It is possible to convert a small-sized cargo trailer into a comfortable place to camp on a road trip. In fact, it’s a wonderful way to keep costs down while constructing a unique trailer built to meet your needs. You’ll start with a cargo trailer designed for hauling personal items. Many people save money even in this first stage by buying a pre-owned trailer. Then you’ll add materials, appliances, and furniture.
We’ve rounded up some creative and clever cargo trailer camper conversion ideas below to help you get planning.
- A Solar Paneled Dream
- Chatfield Court’s Surprisingly Luxurious Rig
- A 5 x 8 Fast Build
- A Rustic Rig
- A Generous Trailer for Less than $7,000
- A Cozy Cabin for Off-Grid Camping
- An Engineering Masterpiece
- An Old – New Trailer
- A Utility Trailer Built for Adventure
- Kim Donaghy’s 7×20 Clever Convertible
- A Traveling Musician’s Bachelor Pad
Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion Ideas
Here are some inspiring cargo trailer camper conversions to get your creative juices flowing. There are endless cargo trailer camper conversion ideas – hopefully, you’ll find one that’s perfect for you.
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1. A Solar Paneled Dream
One couple profiled over at TinyHouseTalk converted a cargo trailer into a functional camper. The rig is wired for solar and has adorable LED lights on the exterior. It includes an onboard composting toilet, propane grill, and cozy-looking bunk. The builders started from scratch, which means they got *exactly* the camper they wanted.
2. Chatfield Court’s Surprisingly Luxurious Rig
This cargo trailer conversion rivals some pre-built motorcoaches in amenities and conveniences. Chatfield Court shared their trailer tour on YouTube for you to view. Their 112-square-foot trailer houses a king-sized bed, as well as a shower and a toilet. It took about 18 months and $13,000 to complete this project, and the owners say it was worth it!
3. A 5 x 8 Fast Build
The couple who vlogs at Stumbles and Fumbles created a custom-covered trailer camper conversion to call home base. And they did it over just two and a half weekends. They purchased most of the materials from Home Depot and Amazon, making this a manageable project for most DIYers.
4. A Rustic Rig
Steve and Kelly blog about their travels on their website. They were initially in the market for a traditional, prefabricated travel trailer. But they had a pretty lengthy list of “musts,” including a GVWR of 4,000 pounds or less, good ground clearance, a maximum length of 17 feet, a queen bed, and a self-contained onboard shower and toilet.
It’s not easy to find all those components in a pre-made trailer, and you may be paying quite a lot for them. So the two decided to convert a cargo trailer into their own custom home away from home. The finished product is rustic but charming and includes a clever bench that doubles as hidden storage.
5. A Generous Trailer for Less than $7,000
Many campers decide to convert a cargo trailer rather than buy a premade rig because of the cost. You get a truly custom vehicle at a lower price than you’d ever find on a dealership lot.
This time-lapse from adventurer Jonas Marcinko shows how he converted a 20 x 8 Wells cargo trailer over the course of just two weeks and for less than $7,000.
6. A Cozy Cabin for Off-Grid Camping
Cargo conversions are ideal if you want to get away from it all and camp without hookups. You can simply carry your drinking water along with you, invest in a composting toilet (or other portable toilet), and you won’t have to find a developed campground.
TinyHouseTalk spotlighted this lovely little 7 x 12 insulated cargo trailer, which its owner lovingly converted to be used for solo getaways (or potentially a two-person trip). The trailer has a propane-run Coleman stove, simple gravity plumbing with a hand pump, and a chemical port-a-potty.
7. An Engineering Masterpiece
Not everybody can transform a 16-foot Haulmark cargo trailer into a stylish and inviting mobile home, but Bill Southworth did. The engineer was looking for a way to make traveling with his rottweiler more convenient since many hotels didn’t accept his four-legged friend.
