Cargo trailer conversion

Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
478
Location
Oregon
So this has been a bit of a work in progress but I haven’t seen much online specifically for hunting so figured I’d post this here and see what setups you guys have (so I can steal your ideas) or just general thoughts or things I could improve.

The trailer is a 16’ V-nose with a fold down rear door. Bought it as an easier way to transport the sxs and camping stuff for the family but then I saw Jordan Budd’s trailer conversion and that got my mind wandering.

So far it’s pretty basic, no water or electricity yet but that may be in the cards for the future. For power, I have a goal zero 1000 with two 100W solar panels which works pretty well for what I need to charge. It has 6 of those push button battery lights and two strings of battery powered LED light strings which do alright to light the interior.

Using a buddy heater right now (making sure the windows are cracked and two fans are running on low while in use) for heat and a little two burner Coleman stove for cooking. I’d definitely like to do the direct vent heater in the future though. I ran a plug with a cover in the floor to run outside for the propane tank line which works pretty well I think so far. I built the lower wooden cabinet but the upper metal ones were in it when I bought the trailer. The bed is just an E-track system with 2x4’s underneath and plywood on top. I have a blow up mattress on top of that with a bottom blanket and my sleeping bag on top of that. There’s also another set of E track above so it can be converted into a bunk bed if needed.

I installed a 6’ fold down countertop I bought from lowes and another smaller fold down table for eating and whatnot. I currently have it out on its maiden voyage for a little blacktail camp my buddies and I threw together last minute so we’ll see how it does here before elk season.

Feel free to shoot me any improvements or ideas you have or your setup if you have one!
 

Attachments

  • BAD1E76D-97E4-4AA3-9A7A-6116C84D75F9.jpeg
    BAD1E76D-97E4-4AA3-9A7A-6116C84D75F9.jpeg
    367.5 KB · Views: 187
  • 09871691-BBC8-4658-8110-B9B78B0D9323.jpeg
    09871691-BBC8-4658-8110-B9B78B0D9323.jpeg
    353.3 KB · Views: 190
  • 6B737283-CCF5-4193-8138-D1F93D9DF7CC.jpeg
    6B737283-CCF5-4193-8138-D1F93D9DF7CC.jpeg
    417.5 KB · Views: 185
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
1,623
Love me some cargo trailer conversions.

No experience yet other than I read/watch info about them all the time and have saved a lot of ideas.
 

Geewhiz

WKR
Joined
Aug 6, 2020
Messages
2,025
Location
SW MT
I like what you've done.

I have a 6x12 with a v nose and 6'6" ceiling that I use to hunt out of from time to time.

I welded up a triple stack bunk bed/shelfing unit along 1 wall. Ran some conduit with outlet boxes and a 48" led shop light, all wired to a male outlet that is recessed into the wall and accessed from the outside so I can plug a generator into it.

For a heater I would highly recommend looking into a webasto type diesel heater. You can get knockoffs off ebay for under $200. I am pleasantly suprised with the one I got.

Not much open space to lounge but thats not why I have it. Sure is nice to be able to walk in with muddy boots on, crank the heater, start the generator for lights and charging things, and crash in a real bed.

Its smallish and relatively primative but Ive got a camper if I want to drag around 5000 lbs worth of living quarters.
 
Joined
Sep 24, 2019
Messages
923
I’ve been working on mine a bit. I insulated the ceiling, added a switch for AC/DC power, sewed up some hammock beds. I use two 6 volt batteries or an inverter generator for power. I plan on adding solar, a mini split unit, and an awning over the winter.244062D3-C2FC-4179-9F6F-8A1779C251A9.jpegE2E31954-F46E-4415-AA6D-D9F7DD39A79F.jpeg2C5C51FA-23D3-42EC-BAF3-31FA34657FC6.jpeg1A87C664-14ED-48FD-8ABB-B78EB15B4D93.jpeg
 

Team4LongGun

SUPER MODERATOR
Staff member
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Messages
1,584
Location
NW MT

Randle

WKR
Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
2,176
Location
Nope
I am in the process of remodeling mine.
What wall board are you guys using?
 
OP
Tremain4414
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
478
Location
Oregon
That hammock idea is really nice, definitely going to look at doing something like that
 
OP
Tremain4414
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
478
Location
Oregon
I am in the process of remodeling mine.
What wall board are you guys using?
Same, mine already had the wallboard up when I bought it but it’s not plywood. The guy who had it before used some sort of thinner veneer and firred it out with strips of the same. I went through and sprayed some rhino liner on the floor and up the bottom portions of the walls though for a little added durability.
 
OP
Tremain4414
Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
478
Location
Oregon
I’ve been working on mine a bit. I insulated the ceiling, added a switch for AC/DC power, sewed up some hammock beds. I use two 6 volt batteries or an inverter generator for power. I plan on adding solar, a mini split unit, and an awning over the winter.View attachment 460308View attachment 460309View attachment 460310View attachment 460311
Did you do the electrical yourself? That’s the one part of this whole thing that terrifies me a bit is the electrical
 
Joined
Sep 24, 2019
Messages
923
Did you do the electrical yourself? That’s the one part of this whole thing that terrifies me a bit is the electrical
I did. It came with a breaker panel and it tripped every time I connected the shore power. So I rewired it all and added a DC inverter and a switch to feed the breaker panel (allows AC power from generator or shore power, or AC power from the DC inverter). I plan on adding some solar panels to trickle charge the batteries.
 

S-3 ranch

WKR
Joined
Jan 18, 2022
Messages
980
Location
Sisterdale Texas / Hillcounrty
I did. It came with a breaker panel and it tripped every time I connected the shore power. So I rewired it all and added a DC inverter and a switch to feed the breaker panel (allows AC power from generator or shore power, or AC power from the DC inverter). I plan on adding some solar panels to trickle charge the batteries.
Electric is fairly simple, ^^^^ the above post did it right.
YouTube has hundreds of DIY trailer wiring instructions
I totally rewired my 10x40 trailer, new junction box, 10-2 wire for air condition, outlets , led lights on 12v
 
Top