My 7x16 Cargo conversion

[jimzac]

Well here is how it began. I ordered the cargo from the trailer showroom.com. I had very short time period and very certain specs to have it build and to be able to pick it up. The trailershowroom and Lark (In douglas Ga) agreed they could build it and ready in 7 days. Of course problems arose in the build. The biggest was the RV door I wanted. After long talks with Lark we decided to pick it up and they would ship the RV door to my local trailer dealer to have it installed. I showed up on Sep the 1st for pick up...man it was a nice looking trailer. Except they built it WRONG. I specifically asked NOT to have a roof vent, and of course even though the build sheet stated NO VENT...they put one in. I refused the trailer. If im paying over $3500 Im getting what I want. He (sales manager at lark) said he would build the trailer I wanted. and ship it to me. Over a month later...No trailer. I was told the RV door that was sent was damaged in shipping. Now I am waiting til the new RV door gets there suppose to be thursday. I guess I will call and get a new excuse on friday. Im not feeling much love from these people. So far I woulds rather stick a fork in my eye than recommendation them.

Rant over.

Anyways I have been lurking for a long time great site thanks for all the info.

I plan on a simple build (IF they deliver). A king bed in the rear, folding bunks on the side, cabinets in the front.

jim

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

I said it 10,000 TIMES

If you want quality get a CarMate from PA

if you want it cheap get a LARK - from GA

I got both .... So I know what the hell I'm talking about ......

[jimzac]

Well some people buy what they can afford, and work there way up.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

That's what I did too, but nobody told me better -
I learned it the hard way

I'll give you one more BIG secrete, every trailer builder can sell 3 x over what he builds,
90% folks just buy what's on the lot .......
It's not like they make $2,000 profit on your trailer.
It's a high volume low profit business ......

Do you wanna deal with a high demand customer
With the trailer showroom you only have $250 down -
I got burned by them too , live & learn !!

[jimzac]

Got my Cargo. Now I am ready to strip it out and insulate it. Will post pics as it happens.

[Prem]

Rock and roll! We're all interested in your progress, so please post lots of photos!

[jimzac]

Pulled some of the plywood down getting ready to insulate it. Lets talk vapor barrier. I was thinking plastic between the insulation and the plywood... What do yall think about sealing the wood with kilz, to help keep moister and mold out?

[Prem]

Spray foam. Urethane sealer on wood, esp. the edges. Kilz off gasses amonia, which is bad for ya. Plastic traps condensation inside the wall, which causes rust and mildew.

[Masterplumber]

I'm at about the same point. I wouldn't put a vapor barrier on the inside of the wall. At first blush it makes sense, you want to keep moisture out of the wall. The trouble is, if any moisture gets in the wall it has no way to evaporate out. It can't evaporate to the outside as the metal skin impermeable. If you put a vapor barrier on the inside the moisture can't escape and then you will have created the perfect environment for mold growth. I've seen this in basement finishes in houses many times. For more on the subject there is a book out called something like " A builder's guide to building in a cold climate". I went to a seminar put on by the author a few years back - lots of good information and he has the scientific observations to back up his theories. Just some food for thought.

[Masterplumber]

One more thought, Reflectex makes a great vapor barrier, so if you're thinking of using it make sure you put it tight against the metal, not over the studs. I plan on having foam sprayed in the walls and ceiling. I may do the underside of the floor later if I can figure a good way to then skin the underside of the frame.

[MtnDon]

The warning against using a vapor barrier on the inside (with an aluminum exterior skin) is absolute truth.
~~~~~
IMO, the best solution for insulating a typical CT with the aluminum exterior skin screwed or adhesived to the metal stud/rib walls would be spray on closed cell foam. The advantages are that is glues and seals itself to the aluminum skin and ribs. Disadvantages being messy to install and needing to be 'shaved' to rib level once cured. But it does away with the potential issue of water vapor condensing against the inside face of the skin.

Second best would be rigid XPS or polyisocyanurate foam sheets. Cut to fit between studs/ribs and sealed into place using great stuff canned foam. The GS will seal the joint between metal stud and the rigid sheet foam. Advantage; probably cheaper than using all spray in and not as messy. Though cutting with a saw makes a mess; hot wire cutter or sharp knife and straight edge is less messy. Disadvantage; possible to make a less than satisfactory seal with the GS.

~~~~~
Everything in the book mentioned " A builder's guide to building in a cold climate" may be perfectly suited to the cold climate but not many other areas. Also keep in mind that most homes do not have a vapor impermeable outer skin like aluminum. There are some and that is usually achieved with exterior rigid foam. Done correctly that works well. But I doubt that exterior foam would be practical on a CT.

[Rainier70]

I don't know about other cts, but the outer alum skin of my ct isn't air tight, and I left it that way. The alum panels on the outside overlap the front over the back piece and are screwed down to the ribs. Between the screws on the ribs and on the bottom rail moisture and air can escape. In my opinion that is a good thing. I did vapor barrier my inside walls to limit the amount of moisture that makes its way into the walls, but when some does it has an escape path to the outside.

[jimzac]

I started to take the walls down and fill with XPS and spray foam. I found a few leaks and filled them with undercoating. I finished the back of the sidewalls. I will finish the side walls and the front this week. I hope to have it painted by weeks end....maybe the floors covered if i am lucky


***UPDATE 31DEC13*** Didn't get the the paint up. Put everything on hold until I get windows and get them installed.

[jimzac]

Walls are up King size bed platform is installed. Need paint, put up ceiling and lighting. Then I will be ready for the cabinets

[jimzac]

Got my 12x24 window in today...now if the weather will warm up I can install it.