Did you read the story breaking the news of the Rockwood GeoPro 19FBS with the Power Package?
Do you like boondocking? Does the idea of running the air conditioner completely using the solar power system intrigue you?
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Just saw your article mentioning using gray water for the toilet. Sounds like genius to me!
We have a cargo trailer running on solar,and tankage is always an issue on smaller units. This seems like a great part of the solution.Looking forward to your results,and in a few months,I'll be posting mine
@Dan I was totally convinced that I was going to build a cargo trailer conversion because, for the longest time, I couldn't find a trailer that totally did all the things I wanted it to.
Here's the first article I did here about that: https://www.rvtravel.com/cargotrailerconversions985/
And the follow-up: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-review-support-cargo-trailers-camping-part-2-rvt-1013/
What I wanted to build was an 8 X 20 trailer. I even visited Look Trailers' factory in Arizona and was pretty impressed, especially considering how flexible they were about customizing the build.
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@tony From a fellow Geo Pro'r, I think you're on to something with the cargo trailer build. Imagine how nice, and functional, you could make it if your baseline cost is that International you looked at. Even with half that budget you could have exactly what you want. Maybe just not as easy on the eyes. Plus you'd have plenty of room and cargo weight for an off grid machine.
I found that Nomad does a good job with their trailer builds and also visited the Look Trailer factory in Phoenix when I was there last. They, too, can create a custom trailer that's fully outfitted and ready to go.
I went and looked at a Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s a couple of days ago and really, really like it as well but there's really no cargo space nor a way to haul eBikes that keeps them out of the weather.
As you can tell I like that Airstream International but as a life-long cheapskate it would kill me to spend three times as much on that trailer as for just about anything else. Funny thing the inTech Terra Oasis made an announcement recently that puts their floor plan more in line with that Airstream. Stay tuned.
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@tony I forgot about that Intech, I would buy that for half the price with no real concerns. The only problem I recall was the axel fiasco but that wasn't really their fault.
A few random thoughts on building my cargo trailer.
When I ordered the build,I had the factory install a window and RV door,as they would require structural modification after the fact.
When you're deciding size-add 2 feet ...
Pex tubing is the best thing to happen to plumbing.
A dual axle is safer to tow,and gives you a lot of cargo weight allowance..
Set your requirements,then plan it out.For me, it's a comfy shower (32x32 Delta Fibreglass-no seams,or corners-easy clean)
Real RV flush toilet (yes,it can be done in a 7x14)
Comfy,full size memory foam,across the back. (7 wide is perfect)
SS sink,lots of counter space,2 burner propane,plumbed in, including 6 gallon Suburban hot water(perfect size to mount between verticals)
Make it fun,make it just the way you want.
Swoopy decals don't make boondocking more 😊
These are all great thoughts!
If you haven't seen it I posted my vision of a floor plan in one of the cargo trailer articles I wrote - that's here. I was thinking an 8 1/2 X 20 would work out in this floor plan.
My reasoning for wanting to do this is so that I can
- bring along eBikes
- have a proper working desk
- use the bathroom to split the trailer in half so that my wife and I can have our different sleep schedules (I wake up way early)
- not have to get a trailer with slide rooms
- be able to incorporate very efficient components and large tanks to further facilitate boondocking
And, as you wrote, no swooshie swirls. I could also decorate the interior with knotty pine or an approximation of same so that it looks like a cabin in the mountains.
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If you don't feel confident about your mechanical level, having a unit built to your well thought out plan is a good idea.
Consider laying cardboard footprints of components in a mock up so you can make sure the "traffic flow" works.
All electric should work well with an 8x20,but with roof space limited on a 7x14,with 2 vents,and a max fan,a combination of solar and propane was a better fit. I opted to do shore power input, with a generator,rather than use an inverter. (so far).
Planning can become an overwhelming process, with the number of options,but that's the great thing about a custom build. Four years later,I'm still looking at options,and planning changes(like that gray water idea!)
Actually the way I had planned to do it is with painter's tape in the garage! Then, try out some of the components as I buy them and see if my imagination works as well as I think it does.
I don't want an all-electric trailer as I like propane for heating the space and the water - it's just a better solution. So I would likely use a Truma Combi to accomplish that.
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I use propane for cooking and hot water but due to a available space,a gas heater has no place to go.
I use a 5k diesel heater, with a port for the air hose,and a power plug. Set the tote bin next to the trailer,plug in the air hose,plug in the power lead....toasty in minutes.
we ordered a Ford F150 hybrid to tow a travel trailer and put our Motor home up for sale
in Craig's List. We thought the Motor Home would take about as long to sell as ford
would take to get our Truck to us. Instead one hour after we put the Motor home in Craig's list it was sold and we are still waiting on the Truck we ordered Nov. 13. We went to the RV show up in Tampa to pick up a travel trailer we had put a deposit on. When we got there the trailer they took us to had only one axle and the pictures they had sent us
showed 2 axles. they said they were sorry but they had sent us the wrong pictures. We are now planning on going to the West Palm Beach RV show Feb. 17 -20 and hope we can find a Trailer there with 2 axles.
Right now RVs, especially used ones, are a hot commodity.
What trailer were you considering getting?
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Greetings, Like you, we sold a motorhome and our tow vehicle to downsize to a F-150 Hybrid and Travel Trailer. Like you we sold quickly and found our trailer and borrowed a truck to haul it home. We waited 8 months for our truck but it finally arrived and exceeds our expectations. Love this truck. Happy travels.
I love camping and I own a travel trailer. BUT unfortunately, the weather is windy. The only thing I could do is to protect my motorhome with a Quictent RV cover.