CAMPER to UTILITY TRAILER $500 Build

We bought this camper around 2 years ago and it was just sitting. So we decided to turn it into a Utility Trailer. This is by no means a HOW TO video but rather our take on trial and error of your everyday DIY!
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Email: [e-mail]
AMAZON LINKS for some things we bought.
Trailer Wiring: amzn.to/2WI0ws2
DOT-C2 Reflective Tape Red and Silver: amzn.to/2wBI19P
Black Poly Trailer Tongue Truck Box: amzn.to/2WQmhWI
Set of 2 Steel Trailer 6" Oval Tail Light: amzn.to/2WaB8H2
AUTOSMART 2PCS Red Oval Sealed LED Turn Signal: amzn.to/2JZJZto
2 Red LED 2" Round Clearance Side Marker Light: amzn.to/2EQjdiY
2" Tongue Jack Foot Pad: amzn.to/2KlQqX8
Tie Down - 6,000 lbs: amzn.to/2WnFoaR
Safety Chains: amzn.to/2QIg9Ky
Paint Sprayer, Electric Spray Gun: amzn.to/2WkzZl4

[@jacoblong5599]

3:18 “Yup a wire harness.” Your kid is adorable 😂

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks!

[@alexanderronan33]

Dont know if you guys gives a shit but if you are stoned like me atm you can stream all of the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Have been binge watching with my brother for the last few days =)

[@milleryusuf9802]

@Alexander Ronan yup, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself :D

[@KdoeG]

thats quality in my books

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks, the editing has got better tho lol

[@mikeharris36]

Great job .... an excellent idea. That way you can build it the way you want it to suit your needs. 👍🏽💯

[@curiouszquad]

Yesss Sir!

[@learnalittlelivealittle6502]

Been debating this same project with a camper I got for free that turned into a real mess with hidden water damage. You are my inspiration, trailer looks absolutely awesome.

[@curiouszquad]

Wow! That’s awesome! Yes, please do it you will love it and have more pride for it as you will put hard work, trails and errors in it! Did you watch the video is the gate install?

[@rickwhite2946]

Thats a great video and you did a great job on the trailer. Keep up the good work!!!

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you very much! 😁

[@mriguy3202]

If viewers have safety inspections in their state for trailers, they'll need to replace the old tires, which are over $100 each. If they don't have safety inspections, they should replace old tires, which are STILL over $100 each.

[@curiouszquad]

Yeah I got those tire and wheel combo for $75 each.

[@smallgaragebigdreams6032]

Looks great 👍 definitely respace the decking so water can shed easily. Great work

[@curiouszquad]

It’s does, once the boards dried out they spaced.

[@jarrodfreitas2788]

Awesome job, man! Looks great!! Really cool video

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you very much!

[@benvaldez6136]

Way awesome buddy! Good job! I've picked up some ideas from your work. Thanks!!

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you!

[@HookedUpCatfishing]

Looks good I grew up around Dalton and chatsworth. My dad was the first person to set up at Big D's fleamarket when they only had 5 tables out on the road.

[@curiouszquad]

Wow! That’s pretty cool.

[@jameskirklandiv7387]

Dude you did amazing my man

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you, did you watch the newer video where I added the gate?

[@oranraymondvisual]

really great video, im going to mirror it to a build my own👍🏻🙌🏻

[@curiouszquad]

Heck yea, keep me posted on the build!

[@brysoncobb]

Killed this! I need to do the exact same project

[@curiouszquad]

Well, let’s get started!!

[@kennywilliams9280]

Looks great good build.

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you learned a lot since then!

[@alexanderszell2375]

I really like this idea man. Great idea! Was going to sell my camper but now I’m re purposing it

[@curiouszquad]

Do it and let me see when done.

[@manny7684]

Slow down the drill. When drilling steel slow and steady pressure.

[@curiouszquad]

Noted.

[@yellowthundervisiono]

This is great i want to build one....

[@curiouszquad]

Let’s do it!

[@cglenncowdell2408]

Really nice job .

