Cargo conversion

[Riverman]

Apparently, some people think the thickness of insulation is not too important. Try putting only one inch of insulation in your home and see how it works out. Or, try putting two inches in a walk in cooler and see how cool it is inside on a 100-degree day. (they normally have 12")

I packed all I could get in my cargo trailer and it made a huge difference in the inside temperature immediately.

No one can tell me that plenty of insulation is not important on a real hot or a very cold day.

 

[Riverman]

To add to my above post, ample insulation merely slows down the heat or cold infiltration into a cargo van. I still rely on my A/C in the summer and heat in the winter too. I won't be without A/C and heat.

 

[ZoNiE]

It's nice, And looks like some thought went into the Aircon installation with regards to inlet and outlet vents for the condenser side. It's a $2,800 cargo trailer with some home depot additions. I'd say the price is high. Like others said, it is more money than what you would spend if you bought new and built it out yourself, ***If you can***. If you cannot do the work yourself, then maybe ~$4k-ish. The seller is trying to recoup 100% of his costs. The thing is NOT new. He is pricing everything as new.



Values:

-Large shower with portable water heater (propane) Pan $50, Tankless heater $100
-Stainless Steel Propane portable grill $125
-Ozark Trail Deluxe Portable Camp Kitchen Table $60

-Large min fridge with top freezer $150
-Camco Premium Portable Travel Toilet $100
-Counter with cabinet storage $100?
-AC unit Unit $150, other stuff $50
-32" wall mount tv TV $80, mount $30
-Laminate floor $100
-Ceiling LED lighting with remote control $30
-Awning clips and fabric (easy setup/storage) $25
-2 Square opening windows (wrong type for mobile) $100 for both
-Full size thick foam mattress $100

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

What is thi insulated with? I've seen a lot of disasters on YouTube involving insulation. I would never buy used without photos to show me what is behind the wall or else I'd look for myself before buying.

Also - never buy without getting a CAT scale weight on the trailer. KNOW what it weighs and have proof of what the axles are rated at. You must know how much the trailer is rated to carry and what it weighs now. Then add in a full water tank weight so you will know what you can carry in the trailer. Also, the CAT reading will tell you how well the weight is distributed, if you are heavy in the back or the front.

An RV dealer has certain guidelines they follow when building and distrubuting the weight as well as the materials they use (even if they choose the cheapest they are allowed). But the home builder has no rules so you need to be diligent with your inspection.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Why bother with flooring?

This morning I was barefoot and moved a box of flooring planks I am acclamating prior to intallation. Then I walked over the area the box had been. I immediately felt how much cooler it was under my foot than the area that a box was not laying ontop of that area of the floor. I was impressed, however, I knew that box contained multiple pieces stacked together inside so it was way way thicker than would normally be on the floor.

But I had about 6 pieces I had laid out near the sink because I wanted to see what it looked like and they had been out all night in this single layer. So I moved them and walked there. It was not as cool as the other but I could till feel it was cooler than the floor that had only the primer on it.

I have worried and fretted over the floor, the planks were $181 and add 150 pounds. That said, I am not raising the floor so I'm saving on that wood weight. It pulls the trailer together into a continuous feel of belonging and adds a "wood" warmness in a trailer dotted with metal.

The floor is 100% waterproof with a 25 year guarantee. That said, I am sure the guarantee does not apply to trailers on the move and flexing. But I believe it will hold up.

We have dual axles and a 4x4 Silverado so if weight were more of an issue I would use one-piece vinyl but I think the flooring is good as added insulation. I like the suggestion of adding insulation to the bottom of the floorl just wonder about the fire hazard with that setup. Maybe with Mineral Rock (Roxul) but that's pretty heavy, I think it was 6 pounds for a 2x4 or something. I looked into it when we were thinking about putting in a wood burning stove but I've trashed that idea as smoke in a 7x16 might be a bit much.

 

[NagathaChristie]

You are all a wealth of information.

I will do flooring because I like the look and I think it will be easier to sweet linoleum or vinyl tile than it would be to keep wood clean.

 

[Presteaux!]

I just realized that this dealer sells the trailers with the cieling insulated. Even better!

$2560 for 6x10 V nose:
6'3" Interior Height
Steel Belted Radial Tires
Full Thermo Cool Ceiling
LED Light Package
Standard Side Door on Side

This sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.  What brand is the trailer?  Who/Where is the dealer?  I can travel to get my trailer.

 

[NagathaChristie]

I sent a PM, Presteaux

 

[NagathaChristie]

Where I went wrong:

I have been thinking about this cargo trailer that I want. I have decided that where I went wrong is I wanted it totally built from the start. My husband and I will not be living in it for a few more years; at first we will be camping with it. I have a new plan.

New Plan:

Identify the cargo trailer that will fit our needs in terms of size, windows, doors etc. Then Add a bed and some storage for camping and THEN slowly work on it until we have it built out the way we want it.

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

This is a great plan. We've been working on ours off and on since April. Many folks are done in that length of time but we wanted to spend a LOT of time thinking about our choices. We moved things around a lot and changed a lot of ideas in that time and we both feel we are creating what we are going to be comfortable, for us, in. It also gives us time to do the things right and make it last. Here in Colorado and elsewhere the rain can come down sideways so sealing all seams and holes isn't a bad idea.

Dual axle are safer than single axle. 3 tires still on the trailer if one blows.

Electric brakes a must.

I'm calling mine "The Senior Model" because it has a ramp and a lot of things move out of my way when I pass.