Cargo Trailer parking

[CosmickGold]

I like the idea of converting a cargo trailer and living in it, but I'm concerned:

(1) How do others keep their cargo vans from getting towed away (legally), or stolen (illegally)?
(2) Why be stealthy? What bad can happen if you aren't "stealthy"?

I'd love the roominess of a cargo trailer, but see so many problems with (1) and (2) above. For starters, I live in an apartment and I'm sure my lease does not include having a 6'X12' cargo trailer taking up a parking space while I build it out.  So where could I park it without having to worry I'll go out to see it one morning, and find nothing there?

That's just one example, the first one to deal with.  So, alternatively, I'm thinking I'll likely need to convert a van instead, accepting the limitation of much less space to live in. A van could be parked right outside my apartment window, because it would be my lease-assigned car (as well as park nearly everywhere else cars park).

But, others sound so happy with their cargo trailers in the videos.  It makes me jealous.  How do they successfully manage it?

 

[Florida boondocker]

post #4 on this thread shows how i lock mine trailer lock

as far where to park it while working on it check around some small warehouse complex 
many small business will charge a small fee and let you use a elec cord while you're working on it 
when you see food trucks on the side of the road ask them if they know of a place, many of them rent spots to park overnight and
plug in

 

[user 423]

Check local self-storage businesses that may have outside storage. Not perfectly safe against theft or vandalism but you have no other choice. Look into insurance for it.

With a small $100 Harbor Freight generator you can power most electric tools you would need to do the conversion. Or buy cordless power tools. Or you can do it all with hand tools.

If the storage place won't let you work on it there, tow it to a park or a Home Depot, Lowes,etc. to work on it.

 

[tx2sturgis]

You might be able to work out a deal with a local cabinet shop:

They could build you a few custom pieces, and maybe let you park on their lot for a couple of days a week working on it with them. 

Or, find a local storage complex with fencing and electronic access and cameras. Many of these have an area just for parking trailers. 

BTW, I use two coupler locks and a heavy duty motorcycle cable lock thru the wheel and frame to help secure my trailer. Plus I have a DVR security camera looking at it 24/7.

 

[breeze]

Ultimately, trailers sound like a perfect solution, but have you ever backed one up? Hitched and unhitched one continuously? Worried about your possessions when it is unhitched and you are 1 mile, 10 miles, 100 miles away?

But I agree it's the ultimate 'greedy' heuristic or solution. However, there are mental, safety, and intangible costs that accompany your added savings and comfort. You now have 2 large vehicles to worry about simultaneously.

I like the step van solution too. All solutions have plus and minuses; and I hope an pray yours is exactly what you need and want. I finally opted for Bob the Guru's decision for the (tall) 1-ton van outlined in his book. It's a complex decision that can not be revisited too many times: it's very important in all aspects of your life. His book is better than all the others combined in help making 'my' ultimate decision.

Reading Bob's book 20 years ago would have helped me out significantly. Drive Safe. I lived in a club cab p-u truck (plus storage unit) for 15 years, so anything can be done. I now however realize it could have been done much better.