Going to buy a cargo trailer but want a camper door, Help!

[SB61]

I am going to buy a cargo trailer but I want a camper door. Can any one give me suggestions on what I should do? Do I order one with out a door and install my own? How did some of you guys do it.

[nickelmania]

What Brand? When I ordered my Wells Cargo, The salesman simply showed me the options. Funny thing....The salesman told me Wells Cargo got out of building trailors with living quaters. Said they couldnt make money however,they still place a bunch of different options on their trailors.

[SB61]

I was looking at a Pace on the lot of a dealer. I can check with a well cargo dealer near my home.

[Gonefishin]

I ordered my Haulmark with a camper door. Cost isn't much more than doing it yourself unless you already have the materials. Time saved=invaluable.

[edcasey]

It really depends on what you mean by camper door. Most cargo trailer manufactures offer an aluminum covered plywood door with an interior door handle and an optional window. If your looking for the type of door used in factory built campers with a screen door and an 1 1/2 inch thick insulated entry door, only a few manufactures offer them. I know Featherlite does. Prem has one on his trailer. Mine came with a standard cargo door so I added a camper door. It was originally 68 inches tall so we shortened both the entry door and screen door. The screen door slider ended up being the perfect height for my dog.

[SB61]

We just sold our 28' Coachman camper, looking to down size to a 7x14 or 7x16 cargo trailer that I want to turn into a camper like your Mr.Edcasey. I would like a door that has a screen door as well. I am a woodworker, build a lot of furniture and cabinets and am pretty handy.How hard was it to install a camper door? I see you shorten it, but did the width match the door than came with your trailer? Thanks to all that has replied, a lot of helpful information.

[SB61]

We just sold our 28' Coachman camper, looking to down size to a 7x14 or 7x16 cargo trailer that I want to turn into a camper like your Mr.Edcasey. I would like a door that has a screen door as well. I am a woodworker, build a lot of furniture and cabinets and am pretty handy.How hard was it to install a camper door? I see you shorten it, but did the width match the door than came with your trailer? Thanks to all that has replied, a lot of helpful information.

[SB61]

We just sold our 28' Coachman camper, looking to down size to a 7x14 or 7x16 cargo trailer that I want to turn into a camper like your Mr.Edcasey. I would like a door that has a screen door as well. I am a woodworker, build a lot of furniture and cabinets and am pretty handy.How hard was it to install a camper door? I see you shorten it, but did the width match the door that came with your trailer? Thanks to all that has replied, a lot of helpful information.

[SB61]

edcasey, what is the name of the cassette toilet/shower you installed in you camper? The wife really likes that idea!

[edcasey]

The shower/toilet combo is a Thetford cassette toilet. They are a very common option in pop-up campers. The problem is they are a bit pricey. I got mine from a slightly used pop-up that was totaled by a tree falling on it. Fortunately the shower/toilet wasn't damaged and had never been used by the original owners. If I had to buy the shower/toilet new, it wouldn't have fit our budget. Our original plan was to install a wet bath which would have been a cheaper option compared to a new cassette toilet /shower.

Our camper door was originally 70 inches tall so it had to be shortened. Also, it is 27 inches wide and the cargo door that came on our trailer was 34 inches wide so we added a wall stud and some white sheet metal to fill the gap. None of this was very difficult but I do have access to a shop with every necessary tool to make this an easy job. Shortening the door took about 2 hours and narrowing the rough door opening took about an hour. Add another hour or so to install and seal the door and install the striker plate for the lock.

Shortening the door involves shortening the door frame, screen door and the entry door. To shorten the door frame you remove the four screws holding the threshold on and cut the door jambs with your favorite metal cutting tool. I used a metal chop saw which makes quick work or it. Than just screw the threshold back on. The screen door unscrews to come apart so you can cut the side pieces and screw it back together. The entry door is held together by rivets. Drill out the rivets, cut the door and reinstall the bottom piece with new rivets. If I remember correctly (it's been about 5 years since I did this), I also had to raise the lower hinges on the door jamb.

It's one of the best modifications we made to our trailer. The screen door is great for ventilation and the insulated door really helps retain the heat in the winter and cool air and the summer.