Utility or Cargo Trailer???

[VanTrekker]

<p>I am looking more seriously at converting a trailer to a second room and storage.&nbsp; I'm torn between buying a cargo trailer or buying a utility trailer and building out the thing...&nbsp; Here is a wish list.&nbsp; Please comment / recommend / flame / etc...&nbsp; Any insight is helpful...<br /><br />Size:&nbsp; Around 5x8 or 6 x 9... <br /><br />Interior height - six feet would be nice but five is okay, too.<br /><br />Front:&nbsp; A small portion in the front will have a diamond plate metal container designed to allow the generator to run inside the trailer (while I am in the van).&nbsp; It will be on the driver's side.&nbsp;&nbsp; On the right side will be storage totes.<br /><br />Rear:&nbsp; I want to put an easy chair in the back of the trailer as well as a Dometic compressor style fridge.&nbsp; A little desk area would be nice, too.<br /><br />Door:&nbsp; Rear,&nbsp;which can locked from inside or outside.&nbsp; (Rear door makes both side walls fully "usable".</p><p style="text-align: left;">I'm thinking about making a hinge-down TV cabinet or just mounting one to the front wall...<br /><br />So what do you think?&nbsp; Should I convert a utility trailer (build walls for it, etc.) or just buy a cargo trailer?&nbsp; The funds are there but I plan to save up for whatever is chosen.<br /><br /><img style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/37/83746642_a3ff3a9ebc.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="158" /><br />I like this truck camper but it's&nbsp;not subtle enough unless&nbsp;in Bentonville, Arkansas<br /><br />One more consideration... I'm not worried too much about stealth but don't want to have something with a shingled roof and cupola (and weather vane) on top...&nbsp; That might look too "redneck"...&nbsp; Also, whichever way I go needs to be safe on the road for liability reasons.<br /><br />V.T.</p>

 

[stude53]

Bradford,<br />I've seen new cargo trailers 7wX7hX12' long&nbsp;plus a V nose,&nbsp;with 2 vertical opening back doors and an entry door on the side for around $2400. For much less work than a build your own ... better construction, ease of insulation, no roof leak worrys, etc., I'd go for&nbsp;the cargo trailer, and then outfit it to suit your needs.<br /><br />Just my opinion,<br />Bob<br /><br />P.S. - I'd add a top spoiler to your van to reduce air drag even more and help with gas mileage.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>I&nbsp;am leaning that direction as well.&nbsp; Safer and more professional looking.&nbsp; More professional looking can also mean a little more stealth.&nbsp; Right now I'm trying to decide if I want a whole new room or just get by with a small trailer to use for the generator, clothes, etc. without being able to sit inside it...&nbsp; There are a trillion factors to consider.</p><p>Thanks for the input!</p>

 

[Coffee Tim]

Hey VanTrekker, we folks around Bentonville need that rear porch to quickly move our smaller portable stills to keep them safe, <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[VanTrekker]

LOL...&nbsp; Sorry - hope I didn't offend.&nbsp; If so, I'll edit the text a little...<br /><br />Our family in NE Iowa is the yankee version of "rednecks".&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

The porch is the tailgate, how awesome <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; Id go with the cargo trailer...just not worth it to build from scratch unless you are a good but broke builder and will do it from pallets or scrap wood or something.

 

[blkjak]

i vote for cargo trailer with ramp rear; i might be doing this next .... blkjak

 

[stude53]

I think BlkJak wants a rear ramp so he can tote his cycle inside. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bob

 

[VanTrekker]

LOL.&nbsp; I'll post a separate thread in a minute... I chose the third option for storage - a simple cargo rack to go on the back of the van...

 

[blkjak]

hi bob ....<br /><br />actually if i was doing a cargo without a motorcycle i would use the ramp for a deck and screen in the rear of the cargo&nbsp;and include&nbsp;a man/woman door ....<br /><br />maybe hinge the ramp door at the top for a large awning ....<br /><br /><br />blkjak ....

 

[mad*sparrow]

Cargo for sure. I've got a nice 6x13 with ramp that I was planning on converting but how stealth can it be? I find gas mileage suffers pulling it at high speeds but it would be easier to live in then a campershell like Im thinking of doing soon. Storage fees are pretty cheap at 15 a month and I might be able to live out of it for a short time in a storage place. I can't see street camping with it so thats why I decided on a campershell.

I've got a buddy that used it hunting and camped in it in cold temps and loves it. Guess it stays warm enough .

placing a battery box and generator up on the nose would be very easy to do and can be welded for security purposes. A fold down bed is very easy to do on one of these trailers so a wall mounted tv or fold down tv is even simpler.

 

[joey]

If you don't care about stealth then buy the utility trailer and do something like this.... http://paleotool.com/the-vardo/

 

[joey]

It is on a 4'8" x 6' trailer and only cost about $2500. $500 was for trailer and $2000 for materials and to fit it out the way he wanted it.I went to the local lumber yard with a materials list and it's only about $600 for the wood.Then figure in everything else.

 

[fantym1]

Blkjak>maybe hinge the ramp door at the top for a large awning ...

I did that to my current Hobby Shoppe cargo trlr & after  a couple yrs, the seriously heavy duty hinges broke & the whole door crashed down, taking the porch with it

 

[jbart]

just wanted to point out that a cargo trailer may be a little bit more secure and weather tight also think resale, u will want a bigger one some day

<p>I&nbsp;am leaning that direction as well.&nbsp; Safer and more professional looking.&nbsp; More professional looking can also mean a little more stealth.&nbsp; Right now I'm trying to decide if I want a whole new room or just get by with a small trailer to use for the generator, clothes, etc. without being able to sit inside it...&nbsp; There are a trillion factors to consider.</p><p>Thanks for the input!</p>

 

[Bowlmaker]

Bradford,<br />I've seen new cargo trailers 7wX7hX12' long&nbsp;plus a V nose,&nbsp;with 2 vertical opening back doors and an entry door on the side for around $2400. For much less work than a build your own ... better construction, ease of insulation, no roof leak worrys, etc., I'd go for&nbsp;the cargo trailer, and then outfit it to suit your needs.<br /><br />Just my opinion,<br />Bob<br /><br />P.S. - I'd add a top spoiler to your van to reduce air drag even more and help with gas mileage.

Hi All
I hope this is in the right place.
I'd like to reply to anybody looking to convert a cargo van.
A day-trip into the North Carolina Tri area was very rewarding.  I wanted to see what I'd be getting so I went to the factory.....They are made by Kaufman, in Denton NC.
The version I was looking at is a 6 X 10 with barn doors on the rear.
Single axle with brakes is the only option I selected, but I did go with the deluxe version, because the additional cost was well justified.
I'm not great at blogging.....so I'll make this short.
I'll try to help with any questions.
Bowlmaker