Amazing 7×16 Cargo Trailer Conversion Toy Hauler With Unique Elevator Bed

A 7×16×7 Cargo Trailer Conversion Camper/Toy Hauler with an ingenious elevator bed design.

[@johntalbert8227]

I am getting a lot of love for the bed lift system, but I want to make it clear that I did not invent it. I borrowed the idea from a brilliant KZbinr named bren5279. Like a lot of things we do in these builds, we borrow ideas from others and make them our own. Friends and family are always amazed at some of the stuff I do, but I always tell them I went to KZbin University. The amount of knowledge that is being shared on KZbin is mind-boggling. You name it, generally, if there isn't a video on KZbin it hasn't been done yet. I did find one problem that was not anywhere on KZbin, and that was how to replace the motors and gears inside the motorized mirrors of Ford trucks. I did do an original video on how to fix them and it is on my channel.

[@timb6201]

i looked up brem5279 and it does not exist

[@greezyzgurage]

So what did you put on the shaft that the cargo straps wind themselves on to keep that from slipping?

[@GenXPertChannel]

@@timb6201 spell it correctly and it does.

[@eugeneenslow8563]

Impressive!!! No such thing as too much solar power!

[@johntalbert8227]

Thank you Bill for coming by and taking the time to feature my build, I appreciate it.

[@billanddeb]

It was my pleasure John.

[@user-ix4dl1dy7q]

Very nicely done

[@davej7434]

Nice setup. I am interested in the bed motor, where did you get it, how many watts, is it 12 volt, picture of the nameplate please. I first bought a 30 watt, too light l, now I have a 60 watt, it is much better, I don't want to use an official tarp motor, 600 or 900 watts is a lot of draw. Thank you for showing your rig!

[@terrymathis4213]

Very nice set up.

[@johntalbert8227]

@@davej7434 I got it off of ebay, 12v 100watt on the name plate. Remember, just because a motor is listed at 600-900 watts, it won't pull all that current if the wt is not very heavy. The exact model that I bought is not available anymore, I couldn't find any 100 watt motors now. I wouldn't hesitate to use a more powerful motor.

[@tinymission7821]

I don’t do motorcycles, so not my thing…but man o man this rig is incredible for anyone that does! It is as simple as you can get but it brings on all the comforts and power you could want. Such a clean, well thought out, and crazy usable build. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@billanddeb]

Well said!

[@donitaarender7839]

Loved his trailer! H did such a fantastic job!! Well done. The ceiling is beautiful too.

[@Texas_Teresa]

I love your trailer, John, Thanks for sharing, Bill

[@QueenBoss_Youtube]

Man, the exterior look the interior look John’s trailer is one awesome cargo trailer conversion great videography bill

[@billanddeb]

Thanks for watching

[@tedjones112]

I Like it...... I'd like a lil more countertop and a sink.......... what type of shower pan did you use?

[@nathan_livingourjourney365]

Hey John what a great surprise. I literally got my lift bed idea from your youtube build series. It works amazing. Nice to see you out there using your conversion.

[@johntalbert8227]

Glad you were able to use the idea in your rig.

[@billanddeb]

Nice work!

[@janeysiegrist5061]

I'm just wondering why the compost toilet can't live in the shower, then the inlet for the heat can stay in it's spot..

[@johntalbert8227]

The toilet is mounted on wheels that allow me to just pull it out and in position, it is also hooked up to a power source and exhaust fan with an exhaust vent tube that takes any odors outside.

[@dinabutler5797]

Each trailer is so unique. So impressed with this!

[@billanddeb]

Yes? Everyone has such great ideas

[@barryread3672]

Really nice rig John! Great tour Bill!

[@billanddeb]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertabbott8541]

John is a thinker! He is a very good resource.

[@billanddeb]

He did a great job

[@GenXPertChannel]

I'm starting to convert a 20x8 car trailer to be dual duty as camper and car trailer, and plan to copy the front of John's trailer- the shelf/shower section. My bed plan is nearly identical to his, but using a converted kayak hanging cable winch to raise the frame. Since I still need to fit my car in the trailer at times, all my cabinets have to be up high- but the car is only 44" high at the highest point so plenty of space up high for storage. My biggest fear- heavy cabinets above a very expensive car coming apart. I am thinking I'll weld steel brackets to the steel framing of the trailer for attaching the cabinets while the wall sheeting is off for the installation of insulation, so no chance of the cabinet attachment points failing and damaging the car. One other solid takeaway from John's design here is the E-Track. I'm a huge fan of E-Track and his application certainly reinforces how useful it can be, and L-track is also quite useful for retention of smaller things. To make my trailer also work for carrying our motorcycles and/or UTV, I will install E-Track on the floor with various attachments to adapt to different cargo. Having the same ramp door setup as John, I'm considering astroturf on the door and a removable screen enclosure/tent that will extend the useful area of the trailer out, with the door in a horizontal position to be the floor of the "sun room." A simple 8x8 pop up canopy with attachment points on the door should work just fine. Thanks for posting this- it's always fun to collect ideas.

