For sale: 2020 Continental tailwind 5 x 10 cargo trailer that has been fully converted into a 4-person camper trailer.
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Asking price: $17,500 CAD (13,000 USD)
As the majority of people selling on here, hate to see it go, and absolutely loved this camper setup as it worked incredibly well for what I designed it for. Came to a turning point in life where the reality of taking the family on a multi-week road trip or boondocking is not feasible for another 3-5 years. Combined with the fact that we just bought a new house, it makes more logical sense to sell and regroup with a less capable setup focused on the weekend warrior level of need.
2020 Continental tailwind 5 x 10 cargo trailer
dry weight - 960lbs
single axel (3500lbs) - leaf spring
15" tires - no brakes
4 pin trailer plug
I bought the trailer brand new from a dealer in March 2021, and the following modifications were completed directly by the manufacturer when the trailer was built:
I completed the remaining build-out and conversation myself. This included fully designing the layout using 3D modeling software to provide the most efficient use of space and to have a functional layout. The build is captured in a build thread I created for the trailer you can view it for further details. The focus of the design and build was to provide a trailer that provides everything you need and has nothing you do not need. Additionally, the focus was to provide a multi-purpose trailer that is robust, strong, and durable. Offering the ability to be comfortable in both cold and hot extremes temperatures and conditions. To keep the overall weight down, but be comfortable in extreme rainstorms/snowstorms, etc. Additionally, when possible, get products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Upgrades to the trailer include:
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Asking price: $17,500 CAD (13,000 USD)
As the majority of people selling on here, hate to see it go, and absolutely loved this camper setup as it worked incredibly well for what I designed it for. Came to a turning point in life where the reality of taking the family on a multi-week road trip or boondocking is not feasible for another 3-5 years. Combined with the fact that we just bought a new house, it makes more logical sense to sell and regroup with a less capable setup focused on the weekend warrior level of need.
2020 Continental tailwind 5 x 10 cargo trailer
dry weight - 960lbs
single axel (3500lbs) - leaf spring
15" tires - no brakes
4 pin trailer plug
I bought the trailer brand new from a dealer in March 2021, and the following modifications were completed directly by the manufacturer when the trailer was built:
- side door with camper door handle and lock (able to lock and unlock from inside)
- side window (on driver's side) that slides open and bug screen - framing reinforced to support the window cutout
- roof vent with bug screen
- stabilizer jacks on the rear
I completed the remaining build-out and conversation myself. This included fully designing the layout using 3D modeling software to provide the most efficient use of space and to have a functional layout. The build is captured in a build thread I created for the trailer you can view it for further details. The focus of the design and build was to provide a trailer that provides everything you need and has nothing you do not need. Additionally, the focus was to provide a multi-purpose trailer that is robust, strong, and durable. Offering the ability to be comfortable in both cold and hot extremes temperatures and conditions. To keep the overall weight down, but be comfortable in extreme rainstorms/snowstorms, etc. Additionally, when possible, get products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Upgrades to the trailer include:
- Fully insulated the 3 sides and roof with 2" wool insulation
- wool naturally wicks moisture and is mold/mildew resistance
- wool is a natural fire retardant (foam insulation is extremely flammable)
- wool is environmentally friendly - no chemicals or by-products. No off-gassing
- R-value is comparable to or better than the alternatives (foam, etc.)
- Birch plywood on the sides and roof to provide a more aesthetic look - Also, it allows moisture to breathe i (compared to vinyl)
- Exterior covered with an outdoor UV protection paint product that is natural and water base (low VCO) and is flexible.
- Reduces heat with direct sunlight on the trailer - improvement was huge
- provides further water and moisture protection with an added layer of waterproofing around the joints and seams that flexes with movement (thermal expansion, etc.)
- Custom paint job on the front of an 'orca' (full credit for the wife on this artwork!)
- Alu Cab 270-degree (free standing ) shadow awning - provides 108 square feet of standing area protected from the elements
- https://www.alu-cab.com/product/270-shadow-awning/
- top of the line awning- aluminum and corrosion resistant
- acrylic impregnated, with a heat reflection silver coating on one side (this really makes a big difference)
- Dedicated outside cooking gallery on the side of the trailer - fully protected and standing height under the awning (I am 6' 2" and I have plenty of headroom)
- utility box mounted sideways - when open, provides an 18" x 48" countertop to cook and prepare food - inside stores the propane tank, stove, cooking utensils and pots/pans, etc.
- Fridge is located on a locking rolling system - when pulled out, is directly in line with the side countertop
- Fridge is a Dometic Cfx3 model for being the most energy-efficient fridge available - https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoor/coolers/electric-coolers/dometic-cfx3-55im-220584
- the front 3 feet space of the trailer was turned into a multi-purpose storage system, with shelves, slides for the fridge, a pull drawer for dry foods, and 2 multi-purpose plastic bins that can be pulled out.
