer for about 3 years on and off but while I loved it my wife wanted to upgrade to a motorhome so we sold it. 1. Dark brown trim was wood simply nailed the ceiling and chalked. Glue would probably have worked even better but we had no problems. If your ceiling is curved you could cut plywood to match the curve (keep bugs from entering the sleeping area and provide some additional support for the upper cupboards) and it would allow for some extra storage space above the cabinets for cutting boards or whatever. 2. Changes to kitchen - we did get some road dust into the kitchen after driving on dirt roads for hours, I’d try to improve the door seals somehow. A few times a mosquito net around the rear door to protect the outdoor kitchen area would have been great, we had some panels from a screen room/dining tent we planned to use velcro to attach it when necessary but never got around to it. On the rear door we had some hard foam glued where the fridge door and closed rear door met to ensure the fridge door stayed closed in transit and to keep it from moving slightly, with some dust on that foam it scratched the fridge doors so started to look ugly after a while. Not sure of a solution off hand for that. 3. We had no sway at all with the loaded fridge etc in the back. I can’t recall now if we had the trailer wheels back a little further than normal when the frame was built for us, we discussed it with the builder but can’t recall now if we did anything different. You could load up and test, lot of work but worth it before you permanently secure things. 4. With the metal cabinets under the counter the height was similar to standard counter height so when cooking it felt natural from the outside. I can imagine if you are using it on the inside too it would be very low. A platform outside could work, and perhaps it can double as something else when not using it? 5. The back wall is brown in the kitchen and blue in the bedroom, just a single layer of T&G pine (the 1”stuff) goes from floor to ceiling. At the top and bottom it was screwed to the upper and lower cabinets to keep everything secure. Worked great. 6. Pass-through at the back… no. would take up way to much valuable space in my opinion. Every little bit counts. Good luck in your build and future adventures!
Great! Thanks a lot for ur answers Mark! It’s just a little overwhelming doing this by myself though! I’m wishing I bought an already converted one at this point. I guess I just have WAAY TOO MUCH STUFF to want to bring with me! Including all my instruments (amps, guitars etc.). Which is one of the reasons I want to do this. To be able to jam with other musicians along the journey. Especially out in the middle of no where….Off Grid! 😃
@@Wander_for_good 🌸💗BLESS YOU for replying to this comment. I’m a solo female leaving an unsafe situation. I’m looking to purchase a 6x12 very very soon & gathering as much knowledge as possible. Thank you for sharing your real life experience with this conversion & blessings to the health & wealth of your family. Very kind hearted person💗🌸
In your opinion do you think that there's a good way to insulate one and use a tiny wood stove for winter use?. I will be a caretaker for a remote property and need to find something to live in and stay warm all winter but also not have a big foot print. Thanks for any help you can provide.. And very nice build btw!.
We did insulate with styrofoam so kept it warmer/cooler. Really helped. Adding a stove would be a dream if you have room, I'd like to consider it if we rebuild in the future or if we get rid of the desk we could have put one there. But need to work!
Any wood stove adds complications and a lot of weight. The Mr Heater propane units are inexpensive, reliable and safe, and you don't have to cut a hole in your roof, or have a chimney to get damaged by branches, etc. Plus, the Mr. Heaters take up almost no space, and mount on the wall. A wood stove needs clearance.
I love your build! I would like to have on just like it! I suck at building and woodworking though. Do you know of anyone that would do a build like yours complete for hire?
By design that house fridge shouldn't last long in a traveling application. The compressor isn't designed for the bumpy travel. So I'm interested in how long it lasts. I had to get a 12v Trucking application fridge.
No hate, but I saw some lost opportunities with this trailer. I would've made a custom foldable sofa/bed across instead of length-wise at the end where the desk is located. I would've then turned the angular portion of the trailer into a shower/toilet area. In addition to that I would've removed the back wall and put the desk along the trailer wall (so you essentially get an L-shape with the kitchen), put storage/closet space on the opposite wall from the desk and gotten separate fridge and freezer with barn style doors (or bottom hinged like a dishwasher) facing each other so they'd be accessible from both inside and the outside.
Interesting ideas! That's the great thing about building your own is you can do it to suit your needs, and even change it if you have different ideas after using it for a few months.
