Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am curious why the folks on here choose a cargo trailer to convert to an RV
Ron

IMO, it is easier for some folks to convert than to build.

I wanted a toyhauler so I could carry a golf cart,but smaller in size than what was available, now I have both a 7x16 and a 30ft toyhauler.

We were considering a cargo trailer conversion. Part of the reason we first did consider a CT was that the chassis and body came already assembled with some guarantee that it would not leak. After much thinking and planning we decided against a CT. It was too limiting. Building a TTT will take longer as I will be doing the chassis myself. But in the end there will be fewer compromises than if we had a converted CT. There still will be compromises.

When we get to a more or less finalized floor plan and profile for out TTT we will start a thread on it. I also have some projects in the shop that need to be completed before the trailer work can commence.

I have a family of 5 and needed a full size travel trailer. A CT is a good base to build a full size Travel Trailer. I looked at the quality of factory built Travel trailers, and I thought I could do better.

Tx River Rat, Howdy;

I already LIVE in a RV (5th wheel), I don't want to have to go through all the mess of taking down skirting,
disconnecting from the 120 gal. Propane tank then trying to get it all back in the same exact spot when I
want to go fishing for a weekend or a week. The Park I live in has a small shop but allows us to fiddle
with our trailers and do some minor vehicle maintenance in the shop area. I'm getting a tad long in the tooth
and creaky in some of the larger joints for sleeping on the ground. Small, compact, not quite fully self-contained
it should be perfect for my wants, needs, and desires.

hank

I appreciate the come back .
I towed new RVS out of Elkart Ind for a few years after I retired,I have been inside most of the plants in that area and wasnt impressed with the quality or longevity of their products.
Here are my reasons.
Metal and one piece roofs ,small chance of leaks and no wood rot if you do get one.
Better frames and under carrige
I can build as fancy are plain as I want ,custom to my uses.
Build will be from 1/3 to 1/2 half the cost of a comparable factory RV.
Can be used to camp in from the first day it was purchased.
I have a few things that may be a little different in my build,one is a seperate 12 volt and 110 ac electrical system
Solar ,and completely self contained for at least two weeks time,Coleman camp kitchen for stove top and oven.
I enjoy find out why others made the discission to convert a ct it gives me more ideals to roll around in my feeble little mind.


Over the top
(Why not ?

This is what the forum topic is all about, if not we would be on an RV forum)
Thats the reason I ask the question here instead of an RV forum, It would be sort of dumb to as a question like this in a forum that is about factory produced RVs.
Ron

Cost: much less than an RV. Durability: as stated above concerning roof, framing, chassis, etc. Weight: lighter than most RV's of equal size. Simplicity: no excess baggage or "frills" I don't need. No wasted space: I can keep it small, but still have all the luxuries I want. I can stand up and move about inside, not crawl around in a crawl space. Custom: mine has exactly what I need, where I want it, and nothing else. If I want to change it, its quick and easy. It fits me like a glove. Easy: I ordered mine with a door, windows, roof vents, and 12 v lights already there. I didn't have to add much, and it was easy to do with simple plywood walls, plywood floor, and an "open" floor plan to start with. If I can do it, anyone can.

And finally . . . the number one reason I converted a cargo trailer into the best camper I've ever owned . . . This forum! Seriously. It wouldn't have happened when it did, or as successfully as it ended up, without the ideas of those here before me. Nearly everything I did was from an idea I saw here. Some were exact copies of perfect ideas! When I started reading the posts and seeing the pictures, there was no doubt in my mind. I had a trailer in my driveway within 60 days of my first click on here! Best investment I've ever made, hands down. Should have done it 25 years ago.

I already had the Cargo Trailer, I used it to haul a golf cart for a few years. It started as a simple interior update, and i lost control, ad 2 months later i had a camper.

I got to blame the wife she can't be in tight areas. The 1st one was for weight 5x8 loved it 2nd one was for $$ got it cheap but put lots of $ in it 3rd and last one its going to be the way I want it when I get started building it. I can say that you all will have a part in this one but for now I just camp in it just the way I bought it.

Metal and one piece roofs ,small chance of leaks and no wood rot if you do get one.
Better frames and under carrige
I can build as fancy are plain as I want, custom to my uses.
Build will be from 1/3 to 1/2 half the cost of a comparable factory RV.
Can be used to camp in from the first day it was purchased.

and...made to take a beating, no toxic glues or finishes, no plastics, no filon, much lighter weight (esp. aluminum ct), eight choices in trailer widths, driftwood shelf supports (!), galley outside, no stinky holding tanks, registration/taxes far less than an RV in many states.

P.S. Why I put my windows on the right side only: Pulling into the mandatory inspection at the California Fruit Inspection Station at Hornbrook, California on Interstate 5, the cop is going through the camp trailer RV in front of me. It takes five minutes. He confiscates nothing. I pull up and he asks, "What's in the cargo trailer?" I answer the generic truth, "Clothes and furniture." He says, "Okay, you can go."

Prem wrote:P.S. mandatory inspection at the California Fruit Inspection Station

Yeah, I've heard there's a lot of those there! Didn't know they were getting that personal though. Think I'll just stay on the Oregon/Nevada sides.

That was just funny this morning.

Gonefishin wrote:

Prem wrote:P.S. mandatory inspection at the California Fruit Inspection Station

Yeah, I've heard there's a lot of those there! Didn't know they were getting that personal though. Think I'll just stay on the Oregon/Nevada sides.

That was just funny this morning.

Not to drift too far off-topic, but due to budget cuts, most of those Inspection Stations are closed or understaffed due to budgetary concerns now. I haven't even had to come to a complete stop in quite some time.