StarkRavingNomad
Active member
- Joined
- May 13, 2021
- Messages
- 42
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It was a CRVL video that convinced me to go the cargo trailer route. After 18 months full-time in it I couldn't be happier! I think the biggest reason people shy away from them is they're intimidated by the do-it-yourself part. Don't be! I'm not super-handy. I hired someone to do the skilled labor of wiring, mounting for 2 LP tanks on the tongue and installing windows, and I insulated, painted and furnished it myself!.
There are lots of reasons to go this route. I think the 3 biggest are:
1.) Durability. Cargo Trailers are built to haul heavy stuff and are more sturdily built than most travel trailers that are built for families to take out a few times each summer.
2.) Make it yours! You can do your own thing rather than get some cookie-cutter design made by some guy in Indiana who may have never camper in his life. I wanted 3 things. A TV, a recliner and a big window. I especially love it on windy or rainy days when I can sit with my feet up, watch TV and look out my 6'x3' window. The inside looks more like a small studio apartment than a camper.
3.) COST. (Yours may vary) Even smaller new travel trailers can start at two to three times what I paid, and that's usually without solar, heat, fridge or insulation. I got everything I needed for road life for just under $8K and it's better-built, better insulated, and better suited to me than its much more expensive counterparts. One place I lucked out was having a handy neighbor, a retired welder who did all of the skilled stuff for a whopping $800. I'm guessing otherwise that may have been $2-3k. But even if you pay top dollar for labor, look at what you end up with!
(This isn't meant as a commercial plug, so I won't include the link, but I wrote an ebook about making the decision, doing the conversion and the first year on the road. PM me if you want the link.)
There are lots of reasons to go this route. I think the 3 biggest are:
1.) Durability. Cargo Trailers are built to haul heavy stuff and are more sturdily built than most travel trailers that are built for families to take out a few times each summer.
2.) Make it yours! You can do your own thing rather than get some cookie-cutter design made by some guy in Indiana who may have never camper in his life. I wanted 3 things. A TV, a recliner and a big window. I especially love it on windy or rainy days when I can sit with my feet up, watch TV and look out my 6'x3' window. The inside looks more like a small studio apartment than a camper.
3.) COST. (Yours may vary) Even smaller new travel trailers can start at two to three times what I paid, and that's usually without solar, heat, fridge or insulation. I got everything I needed for road life for just under $8K and it's better-built, better insulated, and better suited to me than its much more expensive counterparts. One place I lucked out was having a handy neighbor, a retired welder who did all of the skilled stuff for a whopping $800. I'm guessing otherwise that may have been $2-3k. But even if you pay top dollar for labor, look at what you end up with!
(This isn't meant as a commercial plug, so I won't include the link, but I wrote an ebook about making the decision, doing the conversion and the first year on the road. PM me if you want the link.)