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks

[@huggmeister]

Nice job sir!!!

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you 💪

[@carloscuriel5898]

Wow that’s nice !!! I have a fifth wheel travel trailer and I would like to do something like that!! It’s about 40’ long

[@curiouszquad]

Don’t wait too long! Keep me posted!

[@The16Can]

Let’s go!!!!

[@BellaviaSigns]

Good Job

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you sir!

[@efrainsantana1216]

Nice

[@brandonaga9042]

This is a great video only 500 views??? Keep up the good work

[@curiouszquad]

Brandon Aga yes sir, thank you for your comment, trying to grow the channel with uploads lol 😂 Thanks for watching!

[@_DMAC]

@@curiouszquad well, 23k now!

[@thomast171]

Like your video. I got a 16’ trailer that I’m about to do the same. But I don’t know what I want to do with it. Yet. Any pics u can share of how you mounted your fenders

[@curiouszquad]

Sure thing, send me a message on Instagram or Facebook @curiouszquad

[@scottnichols309]

You should add a electric trailer jack on the front of your car trailer to make unhooking easy

[@curiouszquad]

That would be sweet!

[@toddyarnell3161]

Start on both sides and work to the middle then rip a peice to fit in the middle

[@curiouszquad]

Good tip!

[@petercutler1975]

What kind of welding did you use? I have a pop-up camper trailer I am going to use to pull my tractor, small Kubota. I am on the fence of learning welding myself. love doing things myself.

[@curiouszquad]

Mig

[@Larson16]

Does it bother you with the outer boards raised up on the edges because of how you welded the angle iron around the perimeter? I’m thinking about just using flat stock to border my camper trailer> flatbed conversion

[@curiouszquad]

I do see what your saying and the answer for me is no sir it doesn’t. I’m sure there are certain applications were it would matter but with this regular utility trailer it works perfect for me. Thanks for the question! 😁

[@DanielHugh3s]

Great work man! I'm planning on this same build type this summer. I'm pretty much going to copy you lol. How was getting it registered at the DMV? Any issues there or tips? @curiouszquad

[@curiouszquad]

Yes sir sounds good keep me posted! Also the DMV super easy, once I was complete I pulled it out there and they tagged it simple as that now I already had a Vin number if yours doesn’t just tell them it’s a homemade trailer and I’ll go from there.

[@DanielHugh3s]

@@curiouszquad will do thanks man!!

[@marcpp]

Nice ATC 70 at 0:32

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks!

[@those2guys]

I'm doing the same thing right now to a 1973 5th wheel camper. I was wondering since it's going to be a utility trailer, does it need runner beams? The trailer has some but there are breaks in it. Do they need to be replaced? Or can they all be taken out?

[@curiouszquad]

Just make sure it’s supported whatever you plan on hauling with it

[@BigKeith510]

Great video thank you! How long did it take to take off the camper?

[@curiouszquad]

Keith Reynolds great question, honestly I used the tractor some what and had it all stripped and done in about two days. I literally ripped it off the frame lol

[@BigKeith510]

@@curiouszquad that's what I was thinking of doing. Lol. Just rip it off. You have given my confidence to do it lol

[@curiouszquad]

Keith Reynolds that’s great to hear! Just do it and do what you like along the way!!😁

[@BlekSheep_1]

Nice job! I just passed up a 30' camper that I wanted to convert but, the axles are not in an optimal position so I would have needed to move them AND cut the frame down....too much work. So 1) What did you use to attach the flooring to frame? 2) Is there a way to lock the hitch/tongue to "deter" theft?

[@curiouszquad]

I have not had a problem with theft but if find yourself with one of these hitches that does not lock, cut it off and weld you on a different hitch that has a locking point on top of it. Regarding attaching the boards to the trailer I got the screws at Lowe’s, they’re wood to metal tapping screws.