He now has an 80-square-foot living space he can bring with him anywhere, and it’s 100% Fido-friendly. Since he had so little space to work with, he installed innovative, convertible furnishings that allowed him to transform the space from bedroom to dining room to living room in a flash. It also has an onboard toilet and plumbing, as well as a microwave. You can see the details at Insteading.com.
8. An Old – New Trailer
Brian Rogers revamped his 2007 8 x 16 Pace cargo trailer – taking something old and making it new again. He created a comfortable interior living space for himself and also carved out some toy hauling room to bring along his favorite adventure accessories. We especially love the teal paint on the inside!
9. A Utility Trailer Built for Adventure
The couple at Camping RV BC wanted a custom RV to house themselves and their motorcycle. So they took a 16-foot Wells cargo trailer and remade the inside with cute lemon and lime fixtures that invite visitors to sit and stay awhile.
The couple was also able to add increased storage with a narrow cabinet along the side of the rig and a flip-up table so they can eat but have extra space between mealtimes.
10. Kim Donaghy’s 7×20 Clever Convertible
Realtor Kim Donaghy’s converted cargo trailer has many clever conversions. The dining table flips up and can slide along a galvanized pipe rail. Seating slides back and forth along a wooden cleat, making them moveable but not while the trailer is in motion. A storage loft holds paddles and outdoor equipment but is the size of a twin mattress in case Donaghy wants extra sleeping space. The conversion took about a year, but is a well-designed, comfortable home away from home.
11. A Traveling Musician’s Bachelor Pad
Gabe needed a home on the road while traveling with his metal band Enterprise Earth. He converted his own cargo trailer into a killer bachelor pad on wheels. The trailer has solar panels, a kitchen with a stove, sink, and fridge, a good amount of storage and, of course, a mixing station.
Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion FAQs
Now that we’ve seen several cargo trailer camper conversions, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about them!
What’s the best cargo trailer for a camper conversion?
Wells cargo trailers are a popular choice for a camper conversion. They allow DIYers plenty of room to personalize their campers and make them their own.
You’ll want to choose the best cargo trailer for your own needs, however. Think about how much room you’ll want inside your trailer. Do you want windows, and can your cargo trailer accommodate them? Check any potential cargo trailer for water damage, rot, rust, or mechanical problems. Also, check the hitch setup and make sure the brake lights will work with your tow vehicle.
How do you make cargo trailer camper conversion floor plans?
You can make your own cargo trailer camper conversion floor plans, or you can find premade plans online. If your trailer is a standard size, you can find plans on Pinterest, on cargo trailer conversion websites, or on cargo trailer conversion online forums.
If you need specialized plans, you can check Fiverr or Upwork to hire a designer to draw up plans for you.
How’s cargo trailer camper conversion pricing?
Cargo trailer camper conversion pricing is flexible since there are a lot of variables. You can choose cheaper or more expensive trailers, materials, and appliances for your trailer. Many people have constructed well-appointed, lightweight cargo trailers for less than $10,000.
What are the benefits of converting a cargo trailer into a camper?
There are a lot of reasons converting a cargo trailer can be more satisfying than buying a prefabricated one! The cost is generally a lot lower, especially since many people are able to use used trailers and reclaimed materials. You also get a totally custom rig for a lot less money than if you were to buy a premade custom trailer.
Cargo trailers can also make stealth camping easier and make off-grid camping more accessible. If you’re looking for a rugged adventure vehicle that’s ready to go wherever you want to take it, a converted cargo trailer can be a satisfying project, especially if you’re DIY-inclined.
Can you do your cargo trailer camper conversion yourself?
Absolutely! In fact, the majority of campers do. There are plenty of trailer conversion websites with instructions and tips for first-time builders, along with YouTube videos and forums where people can ask questions.
We hope you’ve enjoyed the cool camper conversions in this post. If you’re curious to try trailer camping for yourself before you take the plunge and build one, check out our RV rentals. Our network of private owners offers trailers of every shape, size, and type, including many DIY versions. It’s the best way to get an authentic taste of the RV life.
