Our 7x18 cargo conversion....slowly but surely!

[shortycas]

We just bought a 7x18' cargo trailer to turn into a camper. It's going to be a slow but sure process to get it done!
Got the trailer at a steal. It was supposed to be 7x16, but when we got home, we realized it is actually 2 feet bigger than we were told. So we really got a steal!!!

Now....if someone could just tell me how to post pics on here, I would be glad to start those

Thanks!
Cas and Dave
[/img]

[shortycas]

PS....did I mention we're on a budget, so we are being as thrifty as possible with our remodel! And we're not wanting to turn it into a big extravagant camper....just something weather-proof, with A/C, seeing as how we live in Texas. That Texas heat is a killer!!
We love love love camping, but after the last time when a tornado went through our campsite, we wanted something a little more stable than a tent
We also want something comfortable and homey, but we would like to use our trailer to haul things if needed. I have a sister that moves every few months (ha ha) so this would make our lives a little easier when we help her

[Eskimo]

Welcome and have fun with it. If you look at the top there is a link titled help with photos, really easy to create an album. I might be starting a new project since someon I talked with this past weekend wants to buy my current trailer. I know about that Texas heat, that's the reson I installed an ac last year. Good luck and keep us posted.

[shortycas]

Thanks, Eskimo!! Should have known I wouldn't see something that black and white...."help with photos." LOL!
Yes, that Texas heat is something else! Good luck with your remodel, if you decide to do it!! And be sure to start a thread and post your link on this thread, so we can check it out!

[shortycas]

Here's the trailer! Sorry, these were taken with my phone, because I forgot my camera








Inside of trailer, standing at the front










Inside of trailer, looking from back to front







Cracked vent from previous owner, who wrapped it in trash bags and duct tape






Inside, cracked vent





Dave welding a support bracket for the a/c






Support bracket!





Bracket welded to trailer supports....Dave said don't look at his welding job, it wasn't meant to be seen





Aaaaaaaaaaaaand, we have a rooftop a/c!!!









We still need to get a ceiling assembly for the a/c so we can actually use it, lol, but this is a start!! :)

[getvrtcl]

Excellent job so far. I just went through putting the AC unit on my 18 ftr this weekend but didnt get any pictures.

Here is my sight hope it will give you some ideas.
http://harleyhauler.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post.html

[shortycas]

getvrtcl, thanks!! Funny thing....before we got our trailer, we were searching online for some conversions, and we came across yours I told my husband about your website, and he was like, "oh yeah, harley hauler. I've seen that." lol! He hasn't got to see the inside of your trailer yet, though. Looks like it's coming along great! I am a "follower" now of your blog. Will be checking back to see the progress, and for inspiration! Fantastic job!!!!

[getvrtcl]

Thank you it has been a lot of work so far.
You look like you are off to a good start with the A/C unit in already.
Keep up the good work.......

[SirJoey]

Outstanding!

7x18!!! Holy Moses! I could park 2 of my little 5x8 inside that thing, & still have room left over!
You guys are gonna have a regular home on wheels there! WTG!

[rebapuck]

How many bedrooms are you putting in?

You can get a really comfortable layout in that. I say make a plan for everything you want. Then go at it as time and $$ allows

[shortycas]

Joey, We actually started out looking for a 6x10 or 6x12, because it was in our price range, but we found this baby at such a great deal, that we couldn't pass it up!!

Reba, we weren't really planning to make "rooms" per say, but right now the plan is to make a fold down bed for us, and 2 fold down bunk beds for our 2 kiddos.

When we were planning on purchasing a smaller trailer, the plan was to put a few cabinets in, with room for a tv and microwave, a small sink, and a couple of beds. That way, we could fold the beds up, and use it to haul stuff if we needed to. It was just going to be a camping "shelter." But then we got muuuuch more than we planned, and so we're still trying to figure it all out. I don't think I'll put a stove or anything in there, because we have a camping cook stove, and frankly, we would even have room to haul our gas grill from home LOL. But I would like a sink to wash my hands (I'm a GERMAPHOBE!). We've tossed around the idea of a portable toilet of some sort, but not sure if we want to section off a whole area for it, plus there's the whole issue of plumbing the trailer (we can just run a simple drain to the sink). But, back to the germaphobe, I'm not a fan of port-a-potties.

I do know, that eventually, I have to show my Texas pride, so I'm planning to pain a Texas flag on the back doors

So, you are correct, we need to get it all planned out and sketched out and go from there. I think we're just trying to be cost efficient....well, ok....I'M trying to be cost efficient. Dave has other ideas

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I started a thread on here, so maybe having "followers" could motivate us to get it finished. We have a bit of a problem in our household starting things and never finishing them! And I want to use this baby sometime THIS summer!!!

[rebapuck]

The most common thing I read is "wire it". Good advice.

I know how you feel about portapotties. I'm going to try the wagbags this weekend.

[shortycas]

A friend gave us this cabinet when they remodeled their kitchen. It was their bar. It has a counter top also, that is not pictured. Thinking of a good way to utilize it.
The thought is to put a sink in it, and then use it for galley storage.
Thoughts? It goes about to my belly button without the counter top, and I'm 6 ft. tall.

[digimark]

Nice trailer -- lots of room!

If you cut a hole in the countertop for the sink, you could use the under-counter space to hold small fresh and gray water tanks, and keep the plumbing for it all self-contained.

[shortycas]

digi, that's actually what we were thinking, too! Great minds think alike!