Minimalist in a Cargo Trailer Conversion

Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA

Bought a 6’ x 12’ cargo trailer, and it has: fresh water, water heater, shower, toilet, microwave, refrigerator, and diesel heater.

I need power, as I primarily boondock. The micro is a 700 watt unit, not sure about the refrigerator. 
 

I can buy a little Yamaha 1,000 watt unit pretty cheap, but I don’t want to run a generator 24/7.

Can I put a solar panel on top, feed that to a series of batteries, then put in an inverter to convert the 12V over to useable AC?

What is a “Jackery”.7D4D2F5B-1CCA-423A-A483-8E584463D042

 

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Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
5/15/2023 7:11am

Inside.

3B64E566-ABD4-467C-8CF9-EBC650250F60

 

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lumpy790
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York, SC, USA
5/15/2023 7:41am

Inside looks really nice!

What is the weight of the trailer and axle rating? In RVing it is very common to see overloading and going well above the weight rating resulting in bending axles and rapidly wearing tires.

Solar is very complicated in calculating how much energy you will need and how many panels. Space needed for the panels up on the roof may be an issue. Solar needs direct sun so parking in shaded areas at tracks could also be an issue. 

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Shiftfaced
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5/15/2023 8:02am

On the tongue, it states 700 max tongue load, and Gross Vehicle Weight of 5,000, and I think the trailer alone is 1,800 lbs.

 

motosmith
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Washougal, WA, USA
5/15/2023 8:40am

Try to have all components 12V/DC. 

This dude is pretty good with electricity.

www.rosslukeman.com

 

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The Shop

lumpy790
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York, SC, USA
5/15/2023 9:33am
Shiftfaced wrote:

On the tongue, it states 700 max tongue load, and Gross Vehicle Weight of 5,000, and I think the trailer alone is 1,800 lbs.

 

Weight it and see where you are now. Slide underneath and see which axle rating it has. 

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TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA, USA
5/15/2023 1:53pm

Did you build the interior? 

2DoorKicker75
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Fayetteville, NC, USA
5/15/2023 5:32pm
Shiftfaced wrote:
Inside.  

Inside.

3B64E566-ABD4-467C-8CF9-EBC650250F60

 

I’m digging that. Tell us more and let’s see some more, different angle interior shots. Saw two trucks pulling similar trailers today and wondered if they were little campers.

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Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
5/15/2023 6:01pm
lumpy790 wrote:

Weight it and see where you are now. Slide underneath and see which axle rating it has. 

I climbed underneath, and saw a sticker on the axle, but did not see anything about maximum weight.

Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
5/15/2023 6:19pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2023 6:46pm
I’m digging that. Tell us more and let’s see some more, different angle interior shots. Saw two trucks pulling similar trailers today and wondered if they...

I’m digging that. Tell us more and let’s see some more, different angle interior shots. Saw two trucks pulling similar trailers today and wondered if they were little campers.

It is pretty simple, but has 16 gallons of fresh water under the sink, and that is tied to an “on-demand” heater. Commode, is tied to black water tank, shower and sink tied to grey water tank.

I have to put in a moto shoe and a wall-mounted bed/ bench seat, then a ceiling fan.

CF5B9190-A132-4D51-BC1C-53A0CD329912

 

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Shiftfaced
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5/15/2023 6:20pm

352BE7CD-1159-4EB4-97E4-E6AE37B6BED8.jpeg?VersionId=BoNkjgD909VhO3HjvCu4

 

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2DoorKicker75
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5/15/2023 6:22pm

Are you going to make the bed so it folds up against the wall?

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Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
5/15/2023 6:39pm

ACB76AA7-E1B0-443F-AA60-B541FC91E297

 

Shiftfaced
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Ruby Ridge, ID, USA
5/15/2023 6:47pm
TeamGreen wrote:

Did you build the interior? 

No, I bought it as it sits.

$7,000 in so far.

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dkurtd
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USA
5/15/2023 8:23pm

Most all those trailers come with a 3500lb axle.  Do a search for the make and model and see what it has.

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