DIY Cargo Trailer Conversion | How to Run Electrical & Installing Insulation

For today's video, we kept working at converting the Cargo Trailer into a full fledged Toy Hauler, Sleeping Quarters and BBQ Trailer! For this part, we took out all of the interior walls, installed insulation to help regulate temperature within the trailer, and got to work doing the first phase of running electrical throughout the walls for all of our lights and outlets.
#swinelife #diy #cargotrailer
Connect with Swine Life BBQ:
swinelifebbq.com/
KZbin - / swinelifebbq
Facebook - / swinelifebbq
Instagram - / swinelifebbq
Twitter - / swinelifebbq
TikTok - / swinelifebbq

[@thisoldbelair]

This is a sweet build Mark! Can’t wait to see it done 🤙

[@bobbygay5015]

This is awesome Mark! Definitely helpful for when I build a new comp trailer out. Very much appreciated.

[@SimplisticsBBQ]

Trailer looks awesome mark. Great planning on the build.

[@dennisfant2620]

I'm buying a 6x12 and I'm fixing to do this setup here. Great info on the wire run..

[@alans6767]

That is one heck of a project, looking good so far.

[@kellenwhite4590]

Awesome Mark, love this series dude👍🔥👍

[@judgewepbbq]

Great behind-the-scenes...that trailer gonna be primo! 👀🤘

[@RolandoWitherington-pv2fm]

This was an exact replacement for the old one that lasted about 10 years. kzbin.infoUgkx7yWIKcrbA9KMHkGSfcgxW2lsjHT6B8Sh The top of my mitigation tube by my roofline was just a 90 elbow which allowed too much debris to fall down into the fan, eventually ruining it. Without this issue, I bet it would have kept running another 10 years. When I replaced this fan, I added an extra elbow joint so the top tube now it does a 180, which should solve that problem. The radon guys around here wanted to charge me a $300 diagnostic fee, then parts/labor (probably close to $600 total). I installed this all by myself in about an hour for the cost of the fan; it would probably be even easier/faster with two people. FYI the manufacturer's warranty greatly differs depending on whether you install it yourself (1 yr warranty) or have a licensed installer do it (10 yrs).

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

We had one in our older trailer. Was never really happy with it. But it could have been just the heater it self.

[@MichaelRei99]

I like this a lot! I am very interested in possibly doing this for myself some day!!

[@KarateSensei71]

I had no intention of ever doing this....and then I watched this video. I might have to now! Very cool.

[@timbunt8092]

Awesome, Brother. Thanks for sharing.

[@darrinwilliams2013]

I love your video. Thank you for breaking it down. Sure do miss Mississippi. In Utah now. No humidity but it's sooooo cold and then sooooo hot.

[@24kachina]

Wow, this is gonna be a kick ass, super functional trailer! Curious how much it will end up weighing. Nice work.

[@garytingler3222]

That is nice job on the trailer.

[@dbutler27]

Thanks for sharing, i am slowly in the process of doing the same to an 8.5x18 trailer.

[@raymondmarshall1891]

Well done. Thank you.

[@Zepper-xs6bu]

Hell yeah Mark! Looks amazing. Should be going places 1000x easier!

[@rickytecon5726]

Thanks. This helped me out I'm re insulating and changing out interior walls on an all-aluminum trailer. It was getting too hot on the inside. It came with Styrofoam insulation.(useless). It was a hot box in the sun and wet box in cool humid weather.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Glad it helped!

[@patrickgosselin9756]

BBQ and building trailers. you sir are my people

[@williamrandall6472]

I wish I could see more of what's you did here,I am currently trying as a novice,to do the same thing to my new cargo trailer

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I am going to try and get a overview video knocked out pretty soon. Go over things we love and things we would change.

[@williamrandall6472]

@@SwineLifeBBQ that would be awesome

[@dbutler27]

Mark, any updates on your trailer build? I am about 80% done with mine, and was looking to see if anything new had been done with yours.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Man I need to finish the video bad. Everything is done with the trailer. We have prolly put close to 7,000 miles and many nights in it traveling. It’s been great. Wish I would have went a different route in flirting but other than that it has been great.

[@txladywolf01]

@@SwineLifeBBQ I was looking for your trailer updates. I have a cargo v neck drop down trailer. Im getting ideas

[@richardcampbell8685]

How convenient I just bought the same trailer in black. 😂

[@jodydavis3531]

Really enjoying these videos! Do you hope to have it ready by Galax? If so I’d love to come by and see it?

[@bigronsrub]

Great video. Link to the exterior lights please?

[@jamiet9254]

Great video, I need to insulate the ceiling in my trailer. Are you guys coming back up to Galax this year? Gotta defend that GC!

