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5x8 enclosed conversion... my start atleast.

PostPosted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:40 pm
by SmokeyBear
The wife and I wanted a teardrop, but wanted more space than a regular Tear would offer, so we bought this last week with plans to convert it.

I wanted to insulate it, paint the floor, make a carpet kit, new paneling on the walls, roof vent and eventually a window or two..

I'll post pics as I progress.




I'll be pulling it with our Pontiac Vibe

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Had to get a hitch installed on the car:
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Side door
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The floor:
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The new floor in 2 sections:
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A little carpet padding:
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100 sq feet of carpet for free from my wife's boss.
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Padded and carpeted 4x5 removable carpet kit...
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First coat of Kilz on the floor.
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Well?? Thoughts, opinions, advice?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:28 am
by SteveB
This is too funny. I'm about 80% finished with my conversion of a 5X8 just like yours. I lurked here and some other sites before I settled on what I wanted to do. Good luck with your conversion. Steve

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:30 am
by xrover
Is your rear door a lift up hatch? I was looking to do this type of a conversion but was never found a cargo that had a side door and a rear lift up.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:43 am
by bobhenry
Looks like swingers split in the middle, I see hinges on both sides.

That's set up like nitroxjunkies trailer.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:04 am
by Nitroxjunkie71
Nice Trailer. Now the fun begins! :twisted:

My only advice would be to run electrical, install porch light, install outlets and insulate ALL at the same time. I can't tell you how many times I have had to remove paneling to do all other steps each at different times after the initial insulating. :cry:

I am anxious to see how you progress.

Nice work so far! :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:11 am
by edcasey
It looks right at home behind your Vibe. Can't wait to see your progress. :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:15 am
by edcasey
SteveB wrote:This is too funny. I'm about 80% finished with my conversion of a 5X8 just like yours. I lurked here and some other sites before I settled on what I wanted to do. Good luck with your conversion. Steve


Hey Steve...How about a thread of your build :) We would love to see some pictures.

more conversions

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:54 am
by kevin57
it's good to see more cargo conversions. i agree with you on the space issue .

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:39 pm
by SmokeyBear
xrover wrote:Is your rear door a lift up hatch? I was looking to do this type of a conversion but was never found a cargo that had a side door and a rear lift up.


Actually on the back it's just one door that swings open to the right.

I want to make a drop down/fold up shelf there that I can cook on with my camp stove.. Still working on the details to that.. and the screen door.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:12 am
by John Boeckstiegel
Nice to see another cargo. :D

I like the 5x8 also. Not too big, not too small.

Good luck and hope to see many pics. Check out my album, hope it can help.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:14 am
by Wimperdink
Be a lil careful on the weight. That trailer is tall enough to make it tough on the vibe if your at highway speeds. Add enough weight and your going to be crawling up the hills a mite slower than ya expected. I also tow with a vibe. Boats, Utilities, and a lightweight weekender shape tear. I've also pulled a 4x8 UHaul Utility from Knoxville to Jacksonville FL and with a bed, dressor, and a few other things it didnt much care for the inclines. Keep it light. And happy camping.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:01 pm
by GregB
Smokey,

If you get stuck on something, I'm just up the road from you, assuming you live around where you bought the car.

GB

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:13 pm
by SmokeyBear
GregB wrote:Smokey,

If you get stuck on something, I'm just up the road from you, assuming you live around where you bought the car.

GB


Yeah! I live in Orem. Good to see someone so close.

I put the remainder of the walls up today, finished the insulation, and the vent came in the mail today, so it went in too.. man I'm glad I had the day off! I'll post pics later tonight. (hopefully)

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:16 pm
by SmokeyBear
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I realize I may have wasted all the time and money to insulate this thing, without insulating the roof.. but I figure if I want to insulate that, I can do it later. I'd like to take her out a couple times to see just how cold it gets in there without insulation in the roof.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:36 pm
by John Boeckstiegel
Something I would worry about is the heat, not so much the cold.
If the sun hits the roof in any weather it will get hot in there. I put 3/4" blue foam through out mine. Then filled in any gaps with spray foam.

As you see though I live in Florida. Good luck and keep the pics coming.

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