[@justinwalsh6932]

If you are worried about theft, just buy a hitch lock lol. They are like 50 dollars. You don't need a special hitch, their are plenty of different style hitch locks

[@mjuhanil]

Looks great, what did you use to attach deck boards

[@curiouszquad]

Great question, I got them at Lowe’s: Teks self tapping screws, they have different lengths. It is a wood to metal screw. They have a special tip that drills through the wood and then breaks off as it goes through the metal. 😁

[@mjuhanil]

@@curiouszquad Thanks, play guess you have to pre-drill those don't you

[@curiouszquad]

Markku Lankimaki you don’t have to but if the metal that you’re going through is pretty thick, then I would suggest yes! 😁

[@kvot5944]

Was the same question I had. Thanks for asking it.

[@seanbrown3251]

Were the uprights that you cut for the railing at 1ft?

[@curiouszquad]

I wanna say roughly.

[@peterhatch1583]

Great job! What was the wood size please

[@curiouszquad]

2x8 I believe not sure at the moment. I don’t have it with me.

[@jimjackslak4507]

That's awesome man! I was wondering if you have any idea how much weight can be towed on it?

[@curiouszquad]

JimJack Slak thank you! Around 7000lbs safely I can always upgrade the axles no problem.

[@jimjackslak4507]

@@curiouszquad That's fantastic! Thank you for the reply.

[@curiouszquad]

JimJack Slak your welcome!

[@hennessyremy4970]

How did u go about getting it down to just a roller from camper?

[@curiouszquad]

Tractor and a chain lol

[@josephclgx4]

What's the mounted ball at the nose of the deck used for

[@curiouszquad]

Well it originally was a camper so I’m assuming that was for a sway bar.

[@Jesusiskingamen7]

Did you keep the breaks workin on the trailer?

[@curiouszquad]

Yes I did.

[@CaptainJustin35]

Can these kind of trailer frames be used to haul vehicles? Or are they not strong enough? Just bought a old travel trailer 26 ft

[@curiouszquad]

I would say yes as long as the trailer you had was structurally supported underneath and the axles were rated correctly.

[@young11984]

Most camper frames are dependent on the camper structure for its rigidity, usually thin wall main frame with minimal cross beams and usually too narrow unless its a Pinto or a smaller car but a Mustang is a no go being 6’ wide. I built a utility trailer from a gooseneck camper, when all the camper was removed the gooseneck was a no go so i cut it off and built a tongue from 2x3x3/16’ tubing and added 2x3 1/8 crossmembers. After all the support beams were added its super strong and has hauled 5500lbs of lumber on it without any issues. Wish i had seen this video before i added such big cross beams for strength and just added the angle iron framing as he did but with a round tube top rail as that makes the factory thin wall frame super strong

[@karlhiggins5765]

Good job, man looks good, I am going to pick up an old camper today to strip and build as a utility trailer. Its 20' length. Do you have any regrets or recommend anything different from your build ? Before I start, I am pretty much going to make mine a twin to yours. Just subscribed also.

[@curiouszquad]

Wow! This is great! If I had to change or do anything different I would have sprayed the bare metal with at lest some primer in between two pieces of metal because at the end it was too late to get my spray in between and get all the crevices. lol Other than that I’m happy with my build and I would do it again. Did you watch One of my most recent videos were I added the trailer gate?

[@karlhiggins5765]

@@curiouszquad i did watch the gate video. I live northeast Alabama. What part of Georgia are you in, the lay of the land looks almost like the roads around my house, when you was driving to get the tailgate.

[@curiouszquad]

Karl Higgins yes sir nothing like the good ole south. 😁 I live in North Georgia.

[@eldridge201]

I know you mentioned in your video that you were going to do a cost breakdown of everything. Would you mind putting that together for just the cost of the parts and sandblasting (I saw you said it was $150 for this in one comment)? The trailer looks great and should easily handle a car or 1/2 ton truck. Possibly even a 3/4 ton if need be. I never did catch if you know what the axle rating is for your axles?

