gwolff's Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion

I have a design sketched up for a 6x12. Its just 'Top Down' so you just get the basic layout and not all the storage I plan for. I'll try to remember to upload it tonight when I get home.

 

So I haven't done a full on update video but.. the trailer is basically done for now. I took a short clip of a drive by today just so you guys can see how it looks towing behind the jeep: https://youtu.be/dxGMlylND2s

I also did a quick 1 minute silent walk through. The only things missing are stuff like the curtains, bedding, etc. Other than that, it's basically done: https://youtu.be/-j55u_a4AD4

 

Excellent Job!

 

Looking solid man, good work! Should be quite a joy to use it this weekend!

 

Was that an outdoor rug rolled in up on the floor? I really like the reclaimed wood cabinet doors.

 

Hey guys! I took the trailer out this weekend for the first time. I made a video about it which you can watch, I actually tried to put a couple videos together instead of my usual 7 minute of blabbing style: https://youtu.be/1D5tBG3s37k

The good news: It was awesome! It towed great, both on and off road. The bed was perfect, it was very comfy and easy to switch between bed and couch mode. We had a bit of a wind storm the last night and it provided us some great shelter. The only thing that happened was a hose would not stay put on the bottom of the faucet, so it's out of commission till I can figure out why tubing/fittings wont work properly. But other than that it was a perfect first trip. I have great confidence in it now after towing it up and down Cajon Pass and a good 10 miles of dirt trails. I'm so relieved it tows nicely. I could use just one finger on the steering wheel and cruise straight as an arrow at 65 mph.

Here are some pics from the weekend:

First Night:


First Morning


Awning Deployed




Heading Home

 

Sweet, it's been a blast following the build. The dog in the bun was worth the wait!

 

Awesome job!

 

Glad it went so well on the maiden! So lights + sink fix and you're done?

Also, with those motion lights, you'll want to make sure they have an off switch so they aren't lighting up on the freeway at night and causing glare in your rear view. Or maybe the motion sensor could be covered with tape or something?

 

The motion lights I got have an off switch so they're perfect. How funny would it be to see a trailer driving down the freeway flashing lights in every direction.

I am not sure I'll ever be done-done but I'll be done for now once I get the lights up. I do have some other improvements to make.

 

What did you use for you mattress pad? You said futon befpre but that looks a lot thicker than any futon I've seen.

 

Check it out in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niPw9TG079o


It's a futon mattress off Amazon,

DHP 6" Coil Futon Full Size Mattress (only), Brown

this one to be specific.

 

Nice. The black one is cheaper? Weird. Another year before I can begin. Waiting to buy our house first.

 

Yeah lol probably just depends on availability

 

Finally remembered to upload my plan for the 6x12. Freehand rough sketch, Im no artist.

 

I would try to give yourself close to 16" for the rear counter.. just to make it easier to fit a sink and store water. But depending on your mattress and door location you may not be able to. I will be super excited to follow your build if and when you start. How do you want to build the frame to work from a mechanical standpoint?

 

You mean reinforce the trailer frame? I haven't put much thought into it.

When I was originally designing it I planned for a full size mattress and to just have it on a flip up platform with gas struts with storage underneath, like some campers have. However looking at that $73 futon matress, I may do your design and that would give me enough wiggle room where the matress being in front of the door when extended not a problem.
I was thinking either a ramp style or barn door style rear. Ramp would bring me closer to the utilities for ease of use should things get too high. But barn doors I was thinking I could put an awning off the back and essentially have an enclosed kitchen area/bathroom with linoleum on the doors and a tarp wall off the back. Then have a nice shower head in that area as well. I'd have to seal up the battery compartment really well if so.

Really I think I'll go in with a basic plan and then kinda sort things out as they go. Probably start with the back and build something very similar to what you have and then take it from there.

 

I meant like what mechanism would the bed use to raise/lower, which you covered.

I think barn doors are nice because you can use the walls for storage/functionality. You also need less room to open your trailer. This is particularly nice when storing your trailer. I also liked tucking things underneath the rear of the trailer, which would be harder to access with a dropped ramp.

 

Yeah. I figure, I could always make a step that would slide over the top of the counter when all packed up if need be.

 

Question for you; how well does your side entry door seal when not using the bar on the outside?

I installed my RV door handles and I'm finding an issue where the center of the door, when latched, is so shoved in that the top and bottom of the door bows out. My door is framed with wood, not metal, so there's plenty of give to it. I was curious if this was an issue you faced or if your was metal and thus more rigid and resistant to bowing out and not sealing great.