Cargo triler to camper conversion

[Darrells]

I have been wanting to build a trailer like Ron's for a while now. Randy posted his cargo trailer that he converted for camping and I thought Hey I have one of those that I don't use for work anymore,so here it goes. It is a 2007 Pace American 12x6 with double back doors. It had kinda become a portable storage building so it took me awhile to clean it out and remove the shelves that I built for material while I used it for work. First I built a cabinet in the front corner for storage and such.

Then I built a bench/ battery and A/C power compartment. Which will house 2 deep cycle marine batteries, a inverter, fuse block for D/C power, small panel for A/C power and a power cord.

My wife is going to sew a cushion for the bench and I am going to fabricate some sort of removable table for when the weather is bad. The bed will be across the back of the trailer with storage underneath. A/C will be in the nose beside the cabinet. I really don't have a set idea for this, so we will see what all gets added as it goes along. Now I gotta build a rack for my truck to haul my boats. :roll:

 

[oldsparkey]

Not to Hijack your post ( this will be removed after a few days) I moved it over here to camping , since it is going to be a camper. This is a lot of good information for anyone wanting to make such a conversion.

Please keep us informed on your progress.

Chuck.
PS. I removed your note to me from the start of your post since it would not make any seance when this is gone. .

 

[Kayak Jack]

Good going, Darrel. Do you have any plans for windows or vent fans? Will you cook inside?

 

[oldsparkey]

I was wondering about that and why no one has done it. Over at a builders supply store , killing some time , I looked at one and thought it would make a good camping trailer ( since all the hard work is done) with some modifications.

Add some insulation to the ceiling and panel it.
a A/C unit.
Not sure but a sky light or two with fans.
add a window or two.
The normal living necessities inside , bed , table , chairs , ect. ( was thinking of a drop down platform for the bed and the same for the table. Have them hinged to the sides so they would store [ flat ] against the sides when not in use.)

:lol: :lol: :lol: While typing this , I see Jack has the same thoughts / questions.

 

[Darrells]

I will install some sort of roof power vent and a couple of louvered vents down low to circulate some air. I will also install a CO detector in case I decide to use a propane stove or heater. Also i am going to rig some sort of hooks down the rain channel outside to hang a tarp off of for an awning.

 

[oldsparkey]

Best to play it safe , a rainy day and cooking inside , play it safe. Better outside with the tarp as an awning. Besides that way there would not be any cooking smells inside for the critters to sniff out.

 

[gbinga]

http://www.fantasticvent.com/ Got one of their products in my camper. It's quiet, it moves a bunch of air, and it doesn't leak. Probably kind of expensive (came with the trailer, so I don't know) but I do know that it works.

Will your battery box have any sort of ventilation? I'd be a little worried about hydrogen with it sealed up like that.

George

 

[Darrells]

I have some louvered vents ordered. One of which will be installed in the battery box vented to the outside.
I decided to raise the bed to about 24-30 inches for storage, because everything above your head is wasted space.

 

[Darrells]

Got alittle more done this evening. I glued 3/4 foam to the ceiling for insulation.

Then I screwed 1/8 masonite to the ceiling braces. I am going to cut the hole in the nose tomorrow night for the A/c unit. I stopped today and bought some 2" thick foam to use as a mattress once the bed frame is built.

All of my wiring will run down each side between the walls and the ceiling. Once everything is wired I will put a piece of trim down each side to tie the ceiling and walls together.

 

[gbinga]

Looking good! A friend of mine at church did one like this, and he has had a lot of fun with it.

What is the height on your trailer? Any idea what you'll be shooting for on weight?

George

 

[Darrells]

It's 6'2" inside. As far as weight I don't have a clue. It has two 3500# axles so I am not really concerned about weight at this point.

 

[gbinga]

It's 6'2" inside. As far as weight I don't have a clue. It has two 3500# axles so I am not really concerned about weight at this point.

Yeah, you won't likely get anywhere near capacity on that. I was thinking more about pulling it. The lighter the better, so long as it is set up to do what you want it to do.

We have a 19ft Airstream that is a lot of fun, but I've often wished it was smaller and simpler.

GBinGA

 

[Darrells]

I want to say that the empty weight is about 1500#. I have had 5000 pounds of wire in it and it pulled very well. I really think it will be somewhere around2000# or less once completed.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Re: Cargo trailer to camper conversion

Looks good, Darrell. I hope to mosey down that way for a first hand look see.

 

[Darrells]

Got alittle more done today. Built the bed frame with a cabinet over the top and painted the inside. I ran across a good deal on some vinyl tile today so tomorrow I am going to lay a floor in it. I built the bed frame on hinges so it can be folded out of the way.

 

[Darrells]

I had some 120 volt undercounter lites laying around from a job, so I converted them to 12 volts for my trailer. Still use the regular t12 bulbs just change the ballast.

The lite is 2 feet long and pulls 2 amps@ 12 volts. This same ballst with ignite any flourescent buld from 18"-4'.

The lite in the upper right is 120 volts and the lower lite is my new 12 volt lite.

Here is a pic of a 4' green lite made in the same way.

The ballasts are available from:
Ballast
#OIB-153
http://www.solarseller.com/thinlite_bal ... 143_to_162

 

[Kayak Jack]

Re: Cargo trailer to camper conversion

That white paint really made a difference in there, ehh? Lot easier to see around in there now.

Good thinking on those lights. I've never seen a green light like that. Some particular purpose for it?

 

[Darrells]

Fishing.

 

[Wannabe]

Darells,
Where can you get 4' green tubes? On the web there yahoos selling green fishing lights for hundreds of dollars. My son got me a small one from Wal Mart for about $20 I think. It is made to go in the water.
Bob

 

[Kayak Jack]

Does it attract fish? Or, does it not scare them away as you use it?