[@curiouszquad]

Yes $150 for sandblasting and these axles are rated at 3500lbs. Email me for breakdown. [e-mail]

[@eldridge201]

@@curiouszquad well, assuming your trailer weighs about 1500 pounds, you might get away with a 3/4 ton if its just a regular cab and doesn't have anything in the bed.

[@curiouszquad]

Yeah possibly. I only use it to pull our lawn equipment and ATVs.

[@blankzr0185]

did you have any issues with paper work from mobile home trailer to utility ?

[@curiouszquad]

Not one bit, the VIN was still legible and I told him it was homemade they came out and inspected it, five minutes later and I had my tag and registration. If you do build a trailer from scratch and do not have a VIN they will come out and inspect it and give it a VIN then you’ll be good to go Thanks,

[@Joes_Corner]

Wha if it has a Vin but you don't have a title and it was never titled in your name?

[@gerardolopez5875]

How would u get registration? On trailer

[@curiouszquad]

Local tag office. Homemade.

[@atubeviewer4942]

Did you ever do a full cost breakdown? Im thinking the wood, box, metal, fenders, lights, paint, on and on and on costs more than 500-600.00. Nice job though

[@curiouszquad]

It would now more then likely. Especially with the prices up. When I built this trailer a few years ago after accessories and everything I was about $750 all in.

[@evanharris9667]

Looks good. Not to be a downer. But those 5000 pound anchors are only as good as the board holding it down.

[@curiouszquad]

Oh yeah you’re right but I’m only strapping down golf carts and four wheelers. I have some metal plate that I’m gonna run across and bolt to it and weld underneath I just haven’t done it.

[@TheChrisscott1985]

What was the cost for the sandblasting?

[@curiouszquad]

I got it for $150

[@brianvassar2556]

It needs more lights

[@curiouszquad]

Yes it does. It has a light bar for loading at night.

[@Maximum1Solutions]

How much was the sandblast service?

[@curiouszquad]

$150 in my area.

[@melixpadilla9563]

You should stain the wood. It'll look great

[@curiouszquad]

That would be a nice touch!

[@craigcaggiano431]

How much is it rated to carry,? Will it hold a car or only ATVs

[@curiouszquad]

Well it’s standard with 3500lbs axles so 7000 pounds but you can upgrade the axles if you wanted to.

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

@@curiouszquad One question and a comment. Plz, did you buy the fenders from a general trailer parts supplier, or custom metal fabricator? My comment is that you have to account for the weight of the trailer when you are determining the safe load capacity (as the trailer axles are supporting the trailer itself as well as the load you put in the trailer). So if your trailer weighs say 1,500 lbs, subtract that from the 7,000 lb axle rating.

[@JamesR23]

What did you do to demo the bathroom and waste tanks anything special?

[@curiouszquad]

The waste tanks were completely empty and probably dried out for years. I took the metal off and trashed the rest.

[@DanielGonzalez-nh4wl]

Whats the width on the trailer

[@curiouszquad]

Daniel Gonzalez deck space is 6ft x 16ft

[@superrich2719]

How did you not get overspray on the tractor.🤔

[@curiouszquad]

Maybe the forks.

[@sunshine5349]

there is an old camper frame on sale near me 21' total length, "bed" is 6x17 for $600 all rusty, good deal or not? what is a fair price.

[@curiouszquad]

$500 cash and sandblast it! Keep me posted.

[@curiouszquad]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@xredman002]

well?

[@TFossett]

turn the music volume down, holy shit balls

[@curiouszquad]

I know right. I was a little rough on the editing back then. lol

[@edgarrobles2910]

How much weight can it handle ?

[@curiouszquad]

It has two 3500lbs axles

[@jonkastanek2468]

How much did that angle iron cost you

[@curiouszquad]

$150

[@zorohero3345]

2021

[@diydaryldiydaryl588]

I got a camper im thinking about converting into a utility trailer

[@curiouszquad]

Keep me updated.

[@diydaryldiydaryl588]

I was thinking a sawmill

[@JoeJohnson-qf2jg]

Why didn’t you include all items .

[@curiouszquad]

Like? What you got?