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I wish we were. We actually booked a Colorado trip that week and that’s where the trailer has to be ready lol.

[@govnationnetwork]

What gang boxes for plugs did you use?

[@justinturnbull4006]

Awesome start to your build... Do you have any new videos on the updates?

[@BulletBroker]

Sweet build bro, ha weird enough but my name is Mark Williams and I live in MS.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

That makes at least 2 great people then! Thanks!

[@brandonwalmsley1863]

I’m digging the beard!!

[@medeiros3610]

Thanks

[@BlueLuvbby]

❤❤❤❤ ty

[@rastiarjaff7347]

How did you hanged insulation ? With screws or what please ? Do you painted the trailer with elastomeric paint or no need ? Thank you Sir

[@scrogathon]

Hey man, any updates on this build? I'm currently planning / acquiring parts for a 7x19 build and would love to get some more tips from you.

[@lucasfairbanks]

Have you had issues with condensation in the winter where the metal studs are?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

None at all. I keep the heat on and exhaust fan running to keep air moving with no issues. We had a couple weeks last year that were in the single digits and you only could feel the cold transfer in some places but still kept the trailer in the 70’s.

[@laurasolis1906]

hey there mark! ive got a question, where can i do this project myself? not sure where to place my trailer while i do work on it. would mean a lot for some advice (honestly from anyone who has experience)

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I set up outside the garage but I know that is not always an option. It sucked having to cleanup every night but that’s part of it. I know serval that would pull the trailer to their local hardware and just start a tab each day for stuff needed and work on it in the parking lot lol. Gotta do what you gotta do.

[@rustyluker4026]

Do you know what outlets and boxes you used? Looks like yours sit flush to the wall with only the 1" of space.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Correct. I used the shallow boxes. It sucked getting the wires in them but do mount flush in 1” walls.

[@TheAmericanWanderer]

Nice Job.... I am in the process of converting an 8x16 v-nose cargo trailer into an RV and Mobile Sign Shop. I am just starting the walls and cabinet construction. I just sold a 15-passenger shuttle bus that I lived in for 3 years and traveled out west during the winters. I had to sell the shuttle bus because I purchased a large format color printer to make contour cut decals/stickers, koozies, t-shirts, magnetics, banners, mousepads, etc. The large format color printer would have taken up a lot of storage space so I needed to get something bigger. I did a complete conversion series on the shuttle bus from the ground up and now am doing a new series on the cargo trailer conversion. They are on my YT channel.

[@james7705]

How do you deal with condensation? I put the same insulation in my trailer, and I waited a few weeks before adding ceiling panels back and when I did i noticed water droplets between my aluminum skin and the insulation. its been cold at night and warms up in the day. I get it , its like a big soda can thats sweating. Any ideas or help?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I have not noticed any condensation yet. I keep my bathroom fan running and my roof top unit has a dehumidifier setting that I run when it’s not in use. So far so good. I will definitely keep an eye on it tho.

[@bobbystites811]

Do a video on the trim molding

[@CourtneyUglow]

Yes what type of molding did you use to hide the wiring? Tia.

[@hausrx]

im curious which BLUE electrical boxes you went with ,I see no links to click on, thin walls nee shallow boxes, its so hard to find the OLD SCHOOL single wide trailer boxes, like the 14ft x 64ft singleWIDE trailer i live in

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

These came from Lowe’s. Just shallow boxes. It still was tight but worked.

[@willielemosse3661]

Link for the exterior lights from Amazon please!

[@terrybrown5883]

I see you used 150 pink foam I saw 250 pink foam Do you know what the difference is

[@cisconava7723]

Mark did you finish the trailer I was looking forward to seeing updates on it.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

It’s 90% done. Going to knock out the video asap.

[@scrogathon]

Get knocking! Lol ​@@SwineLifeBBQ

[@jasonnorris3001]

Looking right bro

[@luisdanielization]

You have the link for 10" exterior cargo trailer light

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Won’t let me post the link but this is the description 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 384 Reviews Raycharm 13" RV Exterior LED Work Scene Light Fixture, 40° Down Angle Flood Beam, 6000K Cool-White Super Bright, 12V/24V DC, High Lumen Output Low Current Draw, Aluminum Housing Black Finish, 1-Pack

[@JBLynch]

So, your cargo trailer is considerably larger than the 6x10 I'm getting. Can you give me an estimate of how much insulation I might need for a trailer that is 16" OC?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Just guess but I would say around 12 sheets. That would do the walls and ceiling. Not the floor.

