Category Archives: RV and Trailer Build

Rough Framing the Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion

We’re converting an enclosed cargo trailer so that the front half is an RV and the back half is a mobile workshop We’re going to travel the country when it’s finished helping subscribers with their DIY projects!

This week I finished framing the dividing wall and ran the rough electrical/plumbing. I ripped 2×6’s to create 1.5″ x 1.75″ studs that are thinner and lighter. I’ll be covering the walls in 1/8″ ply and the floor and ceiling in hardwood.

LEARN TO 3D MODEL WITH FUSION 360 – For Hobbyist and Woodworkers:
$30 Off Coupon –
https://www.learnfusion360.com/courses/fusion-360-for-hobbyist-and-woodworkers?coupon=30OFF

Thank you, Lark United for the trailer!
https://www.larkunited.com

Power Locks on Base Model Truck for $25

Our new Dodge 3500 Dually was a great deal, but it didn’t come with power locks or windows. Getting Hudson in and out of a car without power locks is a chore so I decided to buy some universal power door actuators and install them myself. Total cost was under $30 dollars and now our truck has remote entry!

Here’s the kit I used (amazon affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/2nF2jw7

The switch I connected to the brown and white wires:
https://amzn.to/2mIJqsV

A couple of notes if you’re installing a similar system on your own Dodge truck:

I had to reverse the wires for the front doors because the motors were “pushing” to lock. Just swap blue and green. The parking light wires were hidden under the fuse box in the engine compartment on the driver side. Attach your purple wires to the “white and yellow” and “white and gray” wires that come out of the blue connector (there’s 4 different white and yellow wires).

Our New Truck(s)

We sold our RV, so it was time to find a truck to pull our 24′ cargo trailer camper conversion. We weren’t married to any particular make or model, only a good deal and I think we found it!

Our new truck is a 2005 Dodge 3500 Dually with only 133k miles on a 5.9 cummins diesel. We bought it for $10,000. The plan is to finish converting our 24′ trailer into a living space AND mobile workshop so we can travel the country and make DIY videos with you!

For those out of the loop:
We had an idea to travel the country in an RV and mobile workshop helping our viewers with their DIY projects called “Makers on the Move.” We left for a month in November 2016 and found the 40′ RV and 24′ trailer way too long. We sold the RV and are converting our trailer to include a living space AND mobile workshop. We needed a truck to pull the 10,000 lb trailer and this is it!

The RV and Mobile Workshop Vlogs:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC0ux1ndnxRj0ozjBUb9vZfVeGM-OBTae

The Trailer Conversion Plan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkYoo16MpTc

Our Plan Explained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82SD3Ts0u9M&list=PLC0ux1ndnxRj0ozjBUb9vZfVeGM-OBTae&index=14

Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion | Pre-Build Virtual Tour

A virtual tour of our upcoming cargo trailer to tiny house/RV/camper conversion. Included is a full kitchen, Murphy bed with dining table built in, fold out shower, and expanding bathroom wall!

I designed the model in Fusion 360, a free program I think anyone interested in making things should learn, so I’m thinking about making a crash course video series.

Notify me when the Fusion 360 course is available!
https://mikeandlauren.com/Fusion360Masterclass

Back to Square One (and the Reason Why) | Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion

This week I move all the tools in the Ultimate Mobile Workshop into a temporary garage shop and strip the interior down to bare metal.

It seems crazy to take such a huge step backwards but I think this will save a lot of time in the long run.

Lark United Manufacturing:
https://www.larkunited.com

Finalizing the FLOOR PLAN | Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion

I use cardboard boxes and painters plastic to get a feel for the full size floor plan of the new cargo trailer camper conversion (we need a better name – leave your ideas in the comments).

I also used a meter to test how much water is used in a typical RV shower and washing the dishes. It looks like our planned 50 gallon tanks are going to work, but only give us about 3 days off grid.

Link to the water meter I used:
https://amzn.to/2hCeIvk

VLOG | Crib to Closet in 15 Minutes?

Can we fit a decent sized grey water tank in the spare tire compartment of the trailer? I also see if I can convert Hudson’s crib back to a closet in under 15 minutes.

ULTIMATE Mobile Workshop – PART 3 – Bandsaw Cabinet w/ Toggle Clamps

How to build a bandsaw cabinet on wheels with piano hinge doors. I used toggle clamps with e-track tie offs to secure it to the wall of the trailer when not in use.

**This project was built and filmed before deciding on Makers on the Move version two**

HUGE THANKS to Lark United Manufacturing:
https://www.larkunited.com

Trailer Pre-construction Tour:
https://goo.gl/7mKcNp

Pull Action Toggle Clamps:
https://amzn.to/2fdUsO0

E-track Tie Offs:
https://amzn.to/2fhmwmJ

Can Your Trailer Alarm Do This? Our Plan for Keeping the Workshop Secure

How to install an alarm system on an enclosed utility trailer with siren, brake lock, and text message notifications. We have the option of arming with either a keypad in the trailer or key fab outside.

Thank you Trailer-Alarms.com for putting this system together for us!

Link to our system:
https://www.trailer-alarms.com/Alarms_c_1.html

The install took about 8 hours, but we have more openings than the average trailer. Something I didn’t mention is that you can change the timing of the exit/entry and the sensitivity of the accelerometer.

Mike And Lauren

Early Retirement, Travel, DIY