Mountain Bike Cargo Trailer Camper Conversion

My girlfriend and I have decided to convert an enclosed trailer into an Travel Trailer to take on mountain bike trips. We purchased a 16 foot by 8 foot wide cargo trailer from Phil’s Trailer Sales in Waco, TX. This is the second trailer I have purchased from Phil’s and highly recommend them for their low prices and great selection.

We had been searching for a conventional RV for several months, but we just could not find something that was exactly what we wanted, and in our price range. So we decided to build our own. First off we wanted a smaller RV so that it would be easy to pull, and park at trailheads, state parks, and camp grounds. We wanted a tandem axle so that it would pull smoother than a single axle, and if we had a blow out it would be much safer. Since we live in Texas a roof top RV A/C is going to be a must. We are also planning to install a composting toilet in the front of the trailer. For the foreseeable future we will not have a shower or sink. Most state parks have decent accommodations including showers, toilets, and sinks. Lastly, we wanted something that would easily haul 2-4 mountain bikes inside and out of the elements at night.

May 13, 2017

We purchased our brand new Lark Enclosed trailer. Here’s a picture of it the day we picked it up in Waco, Texas.

May 14, 2017

So far we framed out a wall to separate the toilet from the rest of the trailer.We plan to also use this front area for storing dirty sweaty gear and shoes. I framed out the wall with 2×2’s and covered it with 11/32″ plywood. We also finished putting a coat of paint on all the walls. I was indifferent about painting the trailer, but my girlfriend insisted that it needed to look cute. Like most situations I have to admit she was right about this one. The trailer already looks significantly better with a paint job.

May 15, 2017

I only had a couple of hours at the end of the day yesterday. Put down a coat of paint on the floor, but didn’t have time to trim it up before dark.

May 15, 2017

I am getting the trailer ready to leave for a 3 night trip to Big Cedar, Oklahoma in just 2 days. The trailer won’t be anywhere close to finished, but I will have the bed frame complete to have somewhere to put my mattress on its maiden voyage. My main priority when I return next week will be to purchase, and install a roof top A/C. The weather over the weekend in Oklahoma should be fine without the A/C, but it’s about to uncomfortably hot any day now in Texas to use the trailer without an air conditioner. I have currently braced one roof joist with the wall, and today I braced the joist behind it with a 2×2. I plan to create an “H” frame between the 2 joist to support the A/C unit.

May 17, 2017

Secured a layer of plywood to the top of the bed frame, and put in my mattress. The trailer is ready for its first trip.

May 19, 2017

Spent my first night in the trailer last night. It was definitely way more comfortable than sleeping in a tent on a pad. I think doing this conversion in stages is going to be very beneficial. As I use the space it is allowing me to figure out how to best optimize what I will build next. The temperature last night was very comfortable so not having an A/C was not as issue. The two things I wish I had the most were a small counter top for making sandwiches, and some towel rods for drying my sweaty mountain bike clothes. Both of those items just jumped way up on the build priority list.

May 23, 2017

It’s been a few days since we last worked on the trailer. My job has gotten in the way of progress this week. The air conditioner finally arrived today. Next project is get that thing installed. Since I have little to no experience with electrical work this should be an adventure.

May 28, 2017

Put down another coat of deck paint on the floor today. Also decided to go with a dark grey so that scuff marks will not be as noticeable.

June 3, 2017

I took the trailer to Benavides Welding in Lewisville, Texas today to have A/C supports welded. They also cut out the 14 1/4″ square hole in the roof for the AC. Steven at Benavides Welding helped me hoist the air conditioner up on the roof, and I bolted it down before I left the shop. Now I need to find someone to wire up the trailer so we can have a working air conditioner on our next trip

June 4, 2017

Another short day working on the trailer. The composting toilet was delivered and still needs to be installed. We also put in some towel rods in the stink room for drying dirty sweaty cloths and towels. With the last few minutes we had to work today I installed the CO2 monitor.