@@Wander_for_good. Mark, I'm putting an RV door latch in my cargo trailer. When I got it I didn't get any directions or template for it. Would you be willing to give me some measurements for cutting the door. It's a one shot deal as you know. I don't want to mess it up
@@jimdaniels3542 the builder installed the latch so I don't know much about it and now that its installed it covers any holes so no easy way to get accurate measurement. All I can suggest is take a best guess, try it on scrap wood and see if it works then use that as a template. Good luck!
Down side to the cargo trailer , wether it be a conversion or for cargo ... The one Inch steel tube ribs for the walls & ceiling , condensate inside, and the water rust out the lower wall studs !!
For the most part we just don't like air conditioning and prefer a simple fan, even in our house we rarely turn on the ac unless its super hot and humid so just a personal preference. It would be easy to add a roof top ac tho if that was something you wanted.
It was a local trailer company here in Ontario that is now out of business. Anyone who builds trailers and is willing to do modifications for you can most likely do something similar.
Yeah like what you did with that I really like that I'm thinking about buying me a little cargo trailer and do the same thing before I can retire in a few years that way I can travel to Michael chicken at hotels
When I see a V-nose utility trailer I wonder if there's units available with the door installed onto the drivers side angled wall versus the side (or diy to move it)? I always thought that nose, though aerodynamic (kind of), is nearly useless space. ;-) On the other hand for a converted trailer, probably the best use for it is creating a utility closet out of it (exterior access).
really you could spend as much or as little as you want. the custom welding, extra height, all aluminum etc were pricy but recycled cabinets, fridge, counter etc were pretty inexpensive. Depending on your needs and the quality you can budget accordingly.
I'm doing this rent is just too high especially in jersey. I'm thinking I want to put. A bogus logo on it so that people dont know its a camper. Maybe a window company to explain the windows or a raw sewge company so nobody tries to break in.
Love how you kept it down to the basics! The rear hinge conversion was great idea too.
I will just say again that an indoor shower and toilet or must haves for lots of us older folks. I would love to have seen something like that and your wonderful family trailer.
Well thought out,and very stealthy on the outside. If it had a “full” bath it would be a studio apartment on wheels. Imagine the rent you could charge...lol....Nice build 😎👍
Thanks Eric
Great video and ideas. Good set up. Thanks for sharing.😎
I like to thank you gave me some ideas to thank you very much have a good day God bless
Cheers Ray. Good luck with your build.
Nice job. Coats and extra blankets fold into king sized pillow shams that you can lean against to watch movies.
Thanks! Great idea
Looks great. I really like the idea of the backdoor raising up to extend the kitchen area and to cover that area. You could cover that area with a tarp on the sides and use it for a shower area too.
I often thought about using a residential refrigerator in a camper, my concern was for the compressor bouncing around especially in the rear like you have it, apparently it's not a problem. Nice job, it looks great!
Well done. Looks comfortable.
Nice tailer, I like the rear kitchen, particularly the use of the ramp door as cover.
That kitchen is off the chart.
ha, we love it too... thanks!
Nicely done Mark! You used some great ideas. Thanks for Sharing
Very nice love it that someone thought of taking the kitchen out giving more space inside
You still lose the space no matter if it's inside or outside.
This is one of the nicest ones I've seen. Looks like a little cabin with those recycled cabinets. Good job, and thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words!
I thought it looked like a cabin, too!!!
Nice ideas, especially the external kitchen. Thanks for posting.
I have an open 16' trailer, which I may convert to a pop-up style camper with extra tall sides.
I love the kitchen and the full bed!
Thanks for sharing.
From a practical point of view, where do you wash your hands, brush your teeth and wash dishes?
Are you tired of having your kitchen outside yet ?....I bet you are....the imagination soars with the possibilities of a blank canvas...I am looking to do this as of Jan 2020..built up my empty new 1972 dodge van back in the day....this time Aluminum Cargo trailer....maybe have a ramp open like yours but with a swing out kitchen or slide out kitchen that can be inside at night and other times or out in good weather,,,,thanks for the ideas...
Yours is only the second or third travel trailer/cargo trailer/any kind of RV that has a big enough refrigerator. A refrigerator and a way to shower and go to the toilet inside are the three most important things for me. A comfy chair and a half Barcalounger would make it perfect for me.
Excellent idea to have an outdoor kitchen...most trailer smells come from preparing food
Kevin Cameron and in bear country it will make it easier for the bears to make themselves a midnight snack!