[@HappyPlaceCamping]

It really is a great idea for a bed. I like that it can be raised up and out of the way. So much cabinet space. The built in cutting board is pretty genius. I also really love the exterior of their cargo too. It’s a nice design. Told Jessie I loved it soon as I saw it in the campground lol. Great little camper.

[@billanddeb]

I totally agree!

[@BusyAsABeaver72]

Thanks for the update on John T's build. I followed his build on KZbin from the day he drove to Omaha to pick up the trailer. He provided a lot of inspiration for my build. What a beautiful job!

[@perrymahnke886]

Wow, what an awesome cargo trailer toy hauler conversion! There are so many cool design features and the way everything is laid out. I will definitely be watching this video again to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thank you for sharing John's really well planned out trailer.

[@billanddeb]

Thanks for watching

[@laurat7932]

John is incredibly skilled.

[@Doc1855]

That’s the exact trailer that we’d Love to have. And that one is Gorgeous ! Wouldn’t Torsion axles be better for better ground clearance? Bill, I’m gleaning and learning from the many guests who have converted their cargo trailers. So naturally I’ll be asking a LOT of questions.

[@KENNETHSHUMAKER-gs2vj]

Great video! I’ve enjoyed watching John’s videos on his trailer build and motorcycle adventures on his KZbin channel.

[@billanddeb]

Very cool!

[@patlsmith404]

Love to know more about the build of the elevated bed! Great ideas and build. Possibly boondocking. Would like that for our bike hauler/ toys/🎣camper thanks!❤️💫🚴🦮🐕‍🦺Thanks! Happy Trails!😎

[@joeglennaz]

The first things I was thinking about when I pulled up the video. It was an emergency exit. That’s great. Put that window in.

[@lisaroth7526]

This is one of the nicest trailers I've seen. Everything is so nicely thought out; very efficient! And pretty on the outside, too!

[@billanddeb]

Glad you like it!

[@BernieKathie]

Hi John!! Our neighbor. 😊 The best neighbor ever!! Hi Bill and Deb!

[@johntalbert8227]

Hi guys, did you hear me sneak out at 4:30 am? Nice meeting you guys.

[@BernieKathie]

@@johntalbert8227 no, not at all. We had a raccoon wake us up the day after, though. Bernie thought someone was attacking the trailer. I threw some bread in that bag Bernie had hanging from the ramp. They were on the roof too. Startled the daylights out of him. 😂

[@BernieKathie]

@@johntalbert8227 quiet as a mouse.

[@johntalbert8227]

@@BernieKathie 🤣🤣🤣

[@dlabarrie13]

Man, that is nice.Thank you for showing

[@sheilawhite8628]

Nice build! Lot's of great ideas. Can you provide link for your back up camera's? Thanks

[@RebeccaRamirez-xp1sb]

Beautiful trailer build

[@wilty5]

Nice, love the build, especially the bed, would like detailed info on building the bed. Did I miss the fridge or does it not have one?

[@AndyHoltOutdoorUniversity]

Great build! I picked up another info nugget. Thank you!

[@billanddeb]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lennyherman8923]

Awesome build. I like his bed setup

[@user-ue9ed3fe5t]

Great video..gave me alot of ideas, the bed system is cool

[@billanddeb]

Glad to hear it!

[@leighsayers2628]

Very nice ..love the wood ...great looking home .

[@billanddeb]

It's a great buildout

[@leighsayers2628]

@@billanddeb sure is ..very nice

[@neicaadkins2795]

Love the build!

[@billanddeb]

Yes they did a great job

[@johnduke9894]

We love thus trailer! John did a great job!!😊

[@billanddeb]

Yes he did a great job

[@DuceCarrollme4]

People are getting really creative with these cargo trailers. This is super nice, I have the iceco fridge, and I love it. Nice video, Bill

[@billanddeb]

Thanks!

[@amandat4498]

I love this guy's ingenuity! Great job!

[@billanddeb]

He did a great job

[@Doc1855]

I too want to install a bed that we can lift up when not in use.

[@patrickhall3878]

One of the best…

[@karencastle6002]

Where is his sink?? Did I miss it?? The bed is amazing great job.

[@maybeebuzzy2265]

I was wondering that, too🤔

[@Bullwolf1965]

Great trailer!

[@harleysharrard3489]

Nice setup! Do you have a build video of the bed system?

[@kingair350]

Can you show how the rod is attached to the canvas tarp motor

[@carlosmelick7075]

Great job!

[@dianenaylor2104]

Fun build! I didn’t see a sink or stove, did I just miss them?

[@johntalbert8227]

I have a really neat fold-flat, pop up large rubber bowel that makes a great dish sink. For cooking I have both a two burner and one burner propane stove that I try to use outside when cooking.

[@barronjackson5666]

Very cool build full of great ideas.

[@pianomanjason]

John is impressive and so is his build. I like that guy.

[@Cargocampman]

Like the video. That’s good stuff! Thank you.

[@billanddeb]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PUTDEVICE]

that was probably the simplest construction of a raise and lower bed I've seen. and not so expensive. have seen where they use security gate motor. kind of roller blind

[@michaelwenman2348]

does your mini-split not have a heat / heat pump function? Most I've see do.

