G'day

[kenaxelds]

Hey gang,

I've been trolling the website for a solid week, looking at different builds and ideas. My brain is now stuffed full of knowledge that I didn't even know I was missing! It's been an awesome educational experience, and it's only just starting.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and have tent camped (and backpacked) my entire life. I'm getting older (ya know how it is) and looking at ways to get my bed (and my butt) off the ground. I'm also interested in emergency preparedness, and I see having a self-contained, self-reliant, tiny home as being great insurance against calamity.

Of course, there's so many things to consider: size, heating, water, power, awnings, toilets, air conditioning, refrigerators, inverters, controllers, chargers, batteries, cooking, plumbing, storage, wiring, windows, etc. The list is overwhelming (and deliciously complex). It's a great exercise in multi-purposing and compromise (any tiny dwelling is going to involve plenty of that).

Anyway, I didn't want to feel like a stalker lurking in the shadows. I'm here. I'm reading every post I can (new and old), and gleaning nuggets of information from the stuff that goes well and the stuff that doesn't. I won't be able to start my build for another year (I just started a home remodel that will consume my spare time into 2017, easily), but you guys have convinced me there WILL BE a build (medium-sized cargo trailer conversion). I've already started looking at trailer dealers in my neck of the woods. Ideas are starting to gel. So, keep up the great work! Don't be afraid to share those little victories and stunning defeats. We may all smile at a screw-up, but it's only because we're thankful you saved us from learning that particular lesson the hard way :-)

Cheers,
Ken

[3GKnight]

Thinking and planning ahead is the key. Have fun on the remodel.

Welcome!

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Ken,
Welcome to the Forum and soon to the world of trailers...

I decided that I would go to a hard-sided trailer after driving to our campsite and ended up getting caught in a summer thunder storm and lots of rain... setting up camp in the rain was not a good option, so... a long night crammed in a K-5 Blazer...

Looking at your list "...there's so many things to consider: size, heating, water, power, awnings, toilets, air conditioning, refrigerators, inverters, controllers, chargers, batteries, cooking, plumbing, storage, wiring, windows, etc.... " can really get one thinking and I believe that the first item on your list determines the rest... May I suggest that you consider what you really want, how large a space do you need, inside/outside cooking and toiletries, how long will you typically camp, and then decide on the design, amenities, ... AND your budget...


Your experience on your home remodel will come in handy... Good luck on your decisions and build... Keep us posted as your ideas come together...

[KennethW]

If you have a ideal of what size enclosed trailer you will be using for your camper. The trailer would come in handy when you are doing your remodeling.

[lrrowe]

Welcome and I especially like your approach by reading all the old and new threads. It is sort of what I did at the beginning. Please ask your questions and you should get a wealth of support here; especially with you being one who does the research and then asks questions.

[kenaxelds]

Thinking and planning ahead is the key. Have fun on the remodel. Welcome!

Hi Ken,
Welcome to the Forum and soon to the world of trailers...I decided that I would go to a hard-sided trailer after driving to our campsite and ended up getting caught in a summer thunder storm and lots of rain... setting up camp in the rain was not a good option, so... a long night crammed in a K-5 Blazer...

Your experience on your home remodel will come in handy... Good luck on your decisions and build... Keep us posted as your ideas come together...

If you have a ideal of what size enclosed trailer you will be using for your camper. The trailer would come in handy when you are doing your remodeling.

Thanks, guys. In the distant past I was the maintenance guy for some apartments. I'm hoping to take put those plumbing/electrical/carpentry skills to the test, both with the remodel and with my CTC (I'd much rather be working on the CTC at this point...but for some reason my wife keeps insisting she needs INDOOR plumbing.) I did a few years in Uncle Sam's service and got to experience "camping" in the rain. From tornadoes in CO to hurricanes in GA and Cuba, I've had my fill. Something with walls sure sounds nice...and, contrary to what my first girlfriend may have said, apparently size DOES matter

Welcome and I especially like your approach by reading all the old and new threads. It is sort of what I did at the beginning.

Bob, I've been drooling over some of your ideas and designs from the start. No doubt a few of them will make it into my build (thankfully, no kayaks to worry about...but, hell, there's sure a lot of pretty water out here...maybe I should reconsider). I appreciate the care you've taken in documenting what you've done, so that others can follow.

Thanks again, all. There's some awesome information here, and I'm pretty stoked. I doubt I'll be contributing much in the near future, since I'm so far from being able to start my build, but I'm really loving the discussions. At this point, it feels like being a kid and sitting around the fire and listening to the "adults" talk. I'm learning there's a lot about tiny trailer life that I just didn't know (or hadn't considered). I'm just going to go back to sitting on that log under the tree and absorb as much info as I can, while the grown-ups tell me about all the cool stuff they've done

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Ken,
There are a number of CT manufacturers out there and some are better than others...