- bottom shelf is for the heater, fuel storage, and heavy items storage - opening allows for long items to fit from end to end of the trailer (e.g. kayaks, canoes and SUP, etc.)
- middle 2 shelf is for clothes, gear, shoes, misc. storage
- top shelf is to provide storage for sleeping bags, sheets, blankets, pillows, and a rolled-up double air mattress. a double-wide air mattress fits perfectly on the top shelf.
- Sleeping/cargo area:
- The trailer innovated design aloud for easy adjustments to have the following setups:
- completely open - 5' wide x 7' long x 5' tall - fully open to being a normal cargo/utility trailer - it will fit an ATV. This was designed to fit 4 full-size mountain bikes with ease so they are protected from the elements and out of sight and not seen
- If doing yard work or local runs - planks can be removed from the trailer and stored outside.
- If camping - planks can be stored to the side in the trailer, and still have plenty of space
- Main bed setup (perfect for 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids) - 3 separate planks spread from side to side placed on the lower railing. This places the bed at the perfect height for sleeping, getting in and out, and allows for storage underneath.
- Bunk bed setup (perfect for 2 adults and 2 kids) - 3 separate planks spread from side to side placed on the higher railing. This creates a 'bunk bed' with kids sleeping directly on the floor on a double airbed and the 2 adults on the top bunk.
- Table -
- 2 small planks on the lower railing and the middle larger plank on the higher railing - creates a dinette bench for 4 people to sit comfortably (again, I am 6' 2" and my head does not hit the ceiling)
- 1 small plank on the lower railing and the larger plank on he higher railing - creates a 2 or 3-person bench and a table to sit out, and creates more open space.
- couch - all 3 planks on the lower railing, with 2 of the planks on top of each other - then, like a futon bed, fold the mattress so half is on the door and the other half on the planks.
- completely open - 5' wide x 7' long x 5' tall - fully open to being a normal cargo/utility trailer - it will fit an ATV. This was designed to fit 4 full-size mountain bikes with ease so they are protected from the elements and out of sight and not seen
- The railings are 3/4" x 4" solid oak - bolted directly to the steel frame
- the 3 planks are made from 3/4" birch plywood with 3/4" by 2" oak ribs which provides additional reinforcement
- The bunk bed easily has the capacity to handle 800-1000 lbs (2 adults and 2 kids and 1 dog have all been sitting on the bed set up and there was no concern at all about it's capacity
- The trailer innovated design aloud for easy adjustments to have the following setups:
- Heater -
- Installed a diesel heater (bought from Amazon.ca) permanently installed on the bottom shelf of the storage
- Fuel tank is a unique solution - instead of a permanently installed tank (exposure to the sun and rain outside and fire hazard inside) - I used a marine fuel tank and made a disconnect/connect solution from the heater and fuel tank This allows for the heater to travel inside the trailer in transit. then the fuel tank is located on the tongue when setup for camp to safely operate the heater. This also allows for the fuel tank to be stored at home during the hot months when you do not need a heater - to provide additional space and remove the hazard of carrying fuel.
- Installed a diesel heater (bought from Amazon.ca) permanently installed on the bottom shelf of the storage
- Electricity -
- this is the one area that needs attention - I did purchase a Jackery 240 power station and a jackery 100w solar panel. For weekend trips, this barely gets the job done and requires a larger battery setup/system. After using the trailer for 2 years, the jackery 100 pro with 2 - 80 amp solar panels would likely be the ideal solution.
- The jackery and solar panel are not included in the sale but can be negotiated
- I installed a 12v inverter in the trailer with an extension cord installed. During transit, this is connected to a cigarette lighter outlet in the car, and the jackery and the fridge are connected to the 120v outlets to keep the food cool and to charge the battery. this is purely a functional and cheap solution.
- The trailer interior lights (x2) are wired to a 12v plug - which can be connected to the jackery. I never use these to save power and instead use headlamps and rechargeable lanterns as those are easier to use with the kids and everything.
- this is the one area that needs attention - I did purchase a Jackery 240 power station and a jackery 100w solar panel. For weekend trips, this barely gets the job done and requires a larger battery setup/system. After using the trailer for 2 years, the jackery 100 pro with 2 - 80 amp solar panels would likely be the ideal solution.
- Water - I purposely did not plumb in water tanks and gray tanks and lines. This was to avoid water damage that is hidden. Risk of freezing tanks/pipes during cold weather. and provides the flexibility of using the trailer for camping or as a cargo trailer with ease. Also, did not want to install a water tank on the bottom of the trailer that is at risk of getting punctured.
- I used 2 - 5 gallon plastic containers for primary storage - and 1 2.5 gallon for use that fits perfectly in the kitchen box on the side of the trailer
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