[@JBLynch]

@@SwineLifeBBQ That should work. Wasn't planning on doing the floor anyway.

[@m.j.v.4831]

Why would you fish the 120 wire in this stage of the process? Why not do it earlier?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Why would you do it earlier? Can’t have it behind the insulation. This was very early in the build.

[@runwildchannel550]

Did you insulate the floor?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I did not. If I ever do it will be spray foam from underneath. I do keep a heavy mat and rug down most of the time but have not had any issues.

[@jrhodes843]

Do you happen to have the link for the outside lights?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I will look. They were an Amazon special.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Won’t let me post the link but this is the description 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 384 Reviews Raycharm 13" RV Exterior LED Work Scene Light Fixture, 40° Down Angle Flood Beam, 6000K Cool-White Super Bright, 12V/24V DC, High Lumen Output Low Current Draw, Aluminum Housing Black Finish, 1-Pack

[@jrhodes843]

Thank you!!

[@BrandonPeccoralo]

Update, update! Please

[@davidwestcott5643]

May have missed it.. what cargo trailer manufacturer built the trailer?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

The trailer it self was from Nation Craft.

[@garrettdunkelberger1455]

Will you be finishing this series?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I have the footage. Just got to get busy lol

[@lavertusara]

Came to ask same thing😂

[@chetbarney6635]

Any updates on this build?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

I need to do the wrap up video but just haven’t had a chance honestly. I plan on at least a walk through and upgrade version soon.

[@izifaddag8221]

You made the same mistake I did with the insulation and wall boards. Maybe it isn't important to you. Although I am based in Mississippi too and the hot and cold are a pain. If I had to do it again I would add a second sheet of insulation, 1/2" thick if I could find it, to lay over the steel ribs. Then I would add new wall wood, probably OSB, then I would add the 1/8" ply. I used the original 3/8ths back up and that stuff is garbage. The problem is that the steel ribs / framing acts like a heat sink. In summer for instance the heat beats on the wall and the ribs get red hot. Then that heat is directly transferred to the inside. There are times I run my hand over the wall feel very hot spots at 16 on center all along the wall. My poor AC unit can't overcome it. When it hits 90 I am struggling. I live in mine permanently so it is going to be hard to pull everything out and start again but I wish I had 3 years ago.

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

It definitely would be better but I haven’t had any issues so far. The AC I purchased seems to keep up really well. We have stayed in the trailer near 100 degrees with no issues and can keep trailer 65. Just got back from Indiana and it was near zero and was very comfortable. But you are correct and it would be better with more insulation in places. The only thing I wish I would have done is spray foamed under the floor.

[@izifaddag8221]

@@SwineLifeBBQ I hear you. I am glad that your AC can overcome the problem I mentioned. I use a 5k btu wall unit from Walmart. I have it plumbed in. It works quite well within reason. It was 1f up around the Tupelo area, where I am, but I was just fine. In fact I barely used my Buddy heater. Just an electric space heater. The hot is the problem. I am in the middle of much more improvements etc so I am thinking of completely redoing my AC and going to 6k btu. Might as well get everything done before next spring when I shall head to Montana or Colorado again to try to beat the heat for the season. As you I did not bother with the floor. It can get nippy in the winter but slippers and the odd throw rug works wonders.

[@jaypremium9605]

I was looking for a comment like this. I asked “what about the thermal bridge in the metal studs?”. The AC unit may be able to handle it but it could be significantly more efficiently with breaking the thermal bridge with another layer of insulation to cut that heat transfer.

[@josephkonzen6756]

What a/c unit did you use?

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

The recpro 13.5 low profile. It is super quiet and works great

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

www.recpro.com/rv-air-conditioner-low-profile-13-5k-quiet-ac-with-heat-pump-remote-non-ducted/

[@rfunder12]

no other videos to finish this series ? :(

[@willwalker5594]

Where you in Mississippi

[@TyresTatum]

I love the video! I need to a travel trailer for my cookers so I can transport multiple cookers at once! Give our videos a watch if you’d like

[@onedelish]

Hey

[@chopperbristow]

Mate what happened to the build videos?

[@pauldessureau9600]

Your wiring isn't up to code and you shouldn't run and 120 or 240 v circuits without that even in a trailer. Simple fix is run the wires inside conduit or flex conduit. Plastic is cheap about $1 per foot. If someone put a nail or screw in the wall or you pinch wires you can shock someone or burn the trailer down

[@SwineLifeBBQ]

Haha! Up to code? May not be but it’s light years better than 90% of Rv manufacturers. That plastic conduit ain’t gonna stop and nail or screw either. You about 3 year too late. Might burn down tonight but has been the best trailer I have ever owned.