In my search for a CT to convert, I looked at new and used; and finally custom ordered a new trailer with a bunch of changes to meet my needs at the time... One of the biggies is to make sure the builder uses SCREWS to hold the interior plywood in place, there are some of the builders that use a screw-headed spike to hold the plywood on the inside walls. This creates a whole new set of issues (I believe it was Rainier70 that first brought up the issue). I made the builder pull a couple screws on my CT to make sure. There are lots of differences in design, quality, and strength... I suggest that you look real close before you buy..

I went with a LOOK Trailer and worked with my builder on changes I wanted and after the smoke cleared, it was not much more (In a couple cases, it was much less) to let them do it for me... I went with a rivetless outer skin and found out this builder installs the interior panelling first, glues the insulation to it, then glues the outer skin on!

I was extremely pleased with the build... take a look at my gallery... I had it easy, I installed the propane, battery, and interior ... and hope to finish it this year... BUT the boss wants me to sell it and I have barely used it!!!

[kenaxelds]

In my search for a CT to convert, I looked at new and used; and finally custom ordered a new trailer with a bunch of changes to meet my needs at the time.

Thanks, JC. I'll probably end up doing the same thing. I've been keeping an eye out for used trailers, but there's just not much out there (I'd probably prefer a trailer that isn't beat-up, smelling like grass and gasoline for my first build), lol. To get the trailer even close to what I want (an extra 6-12 inches tall, somewhere around 6x12 to 7x14 in size).

One of the biggies is to make sure the builder uses SCREWS to hold the interior plywood in place, there are some of the builders that use a screw-headed spike to hold the plywood on the inside walls.

This creates a whole new set of issues (I believe it was Rainier70 that first brought up the issue). I made the builder pull a couple screws on my CT to make sure. There are lots of differences in design, quality, and strength... I suggest that you look real close before you buy.

That's a great point. I had no idea spikes were even a possibility. I'll take a look at the LOOK when I'm ready to pull the trigger. Right now, I'm busy painting baseboards and trim for a house without wheels.

I like the simple design of the desert rat. I'm looking to start with nothing more than a "metal tent" for a while, as I try to switch (mentally and physically) from tent to trailer camping. There's SO many things to consider, finding the right trailer is just the beginning, but I'm already loving the journey.

[noseoil]

Welcome, looks like you have the bug pretty badly. Hang on to your wallet, make no plans for a time line & have fun with the build.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Ken,
It is nice that you have a time to decide and plan your trailer build and/or buy... A cargo conversion is not a bad way to go and you will typically start out with a robust trailer... Due to additional framing, skid plates, etc., my 6 x 10 x 6.5 tall foot CT came from the factory at just over 1500 #'s; I have added another several hundred #'s to that. So, this gives me a dry weight of about 1700 - 1800 #'s and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 2990 #'s. The trailer is running a 3500 # axle; so, stopping it fully loaded would be questionable with a small TV. Most states require trailer brakes if the GVWR is 3000+ #'s...

My point is that this trailer is heavy and if you have time, you may want to look at a home build (You sound like you have the skills) and I thought I would post these links for you... They are at the top of the T&TTT Home page as well...

Great IDEAS and build plans (Note: some of these are quite vintage and engineering and materials should be at least reviewed and updated as required):
http://tnttt.com/VintagePlans/vintageplans.html

Absolutely great thoughts for the prospective builer:
http://www.mikenchell.com/perfect_td.html

A great starting list of trailer parts and suppliers:
http://www.mikenchell.com/tttt.pdf

Good luck on whatever you decide...

[kenaxelds]

Welcome, looks like you have the bug pretty badly. Hang on to your wallet, make no plans for a time line & have fun with the build.

No doubt, I've got the bug! I think it'll be a good transition for us. We love camping (and being prepared for emergencies). A little, self-sufficient trailer sounds like the next logical step, short of a homestead. You're right, though. It's easy to spend $$$. Just looking at some of the more elaborate systems stabs me right in the wallet. Heating/cooling, solar/generators, it can all be expensive.

Ken

[kenaxelds]

Hi Ken,
My point is that this trailer is heavy and if you have time, you may want to look at a home build (You sound like you have the skills) and I thought I would post these links for you... They are at the top of the T&TTT Home page as well...

Thanks, JC. I hadn't found the mikenchell website yet I've got a small SUV rated to 3,500 lbs, so any build is going to have to stay light (but I definitely want trailer brakes...the last thing I want is to test the limits of my TV's stock brakes).

Awesome stuff!

[PeeWee Campers]

Yes, women do seem to like indoor plumbing! Fortunately, you should be able to accommodate your wife on that one. Lots of choices. Be sure to include her in the planning - it will make life much easier for you. I speak from experience!

Half the fun is in the planning and building!

Rick