Nice trailer. Very few people understand the value and importance of aluminum trailer construction, even the frame. 99.9 percent of them are steel und ungodly heavy and rust almost immediately. The aluminum looks like the day you bought it forever. I bought mine 20 years ago. It was two to possibly 3 times the cost of steel but at 6x12 it can be pulled by almost anything. Not the case with steel. More than twice the weight, plus the rust issue. I have been offered what I paid for my trailer many times and have not even considered selling it. They are very rare because no one wants to pay the money. I use mine as a ramp door cargo with side door and roof vent and moto camp at various events with screens installed in door opening. Use cots and a portable potty and Yetti cooler. It's great and beats pitching a tent. Locks up nice when not in use and so light to haul. I mainly use it for my business to haul equipment but often help family move with it and in the winter it becomes my storage unit. I love having a cargo trailer and have had many fun weekends camping in it with no modifications other than a piece of carpet on the floor.
I really like the kitchen in the back!
Nice surprise interior. Good job.
This looks great, my husband and I are just starting to look into converting our cargo tailor and so many of the ones online include bathrooms and a big kitchen with a converging table/bed. This is more of what we are wanting, just something with a bed, room to work, some storage and maybe a small cooking space. We LOVE the kitchen idea on yours and will most likely be using that on ours! Thanks for the inspiration!
Loved the simplicity and functionality for camping. Your use of the vee-nose area was nice. Heck, I liked it all.👍
I would do things differently because the bugs would be a problem for me cooking outside all the time. Also, I love the freedom of boondocking so I would have mine set up for that. Cook station/dining inside, definitely a two-way fridge, twin-sized bed lengthwise (just me:)), compost toilet(luxury), and shower. I like that you used the flip-out windows so that you can open them and not worry too much when it rains. My rv has them.
What is your approach for water and cleaning dishes? I love the outdoor kitchen, but have you considered putting in some sort of sink? I’m in the process of planning a build and have never seen the cargo door flip up like that. Great idea.
Nice now I can hear what you are saying. Very nice travel trailer conversion.
Really nice. Love the kitchen.
Really nice! This is the closest thing to what I think my husband and I would do. We need that king size bed, lol! ;)
Very nice. Gave me some great ideas for a conversion of my own. Thanks for sharing!
What do you do that allows you to work on the road and travel like this it is so amazing to be able to do that
I’m self employed, graphic/web design and my wife homeschools with the kids. I have set up my business so I can work from anywhere so take advantage of it.
Very cool kitchen...thanks for the inspiration.
Nice build, clean open space great closet
Love the set up, the inside heighth, the storage and the outdoor kitchen with rain/sun shade.
Fantastic Fan or MaxAire Fan could make a substantial difference for air circulation on a calm night. Didn’t see a sink to wash your hands while preparing food? Camping is dirty/dusty, from experience. Running water is crucial for meal prep or post bathroom and to do spit bathing. Mosquito proof netting around the kitchen area with Velcro closures would surely make a difference! Roll the mosquito netting up and store it on the inside of the overhang for kitchen area.
liked the normal size fridge ,your map with the pins and your hooks!
This Cargo camper rocks !!!!
The filing cabinets are a great idea! Do you remember where you got them?
Thanks. They are from Ikea
@@Wander_for_goodhave you had any problems with weight distribution having the kitchen in the back (lots of heavy things)? We want to do the same, including the same size fridge, but worry about this issue.
@@JT19230 it was fine for us, we did a test drive with the weight before making anything permanent, I was worried about sway but had no problems. I think the dual axels helped and I can’t recall now if we had the wheels installed a bit further to the rear now or not when it was built. Good luck with your build.
Looks nice. Good job!
That's a sweet setup. I wish I had a bigger vehicle so I could convert to a heavier more full featured build like this. I'm building one of these right now. Albeit smaller and more raw.
awesome. Good luck with it!
I just love this set up and the closet is fab ,the only thing is the kitchen outside if the weather gets stormy and wet do you have something to put over the tailgate like a tarp or kind of tent,again love your setup.stay safe from Scotland
the rear door keeps us mostly dry, only if wind pushes the rain do you get wet. We do have a tarp we have used occasionally but if anything we put it over the man door so we can take our wet boots off before stepping inside
Is the area behind the computer desk just wasted space? How does it handle being towed down bumpy rough roads, like when you're up in the mountains primitive camping or boondocking? Did you have to alter the traitor suspension? I had one similar for landscaping and it would bounce all over the place on rough roads unless you were going real slow. That fridge is made for stationary use, I'd be surprised if it lasts too long off road.