[@michaelcato9255]

Love it! Very nicely done.

[@billanddeb]

They did a great job

[@Doc1855]

I heard that a composting toilet STINKS when it’s burning your poo. Is this true? I was thinking about a Cassette Toilet. What is your opinion about this? What is the weight on this trailer?

[@billanddeb]

We don't use the incinerator type, so we would not know. I do know the cassett type stink when dumping, cause we've been around when that's being dumped. Nature's head or just the deverter type, don't smell.

[@workingwithadam]

Great build!

[@billanddeb]

Glad you think so!

[@lesliehunter1823]

That bed raise is elegant. I wonder what it cost in comparison with Hapijack.

[@johntalbert8227]

I paid $60 for motor, $35 for shelf tracks, $30 for etrac, $50 for garage door wheels, maybe $30 for 1" tubular steel, $10 for lumber. Another $100 for misc items. I am just pulling numbers from my memory so of course they are not completely accurate. Did my own welding and fabricating. Happy Jacks I think are close to $2000? I'm a frugal, (cheap) guy, so no way would I pay for a happy Jack setup. KZbin University is your friend.

[@mtvjackass74]

sweet set up!!!!

[@dvshong794]

cool! where to get the motor and the straps?

[@lisaschippert9426]

Love it!

[@billanddeb]

Thanks!!

[@southernyankee3802]

Great video John.

[@billanddeb]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@barbarawalker3620]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@lonniesummers739]

Very nice 👍

[@billanddeb]

Thank you 👍

[@stevem3534]

Great trailer 👍never seem to do weight

[@billanddeb]

Most of the time, weights are estimated. I try to remember to ask, but honestly, I'm under a great deal of pressure at these Rendezvous, and I miss things from time to time. A typical 7×16 will weigh around 2200 to 2400 pounds at delivery. Judging from the extent of this particular build, I would "estimate" around 4000 to 4500 pounds. If it actually weighs less than my estimate, consider that a bonus. A typical traditional RV of the same dimensions will most likely always weigh less. But the difference in longevity is immeasurable. 🫠

[@davegobeli6771]

Very very nice build!!

[@billanddeb]

Glad you like it!

[@micheleobrien64]

Great job!❤

[@JeanDunn-h2o]

Where is the sink?

[@dangeroustoman]

Where do you get a lift kit for the axles?

[@johntalbert8227]

E trailer.

[@dangeroustoman]

@@johntalbert8227 thank you.

[@kc033056]

This is an awesome build. What did you use for the shower base? Thanks Kc

[@johntalbert8227]

Plywood coated with a product called Mapei AquaDefense. Sold at big box store, brushed or rolled on. It's a liquid rubber-type product used under tile.

[@davidpatrick1813]

tnx

[@Csharpflat5]

Great❤

[@tuvia4082]

Cool

[@jamesjackson7752]

Nice.😊

[@billanddeb]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@patriciamuskevitsch8359]

Very nice!!

[@billanddeb]

Thanks for the visit

[@jpw7598]

Bed @ 7:28 your welcome

[@reneedickerson4489]

❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

[@vinceriedl5606]

Nice build! What vehicle do you pull your trailer with?

[@johntalbert8227]

F-250 with a 6.2L gasser.

[@rickbartley9255]

I don’t think you mentioned the brand/model of the trailer. What is it?

[@johntalbert8227]

Big Horn Trailers, sold by Reed Trailer Sales out of Omaha, NE and Colorado Springs.

[@Heinz76Harald]

to bad that lawnmower ruined it...

[@billanddeb]

They followed me all day. Grrr.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

are there male prongs sticking out in that 110 outlet when he lifted the cap?

[@johntalbert8227]

no, female receptacle on a GFI circuit.

[@LisaLightning]

There’s no hope for people like me and my fiancé, without any building skills. We have to either pay someone super inflated prices to help build, or buy something premade which will probably fall apart. Beautiful job on that trailer.

[@sashabenoit1518]

That's not true! You guys are absolutely capable of you really put your minds to it! I've seen countless people, even tiny, young, solo females who've never picked up a tool in their life, do their own builds... With all of the in depth, step by step detailed videos on the Internet, especially here on KZbin, pretty much anyone, at any skill level can do something like this. It may not be absolutely perfect at first but you'll learn as you go and can always go back and fix or change things that you don't like later. And if you use a trailer like this, a box truck, or a step van for your build, it makes it much more DIY friendly because all of the walls are square and flat without the weird angles and curves of a bus or van, which means you don't have to really do much custom work if you don't want to. You can buy or salvage already made cabinets, bed frames, shower insert and pan, ect.. and all you have to do is secure them to the structure. As for plumbing, electrical, and all of that, you can find plenty of tutorials and there are multiple different options of setups, everything's from a super basic setup that requires little to no skill or maintenance, all the way to the most over the top, complex setups. That being said, if you truly want this, don't make excuses because you CAN do it! Just go into it with realistic expectations, don't expect perfection, do expect some failure through trial and error but just don't give up and you'll get through it and figure it out. If there's a will, there's a way! So get out there and follow your dreams 😊

[@mikem1956]

Great job !