We looked at a lot of trailers, but we didn't find anything
that was just right, and prices were awfully high. We wanted
a smallish trailer, narrow enough to see around with our
small tow vehicle (older Toyota Tacoma, before they grew
into great fat cows). Most of the trailers we looked at were
7 feet wide, but our pickup is only 6 feet wide. Of course
we still wanted room to sleep, and a kitchen, and a toilet.
Some guys retire and build a 32 Ford. I decided to retire
and build a camper trailer instead. So we bought a new 12x6
cargo trailer, and ripped out its guts, and converted it
into a camper trailer.
We bought this new 12-foot by 6-foot cargo trailer with a
6.5-foot tall interior.
Another view.
Unfurnished, of course.
I removed all of the wood paneling, and reworked all of the
factory wiring connectors (shoddy work which needed
correcting). I won't mention how sloppily the frame was made
or how out-of-square it is. These trailers are slapped
together in a huge hurry.
I added foam insulation to the walls and ceiling, and added
wooden frames for the windows, before replacing the wood
panels.
And a new wooden ceiling, with a ceiling vent/fan.
A base coat of paint.
I installed a window (expensive), and some fancy paneling.
Another window, some internal electrical work, ceiling LED
lights, a bed frame, and a toilet. At this point we took it
camping. It was crude, but it kept us dry when it rained.
The "front porch" to sit on the tongue, holding the battery
and the liquid propane. (Later, I moved the 86 pound battery
to the rear of the trailer to lighten the tongue weight.)
The front porch in place, not quite finished yet.
Building the front cabinets. The electrical stuff is at the
bottom (110V to 12V converter, battery charger, switches).
A headboard for the bedframe, with a countertop in the
front, and a heater. And a strange old geezer.
Building the chair frames (converts to a bed).
The high little front windows are installed.
It's starting to look comfy. Chairs, fold-down chair backs,
a table (converts to a bed). Cushions (expensive). Rubber
flooring. Cabinet doors.
Cooktop, sink, and a lousy faucet. And below, a lattice to
hold the two 5-gallon fresh water jugs (not shown), and a
7-gallon gray water jug, and a 45 quart cooler on a roller
trolley. Plumbing will be coming soon.
Adding the first overhead cabinet, and a small LED light
over the couch.
It's certainly not done yet, but we have used it several
times, and it's improving each time. It needs folding couch
backs, with cushions, and several more overhead cabinets,
and trim and paint and lots of little details. And a spare
tire carrier on the back.
Then we'll be ready to hire a maid, and a butler, and a
chef, and a gardener.