Trailer Into Simple Camper
by misterrauh in Outside > Camping
75395 Views, 275 Favorites, 0 Comments
Trailer Into Simple Camper
![15, 9:06 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2O/VPCZ/IDK8CVH2/F2OVPCZIDK8CVH2.jpg&filename=15, 9:06 PM.jpg)
Think About What You Want
![15, 9:06 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FPN/J6QY/IDK8CVH3/FPNJ6QYIDK8CVH3.jpg&filename=15, 9:06 PM.jpg)
I was fortunate enough to stumble onto a great deal on a 5x8 v nose cargo trailer. For years I've dreamt of getting one and converting it into a rough "man camper" of sorts.
My goal: to have a functioning trailer that doubles as a hunting camper. I'm trying to keep it simple and utilitarian. I primarily hunt in November and only need heat that time of year
My goal: to have a functioning trailer that doubles as a hunting camper. I'm trying to keep it simple and utilitarian. I primarily hunt in November and only need heat that time of year
Add Electrical
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F29/IEBS/IDK8DXA5/F29IEBSIDK8DXA5.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FYY/D5BR/IDK8DXAB/FYYD5BRIDK8DXAB.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
Where I hunt and camp, we have electric so I wanted to make this thing pluggable. I ordered a plug on amazon "marinco shore power". On the inside I put a hardwired light with a built in switch and four outlets. So my trailer is a glorified extension cord. I can plug in a space heater if I need to take off the edge.
Add a Vent
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FAN/FAZ6/IDK8DXBL/FANFAZ6IDK8DXBL.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGM/E37A/IDK8DXBB/FGME37AIDK8DXBB.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
Being able to breath is important. In the past I've slept in my car with a window cracked enough for a power cord and that was just fine. I ordered a trailer vent on amazon and simply added it to the v nose on the trailer. This combined with the air coming in around the ramp door when closed should be plenty to keep me alive. I decide to add the vent a little lower on the wall so that I can keep my heat above that hole. I figured a vent at the top would lose all my heat.
Make a Cot
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFO/9LW1/IDK8DXBK/FFO9LW1IDK8DXBK.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJD/WE66/IDK8DXD2/FJDWE66IDK8DXD2.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FV6/CNK3/IDK8DXC7/FV6CNK3IDK8DXC7.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F1U/FMNH/IDK8DXE4/F1UFMNHIDK8DXE4.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F1Q/2RBY/IDK8DXDE/F1Q2RBYIDK8DXDE.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
This was the most interesting part if my whole project. You'd think it would be really simple to make a frame and hinge it on the wall. Well it's not all that simple. Here are some small details.
1. I doubled the wood on the end to give it more strength.
2. I used rope to make the cot. A bit more cushion than plywood and my heat will warm me from below as well.
3. I routed grooves for the rope so my cot can still be flush against the wall when hinged down.
4. I notched the legs so they could fold flush when the cot is folded up.
1. I doubled the wood on the end to give it more strength.
2. I used rope to make the cot. A bit more cushion than plywood and my heat will warm me from below as well.
3. I routed grooves for the rope so my cot can still be flush against the wall when hinged down.
4. I notched the legs so they could fold flush when the cot is folded up.
Add a Basic Sink
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FI2/H0TA/IDK8DXDZ/FI2H0TAIDK8DXDZ.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FOI/PJYI/IDK8E0VL/FOIPJYIIDK8E0VL.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FSM/3CFI/IDK8DXE7/FSM3CFIIDK8DXE7.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
![15, 9:57 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5M/G014/IDK8DXEB/F5MG014IDK8DXEB.jpg&filename=15, 9:57 PM.jpg)
I wanted a really basic sink so I could brush my teeth and put in contacts a bit more easily. I simply put a funnel with a garden hose attached into a shelf. When I'm camping the small amount of grey water will drip through the hose and out the bottom through a 1" hole. When not in use I have a boat plug to fill the hole in the floor and I'll just bag the hose. I scored a cargo net bag at the thrift shop and it perfectly holds things and also the hose for my sink when it's not being used.
Carpet & Door
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FB7/UDM8/IDK8E0VJ/FB7UDM8IDK8E0VJ.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FU4/3IJT/IDK8E0VK/FU43IJTIDK8E0VK.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FBO/VW7A/IDK8E0VI/FBOVW7AIDK8E0VI.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FYG/JMPT/IDK8E0VF/FYGJMPTIDK8E0VF.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
I measured and cut some carpet from some leftovers from my parents basement. My feet won't freeze on the floor and it looks a bit nicer. You could add what you like but carpet was free for me and makes it feel more like home.
Door: I needed to be able to close this from the inside. I added a flush mount hook in the ramp door and also a rope cleat on the edge of one of the roof supports. That way I won't drill my head on a rope cleat and I can "lock" the door. I added a bit of tread tape after my 4 year old slid down the ramp. Won't slip now.
Door: I needed to be able to close this from the inside. I added a flush mount hook in the ramp door and also a rope cleat on the edge of one of the roof supports. That way I won't drill my head on a rope cleat and I can "lock" the door. I added a bit of tread tape after my 4 year old slid down the ramp. Won't slip now.
Use It
![15, 10:43 PM.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F6R/738O/IDK8E0VX/F6R738OIDK8E0VX.jpg&filename=15, 10:43 PM.jpg)
Overall I think I achieved my goal. It will be a joy to camp in while I hunt. I'll have room to stand up and get dressed in the warmth of my "camper" and the other 10 months of the year I'll still have a fully functioning cargo trailer.