Very sharp, Although I would suggest maybe two roll up blinds in front of the shelves and hanging clothes in the closet/bathroom..to give the sense of a separate space and separate function..but the whole thing is boss regardless
That is a really nice conversion...I really like what you did with the kitchen at the back. For me, being solo, I would just change it to a half-size fridge and build in a single burner cook-top above. I assume electric is shore power or a generator?
This is a great set up. How wide is it, and what do you pull it with?
trailer is 7x16 and we towed it with a Ford F150
Excellent. Love it. and the details. I'm looking to get one now ...and have an RV king mattress. What is the width of your trailer and how does the bed lift ? Would like more details on the bed platform.
Thanks! Our trailer is 7' wide so easily fits a king residential mattress with a few inches to space on both sides. We simply built some slats (1" x 3" boards every 4" apart) framed with some 2"x 3" along the edges and two as supports down the middle opposite the way the slats go. Few large hinges on the headboard side screwed into the wall. then as a base we cut a thick sheet of 1" x 4'x8' plywood into 4 lengths so 12" each and put them on their sides under the bed - they line up with the 4 2" x 3"'s so all the weight sits on those 4 plywood boards. The two side boards are screwed into the side walls (with some spacers of scrap wood so the frame itself doesn't touch the walls) and the middle two are screwed into the floor with L brackets. Everything lines up nice and we have 4 long storage channels under the bed. We added one piece of 1" x 3" that acts as a leg when the bed is lifted up so it will stay up on its own. Hope that helps explain it a bit. Good luck with your build!
enjoyed your video interesting good ideas.
I like it, but what do you do for heart besides a heated blanket?
Use a small space heater/cooling fan
best of the bunch; excellent tour of masterful work; thanks
Are you kidding??
Great job overall! I have that same fridge in my camper.
What was your final cost?
Have you thought about buying one of those net type things to attach to the back door that lifts up to keep the bugs out?
We did but where we were/time of the year we haven't really needed it. Except in New Orleans the skeeters were nuts. We do have screening from a gazebo we can pin up if we really need it.
nice build..
Can you/should you use a residential fridge on a moving platform? Every time I bought one, it came with instructions that said you should "let it rest for a few hours after transportation" before plugging it, I assume there's some issues with the refrigerant needing to settle?
Great question. I believe that is only if you lay your fridge on its side for transport (that's what came up too on a quick Google search to confirm) or maybe for older fridges. We've driven a lot and fridge always starts right up when we get power so no issues (knock on wood!)
Great job! What is the final weight?
Thanks! We haven't weighed just the trailer. The trailer was 1700 lbs when we started, doubt we would have doubled that.
Is that a aluminum frame or steel
Greg Shaw Aluminum
You could easily weigh it at any truck stop. It would be interesting to know.
How much did it cost to do all that? Luv the KING bed, we don’t sleep well in anything smaller, which is almost every camper.
Great job. Luv it!!!
Really love this design!!!
Hi Mark and thanks for the video (3 years later)! Do u still have ur trailer conversion? I just bought a 6'x12' trying to replicate a kitchen like yours! Wud u mind if I ask u a few questions? Because... I can't find ANYONE in Seattle (or anywhere) to help me with this conversion and it's becoming way too overwhleming for just myself! 😖 I'd pay you by phone/Venmo if u could help me! Anyway here are my questions if u hav time and don't mind me asking. Thank you in advance!
1 - It looks like there is some dark brown wood? framing? (or trim?) surrounding ur upper cupboards. How did u attach them to the ceiling? Any plans? Unfortunately, my ceiling is curved.
2 - Is there anything u'd change about ur kitchen now that it's been a few years?
3 - Can u notice any sway while towing due to the kitcen/fridge weight being in the rear?
4 - My counter area is about 1.5' back(vs yours being 2"?) allowing me to cut/prep/use the counter space while standing inside. How do you use yours (counter)? Do u have to stand on some kind of platform?
5 - How did you do (what is that) vertical dark wood (that matches the cupboards) that makes your back kitchen wall? What did you support it to?
