Cargo Trailer Conversion vs RV | 5 Considerations
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- We agonized for months over going with a cargo trailer build OR purchasing an RV. It is not as easy of a decision as we first thought. We were all on board buying a new, small or large, cheap or expensive, RV and avoiding the effort and long build time of a cargo trailer conversion.
But these 5 considerations were able to help us define our needs and make the best decision for us.
If you have been thinking about a cargo trailer camper build or just purchasing a pre-built RV give this video a watch and hopefully it will help you get closer to a decision.
Thanks for tagging along!
Cheers!
-Daniel & LZ
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU WANT MORE OF OUR ADVENTURES HEAD OVER TO OUR BLOG:
/ tinyhouseventures
CONSIDER GIVING US A THANKS:
www.buymeacoffee.com/THVentures
ALL PRODUCTS FROM OUR BUILD:
sites.google.com/view/tiny-ho...
Our Instagram:
/ tiny.house.ventures
The biggest reason I went with a self built toy hauler was Floor Plan, Floor Plan, Floor Plan…
Choosing Utility and Function OVER Glitz and Glamour…
Before I even watch the video, I just have one word TAXES TAXES TAXES. Cargo trailer it is!
😆So TRUE! Also one reason we are now Florida residents.
As a builder of my own CTC, i'd say, the biggest challenge is to plan and manage the entire project of conversion. Some people have fun, others - no.
Completely agree. I personally enjoyed certain aspects of it, but our tight timeline made it a bit stressful. On the flip side, if you take months to years to finish, you have to know whether you can withstand a build that long.
Very Good information👍
Thanks, man! Just how we saw it for our specific needs.
Thanks for the video. I am just starting the process. Having the same RV verses cargo trailer questions and concerns. I have decided, if I go with a cargo trailer, it will be a 7' wide version with inset fenders (narrow track is the industry term) with tandem 6' torsion axles because I want the trailer to track not much more than my 5' wide cargo trailer does now which is just a bit more than my 2018 Silverado that I tow with. My cargo trailer now is just too small at 5x8 plus V-nose to convert including a full bath so I am looking @ 7x16 cargo trailers at present. I want the tandem axles because I only want a full bath up front and the rest for a living area/toy hauler use. Maybe one counter top for a microwave and small sink but the rest can be modular as needed and easily removable. AC is a must too but likely only operable when connected to shore power. Not sure I want to deal with a generator setup and I am guessing a large enough solar / lithium battery set up to run AC all night would be expensive. Please tell me if I am wrong. ;-)
I spent around $10k on our entire solar setup: rack, panels, wiring, inverter/mppt, batteries, and then a mini split AC. I still use a backup generator if I need to run the AC late into the night.
I like how you created a space for your bike gear. Creating that storage space behind the ramp door really works.
I’m designing my trailer conversion now but I want to keep my in/out access using the ramp door. Sucks because I have to get real creative with storage.
What type of solar panels did you put on your roof? How high off the roof are the panels?
If you have room in your floor plan, having a fully sealed door on the other side of the rear ramp would be a great way to go.
We used residential solar panels. You can get them at a great price from SanTan Solar. You can put them closer to the roof than we did. I think there is a 9-11 inch gap. I did that so we could still use our ceiling vents fully open.
Good video, very informative. I've been going through the same decision process as you've described, a durable cargo trailer like yours vs. an RV. I have decided that for the same reasons you've mentioned the cargo trailer makes more sense, especially for the environments I plan on living in, and for their longevity.
Thanks, Joey. Yeah, we’ve been very happy with our choice. And best part is you can build simple or extravagant…or simple then rebuild extravagant. So much freedom. What environments are you planning on living in?
...What he said!
Well thought out reasons as to why you made the choices you did.
I do have a question about the new poly siding being offered now. I know it’s a lot smoother and a lot thicker. I would assume since it’s some kind of plastic that heat transfer would be a little easier to control without all the metal to metal contact. Anyone with opinions or information?
That's a great question and I encourage anyone with more information to reply as well. I do wonder if the polycore exterior material offerings now by manufactures has something to do with supply chain issues with aluminum sheets. We were at Colorado Trailers (dealer for our trailer) in September and they told us it's still in short supply. BUT, it does look like the polycore won't flex as much (if at all) during change in temperatures. Which is nice. I've notice some slight flex since we came from CO to AZ with the huge temp change, and we even have the thicker 0.04 inch material.
I feel like small dents or dings would show less. But can it be repainted if desired? Will it last as long? All materials have advantages and disadvantages.
I did own a fiberglass car ( a Fiero) years ago, and I really liked the way it looked. It did have some spiderweb cracks in the surface here and there but still it showed very well.
@Tiny Mission I'd like to see how tree branch marks show...we've got a couple of those already from the Colorado mountains 😅
I was wondering about the answer to this as well, I'm flying down to Georgia this weekend to visit rock-solid cargo trailer Factory. I live in NYC and I'm planning on starting my conversion as soon as my trailer can be completed. I have plenty of home experience welding, electrical & woodworking so I know I'm up to the task of building. I've rented more than a few RVs but I've never been in or towed a cargo trailer. There are plenty of videos online with folks telling you what they're like but I've never seen tow or touch one. I'm eager to start my adventure I'm leaning toward steel over aluminum frame, 8.5 over 7ft wide but I'm still unsure about axle and skin.
@@michaelkaine345 that sounds awesome. Would love to hear what rock-solid tells you about the skin options. Choosing the size is honestly the most critical part of the build. Your own use and floor plan needs will dictate that. If a 8.5 ft wide option was available from Colorado Trailers when we were purchasing then we would have gone with that. But there has been a few times on narrow, tree lined, mountain roads where I’ve been thankful for the more narrow 7ft wide of our trailer. For axles, it also depends on your use case. If you are thinking of any real off-roading then I would highly recommend torsion axles. If not, then you will be fine without them. I’m going to be filming a CTC 101 series shortly where I’ll detail these options, so if you have an other questions let me know here and I’ll make sure to include them.
InTech
Have to admit that I didn’t understand your comment until recently. I’ve now seen some of the overland InTech RVs and have to say I’m really impressed. Anyone watching this video should check them out.
@@TinyHouseVentures InTech, just what I need but, $$$ cha-ching. I was shocked by the prices ( However, in all fairness, I bought my last RV in 2005.)
100 gallons of water equals almost 850 lbs 😳
With over 5,000 lb of cargo capacity it doesn’t matter. Also, didn’t make a difference in towing MPG. You just need a truck and trailer that are well matched.