Converted Cargo Trailer 'Traveler'

[LorraineH]

Hello VanDwellers. It was back in 2009 that I was researching a way to adopt a mobile lifestyle. I found VanDwellers, which I believe had been, or maybe still is, a Yahoo group.  With the feedback from many members in the group I came up with a plan for converting a cargo trailer to use as a camper. I had the shell built to my specs in early 2010, and began to full-time by the end of March 2010. I've been full-timing with that trailer ever since.

I ended up with a 5x8 ' V-nose aluminum trailer. It has double barn doors on the rear, a side door with a step on the passenger side. A slider window on the driver's side, and a ceiling vent over the door. Real simple. Nothing built in. I have a power cord for when I am at a campsite that offers power (rarely) and no built-in plumbing. It works!

Attached are a couple of recent photos.

A favorite neighbor

 

[highdesertranger]

nice, we need more pics. do you sleep in the trailer or the tent? highdesertranger

 

[ghost]

Welcome aboard Lorraine! Glad to see you joined. I have personally found lots of cool people on here and I hope you do the same. Look forward to hearing more from you and seeing more of your nature pics! ; )

Peace,

Matt

 

[cyndi]

Lorriane! Welcome to the CRVL forums! What are you towing with? I'd love to see pics of the inside. do you have solar?

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[LorraineH]

nice,  we need more pics.  do you sleep in the trailer or the tent?  highdesertranger

I sleep in the trailer. I have a canvas cot with lots of cushioning on it. It was from my days when I did do tent camping. It's working very well, is comfortable. I actually find that I like a fabric base for my bedding, better than box springs. The choice also was because it is very lightweight. The tent on the left is my canopy. It has one wall. I put it over the picnic table and put the wall so I have some private space. It's 10 x10' Coleman, light gray color. Matches my car & trailer. I hope this answers your question.

 

[LorraineH]

Welcome aboard Lorraine!  Glad to see you joined.  I have personally found lots of cool people on here and I hope you do the same.  Look forward to hearing more from you and seeing more of your nature pics! ; )

Peace,

Matt

Nice to meet you, too, Matt! I'm glad to be back here chatting with the VanDwellers. This group really got me off to a good start, as the layout of my trailer evolved from my showing photos of my diagram and members giving me tips as to how to improve what I was doing. Really, it would have been a disaster if I didn't have the help! LOL

Yah, I didn't want to bore people with a bunch of photos right away. I'll post some more.

 

[LorraineH]

Lorriane! Welcome to the CRVL forums! What are you towing with? I'd love to see pics of the inside. do you have solar?

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started.   We look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Cyndi, Nice to meet you. I try to be nice, but I do have my moments, too.

I have to dig out photos from when I first got my trailer. It seems it's the only time I took close up photos. Also, of the inside. It's tiny and has no built in cabinets, so it's not exactly scenic. More like a closet with bins. Oh, well. It's just functional and I'm glad it's that.

I still have the car that I had from the beginning to tow it with. It's a 4 cyl. Hyundai Elantra wagon. When I did my research while trying to figure out what kind of rig set up to get, I found a document of the top ten cars used for towing. Hard to believe, but my car was on the list. And not at the bottom! I got myself as light weight a trailer as I could. And it seems aluminum was the ones I saw first, anyway. It weighs 650 lbs. w/o my gear in it. That includes the spare tire. It's been working out pretty well. My car is six years older now, though.

Thanks for the tips & tricks link.

 

[highdesertranger]

boy I am an idiot sometimes. I forgot to welcome you. so welcome, hope you share your experiences with us. highdesertranger

 

[LorraineH]

nice,  we need more pics.  do you sleep in the trailer or the tent?  highdesertranger

I saw your 'welcome' note. Thank you. Very nice.

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm just starting on this Odyssey myself... I'm very interested in your pictures and other info. 

Welcome!  

Thanks,

Pat

 

[BobBski]

Welcome, look forward to following your adventures. Some great people her, wishing you the best.

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Lorraine!
With your experience I suspect you'll be able to help others headed down the road you have traveled !
And don't be shy if you need any answers too......

 

[damonbenperry]

Welcome from the United Kingdom

 

[ArtW]

Welcome! I've thought about going that route myself, with a cargo trailer