6 - Do you wish you had built a pass-through area to the front of the trailer vs always having to go around to the side door?
My apologies for all of the questions and I promise to try not to bother you again!
Thanks,
Art-n-Kiko the Black Lab
Hey Art. Thanks for your comments. We used the trailer for about 3 years on and off but while I loved it my wife wanted to upgrade to a motorhome so we sold it.
1. Dark brown trim was wood simply nailed the ceiling and chalked. Glue would probably have worked even better but we had no problems. If your ceiling is curved you could cut plywood to match the curve (keep bugs from entering the sleeping area and provide some additional support for the upper cupboards) and it would allow for some extra storage space above the cabinets for cutting boards or whatever.
2. Changes to kitchen - we did get some road dust into the kitchen after driving on dirt roads for hours, I’d try to improve the door seals somehow. A few times a mosquito net around the rear door to protect the outdoor kitchen area would have been great, we had some panels from a screen room/dining tent we planned to use velcro to attach it when necessary but never got around to it. On the rear door we had some hard foam glued where the fridge door and closed rear door met to ensure the fridge door stayed closed in transit and to keep it from moving slightly, with some dust on that foam it scratched the fridge doors so started to look ugly after a while. Not sure of a solution off hand for that.
3. We had no sway at all with the loaded fridge etc in the back. I can’t recall now if we had the trailer wheels back a little further than normal when the frame was built for us, we discussed it with the builder but can’t recall now if we did anything different. You could load up and test, lot of work but worth it before you permanently secure things.
4. With the metal cabinets under the counter the height was similar to standard counter height so when cooking it felt natural from the outside. I can imagine if you are using it on the inside too it would be very low. A platform outside could work, and perhaps it can double as something else when not using it?
5. The back wall is brown in the kitchen and blue in the bedroom, just a single layer of T&G pine (the 1”stuff) goes from floor to ceiling. At the top and bottom it was screwed to the upper and lower cabinets to keep everything secure. Worked great.
6. Pass-through at the back… no. would take up way to much valuable space in my opinion. Every little bit counts.
Good luck in your build and future adventures!
Great! Thanks a lot for ur answers Mark! It’s just a little overwhelming doing this by myself though! I’m wishing I bought an already converted one at this point. I guess I just have WAAY TOO MUCH STUFF to want to bring with me! Including all my instruments (amps, guitars etc.). Which is one of the reasons I want to do this. To be able to jam with other musicians along the journey. Especially out in the middle of no where….Off Grid! 😃
@@Wander_for_good 🌸💗BLESS YOU for replying to this comment. I’m a solo female leaving an unsafe situation. I’m looking to purchase a 6x12 very very soon & gathering as much knowledge as possible. Thank you for sharing your real life experience with this conversion & blessings to the health & wealth of your family. Very kind hearted person💗🌸
All this things make me dream ! I want one !
Looks great! What is your total weight after the build?
where did you get your windows? thanks.
In your opinion do you think that there's a good way to insulate one and use a tiny wood stove for winter use?. I will be a caretaker for a remote property and need to find something to live in and stay warm all winter but also not have a big foot print. Thanks for any help you can provide.. And very nice build btw!.
We did insulate with styrofoam so kept it warmer/cooler. Really helped. Adding a stove would be a dream if you have room, I'd like to consider it if we rebuild in the future or if we get rid of the desk we could have put one there. But need to work!
Any wood stove adds complications and a lot of weight. The Mr Heater propane units are inexpensive, reliable and safe, and you don't have to cut a hole in your roof, or have a chimney to get damaged by branches, etc. Plus, the Mr. Heaters take up almost no space, and mount on the wall. A wood stove needs clearance.
@@mplsgordon2 All really good points. I'll check it out thank you. And thanks for the help.🙏🙏
Audio is so much better!
I love your build! I would like to have on just like it! I suck at building and woodworking though. Do you know of anyone that would do a build like yours complete for hire?
I think it's perfect good job .
Very nice and spacious
By design that house fridge shouldn't last long in a traveling application. The compressor isn't designed for the bumpy travel. So I'm interested in how long it lasts. I had to get a 12v Trucking application fridge.
if u 180 the kitchen and put a vertical hinge on it, you can have an indoor and outdoor kitchen !!
Beautiful kitchen
Looks like you were at the Canso Causeway. Please tell me you drove The Cabot trail?
