calicamper
Expedition Leader
Geeze your busy! Nice project that size trailer has been what I have figured to be ideal. So watching your build has been great. Thanks for sharing ?
5x10 Cargo Trailer Conversion
- Thread starter MateoDiego
- Start date
MateoDiego
Member
Thank you. We are glad you like it. And a few of you are finding all this of value. It is just about perfect for us. Unfortunately, work and life keep us from just forging ahead with all the plans and ideas. We will get there soon enough though.
Matt
MateoDiego
Member
It has been a couple weeks since we posted anything. Life (as usual) has been getting in the way of doing what we want to. We decided to tackle installing the side window a few weeks back. It has been completed for a while, but we did not post it here due to... life of course.
To create the hole for the window, we cut out a wood template that matches the hole size. We used the inside metal bezel to identify where screw holes were on the template. This would ensure we mounted the template and the cut the hole (and ultimately the window) in the right spot. We then used painters tape to protect the trailer skin on the outside and painted metal frame on the inside. We then drilled holes using the bezel on the inside and bolted the template to the wall of the trailer.
With the template in place we drilled a few pilot holes for our jig saw blade and started cutting. Once we cut about 90% of the hole we removed the template and cut the remaining areas by free hand. We then used a file and sandpaper to remove all the rough edges.
We used butyl to seal around the outer edge of the window frame before installing and screwing it into place. Unfortunately, we had measured the wall thickness with the planned wall covering in mind. This required us to cut out a temporary plywood bezel for the inside to insure that the window had a tight fit. Eventually there will be the interior wall covering and a nice bezel around the window.
We were a bit disappointed with the window itself. We ordered it off eBay a couple months back and when we finally really looked at it we realized that it was put together pretty cheaply and included no hardware. You get what you pay for, so next time we will keep that in mind and make sure to get a well reviewed window instead. All in all it does not leak and seems to work as expected. Only time will tell if it becomes a regret. We are happy to have the window installed. It along with the planned window in the door on the other side and the vent in the roof will allow for some good air flow inside.
Next up will be to get the water tank mounted in the back of the trailer. And maybe sneak in a camping trip somewhere.
More to come.
To create the hole for the window, we cut out a wood template that matches the hole size. We used the inside metal bezel to identify where screw holes were on the template. This would ensure we mounted the template and the cut the hole (and ultimately the window) in the right spot. We then used painters tape to protect the trailer skin on the outside and painted metal frame on the inside. We then drilled holes using the bezel on the inside and bolted the template to the wall of the trailer.
With the template in place we drilled a few pilot holes for our jig saw blade and started cutting. Once we cut about 90% of the hole we removed the template and cut the remaining areas by free hand. We then used a file and sandpaper to remove all the rough edges.
We used butyl to seal around the outer edge of the window frame before installing and screwing it into place. Unfortunately, we had measured the wall thickness with the planned wall covering in mind. This required us to cut out a temporary plywood bezel for the inside to insure that the window had a tight fit. Eventually there will be the interior wall covering and a nice bezel around the window.
We were a bit disappointed with the window itself. We ordered it off eBay a couple months back and when we finally really looked at it we realized that it was put together pretty cheaply and included no hardware. You get what you pay for, so next time we will keep that in mind and make sure to get a well reviewed window instead. All in all it does not leak and seems to work as expected. Only time will tell if it becomes a regret. We are happy to have the window installed. It along with the planned window in the door on the other side and the vent in the roof will allow for some good air flow inside.
Next up will be to get the water tank mounted in the back of the trailer. And maybe sneak in a camping trip somewhere.
More to come.
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MateoDiego
Member
Sorry about the abrupt halt to our postings of our build. Right after our last post, which was just over a year ago, the property that we had been renting was put up for sale. That resulted in the decision to move to Tucson from Phoenix. Long story short, a couple months of looking for the right property, closing on and moving to said property on the eastern edge of Tucson, followed by a couple months of improvements to the new (to us) house, followed by the new reality that is COVID-19 and a bunch more work at the place to make it secure and self sufficient with things like new fencing, rainwater harvesting, goats, chickens and garden. Needless to say almost nothing has been done to the trailer since. We have ordered several parts like a faucet, drain and other miscellaneous parts. We just ordered that final wheel and tire as a second spare for the trailer on Monday. While we expect to continue being busy working on our home projects we will be coming back to our trailer build out soon. The galley will be the primary focus as we do. We would also like to get the suspension upgraded. We need to take a break at some point and a camping trip sounds like it might fill that need nicely. Keep following us to see what comes next.
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