Cargo trailer conversion to off road camper

[Papa]

So folks,
I'm looking at converting a 5X8 cargo trailer into a lightweight off road camper.
Who has done it? What were your results?
How does yours hold up?
Anyone on here that has done it?
I don't want a $15,000 + camper. It's literally just for me and sometimes my dogs.
But I'm getting to an age where the ground isn't such a comfortable place to sleep.
Pulling it with my TJ requires a lightweight design.
Just gathering intel at this point.

 

[Overlandtjm100]

Why not just opt for a tent trailer? Or do you already own a cargo trailer?

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[Rob5589]

I hate to point you away from here but, jeep forum has a loooong thread about a guy building one off an inexpensive Harbor Freight trailer. He takes it from fairly basic to elaborate. It comes out awesome in the end but is great at many stages along the way. As I recall he pulls it with a SE on 33's and re-geared.

 

[Papa]

Why not just opt for a tent trailer? Or do you already own a cargo trailer?

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I'm currently shopping around for a new 5X8 cargo trailer.
I've considered building, but the time it takes to do something from scratch and do it right is much too extensive.
I've had a few "pop up" trailers. Really just interested in something with a rear galley, and a place to sleep without having to set up and tear down. I figure on buying a cargo trailer, building the galley, and keeping it simple, but convenient.

 

[Papa]

I hate to point you away from here but, jeep forum has a loooong thread about a guy building one off an inexpensive Harbor Freight trailer. He takes it from fairly basic to elaborate. It comes out awesome in the end but is great at many stages along the way. As I recall he pulls it with a SE on 33's and re-geared.

I'm not really interested in the Harbor Freight trailers. They aren't very sturdy. By starting with an enclosed trailer, beefing up the existing framework and building a galley, I believe that I will get the desired results while cutting down on build time considerably.

 

[Overlandtjm100]

You may be able to use components from an rv/camper. I see people trying to get rid of these all the time. The components are light weight and made to be bounced around the highway or on the trail. You may also want to beef up the axle and suspension.

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[PCO6]

Papa - There's lots of trailer and related info on the Expedition Portal forum. You'll have to look around a bit but several people have done what you are thinking of.

Expedition Portal ...
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/forums/42-Expedition-Trailers

I'm currently building an expedition trailer. Here's my EP thread ... hopefully soon to be updated ...
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/148123-PCO6-s-Trailer-Build

 

[Papa]

Awesome, thanks guys.

 

[NYJeepGuy607]

Papa - There's lots of trailer and related info on the Expedition Portal forum. You'll have to look around a bit but several people have done what you are thinking of.

Expedition Portal ...
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/forums/42-Expedition-Trailers

I'm currently building an expedition trailer. Here's my EP thread ... hopefully soon to be updated ...
http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/148123-PCO6-s-Trailer-Build

Great looking trailer! Nice work.