Masterplumber's cargo trailer conversion

[justbreathe]

Hi everyone. Master plumber, I love this trailer. I'm on that fence of what to do..thanks for sharing this.

 

[masterplumber]

Thanks, it's worked out really well for me. I've done a few things to it since I last posted, and have a few more to do. Hopefully I'll get an update together in the next month or so.

 

[PatsyG]

Great build, masterplumber. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[GCAdventurer]

Masterplumber, Thanks for putting this out in the world. I just recently purchased a 6 x 12 cargo trailer that will be turned into temporary living quarters and I was having difficulty picturing a layout. You have pretty much built what I am after! Once I get up and running, I will be sure to share with you!
One question about the sink, how often do you use the hand water pump while having the water jug so readily available? I know you wanted to keep the plumbing simple without pumps and electricity, but do you use the hand pump often enough to justify having one? I'm no plumber but I do work in a plumbing supply store and have access to all kinds of reservoirs, pressure tanks and pumps and as much as I would love to build a kick a$$ pressurized water system in my trailer, there's always that little bird in my ear saying, "Keep it simple stupid!"

 

[masterplumber]

I actually use both water sources pretty evenly. Other than when I fill up at home where I know I have good water, I always fill the container over the sink with filtered water for drinking. I don't worry quite as much about the water in the container that the hand pump draws from, especially taste, as I use it for washing - both myself and dishes etc. Originally I was going to use a nice looking Berkey water filters above the sink, but I read quite a few tests where they failed to remove all the cuties. I already had the Igloo cooler so I just used it instead.

If you go with the hand pump don't scrimp. I bought a cheaper one first and had to return it as I couldn't get it to draw water even after priming it by sucking water all the way through the outlet. Overall quality was just junk also, even at $40. I think I spent something like $80 for a good one. I too was going to do all kind of crazy things like water heater etc when I was planning, but then a light bulb went on. If I kept it simpler my life would be simpler, both in the building and future use and maintenance. I am in the middle of updating a couple things like building a new kitchen box and addeing a couple 12 volt plug back by the ramp door. I'll update this with photos when I get done, but it probably won't be until early September as I need to move my Mother In Law back to CA this month.

 

[ArtW]

this is a good setup, nice job MP

 

[Yogidog]

Great to see thank u?

 

[masterplumber]

Well it's been quite a while since I updated this thread. It seems like once I got the trailer to a point where it was usable, I'd rather be using it instead of working on it. I have made a new kitchen chuck box that I still need to take some pictures of. I also made cabinet doors last week and installed them yesterday. I was able to build both projects out of scrap wood in the shop, so all it cost was hardware. 

I have towed the trailer about 14,000 miles so far, and probably average about 20 nights a year in it. I'd love to be on the road more - maybe next winter I'll be able to spend a month or 2 traveling. That's my dream for this, to spend winters traveling and summers building, which I still love to do. So far the trailer has held up well, even though I bought it used and it's certainly not a premium brand - Carry On. But it seems solid and I still like my layout. I actually use it as a man cave and sometimes office while at home, so it does see pretty continual use. And yes that is a small electric heater in the picture. It was snowing and 40 some degrees yesterday while I was working on it. We've had some days in the 70s but we haven't completely left old man winter behind here in Colorado at 7500 feet. 



Sorry for the rather blurry photo. One thing on my list this year is to upgrade my phone to one with a really good camera. I'll never be a great photographer, as I already have to many hobbies to spend time on. And it does take time to get good at it. But hopefully I can get better so I can enjoy my own photos the way I enjoy other's.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Sorry for the rather blurry photo. One thing on my list this year is to upgrade my phone to one with a really good camera. I'll never be a great photographer, as I already have to many hobbies to spend time on. And it does take time to get good at it. But hopefully I can get better so I can enjoy my own photos the way I enjoy other's.

You may not need a better camera phone.  Blurry photo's often come from hand holding.  A tripod for your phone would doubtless improve the quality greatly, and it isn't terribly expensive.  Example:

https://www.amazon.com/GripTight-Go...974020&sr=8-1&keywords=joby+cell+phone+tripod

 

[masterplumber]

The phone is approaching the end of its life anyway. Otherwise I'm not one to change it on just a whim. And yeah, I suspect my technique needs some work also.

 

[Dennis]

Nice job, Masterplumber. Keeps me thinking about doing a cargo trailer build other than I wanted to be able to get around a lot easier in some possible tight places without pulling a trailer. Then I think about all the other things that could be done easier with a truck/trailer combination....

BTW...I have one of those small tripods with bluetooth control that OP is talking about. Pretty handy and can fold and stick in a back pocket.

 

[masterplumber]

Nice job, Masterplumber. Keeps me thinking about doing a cargo trailer build other than I wanted to be able to get around a lot easier in some possible tight places without pulling a trailer.  Then I think about all the other things that could be done easier with a truck/trailer combination....

BTW...I have one of those small tripods with bluetooth control that OP is talking about.  Pretty handy and can fold and stick in a back pocket.

I think the ideal set up, at least for me right now, is a cargo trailer conversion towed by a 4x4 pickup with a topper. That way you can leave the trailer and get way back for a few nights sleeping in the topper. I actually have that, except the current truck is a dually so the width kind of limits me sometimes. And the fact that it's new so I'm not quite ready for back country pinstripes. But I do have my motorcycle along so I can usually go most places on it. That said, I can pretty much tow this trailer down any Forest or BLM road. Usually it's only the tight enough for a Jeep or rock crawling spots that will stop me.

 

[GotSmart]

When getting a new phone, ask a lot of questions.  We got three identical, and there is not enough memory for them to work without buying a 32 gig chip.  Every time it updates, I have to have my kids remove a lot of programs I do not need.  Why would I need something to make power point presentations?  It just slows it down, and drains the battery. 

I like the new remodel.  Getting fancy!

 

[VanKitten]

What a nice build! So many great ideas....mind if I "borrow" a couple?

 

[highdesertranger]

nice job MP, looks very functional. highdesertranger

 

[masterplumber]

What a nice build!     So many great ideas....mind if I "borrow" a couple?

Borrow away! There's really not much original in it, just my take on lots of ideas from different builds I've seen over the years.

 

[BradKW]

mmmm, Dewalts for dinner!

 

[masterplumber]

I took the picture right after I installed the doors LOL. Usually the tools are in the truck with the rest of the others.

 

[masterplumber]

Just another quick update. I had these reading lights at the back of the trailer so a person can read in bed and then turn them off and go to sleep. But I mounted them just a wee bit to high and I had to sit all the way back up to turn them off - I know, first world problems. I also wanted a 12 volt plug at the back to charge cell phones etc without leaving them on the front counter. And a separate shelf to hold the phone and reading glasses so they didn't fall to the bottom of the magazine holder. So I made these little blocks of wood and put the 12 volt plugs where the lights originally were, and lowered the lights 6''. Then added a small basket on each side that I already had laying around. Much better - sometimes it's the little things that make a space function so much better. 

 

[jimindenver]

Good job!

I have found that there are many things that have needed tweaking for real world use since I got on the road.