Cargo Trailer Conversion Build Episode #3 - Window Installation, Walls, and Dinette Seat Framing!

[@JamesMulkey-o2n]

Once again, I have to say ya'll have THE ABSOLUTE BEST "how to" video series on KZbin! The combination of skills, voice over, editing and outstanding planning puts you in a class by yourselves. In my initial comment I suggested I was still in the research stages but after watching your first two videos several times...there is a new 2023 7x7x16 cargo trailer in my driveway awaiting transformation! Unfortunately, I will be working alone and operating on a somewhat limited budget. This will slow me down a little but I'm in no hurry, I just haven't slept in 2 weeks!

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Wow James! Your comment really hits us in heart! 🙏🏻💙 Thank you SO much for your kindness and for continuing to join us on this journey! Editing is such a process and we strive for it to be the best quality that we can make it (not being professional video editors 🥴). It truly makes us grateful to have people like you tell us our videos are inspirational! OMG CONGRATS!!!🎉 It's a journey but it's so worth it in the end! 🥳 We totally understand the limited budget portion. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions and we'll always do the best we can to help! Where are you located? If we're traveling through the area, maybe we can stop by and lend a hand! lol Get some sleep! Can't wait to see your finished build! - Maranda & James

[@JamesMulkey-o2n]

@@homeiswheretheheartsare I really mean every word! Being able to watch a young couple take-on and master a project of this magnitude can't help but to be inspiring. It is so enjoyable to listen to a speaker who seemingly never says UH, well UH, jeez I'm just UH, UH, UH...a dimwit, UH. The voice over is a perfect blend of timing, pace, tone and diction. I could go on forever. I live just outside of Dothan, AL. If you guys are ever down this way (like headed to Panama City Beach) PLEASE let me know. It would be a meaningful memory to treat ya'll to lunch or such in Dothan! I'll drag "Boredom's Bane VII" with me to show you, my progress. JRM ial (idiot at large)

[@Cowracer67]

Hoo boy! That trailer ought to shake like a freezing wet dog going down the road with 39 gallons of water (almost 320 ponds!) behind the rear axle, along with all the other stuff you are putting back there. I hope you have some heavy stuff to put in the nose...

[@RoughRide]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@phantomxter]

Coming together nicely. Very important step making sure the window tape was smooshed. 😆👍✌️

[@michaelmitchell9612]

Suggestion; if you have to cut the frame again so you won't go to deep and cut the sheet metal skin again use a putty knife between the frame you're cutting and the sheet metal skin. You guys will love these windows. These type came on my RV. Even though there dark I also put mirror tint on all my windows and it made a hugh difference. YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!

[@mikeshuck2760]

It’s done now, but Was there a really good reason not to move window forward a few inches and only cut one vertical support? I hope your “tongue weight” is not off with the water tank at the rear, 39gals x 8.34lbs/gal=325.26lbs at the rear of the trailer.

[@mikesanzone9452]

Yay!!! I've been anxiously waiting for what you do next. This is great commentary explaining not only how but why. If anyone out there is considering a first build, please pay close attention to 'why' to avoid costly shortcut mistakes. I hope all is well and episode 4 is on its way. Roll on!!

[@JamesMulkey-o2n]

Hello Mike, my name is James with the comments above yours. I have in fact purchased a 7x7x16 new cargo trailer and will be heavily relying on Maranda and James's series of vids for my build. As someone who shares my enthusiasm for this outstanding source of successful techniques, are you in the building phase, or have a "completed" converted trailer.? Also, I'm not versed in social media etiquette, so I don't know if this is appropriate addressing someone on another's publication.

[@sarah_n_tank_girl]

I love watching your build! Awesome job with the window! Wall holes are daunting but not as daunting as roof holes...that's where I had issues on my second roof hole but got it fixed! I'm waiting for my teens to start adulting so I can go full time. Can't wait to catch you on the road one of these days!

[@billstoys8324]

@homeiswheretheheartsare Don't drive with water in that tank, preferably it should be empty. I used to drive a water tender for a fire department and you could feel the water push you around in the turns when it was not full. A trailer with the tank at the very back will be 10 times worse. You could have 300 lbs of water slamming back and forth causing major handling issues in turns as well as other times. Most travel trailers that I have seen always put the tanks in front of the axles or on top of them for stability. With your water tank full you are removing a lot of your tongue weight. Other than that you guys are doing a great job on your trailer. Excellent quality build and a great video.

[@Fightingbluebirdfarm]

Holy Cow! Amazing work and done with such care. I wish you would build one for me.

[@venture.explore.discover]

Looking great! Love how you explain everything you’re doing in detail! ❤

[@raifmt]

Looking forward to episode four.

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hi! Thank you for the views! Episode 4 is out and episode 5 is on its way! Make sure you're subscribed 🥳 - Maranda & James

[@TheKeith121212]

love your build im about to do the same. Please continue , we need more video,s .

[@x2zz2023]

So great to see you back! I actually found the music to be upbeat and fun :) You mentioned a neighbor and looks like you live in a home. Just curious - is this trailer conversion for recreational use only? Interesting either way, and I hope to learn more about your lifestyle and see the end result.

