The lazy man’s cargo trailer conversion

[NoMadYesHappy]

Thanks for this thread ... a blessing in more than one way!
Peace ...

 

[VJG1977]

[font=Arial, sans-serif]Got back to working on the cargo camper this past weekend.  I was getting tired of having to get on my knees to get stuff out of the refrigerator.  Also wanted to get away from using ratchet tie-downs to keep stuff in place.[/font]

[font=Arial, sans-serif]I moved the second Sterilite 4 Drawer Unit from the van to the trailer.  Set them side by side and screwed them to the floor.  Picked up a 20 inch by 6-foot panel to use as a counter top.  Had to trim it for width and to match the curve of the front wall.  Screwed the panel to the cabinets and the wall.  Set the coffee pot on a Sterilite C-View 3 Drawer Unit.  Reversed the opening of the refrigerator and set it on the left side of the counter.  The 32-inch TV, DVD player and microwave fill up the right side.  Going to add a shelf above the red dishpan to hold a water jug.  [/font]

[font=Arial, sans-serif]I have a complicated electrical system, an extension cord through the wall with two power strips plugged into it. A couple 12-foot extension cords run along the top of each side wall to feed a couple of led lamps and phone chargers. [/font]
[font=Arial, sans-serif]Also installed a spare tire carrier on the front of the trailer.[/font]
[font=Arial, sans-serif][/font]

 

[VJG1977]

Finally got around to coating the top with Kool Seal White Elastomeric Roof Coating.  Applied two coats and have enough for one more coat.  I’ll find out next week if it helps keeping the trailer cooler. 

Before Pic
 

After Pic
 

Secured the fridge to the counter top.


Got a set of canvas wheel covers.  


Have a four day trip planned for next week.  After this trip the camper will have saved enough over hotel cost to pay for itself.  Also paid off the van today.  

One year, ten months and six days till I can retire but whose's counting.

 

[VJG1977]

While on the road I remove the center section of antenna mast, lowering the antenna to the roof and clamp the top and bottom sections together.  Pull the loose coax cable into the camper.

 

[tav-2020]

Congrats on paying off your van!  Wooohoooo!

 

[VJG1977]

All set for four days in the camper.  The wife has a Dr. appointment in Nashville tomorrow so we'll take the trailer and leave for Maryville Tn. from there.  
When traveling I have a tackle box in which I take a few pipes and tobacco blends.  I can fit seven jars of tobacco and a half dozen pipes with lighters, tampers and pipe cleaners.

 

[VJG1977]

The saying goes; If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
I turned 65 years old in April and had planned to work two more years.  I was going to start drawing social security at 66.  That is when my age group hits 100% entitlements. At that time you can draw SS with no deductions based on income.  Was going to bank those 12 checks then retire at 67.  
I started having low back pain the first on June.  With a family history of kidney stones, I thought this was what it would be.  After three weeks of doctor visits, trip to the ER, CT scans, multiple blood test, Whole body bone scan, PET scan...  It turns out I do have kidney stones that are small and should pass with very little pain, ha ha.  
I also have Stage IV Esophageal cancer that has spread to many lymph nodes, Adrenal glands and the liver.
Started the first of six months of schedualed Chemo yesterday, July first.  I go to an oncology clinic every other Monday for about three hours of infusion through a cental port then come home wearing a Chemo pump for two days. Two weeks later rinse and repeat.

So far this year my wife and I have used the camper for several long weekends at her son's house in Maryville, TN.
Depending on the Chemo side effects, I hope to go back once a month and spend four or five days.
The trailer has more than paid for itself and the conversion in hotel savings.

 

[Cammalu]

So sorry to hear that. It’s devastating to get that news I know.

Are you in Tennessee? We are just north in Western KY. We have a nice camp spot on our pond if you get thru this way. I know it’s hot but there is plenty of shade.

 

[regis101]

Nice thread. Lots of info.
I began with using the same 4 drawer units in our van since they are easily separated and allowed me various configurations during mock up with the future thought of building wood cabs. But I'll prolly leave as is since they work just fine.

 

[VJG1977]

Well the chemo has been hard on me especially the fatigue. I go in for my 8th treatment tomorrow, that is sixteen weeks. Should have another scan before the 9th treatment. The scan after the 4th treatment showed some of the tumors shrinking, that's good. Sorry but seems like I don't get good news without something bad happening. My wife passed away Aug 27th.

I am putting the van and trailer up for sale.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Dang.

 

[Rabbit]

My profound sympathies. Life can be very hard sometimes, but we're also stronger and tougher than we think.

 

[wanderin.pat]

Thoughts and prayers headed your way.  

Pat

 

[ckelly78z]

So sorry to hear about you wife, and on top of dealing with health issues, I will say a prayer for you, and your family.

 

[swlands]

OOf. I hope your cancer treatment is working. I lost my wife in 2012 - hardest thing ever. What I discovered is the relationship doesn't have to end there. Life does go on. Good things still happen.