GuyInSoCal
Advanced Member
As the title says, "158 Days and FINALLY finishing the Cargo Conversion"
The road to completion has been a rocky and expensive one. There has been tears, and blood, shed during this process. There has been arguments and conflicts over the design and quality of products... not to mention finances (lol).
We purchased the trailer with a desire to build a hotel on wheels. The idea came from a bad experience in a hotel. We worried about cleanliness and struggled with the thoughts of who AND WHAT had happened, or been in, the bed before us. Honestly I would gladly spend the cost of fuel knowing that I can sleep in my own bed, anywhere and anytime I wished.. and I did not have to give some random hotel clerk my credit card.
We drove to San Diego, from Anaheim, to purchased the trailer. We purchased a 2025 Pace American Outback DLX. She is 7' wide.. 16' long and 7' high (inside height).
On the way back to Anaheim we talked about how great this was going to be. We tossed out ideas on our needs, wants and desires for this build. Not once did we, at this moment, talk about a budget.
We parked the trailer and immediately taped out a floor plan..
This was going to be built fast and for as little money as possible. Please remember I said this, for later into my story...
I started the build the next day by removing all of the walls and putting in insulation.. I meticulously measured, cut and installed it. I planned out wire locations, plumbing and windows. I keep thinking, "This is so easy.. why isn't everyone doing good this?". This is another statement that I will ask you to remember.....
Days went by and I had it all ready for the build. I went to Home Depot and purchased wood to start the build.
I was excited and ready to go. While I was framing the partially raised floor, I decided to start looking for appliances. A cooktop, Microwave and refrigerator. I figured thats all I needed for the kitchen.. I found a refrigerator that was around 4 cf. A cooktop and a basic microwave. I was happy.
I researched power options. I figured out what I thought I needed for solar. I was (notice I used the word, "WAS") going to go to Amazon and buy a simple 200W predesigned system. One of those Harry Homeowner systems. 30A shore power.. I was ready to go.
At this point I was on target and well within a manageable, yet undetermined, budget.
Design wise, I was not looking to win any trophies. All I needed was a bed, a place to cook and maybe, using the word, "maybe" very strongly, a bathroom.
I started looking around the internet. This was where it all started unraveling. I saw what Winnebago, Airstream, Jayco and everyone else was doing. I went to YouTube and started watching custom builds.. some I was jealous over, and others... well.. I wondered what they were thinking. Then it hit me. I did not want to be one of those that people wondered what, "I" was thinking.
I tossed out all or my ideas, except the floor plan. I figured if I was going to do this, then let's do it.
I see this is starting to get really long, so I will cut out all the boring parts..
I went from a 200W predesigned system to a 800W custom designed solar array. I went from a 4 cf refrigerator to a 10.1 cf with freezer. I went from 1 bed to 2 beds...... a microwave, airfryer, convetion (7 different things) oven.... the list, and expenses, kept building.
In the build process, there was about 3 weeks where I would go to the trailer, sit in the middle of the floor with my face in my hands wondering what the **** did I get myself into? The garage was full of boxes containing, what seemed like, enough stuff to build and outfit a small house.
I am glad all of this is now in the past. I am glad that I only have a few more items to do and should be completed by Monday 10 November 2025.
I was not able to stay within a budget. We did try a few times to limit the cost. We kept upgrading and changing our desires.
We are just over $30,000 into this build... if I was to go back in time, I would do it all over again.
This turned out to be a mansion on wheels..
We are planning our first trip next week... I'll keep you guys posted lol
The road to completion has been a rocky and expensive one. There has been tears, and blood, shed during this process. There has been arguments and conflicts over the design and quality of products... not to mention finances (lol).
We purchased the trailer with a desire to build a hotel on wheels. The idea came from a bad experience in a hotel. We worried about cleanliness and struggled with the thoughts of who AND WHAT had happened, or been in, the bed before us. Honestly I would gladly spend the cost of fuel knowing that I can sleep in my own bed, anywhere and anytime I wished.. and I did not have to give some random hotel clerk my credit card.
We drove to San Diego, from Anaheim, to purchased the trailer. We purchased a 2025 Pace American Outback DLX. She is 7' wide.. 16' long and 7' high (inside height).
On the way back to Anaheim we talked about how great this was going to be. We tossed out ideas on our needs, wants and desires for this build. Not once did we, at this moment, talk about a budget.
We parked the trailer and immediately taped out a floor plan..
This was going to be built fast and for as little money as possible. Please remember I said this, for later into my story...
I started the build the next day by removing all of the walls and putting in insulation.. I meticulously measured, cut and installed it. I planned out wire locations, plumbing and windows. I keep thinking, "This is so easy.. why isn't everyone doing good this?". This is another statement that I will ask you to remember.....
Days went by and I had it all ready for the build. I went to Home Depot and purchased wood to start the build.
I was excited and ready to go. While I was framing the partially raised floor, I decided to start looking for appliances. A cooktop, Microwave and refrigerator. I figured thats all I needed for the kitchen.. I found a refrigerator that was around 4 cf. A cooktop and a basic microwave. I was happy.
I researched power options. I figured out what I thought I needed for solar. I was (notice I used the word, "WAS") going to go to Amazon and buy a simple 200W predesigned system. One of those Harry Homeowner systems. 30A shore power.. I was ready to go.
At this point I was on target and well within a manageable, yet undetermined, budget.
Design wise, I was not looking to win any trophies. All I needed was a bed, a place to cook and maybe, using the word, "maybe" very strongly, a bathroom.
I started looking around the internet. This was where it all started unraveling. I saw what Winnebago, Airstream, Jayco and everyone else was doing. I went to YouTube and started watching custom builds.. some I was jealous over, and others... well.. I wondered what they were thinking. Then it hit me. I did not want to be one of those that people wondered what, "I" was thinking.
I tossed out all or my ideas, except the floor plan. I figured if I was going to do this, then let's do it.
I see this is starting to get really long, so I will cut out all the boring parts..
I went from a 200W predesigned system to a 800W custom designed solar array. I went from a 4 cf refrigerator to a 10.1 cf with freezer. I went from 1 bed to 2 beds...... a microwave, airfryer, convetion (7 different things) oven.... the list, and expenses, kept building.
In the build process, there was about 3 weeks where I would go to the trailer, sit in the middle of the floor with my face in my hands wondering what the **** did I get myself into? The garage was full of boxes containing, what seemed like, enough stuff to build and outfit a small house.
I am glad all of this is now in the past. I am glad that I only have a few more items to do and should be completed by Monday 10 November 2025.
I was not able to stay within a budget. We did try a few times to limit the cost. We kept upgrading and changing our desires.
We are just over $30,000 into this build... if I was to go back in time, I would do it all over again.
This turned out to be a mansion on wheels..
We are planning our first trip next week... I'll keep you guys posted lol
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