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hey there! Thanks for the kind comment! We had some personal/medical issues that prevented us from posting our episodes. But good news!! We're back in the swing of things! 🥳 Glad you thought the music was upbeat and fun - that's what we aim for! We did live in our home until July 2022 when we moved out and embarked on this journey. We now live full-time in our converted trailer with our cat, Freya! We will definitely be posting more about our lives living in the trailer but that will come after all our build episodes are posted! Don't forget to hit the notification button so you don't miss our future episodes! Thanks for watching! - Maranda & James

[@rvail136]

Master Cabinetmaker here. The only thing id have done differently is ro use Titebond III (a waterproof wood glue) to glue ALL of the wood parts together so when your wood screws eventuall vibrate out, you keep the integrity of the wood framing.

[@LocdnessMomster]

Are you adding drawers beneath the dining area or making it hinge for extra storage?

[@janicerflynn]

I'm curious, why did you add the plywood sheets back, and then put the underlayment sheets over that? Is it possible to just do the underlayment sheets instead of both? Thank you for the videos - it's very helpful to have detailed videos of amateurs and gives me hope.

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hey there, We had a few reasons for utilizing both the plywood and underlayment. 1. The underlayment was too thin to use by itself. 2. We didn't want to waste the wood paneling that came with the trailer but it was too rough to use for our final walling. 3. The wood paneling gave us a backing to brad nail the underlayment onto. We're glad we did keep/use the original wood paneling because it's been crucial when trying to secure things to the wall. It's added tons of support and it's also a bonus insulation layer. 😉 Thank you for the great question! Hope you embark on your conversion journey soon. Our new episodes are on their way so make sure you're subscribed! 🥳 - Maranda & James

[@fernandotarin]

Great built wanted to ask why did you put the fairings on the walls?

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hi Fernando, Thank you for watching & the kind compliment! We put the furring strips for a few different reasons. 1. The insulation we chose for our walls is 1.5 inches thick. The metal frame tubing that the cargo trailer was built with is only 1 inch thick. In order to secure our insulation fully, we needed to have at least 1.5 inches of depth for it to fit. 2. The furring strips allowed extra room for our electrical wiring so it didn't have too much friction and become overheated or exposed. 3. It also allowed for everything that needed to be secured to the walls (overhead cabinets, framing, mounts, etc.) to go into wood studs instead of having to use self-tapping metal screws to hang everything. Thanks for the great question! Make sure you're subscribed for new episodes coming soon 🥳 - Maranda & James

[@zebcokid2097]

Hi. You have me hanging! Where are the rest of the build videos? I see 3.

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hey there, We're sorry for time gaps! It's a beast to comb through 5 months of a build process and edit it down to 30 min episodes 😮‍💨 We really appreciate your patience and hanging on with us lol. We have episode 4 out and episode 5 is coming soon! Let us know if you have any questions we can answer in the meantime! - Maranda & James

[@billisnice]

Buy windows that fit between metal studs. 12" x 22" windows fit between the metal studs.

[@edtaylor6431]

I think you might regret putting your water tank in the rear of your trailer. The weight of the water plus the water movement while traveling will make the trailer want to wander behind you going down the road.

[@kpd3308]

Keep the background music soft. We want to hear you without being blasted by zany music. Thank you.

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hey kpd3308, Thanks for the feedback! Hope to adjust that in future episodes. Thanks for watching! - Maranda & James

[@jdma1520]

I’m guessing you figured this out eventually but a hand file cuts in only one direction. Opposite of how you were using it. (For future reference.)

[@jphooty1]

Your man seriously has no freaking clue 😂😂😂😂😂

[@foundwheels1939]

I think a big mistake you made is buying that water tank and avove all instilling it at the back of your trailer. For stability it should be as forward as possible as it is going to be heavy. Trailer stability is about balanced weight.

[@JayEs74]

Check your weight and balances. Water tank that far back from you center of gravity will have you jackknifing when full.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

👍

[@eugeneenslow8563]

Background music TOO LOUD 🥴

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hi Eugeneenslow8563, Thanks for the feedback! We'll definitely try to adjust that in future episodes. Thanks for watching! - Maranda & James

[@dennisthecarver]

Music is way too loud

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hi Dennis, We've adjusted music volumes in newer episodes but thank you for bringing this to our attention! Thanks for watching! - Maranda & James

[@jphooty1]

Oh and by the way. Judging what your putting in that trailer for wall layers you definitely going to be pushing trailor weight limits. Don't loos a tire

[@carolposey9687]

Your background music volume is too loud between your comments. I reduce the volume then miss part of the comment which is less. The choice of filler music is fine but I would rather not listen to anything. 6:51

[@NB-im6od]

Plz turn down the music

[@brianvandever143]

Don't quit your day job

[@homeiswheretheheartsare]

Hey Brian! Awh, so sorry you’re having a bad Friday ☹️ Hope it gets better for ya! Our next episode will be posted soon, make sure to tune in 😃 Thanks for the view! Happy Friday! James & Maranda

[@billstoys8324]

@@homeiswheretheheartsare You guys are doing a great job!!! Some people just love to give people a bad time.

[@douglaschilton1203]

Placing such a large water tank at the rear of the trailer could be problematic. That's nearly 350 lb of water. You need to make certain that you have enough weight forward and that you have enough tongue weight pressure or you will be subject, and all likelihood, to swaying and instability while driving.