7x16 TA Enclosed Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion budgeted fo
Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 12:17 amSo I just joined TNTT after I was browsing and looking for ideas for my own camper build. I’m Joel and I’m from Orlando,FL and I’m converting a 7x16 Tandem Axle Enclosed Cargo Trailer into a camper / travel trailer.
My uses for the camper will be:
-Primitive camping for up to two days at a time mainly in cooler weather.
-Full Hookup camping inside of campgrounds in both summer and winter (Florida winter)
-Stealth camping in cool weather at locations where camping might be frowned upon like parking lots.
My needs for the layout:
-Sleeping for 4 adults often including 2 couples.
-Lounging area inside big enough for 4 adults to hang out in during inclement weather.
-Air conditioning (when hooked up to power or generator)
-Kitchen Area
-Hot water shower
-Room for portable toilet inside
-6’6” Interior because I’m 6’4”.
-Ability to transport a motorcycle or paddle boards or bicycles, or jon boat to the camping destination.
I’ve designed the majority of it in my head and completed a good 40% of the project I’d say. I designed it to have a back porch feel with the liftgate down right next to the dinette benches and table.
The dinette table will drop down and create a 54x78 double berth. There will be a futon inside which will be across from the tv and act as a couch during the day and double berth at night.
Then the v nose area will be the kitchen complete with cabinets, sink, propane stove, and our upright portable air conditioner. The air conditioner will vent and drain through the floor outside and blow out into the cabin when on shore power.
I’m going to attach some photos of my build so far. My girlfriend Megan is the female you’ll see, and you might spot my 4 year old Carter and Megan’s father, Donald too.
We bought the trailer from a place in Georgia for right at 3k and I plan on keeping the build around 6k total. I’m trying to make it as nice as possible as cheaply as possible.
I’d love feedback and suggestions!
Megan staining and sealing our dinette table and later our dinette benches
We collected free old fence panels for the interior wall siding
Peel n stick Vinyl
Installed a Maxxfan and rain vent cover
Recycled wood walls and vinyl flooring complete
And this is where I’m currently at. Framing the counter and done with most of the electrical.
For the electrical, for now.... I’m going with one 100watt solar panel into a 30amp solar charge controller. The solar controller then connects to the battery and another connection to our house load (lights, pumps, usb outlets, Maxxfan, etc...). I’m able to see our solar input and load output in amps through the display so that’s pretty cool. I’ve been under partial shade mostly but I’ve seen the solar panel pumping 3 amps to the batteries so that’s pretty cool. I have one 100 amp hour Walmart deep cycle group 29 battery and one 100 amp hour auto battery that was recently given to me for free. The auto battery was used for two years but worked fine when removed from the vehicle.
Next I have a 1000 watt inverter hooked directly up to the batteries and output to an electrical outlet that will be mounted above the counter. I’m also routing an outlet powered from the inverter over to the tv area so we can use the tv with indoor antenna while off grid.
Next I have a 15amp extension cord input going to a 4 outlet box inside the camper. This will power the a/c, tv, and a 3.5 amp battery charger/maintainer when connected to shore power.
Let me know your thoughts.
My uses for the camper will be:
-Primitive camping for up to two days at a time mainly in cooler weather.
-Full Hookup camping inside of campgrounds in both summer and winter (Florida winter)
-Stealth camping in cool weather at locations where camping might be frowned upon like parking lots.
My needs for the layout:
-Sleeping for 4 adults often including 2 couples.
-Lounging area inside big enough for 4 adults to hang out in during inclement weather.
-Air conditioning (when hooked up to power or generator)
-Kitchen Area
-Hot water shower
-Room for portable toilet inside
-6’6” Interior because I’m 6’4”.
-Ability to transport a motorcycle or paddle boards or bicycles, or jon boat to the camping destination.
I’ve designed the majority of it in my head and completed a good 40% of the project I’d say. I designed it to have a back porch feel with the liftgate down right next to the dinette benches and table.
The dinette table will drop down and create a 54x78 double berth. There will be a futon inside which will be across from the tv and act as a couch during the day and double berth at night.
Then the v nose area will be the kitchen complete with cabinets, sink, propane stove, and our upright portable air conditioner. The air conditioner will vent and drain through the floor outside and blow out into the cabin when on shore power.
I’m going to attach some photos of my build so far. My girlfriend Megan is the female you’ll see, and you might spot my 4 year old Carter and Megan’s father, Donald too.
We bought the trailer from a place in Georgia for right at 3k and I plan on keeping the build around 6k total. I’m trying to make it as nice as possible as cheaply as possible.
I’d love feedback and suggestions!
Megan staining and sealing our dinette table and later our dinette benches We collected free old fence panels for the interior wall siding Peel n stick Vinyl Installed a Maxxfan and rain vent cover Recycled wood walls and vinyl flooring complete And this is where I’m currently at. Framing the counter and done with most of the electrical. For the electrical, for now.... I’m going with one 100watt solar panel into a 30amp solar charge controller. The solar controller then connects to the battery and another connection to our house load (lights, pumps, usb outlets, Maxxfan, etc...). I’m able to see our solar input and load output in amps through the display so that’s pretty cool. I’ve been under partial shade mostly but I’ve seen the solar panel pumping 3 amps to the batteries so that’s pretty cool. I have one 100 amp hour Walmart deep cycle group 29 battery and one 100 amp hour auto battery that was recently given to me for free. The auto battery was used for two years but worked fine when removed from the vehicle.
Next I have a 1000 watt inverter hooked directly up to the batteries and output to an electrical outlet that will be mounted above the counter. I’m also routing an outlet powered from the inverter over to the tv area so we can use the tv with indoor antenna while off grid.
Next I have a 15amp extension cord input going to a 4 outlet box inside the camper. This will power the a/c, tv, and a 3.5 amp battery charger/maintainer when connected to shore power.
Let me know your thoughts.
