Chateau Le Cargo. "Done..with pics to prove it"

[TurboandMe]

So many things have changed! The red trailer got sold as it was wayyyy too heavy. We ended up buying a used Featherlite 7x12 and building it out instead.
So without further rambling here are the photos you all love so much.



Here is the trailer as we purchased it


Window frames in



First and second layers of insulation


Interior paneling in!


Cutting door for it's window


A cargo conversion in it's natural habitat....Home Depot!


Our maiden voyage was taken at this point down to Sedona AZ with a beautiful stop at Goose Necks State Park, Utah


The view from our front porch


The start of the kitchen




More kitchen progress


Benches in and wardrobe cabinet mostly finished


Dinette cushion's in and it's starting to look like a camper!


This would be the major fail of the entire project




Here is the finished product. This photo was taken in northern Idaho just outside of Sun Valley. We spent over two months traveling and living full time with our two dogs in the conversion and it was exactly what we needed.
Thanks to BC Dave for recommending the Dickenson heater. We loved it and it kept us nice and toasty on even the coldest nights. Thank you to all of you for your ideas and advice. Hopefully our build will help others!

[IndyTom]

What a great conversion! You have a great deal to be proud of there. The job is very nicely done, and you have some really beautiful country to travel in.

Tom

[8ball_99]

Nice trailer! Some good pictures. I'm sure it doesn't matter now but just a FYI for people reading this thread. You can run a Roof top AC off a 2000 watt generator.. I have a honda EU2000i and a coleman cub 9200 roof ac.. My generator has zero problems running my AC. AC pulls around 9 amps or 1200 watts.. Well with in the 1600 running watts or the 2000watt surge of my generator..

[Treeview]

Did you insulate the ribs in the ceiling or walls? Or did you just cover them?

Great build!

[TurboandMe]

We insulated in between and over top the 1" wall and ceiling supports. 1" foil face foam board in between then 1/2" pink board over top. That was then covered with luan.

[droid_ca]

Excellent job done on this conversion
I notice you have a heater
What are the coldest temperatures that you have been out in?
Excellent use of space with the cupboards
over all

[dmckruit]

I have been looking to convert a cargo trailer for my next build. What is the inside height of your trailer? Is there a bathroom way up front behind the curtain? Did you purchase your trailer new or used?

Thanks,

Dave

[TurboandMe]

We purchased the trailer used from a guy that used it to haul his harley's around. By adding 1/2" foam board on top of the supports we lost that much in head room so I think its right at 6' now. Behind the curtain is our shower which is powered by the foot pump that also supplies water for the kitchen sink. We catch the water from the shower in a large rubbermaid tub and then empty it when we are done. We took along a bucket toilet but never had to use it... it lived in the same area as the shower.
So far we have camped in the 30's but that was without the floor being insulated. Once that is done it will be alot cozier. That heater was more then enough and we had to turn it way way down to not over heat.

[BC Dave]

Here is the finished product. This photo was taken in northern Idaho just outside of Sun Valley. We spent over two months traveling and living full time with our two dogs in the conversion and it was exactly what we needed.
Thanks to BC Dave for recommending the Dickenson heater. We loved it and it kept us nice and toasty on even the coldest nights. Thank you to all of you for your ideas and advice. Hopefully our build will help others!

By adding 1/2" foam board on top of the supports we lost that much in head room so I think its right at 6' now.

Behind the curtain is our shower which is powered by the foot pump that also supplies water for the kitchen sink. We catch the water from the shower in a large rubbermaid tub and then empty it when we are done. We took along a bucket toilet but never had to use it... it lived in the same area as the shower.
So far we have camped in the 30's but that was without the floor being insulated. Once that is done it will be alot cozier. That heater was more then enough and we had to turn it way way down to not over heat.

Glad to see your photos expecially the one of the "front poarch"; I've use my CT and stove more than ever expected; its outdone itself; I also added a reducer valve supplied by Dickson as it was too hot even on low; it helps to save propane.

and you've outdone my CT; but your trailers 2 ft longer and 1 ft wider; it would make a difference to what you could add / do with the space; shower is a nice touch; I end up reusing my boiled egg water ... reduces and reuses water.

roof ehight - I added 1" pink foam between the roof ribs then screwed the 1/8 marine ply into the steel ribs so i didnt loose any head room its pretty much 6'-2" in the centre;

Floor - I noticed a big / good difference with 1.5" of foam glued to the underside of the 3/4" ply floor; be sure to use that special foam glue... and at room temp ... it gets thick quick in colder temps.

I was camping in the CT Ja 09 12 got to -9C ...in 2 ft of snow on my little 1/2 ac mt. retreat; neighbour asked if I was crazy ...lol. Nope; and enjoying having a cozy retreat to sleep in

Its nice to see and hear back form people who are enjoying there projects, shared and helped; my hat off to all who have freely given ideas in the spirit of community.

[Shadow Catcher]

Looks great.
What did you think of the quality of the Featherlite trailer? I know a number of folks have been rather unhappy with their steel cargo trailers and what is your finished weight?

[Oldragbaggers]

I really like this conversion. Love the layout, love your choices of fabric and wood. Great job, you did yourself proud, and it looks like you're having a great time with it too.

[dmckruit]

Whats the length of your dinette chairs? Are they 75" or 48". I'm trying to determine if it is possible to sleep length wise on your setup. In my build I will probably make the dinette convertable into bunks, then I was thinking of moving the kitchen to the front. I was also thinking of making a portable bunk above the kitchen counter.

Trying to make it all fit.

[TurboandMe]

Shadow Catcher: I have been really happy with the build quality from Featherlite. Unfortunately you do pay for it but we have had absolutely no problems with it other then when we first bought it the roof leaked but I figure that is just age. I stripped all the old caulking out and redid it with some good quality exterior grade caulking...no problems since. I am curious to see what the empty weight is. We loaded it up as we finished it so I don't really know for sure but loaded for two months of camping and the interior build out we gained 1,500lbs if i remember right. I will let you know when I get a chance to weigh it without all our junk in it.

BC Dave: We added the brass reducer valve from Dickenson as well. We always ran the flame as low as we could and still it got super warm. I have 3" of foam board waiting to go in the floor... just need a warm day to install it! After that I'd sleep in any temperature without a second thought.

dmckruit: The dinette is 55" wide and 75" across the trailer. We sized it the same as a full size bed so that standard sheets would fit it. If I had it to do again I wouldn't do a dinette. Its probably ok for occasional use but having to pull everything apart and put the table up and down in such a constricted space was a real pain and no fun when you are really tired from a day of driving. Have you played with google sketch up? The models at the start of my build thread are built with that program, it's free and super easy to learn. It made figuring out space and where to put stuff so simple. If your trailer will be of similar shape I can send you my model and you could edit it how ever you like.

[dmckruit]

I downloaded google sketchup yesterday. I didn't get a chance to look at it yet. I have been drawing sketches on graph paper though.

[Woodstramp]

Cool trailer. Glad you are enjoying it.

Just curious....the heater you have. What kind of fuel does it use? Is it thermostat controlled? Thanks.