Yes. We've been to the east coast twice and drove the Cabot Trail. Love it!
No hate, but I saw some lost opportunities with this trailer.
I would've made a custom foldable sofa/bed across instead of length-wise at the end where the desk is located. I would've then turned the angular portion of the trailer into a shower/toilet area. In addition to that I would've removed the back wall and put the desk along the trailer wall (so you essentially get an L-shape with the kitchen), put storage/closet space on the opposite wall from the desk and gotten separate fridge and freezer with barn style doors (or bottom hinged like a dishwasher) facing each other so they'd be accessible from both inside and the outside.
Interesting ideas! That's the great thing about building your own is you can do it to suit your needs, and even change it if you have different ideas after using it for a few months.
exactly
@@Wander_for_good. Mark, I'm putting an RV door latch in my cargo trailer. When I got it I didn't get any directions or template for it. Would you be willing to give me some measurements for cutting the door. It's a one shot deal as you know. I don't want to mess it up
@@jimdaniels3542 the builder installed the latch so I don't know much about it and now that its installed it covers any holes so no easy way to get accurate measurement. All I can suggest is take a best guess, try it on scrap wood and see if it works then use that as a template. Good luck!
CRH ... yessss! i was waiting, with bated breath, to see the opening of the closet door.....
clothes?!? clothes!?! I was expecting a shower and loo!
Good effort
Very cool!
Good place but where's the bathroom
Is it a Canadian Trailer Company trailer?
HI Mark...can you let us know where you purchased the windows? Thanks!~
They were second hand from Kijiji/Craigslist
Awesome😊🌻🌻
That's nice, I like it alot!
This is really neat! So did you do this yourself or did you hire someone? Thanks in advance
main trailer build and all the welding and electrical were done by professionals, we did the kitchen, closet, bed etc.
Would love to know the manufacturer of your trailer. Really nice!
Thanks for your comment. Base trailer was made by small local Ontario company that I don't think is in business anymore.
love what you did here. how much would one of these bad boys cost me?
I see you have been to Michigan where about did you camp at.
what about heating or is it just for the sunny days?
Since we almost always have electrical hookup we use an electric blanket and small space heater. Insulated trailer so heats up quickly!
great set up,not to heavy on the front.
Down side to the cargo trailer , wether it be a conversion or for cargo ... The one Inch steel tube ribs for the walls & ceiling , condensate inside, and the water rust out the lower wall studs !!
daniel whitman it’s aluminum so no rust
i like it! be nice to have a wood stove and solar generator
Why did you decide against air conditioning?
For the most part we just don't like air conditioning and prefer a simple fan, even in our house we rarely turn on the ac unless its super hot and humid so just a personal preference. It would be easy to add a roof top ac tho if that was something you wanted.
love it
Nice job.
What brand trailer is it?
It was a local trailer company here in Ontario that is now out of business. Anyone who builds trailers and is willing to do modifications for you can most likely do something similar.
Who makes this trailer?
custom trailer by local company no longer in business, sorry
That V-nose looks much deeper than the usual V-nose - did you add that on yourself? (Did I miss that part of the video?)
Never saw a kitchen sink, what's up with that?
we didn't need one but you could always add it
The sound is better here
Yeah like what you did with that I really like that I'm thinking about buying me a little cargo trailer and do the same thing before I can retire in a few years that way I can travel to Michael chicken at hotels
When I see a V-nose utility trailer I wonder if there's units available with the door installed onto the drivers side angled wall versus the side (or diy to move it)?
I always thought that nose, though aerodynamic (kind of), is nearly useless space. ;-)
On the other hand for a converted trailer, probably the best use for it is creating a utility closet out of it (exterior access).
Really nice. Did you do do all that yourself. I like your map
when are you gona instal a shower in ur trailer/?
Was this expensive to convert....
really you could spend as much or as little as you want. the custom welding, extra height, all aluminum etc were pricy but recycled cabinets, fridge, counter etc were pretty inexpensive. Depending on your needs and the quality you can budget accordingly.
I'm doing this rent is just too high especially in jersey. I'm thinking I want to put. A bogus logo on it so that people dont know its a camper. Maybe a window company to explain the windows or a raw sewge company so nobody tries to break in.
Ha, awesome!
I always thought that a cloth diaper service would be a good one. Nobody wants dirty diapers!