New Project

[ArkansasDon]

I decided not to sell my 5ft. x 5ft. x 8ft. enclosed cargo trailer.

So I am going to convert it into a enclosed overland camping trailer w\ full blown rear kitchen, & sleeper, offroad suspension, tires & rims, 2 sources of power: solar & generator.
Since I will be closing the doors to my business after 16yrs (the end of January 2019) & selling "all" my firearm re-finishing equipment (which most is already spoken for) I will have empty 28ft. wide by 40ft. long shop building (on my farm) to do this project. I will move my welders, cut off saws & other fabircating tools down to this shop. My paint booth is next door so I can wheel the trailer from the shop building into the booth for primer, paint & clear finish.

2nd, 3rd & 4th (taken from a forum, no disrespect to the owners) pictures will give an idea what I will be doing, but with Sally & my own twist & flare to.
Can not be any more difficult since I built our last overland adventure trailer from scratch. I figure a year or so long project. I'll keep the one I built until I finish this enclosed cargo then I'll sell my RTT Trailer (last photo).

 

[Captain Chaos]

That’s exactly what I would do if I owned it. I have been looking for an reasonable enclosed trailer to build. I just recently decided to seriously put some thought into an Oregon Trailer DoDrop Alpha. (We find out more on it today in fact.)
I’m looking forward to following your build!

 

[ArkansasDon]

I like the Oregon Trailer DoDrop Alpha trailer a lot. I watch all their video's & was very impressed, especially how they routed the propane lines.

I figure while building this cargo we can use the RTT trailer I built. I'm thinking ahead as the wife & I are getting up in age mid 60's & late 50's. I do not know how much longer we can climb up or down the ladder, RTT. Were not having any issue "yet" but I figure if we "Sally & I think every phase of this build through we should have a pretty nice enclosed trailer that will serve us for many years.

We thought about purchasing the WeeRoll Overlander or the Vintage Trailer offroad or the Hiker offroad like them very much. But I know I will change things up any of them. This way with the enclosed cargo Sally & I can do it the way "we" like & want. Hickory cabinets, tactical look on the outside with tactical colors (finishes) with the wifes womans touches for the inside.

 

[Steve]

I wondered why you were selling when you were going to buy a square drop anyway. This will be fun to watch. This is the route I originally considered going, but couldn't find any short height enclosed trailers like the U-haul models. I wanted it short so we could put the kayaks on top with ease. Yours will be the same size as our Hiker, with more headroom.

If you are not already planning to do so, I'd highly recommend doors on both sides!

 

[ArkansasDon]

thanks Steve, I couldn't tell you why I didn't think of it at 1st.

 

[ArkansasDon]

I started ordering parts for the new project:
Dexter Trailer Springs Over-Under Conversion Kit from E Trailer
Weld-on Shock Kit from Compact Camping Concepts
3 US Wheels 8 Spoked rims 4.5x5 15"x8" which I'll sand blast & have power coated satin black
3 Crosswind M/T LT235/75R15 offroad tires ordered from Walmart

1st agenda is put the trailer on jack stands, then dropping the axle, then remove the flooring, interior siding, fenders, leaf springs, remove all the electrical wiring.

The trailer is a 2010 5ft.x5ft.x8ft Interstate Enclosed Cargo & is in extremely sound condition. So their shouldn't be much rust or issue with the trailer structure itself. Just up grades so the trailer is offroad compatible. I figure about a 1 year build or a bit longer.