[@J_prath]

Where did you get the fenders

[@curiouszquad]

At a trailer place. Call around most will carry them in stock.

[@J_prath]

@@curiouszquad awesome thank you I love your trailer

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks!

[@kurbuli]

Cool project, but please adjust music volume to your speaking next time had to adjust volume all the time :p

[@curiouszquad]

Dzintars Veiriņš I know lol This will be fixed for all future videos.

[@rong-man1502]

Yea, everybody I know has a utility tractor they can use to lift the trailer up so they can paint the underside of stuff like this, NOT.

[@motorcitybuds2117]

What song is this?

[@curiouszquad]

At what part of the video? Also you can ask your phone to name the song.

[@michaelbutler655]

500 build, how much did it cost to get sand blasted??

[@curiouszquad]

$125 from a local guy and it was way before lumber went up lol

[@moejr14]

Total cost?

[@curiouszquad]

Around $800

[@victora3462]

What it cost to have it sand blasted?

[@curiouszquad]

It was $150.

[@jayschmidt6070]

How do I title it.

[@curiouszquad]

Go to to tag office and tell them it’s a homemade trailer and they will inspect it.

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

how much were your fenders?

[@curiouszquad]

At the time. $150

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

@@curiouszquad each?

[@curiouszquad]

@@Kyle-ev4fkit was for both. $75 each

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

@@curiouszquad Dang that is a screaming deal? Where did you get them?

[@curiouszquad]

Ingles trailer Dalton ga

[@pooroldroy1756]

As the drill sergeant said, "I CAN"T HEAR YOU".

[@curiouszquad]

lol

[@dirtracingfan8742]

The music volume is horrendous I

[@curiouszquad]

Yes I know, I have learned to edit that down.

[@daviddee5257]

Do you need to change title?

[@curiouszquad]

Not really they just inspected in a labeled it as homemade.

[@cheetorodriguez7258]

Working under a suspended load in any situation is a very bad idea. Work safe people!

[@curiouszquad]

Oh yea!

[@dayriderschat]

Spray painting without a mask on ???? Otherwise excellent presentation .....

[@curiouszquad]

It was a windy day.

[@dayriderschat]

OK Buddy .... Fair excuse

[@_DMAC]

Did you salvage anything useful Iike appliances, power converter, etc.? Bet if you could score a crap camper like this you'd be able to recover some of the cost by selling off stuff.

[@curiouszquad]

No, unfortunately it was ransacked when I got it.

[@BossManC]

nice video but please for the love of my ears, equalize your music and vocal audio. Every time music starts my ears bleed.

[@curiouszquad]

Thank you! I will do that, I was wonder why it is always so loud lol

[@sglenn4076]

I agree. You have to fix your audio. It tears up the ears .

[@curiouszquad]

S Glenn absolutely, it’s a learning experience that I did not figure out to recently, so all my new uploads will be fixed! 😁

[@sglenn4076]

@@curiouszquad I hope you were not offended by my comment. But hey it's a learning curve we all have them. No place to go but up.

[@curiouszquad]

S Glenn not at all! 😁

[@jamesrucki4558]

Looks great overall but why do 9/10 dudes mess spacing up with boarding lol so many newly redone or conversions with a very odd board lol

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks, Learning curve.

[@ricardoantoniogonzalez9724]

Hey bro I suggest better editing

[@curiouszquad]

I’m learning. lol You want to do it?

[@MVPDabba]

“Didn’t film the tear down” which was exactly what I came here to watch 😂😂 oh well still watching

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks. Wish I did, it was fun!

[@visualaddictions906]

Had to stop watching half way through cuz of the music. Good try though.

[@curiouszquad]

We tried lol. We know now.

[@visualaddictions906]

@@curiouszquad I finished watching with the volume off, cuz I like the way you did your trailer. The music was just loud compared to you talking, I had to turn it down then up to hear you. I'll watch it again when I go to do my trailer. Thanks for sharing...

[@stickxxcummings]

Nice

[@curiouszquad]

Thanks!