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2011 Colony Cargo Trailer Conversion

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:06 pm
by my240z
Hello All,

I've been a member here for over a year and continue to have great time watching all of your projects take shape. The Craftsmanship here is just incredible :applause: .

So a little about my project. My name is Shannon and I have a little different reason for my cargo trailer conversion. First off I own a commercial cleaning company and clean carpets in Michigan and now live in St. Louis, MO. So my trailer will be used to haul my machine and when needed sleep in it after jobs are completed. My wife and I also love to camp and with our new son this trailer will be used along with a tent on several vacations to come. This cargo conversion will be a very simple one, which will include installing insulation on walls and ceiling, installing prefinished maple slatwall panels on all walls for orginazation and a cool look and a very basic electrical system as found on this forum.

So about my trailer. I looked for several years and found nothing that I liked. The used trailers here in St. Louis were so over priced and in bad shape. I finally found a cargo trailer that fit my needs. Though its a little shorter then I wanted it fits in the garage with room to spare and matches my tow. I found it used from a guy who had just purchased a skamper (which I was also interested in); he purchased it from a company I hadn't heard about but seemed like okay craftsmanship http://www.colonycargo.com/. This was all done at the factory which was a nice way to get started. Also interior has a vinyl peal-and-stick tile which is holding up fine as of now.

This will be a slow build due to working a lot and taking care of my toddler son during the day but I will post lots of pictures and love any feedback you guys have.

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Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:33 pm
by roadinspector
Good looking CT! A slow build will give you plenty of time to think and rethink ideas. Looking forward to updates.

Earnest

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:00 am
by bigbendhiker
Congratulations! Very nice looking trailer. It should be a piece of cake to tow. It looks like it is an inch or two shorter than your Jeep. When you get a chance post some pictures of the interior. Looking forward to seeing what you are going to do with the trailer.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:07 am
by b.bodemer
A nice looking trailer. The rv door lock and window are a plus!

Barb

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:02 pm
by my240z
So a little more progress today. Nothing special but somthing that bugs me. I debadged my trailer. I'm not a fan of advertising so in an attempt to make it look cleaner I removed the factory stickers (ColonyCargo.com and phone numbers) from the rear swing door, RV style side door, and both sides of the V-nose. :thumbsup:

When I was finished a little turtle wax and then the black trailer "was shining like a new dime."

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Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 2:07 pm
by my240z
Interior Pictures as requested. It's hard to make a nice shot in such a small trailer though :thinking:

So the first shot is without the curtains.
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With curtains that my loving wife made for me.
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This is a view from the side RV style door showing off my fishing pole rod holder.
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Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 3:55 am
by Wolfscout
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your trailer.

btw.. being short would make it FAR more easier to load a canoe or kayak to take on your camping trips like we do.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:05 am
by my240z
Wolfscout wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with for your trailer.

btw.. being short would make it FAR more easier to load a canoe or kayak to take on your camping trips like we do.


Wolfscout,

I totally agree, the short height makes alot of possiblities for storing things on top maybe with a ladder rack of some sort. Kayak's are a must.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:56 am
by spd2918
Any updates? I am looking at trailers of a similar size to pull with my Jeep Liberty.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:33 am
by pappaw
Looks perfect. :thumbsup:

It's a ready made teardrop, just drop in the bed. :lol:

I couldn't wait to debadge mice too, had decals all over it. ;)

Cheers :beer:

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:32 pm
by Glowworm
Just found this site. How tall is your trailer inside or outside. I called the Colony Cargo place and spoke to Tim. He seemed very helpful and willing to help us out.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:09 pm
by my240z
spd2918 wrote:Any updates? I am looking at trailers of a similar size to pull with my Jeep Liberty.


No updates as of yet I hope to get working on it this winter when theirs nothing to do outside.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 7:15 pm
by my240z
Glowworm wrote:Just found this site. How tall is your trailer inside or outside. I called the Colony Cargo place and spoke to Tim. He seemed very helpful and willing to help us out.


Interior Size is 48" High, 58" Wide, and 109" Length to the tip of the V. I Also PM you, any more questions feel free to ask.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 11:57 am
by Glowworm
Thanks for the inside information. Another question how tall is the trailer from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the trailer (outside measurment). We are trying t keep our height below the top of our truck but we have different heights.

Re: Another 5x8 cargo trailer conversion

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:22 pm
by my240z
Demo offically started. So I removed all the panels with a phillips bit but first had to figure out what the weird 8 sided bit was (crappy picture quality below). Thankfully I found a couple of blogs that talked about using a simple square drive would work and low and behold it did. I wish I would have payed more attention in math class. A square has four sides and a octogan has 8 side so a square bit if proper sized can be found will fit in an octogan... :thinking:

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Floor was then removed which was so easy due to a cheap peel and stick being put down. Note to trailer owners peel and stick may not be the best material to use since I peeled it off in about 2 minutes.

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