Central Texas, but returning to Oregon!

[marant]

Just discovered this site yesterday and have been reading posts constantly ever since. It is a great site, with lots of information and friendship. I have been a member of several boards of 5th wheel owners that were subject to any number of self appointed Nazis (weight and balance, tires, etc) and it is refreshing that on this board everyone is encouraging and willing to help, with no rancor.

We live just outside Austin, TX, having moved here 7 years ago to be near our infant grandgirls. Built an earth sheltered concrete home with xeriscaped yard of native wildflowers, trees and grasses (much to the dismay of some neighbors). The house is finished, the yard nearly complete, so I need a new project. Besides, the grandgirls are 10 and 12, and do not have time for old people around anymore.

We intend to return to Oregon this summer and decided we needed a way to take our Mazdaspeed Miata without driving it, so, started looking for an auto hauler. Short step from there to a cargo trailer and then to converting the CT for camping. We put 50,000 miles on a 5th wheel until we decided it was too big and sold it. Still need to be able to go to the mountains and ocean, so the sea change of a minimalist rig sounds perfect and a lot of fun. Just cannot sit at home.

We have already gotten wonderful ideas which will be very helpful when we order our CT. Have not yet decided on a brand yet, but are looking for one 8 or 8.5x18. Would be great to find one manufactured in TX, but have not located any yet. All ideas and suggestions will be very welcome.

Interests are growing things, beekeeping, sports cars, golf, basic woodworking, grandgirls.

Thanks for the invite, we hope to be worthwhile members.

Mike and Chris

[bc toys]

there are lots of cargo trailers in the Alvarado area I35 to Ft Worth there is a great trailer place off I 35 toward Cleaburne about 5 miles on the left D& something but can't think of the other letter think it M but not sure about that great guys to work with.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Mike and Chris ... welcome aboard ...


There are a number of trailer manufacturers out there (some good and some not so good) and am sure you will find a great one in Texas. Check the Cargo Trailer Conversion thread here for some of the issues members had with different builders. One major issue I read about was the use of a barbed screw-looking rivet/nail to retain the inside wall siding ... this makes removal very difficult ...


After studying these threads I ended up going with a Look builder in Phoenix, Arizona when I built mine, for a couple reasons ... 1) They were close to my home and would build/modify to my needs & wants, and 2) They allowed me to visit the manufacturer, watch progress, set my inspection stops, and discuss my ideas and alterations with the build manager ...


Being able to visit the builder prior to ordering, seeing the build progress, make changes to the "standard" model, hold the build progress until I checked a critical step, etc. were all very important to me; With all that said, no matter which builder/manufacturer you go with, I can only suggest that you develop the kind of business relationship ... it can make a huge difference (at least it was to me) in the end product -- Good luck to you and set up a gallery, and post pick on your build ...