“If I can do it anyone can”
Cargo Trailer Build
Cargo Trailer Build is all about transforming a plain cargo trailer into a custom camper, then hitting the road to live the adventures it was built for—documenting the entire process with stories and photography from both the build and the journeys that follow.
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Join us at the Forum
CTB Forum
Let’s get the conversation started at the CTB Forum. 
Miles of Smiles
Happy Traveler
The Off-Grid Fun Begins
Our goal is to be able to travel and stay off grid as much as possible. Our build is centered on this single goal.
Keeping it real
You’ll come along for the ride and learn all the ways we found NOT to do it. We share all the good, the bad and the ugly!
Sharing stories from along the journey, from purchasing to exploring and everything in between.
Getting into the weeds with how we planned and put our cargo trailer build together.
We cover everything from plumbing and electrical to structural and storage.
Solar is central to sustaining an off-grid adventure. We get down and dirty with our setup!
The Journey
The dash between the dates is where we live this life. What are you doing with your dash?
You are only given a short dash between the dates. Make the most of it. Don’t put off experiencing the “dash”!
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Our Vision
Our vision is to build an off-grid camper from a cargo trailer but we are also creating a community of like-minded fans of cargo trailer to camper builds who love to share their experiences.
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster an environment for folks wanting to build their own conversion where they can learn, question and share their experiences with like minded people.
Our Motto
Our motto is simple:
“If I can do it anyone can!”
Don’t underestimate what you can do when you set your mind to it!
What We’re Up To
Explore Our Blog to Help You on Your Journey
Day to day happenings with our Cargo Trailer Build. We travel, we fix, we explore, we enjoy and most importantly, we build lasting memories!
Get started with solar! I share my solar builds and experiences in my journey into solar. It’s not as scary as you thought!
As we put this camper together we take you along for the adventure. Find out how we learned to do and to NOT DO different parts of the build.
We divide the build into systems and discuss what is important and what to avoid. Seeing how someone else puts their systems together might help you with your build.
Common Questions
Most Popular Questions
Do you have questions? Are you thinking about starting your own build? Don’t know where to start? See if you can find some ideas here.
What size cargo trailer is best for a camper conversion?
Big enough to fit your dreams, small enough to still make a U-turn. A 6×12 is cozy; an 8.5×20 means you can swing a cat inside—if that’s your thing.
How much does it cost to convert a cargo trailer into a camper?
Some folks do it for the price of a used couch and a box of screws. Others? They somehow spend more than a small yacht. Most of us land somewhere in the “car down payment” range.
Do I need special tools or skills to do the conversion myself?
Nope. If you can measure once, cut twice, and keep your fingers out of the saw blade, you’re already ahead of the game. YouTube will happily teach you the rest.
What’s the best way to insulate a cargo trailer for year-round use?
Foam board or spray foam. Basically, think of your trailer as a giant cooler—keep the hot in during winter, the cool in during summer, and don’t let the ice cream melt.
Can I add plumbing and a bathroom to a cargo trailer camper?
Yep—but remember, every toilet and pipe you add is space you can’t use for snacks or gear. Many folks skip the full bathroom drama and stick with a portable toilet and a water jug. Less plumbing, more living.
How do I install electrical power—off-grid or shore power—in my build?
You can chase the sun with solar panels, mooch off campgrounds with hookups, or do both. Just decide if you’re more “wild and free” or “I like my hair dryer.”
Is a cargo trailer camper legal to live in full-time?
Technically, yes… but let’s go with a hard “maybe.” Some places don’t care; others will send you packing faster than you can say “property values.” Always check the rules before you put out the welcome mat.
How much weight can I safely add without overloading the trailer?
Check the GVWR, subtract the empty weight, and that’s your magic number. Go over it, and you might end up with a trailer that squats more than a powerlifter.
Can a cargo trailer camper be used for boondocking/off-grid camping?
Oh, absolutely. With the right setup, you can vanish into the wilderness and only be found when you post your “epic views” on Instagram.
What maintenance is required to keep my converted trailer in good condition?
Kick the tires, check the seals, and make sure nothing’s about to fall off. Think of it as “preventative medicine” for your rolling cabin.
Big enough to fit your dreams, small enough to still make a U-turn. A 6×12 is cozy; an 8.5×20 means you can swing a cat inside—if that’s your thing.
Some folks do it for the price of a used couch and a box of screws. Others? They somehow spend more than a small yacht. Most of us land somewhere in the “car down payment” range.
Nope. If you can measure once, cut twice, and keep your fingers out of the saw blade, you’re already ahead of the game. YouTube will happily teach you the rest.
Foam board or spray foam. Basically, think of your trailer as a giant cooler—keep the hot in during winter, the cool in during summer, and don’t let the ice cream melt.
Yep—but remember, every toilet and pipe you add is space you can’t use for snacks or gear. Many folks skip the full bathroom drama and stick with a portable toilet and a water jug. Less plumbing, more living.
You can chase the sun with solar panels, mooch off campgrounds with hookups, or do both. Just decide if you’re more “wild and free” or “I like my hair dryer.”
Technically, yes… but let’s go with a hard “maybe.” Some places don’t care; others will send you packing faster than you can say “property values.” Always check the rules before you put out the welcome mat.
Check the GVWR, subtract the empty weight, and that’s your magic number. Go over it, and you might end up with a trailer that squats more than a powerlifter.
Oh, absolutely. With the right setup, you can vanish into the wilderness and only be found when you post your “epic views” on Instagram.
Kick the tires, check the seals, and make sure nothing’s about to fall off. Think of it as “preventative medicine” for your rolling cabin.