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I've always enjoyed camping and I've always loved campers. I started with a popup camper, and for many years my family enjoyed popup camping. Popups are especially good if you are limited by a smaller tow vehicle. However, for me the popup was a lot of setup for a quick weekend trip, and there were many times when a toilet and shower would really be handy. The next logical step is a small hard side camper, and there are some very good options. Of course, these campers are expensive, unless you are lucky enough to find a used one at a reasonable price. Also, in most small campers, you really can't carry much in the way of toys and gear, so they are similar to a popup. So for these and other typical reasons I decided to build a camper from a cargo trailer.

I started thinking seriously about the cargo camper project in the winter and spring of 2013. I began by sketching floor plans to try and get an idea of the feasibility and possibilities, along with trolling craigslist for used cargo trailers. I went through MANY floor plan variations based on desired features and trailer sizes. I ended up with a 7'x12'x7' trailer. I believe this is the best size if you are limited by a smaller tow vehicle. I was originally looking at 6'x10' and 6'x12', but ended with the 7'x12' simply because one came available on craigslist (luckily, a few miles from my home). Even though I had a design that I thought would work for a 6'x12', in hindsight I expect that size would have been much more difficult to fit in what I wanted. Also, I think the 7' height is nice. Decent used trailers seem to be hard to find, so I feel pretty lucky ending up with the 7'x'12'x7'.

I worked on the camper throughout the summer. My primary goal was to get all of the basic parts of the camper built by the fall hunting season. I was able to accomplish that with some weekend days, a few hours in the evening here and there, and one week I took off from work. For hunting, I didn't fill up the water tank but we had cots, heat and a stove, so it made for nice accommodations. After that, I basically put the project on hold until spring. I started up again at the end of April 2014. I was really motivated to get the camper ready for summer so I finished up most of the remaining details in May and June (although you are never really done).

Depending on the cost of the cargo trailer and availability of used parts, the total cost is not necessarily low. However, if you keep it simple, this is a project that can be done with basic tools and skills. You will also likely end up with something more versatile and more reasonably priced than anything you can find from an RV/Camper manufacturer, not to mention unique.

Afterward: Since the basic completion in 2014, I have continued to add details and refine some aspects of the camper, especially the bed/sleeping setup.