Overlander Update: Cargo Trailer Conversion Part 2

Here is the progress we have made so far. This is not a build video in the sense of me showing you how to do it. There are loads (greatly appreciated) videos out there doing that. I am just showing what I did and hope that it provides some inspiration like so many in the Cargo Trailer Conversion fraternity have done. Enjoy!
Video on the battery box and heater (as well as our composting toilet set up): • Overlander Update 9-5-21

[@sarah_n_tank_girl]

I'm loving all the work on this build and the interior looks amazing...but that tool chest is ingenious!!! I might have to steal that for my galley kitchen! And there is no such thing as overkill when you are dragging these trailers all over 4x4 roads-your putting your unit through a earthquake every time! I redid my fridge slide three times before it stopped breaking on me...washboard roads are vicious! Get a nice piece of sturdy foam to stick between your cooktop and the fridge, it will hold the cooktop in place and provide a little insulation for the fridge as well 🙂

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks. Wife did the pretty stuff. :) We are really happy with it. I purposefully overbuilt the fridge slide just for washboard roads.

[@mileshenderson3962]

One of my favorite videos of all time!!!!!

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks! It has been a fun project. Be glad to get it done though. It is time to go fishing!

[@duncdunc76]

Pretty cool trailer with some great ideas👍 Buying that tool chest for the kitchen drawers is smart with the price of wood. One thought I had is if your needing some more head room for your awnings and your rear overhead door, you could actually lift the camper a bit more through a suspension upgrade or block/shackle lift if you have leaf springs, that might give ya 2 or 3 more inches of headroom.

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks! It has a torsion axel. Not sure what I could do under there. It is a pretty good height for me and I took out the middle strut in the door and that helped. But anyone taller than me will have to duck! :). My wife is shorter than me so that is good too. But something to think of!

[@stvwalden1]

Great job!

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks!

[@klumsytone]

I have an idea for the door. Install blocking between the door studs, and move that center strut the either and left or right side. And purchase an additional strut to place at either end. So 2 struts per side.

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

That may be a long term solution. For now those little clips worked great on our maiden voyage. Thanks for watching!

[@eduardojimenez8314]

VERY COOL !

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks! Glad you like it!

[@Rick-qf5de]

The guy up the road bought a cargo trailer, actually rent to own. He put in two sets of bunk beds, refrigerator microwave and a window air conditioner. Rent to own. He has three Mexican girls living in it, they go off grid every weekend and sometimes for a whole week or two. He seems like a very happy man. And planning on letting it all go back and get everything new again next year. I've got everything picked out and I'm going to do the same .... but I think I'll only need two Mexican girls.... ??? 😮.

[@Rick-qf5de]

A wise man once said why spend your time and money beating and banging on a cargo trailer, when you could be thoroughly enjoying yourself......

[@paulcurtis5496]

love the progress, I'm not sure how you're going to adjust to the hobbit level ceiling. I guess you won't be "living" in it though.

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Ultimately it ends up being a sleeping cabin, and the awnings are the key.

[@davidroads419]

Eliminate that center strut, get heavier and longer side struts and move the bottom of them down the frame. Nicely rounded brackets will change your whole outlook! I've never seen struts installed like those are. Nice build, thanks for posting and keep us updated when you can! Got a link to the sliders you used for the fridge?

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Thanks for watching! Yeah I got rid of that strut. I bought it that way. Looking around for some stronger longer ones. But for the time being I got some lift support clamps that hold it up nicely. Here is the link for the sliders: www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKS52LB?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@davidroads419]

@@northerntribeoutdoors5938 Thanks, I'm building a cargo conversion now and looking for proven parts.

[@paulcurtis5496]

cut that middle strut mount flush and remount the strut so that it is recessed into that 1" gap, might as well do that with all 3. But honestly, upgrade the outside struts and ditch the middle one.

[@northerntribeoutdoors5938]

Look at part three! :)

[@Rick-qf5de]

​@@northerntribeoutdoors5938 them struts won't hold the weight in the winter time, I'm speaking from experience, cold weather, I had to upgrade mine three times and I still don't trust them, and they need to be replaced again.....