Cargo Trailer conversions

[Guest]

Anyone else here doing a CT conversion?

 

[Les H]

Hey 4x4cvy, welcome to the forum. The sites owner, Bob, lives in a converted 6x10 cargo. I know he will pop in here soon.
Les

 

[akrvbob]

I am in a 6x10 converted cargo trailer. It works quite well for me. Are you in one now or just getting started? Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Bob<br>

 

[sl1966]

Bob is that one you converted, or was that the one Randy Vinning put up for sale last year? Regardless I would love to see pictures of you have any.

 

[akrvbob]

I stole the idea from Randy, but it is my own conversion. I took a bunch of pictures, and I have gotten started on a story for the website, but life keeps getting in the way and I haven't had time to finish it. One of these days................ Bob<br>

 

[sl1966]

I almost did one myself. In the end my family (who don't get why I want to do this but are supporting me) fought tooth and nail that I get into a travel trailer. Personally I think it's because they want to make sure my beagle has all the creature comforts of home. I swear they love that dog more than me.<div><br></div><div>What brand cargo trailer did you wind up going with? I was looking at the route 66's when I was shopping around still.</div>

 

[Guest]

Not "in" yet. Still building. I have a 6x12 V-nose.<br><b>I'm doing everything as cheaply as possible. </b>What I can't find on craigslist or trash pickin, I save up for (or sell something for) and buy at Lowe's.<br>Nothing is "square" or flat in CT's. The inside dims are actually 5'9" x 11' plus the 31" deep, odd-angled nose. Trying to build in there is an OCD horror show.<br>I've changed my floor plan fifty times. Every inch counts in such a small space.<br>I now have it insulated with 3/4" Dow sheathing, 1/4" plywood walls and every bit of wood is coated on all sides and edges with Shellac. I've started the counter/cabinets/shelves up front and the fold-up bunk. <br>I'm stuck on what to put on the ceiling to cover the insulation. It's curved, not flat. I tried plywood, tried&nbsp; paneling, tried carpet - hated them all. <b>Suggestions please?</b><br><br>Can't do the RV thing with mine - it needs to go off road, stay a work trailer and everything needs to be able to come out or fold up quickly. So no holding tanks and probably no ac, only dc for electrical. <br>Any thoughts on a <b>CTEK D250s</b> DC to DC Alternator/Solar charger?<br><br>

 

[Mouldy]

What did you hate about the ceiling paneling etc? I used a plastic like 1/16 inch paneling for the remodel of my bath (check out Realization thread in conversions) I can't think of the name of the stuff right now. Its textured and goes on with a trowel and adhesive. I'm really happy with it. I think I got them for under $15 for a 4x8 sheet. <br>Other than that, my ceiling had some light water damage on the wallpaper type stuff that covers it. I am going to put paintable wallpaper over it. This would be an even cheaper option for ya. It comes in many different texture patterns and you can make it any color you want, if you want.<br>Hope this helps. Have a good one eh? Kris<br><br>

 

[Mouldy]

Oh yeah, start your own thread in conversions. I wanna see this bad boy!<br>

 

[akrvbob]

The <span id="post_message_1267223058"><b>CTEK D250s</b> DC to DC Alternator/Solar charger isn't commonly available in the USA, although there is at least one dealer who sells them her over the net and on ebay. They are very widely used and popular in the rest of the world. I briefly knew an Australian who raved about them and said they were very common over there. My impression is they are very high quality and there price here is pretty high. I think I would prefer a seperate solar controller, but the total cost would probably be much higher. Bob<br></span>

 

[Hammer]

On the topic of CTEK, I thought I would mention that the inventor used his original for many years before producing the CTEK line. &nbsp;He still uses it and bases all the new devices off the first unit.<div><br></div><div>Very high quality, and the price follows this. &nbsp;True, they are very expensive, but in my humble opinion, well worth it.</div><div><br></div><div>Just my two bits. &nbsp;Literally <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div><div><br></div><div>Hammer</div>

 

[sl1966]

Nice! I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your rig. Craigslist is great for many things. I'm not sure what your skill set is but if you haven't thought of it yet. You can barter your skills for some of the stuff you need. I work in computers and that's gone a long ways towards not spending out of pocket. Just an idea.&nbsp;

 

[Guest]

I LIKE the idea of the textured plastic! All I've been able to find here at Lowe's or HDepot is too thick (1/8+) to bend for the curve of my ceiling/roof. Lemme know if you remember what it was called - thx!
I couldn't stand the dark colored wood overhead, no matter how light it was, it felt claustrophobic <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
I contacted the N American CTEK rep. They HAVE shipped several "Duals" to vendors, but the vendors refuse to admit it, even the unauthorized ones! Must be they're saving them for FBI (friends, bros and in-laws).
For the $195 of a reg CTEK that I can manually switch between alternator and solar panels - totally worth it. A good solar controller plus a good alt/charger would cost me more.
**BARTERING ROCKS**
I do computer repair & tech support, landscaping, painting, cleaning, hauling, handyman work, mechanic work, etc.
My biz cards, signs, magnets, Tshirts, etc all say: "Paypal, Ca$h and Trades accepted".
I'll tr to start a thread in Conversions so that I'm not taking up so much space here.
Someone please PM me on how to add pics?

 

[Mouldy]

4x4 - The stuff that I got is called Chem-lite. Not sure on the spelling of that but that's what it is!<br>

 

[headinthetrees]

The textured plastic a lot of people use is called FRP. Stands for fiber reinforced plastic I think, or as a brit I once asked who was installing the stuff said, "fcking rubbish product." That said you shouldn't have any problem flexing around mellow curves. You glue it to the wall and they make little trim pieces for the edges to make it look nice.

I'm not terribly excited about the look of it myself, feels like I'm in a wal-mart bathroom. But its lightweight, cheap, durable and you could pressure wash it if you needed assuming you caulked around the seams and edges. I'll likely be using some in my future toyhauler build for exactly that reason.

 

[cdiggy]

The frp also has plastic pop rivets for securing, which is good because they act less like a heat sink when securing to metal ribs.

 

[highdesertranger]

well this is another thread that's as old as rocks. however headinthetrees I see you are going to build a toy hauler. so am I. I would like to hear more. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

so am I. ^^^

I was gonna buy yet another stepvan, but I'm thinking that this will be a lot more practical in the long run.

wait.....did I just say that?????????