Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Camo on April 15, 2011, 08:40:22 PM

Title: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Camo on April 15, 2011, 08:40:22 PM: I am considering picking up a cargo trailer and converting it into a camping trailer, not a family RV, just a fast attack hunting rig that has the ability to carry a quad when necessary. I do a bit of weekend scouting/hunting trips and would like the ability to make quick moves without pulling up or setting up a tent. I have heard of people doing this, just curious how it has worked out? What the negatives are, what you would do different?
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: chester on April 15, 2011, 08:45:55 PM: Ive seen it done a few times at local tracks. basically they just install fold up cots and keep a couple more hung on the sides.

good for keeping the wind and rain off you. probably not the warmest in cold weather tho.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: coop2424 on April 15, 2011, 09:02:44 PM: I currently have a enclosed trailer that my wife and I used last year for camping and worked great. Currently we just have a full bed that folds off the wall, some lights and some cabinets for storage. I have plans to put in a sink and some other things but have not had the time. It is a 7x12 and has an extra 6" height so you don't hit your head. I can hall my utv with it and have camp setup in less than 30 min with it. We also use a buddy heater for heat.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Kain on April 15, 2011, 09:27:00 PM: my dad used his enclosed motorcycle trailer this last elk season. Worked great for him. Held all his gear and a cot. The only problem was I had to close it and open it for him because the door was a fold down ramp. He said he was gonna install a vent and a man door in it and keep using it.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Camo on April 15, 2011, 10:36:50 PM: I'm thinking along the lines of a 6x12, something light, single axel. Laydown ramp back door with a man door, a vent would be a necessity, don't know how feasible cutting in a window would be, mostly for ventilation and some light? Two fold down cots/bunks mid to back, up front, a solid shelf (storage) up high and a fold out shelf/table low. Seems pretty staight-forward, just can't figure out what the downside to this program would be? It's got to be better than setting up a tent in the dark all the time without the constraints of a full-blown RV?
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: chongo469 on April 15, 2011, 10:57:14 PM: adding a window and a man door would be very simple to do.......about the only other thing I would want to add is a small stove and hood for cooking, also with a vent you can run everything on gas and have a decent heater in there also
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: ICEMAN on April 16, 2011, 07:02:32 AM: Camo, I use a cargo trailer for this purpose. I installed some shelves/countertop at the front of the trailer which I can cook off, and I solo sleep in it occasionally. If in really cold conditions on the wetside, it condensates bad. Eastside, it just frosts up the lid. We launch two tents from this cargo trailer when hunting with my kids.

I have yet to place a window, would be a good idea. I have not installed bunks, as I need the trailer for hauling occasionally.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on April 16, 2011, 09:28:48 AM: Hunting partner in wheelchair for a few years, not compatible with RV doors but works well with ramps(At both ends). Rather large, but fits a queen bed, 2 tables, campstove, Totes for supplies and food, even a dresser (While I was storing it in there). Used On the colockum 4 years now. 2 vents so we use propane lanterns and we have 3 big buddie heaters.
This is not a quick move deal, unless I want a huge mess on the floor upon completion.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: runningboard on April 16, 2011, 09:38:14 AM: saw in a magazine where a young man and his father did this with their horse trailer, worked good since it has front door for egress when you lead a horse in and can't fit past it to get out. rear door is not usually a ramp on horse trailers though. most also have windows for light too
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: coop2424 on April 16, 2011, 10:22:26 AM: Here is a link of some good ideas. I used this when building mine.

http://www.rzrforums.net/tow-rigs-trailers-camping/2525-cargo-trailer-camper-3.html (http://www.rzrforums.net/tow-rigs-trailers-camping/2525-cargo-trailer-camper-3.html)
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on April 16, 2011, 10:40:37 AM: Another pic from 2007. The old Chevy lost the tranny that year and got replaced with a 05 Silverado duramax (18 mpg as opposed to 10mpg) since I was used to the power of a BB 427 in the old '72. (which was fun to put in to it in 1991) Probably had 200,00 on the 427 and 400,000 on the truck when I lost the trans for the second time.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Camo on April 16, 2011, 11:25:17 AM: Thanks for the feedback, it looks like this is definitely the way to go for me.

Coop, thanks for the link, that is a bit more elaborate than what I need but full of cool ideas. The window info will prove valuable.

What seems to be the best way to insulate one of these? Rigid foam would work in the walls but not in the lid. Go to fiberglass for the lid? Also, if the condensation moves to the outside of the insulation, runs down the wall, is there any way to vent that moisture at the bottom of the walls?
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: chongo469 on April 16, 2011, 11:35:56 AM: Not much you can do when out in the woods, but keeping a heater on and keeping it warm at night will help...when not in use , a small heater or de-humidfier (sp) would really help....
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Kain on April 16, 2011, 01:19:55 PM: http://youtu.be/sTXpCHEgjoQ (http://youtu.be/sTXpCHEgjoQ)

I dont know how much these kits run but they look like a good way to insulate.

http://youtu.be/QMopPtsSbDk (http://youtu.be/QMopPtsSbDk)
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: chongo469 on April 16, 2011, 04:38:13 PM: Here is a cool link that tells you how to insulate your rig and keep as much condensation out...More about RV's but I'm sure will work for modified cargo trailers as well

http://www.marxrv.com/skp/survive.htm (http://www.marxrv.com/skp/survive.htm)
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: 509er on April 16, 2011, 05:15:22 PM: Quote from: Elkaholic daWg on April 16, 2011, 10:40:37 AM
Another pic from 2007. The old Chevy lost the tranny that year and got replaced with a 05 Silverado duramax (18 mpg as opposed to 10mpg) since I was used to the power of a BB 427 in the old '72. (which was fun to put in to it in 1991) Probably had 200,00 on the 427 and 400,000 on the truck when I lost the trans for the second time.

Love the old chevy. My last rig of the body style was a 72 blazer, I put a 500 Cadillac in it. I went thru a few trannies also. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: runningboard on April 16, 2011, 05:26:03 PM: love that old chevy too, my racer mind asked where is that 427 now? tall-deck truck block?
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: phishisgroovin on April 16, 2011, 05:34:46 PM: Quote from: Elkaholic daWg on April 16, 2011, 09:28:48 AM
Hunting partner in wheelchair for a few years, not compatible with RV doors but works well with ramps(At both ends). Rather large, but fits a queen bed, 2 tables, campstove, Totes for supplies and food, even a dresser (While I was storing it in there). Used On the colockum 4 years now. 2 vents so we use propane lanterns and we have 3 big buddie heaters.
This is not a quick move deal, unless I want a huge mess on the floor upon completion.
seen your camp there last 2 years, next season i will swing in and say howdy.
Title: Re: Converting cargo trailer into fast attack camping trailer?
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on April 17, 2011, 08:58:44 AM: I've had two 72 Blazers, inherited another from my Dad, a 70 K/20, and That 72 K/20, and I loved every one of them....the big blocker especially. I still have a '69 C/20 BB396 TH400 that my better halfs father bought in 1969.
Just a 1969 LS-1 out of an Impala. When the tranny blew, the body was so rusted out and beat up ( I used that rig as a tractor to clear our property) I sold it with the BB in it to attract more$$$$$$. I should have also replaced those slotted mags with the mud terrains also. Buyer wanted rolling chassis for his body.
I miss the ability of that truck to go much, much farther than the diesel unit simply because I had no real fear of wrecking it! That and the better ground clearance!
Phishisgrooving,, yeah that's us at Stray Gulch as we're usually between Four Corners and Naneum RD. Welcome anytime