Cargo Trailer 5x8 Overland Conversion - Cherokee XJ Content

[thatsagiven]

Got the other side of the roof eternabonded, Just need some lap sealant for the edges then decide how to best tackle the front and back. Waiting on some black lap sealant. (Dicor)

 

[thatsagiven]

Welp, not going to get anything done in this weather.


Time for some inside projects.

 

[thatsagiven]

Picked these up on FB Marketplace, they were removed from a trailer as an outdoor kitchen never used. Figured this might save me some work on the pull out kitchen I have been thinking of putting together. Not 100% sure if I am going to put that in the trailer or in the back of the jeep. It's part of the setup so It's on topic .

 

[thatsagiven]

Quick Vancouver trip (The big city) but was able to get some parts for the trailer. I was eyeing up a few awnings and found a brand new Smittybilt 6.5X6.5 awning for a deal. I recently got a bumper for the Cherokee from smittybilt and I am pretty happy with the quality and finish. These have good reviews online. Not 100% if I will end up using this on the Cherokee because of the size. Might move to a 270 or an 8 foot for the trailer eventually.

 

[thatsagiven]

Feb 20th

Started more work on the interior. Going with white finished mdf paneling for the walls with 1x3 trim all around. Should be pretty easy to keep clean. I have plastic trim for the floor and making sure the MDF paneling is up off the ground. Its so cheap there I am going to start with it and if I make some rough cuts I can start again.


I'm liking this! Now to cut another big hole!

 

[thatsagiven]

Tried with the jigsaw and the wall finished to see if that would make life easier than the first window. It didn't lol. Jig saw blades were too short and it wouldn't cut the ribs. Moved to the sawzall and grinder and pretty quickly I had a shape I was looking for.



The window I got is a little forgiving so not too worried about the bottom edge. I actually need to take a little more off there for it to fit.


Well this cut through three ribs of the trailer and there was really no way around it for this window size. Dredged it out and made a small wooden "window frame" in the wall edge and am screwing the window frame to the metal ribs so it should be strong, Plywood backing as well, we will see but it seems good and strong. I wont be putting anything heavy on the roof because of the height already. Might have a lightweight roof rack eventually but Ill make sure to support it on the full length ribs.






Installed and sealed, need a little more work on the inside but I have some rubber trim I am using I will put between the inner frame and the window.

 

[thatsagiven]

Feb 27th

Made some brackets, and attached them at some solid points for the awning



Really happy with this awning, the quality is great and it sets up really quickly.







Mosquito net is for an ARB but slides in and works. Only downfall is its for a slightly longer awning so it overhangs a little on each side.

 

[thatsagiven]

Got more of the interior complete. This wasn't really well planned out, but coming together as I go. Found some rubber sealant tape for bathtubs that could be used instead of caulking. It was perfect for the panel seams and has adhesive on both sides with a gap. Started sealing the panels and trim, realized that I might have to remove it for flooring but oh well. Starting to look livable.




Flooring test, got Some vinyl plank flooring, click together so its waterproof as possible. Still debating additional floor insulation.

 

[thatsagiven]

Feb 28th

Finally a warmer day. Decided to paint the barn door latch and hardware. -



The back doors are pretty rough, pretty rotted inside, time to tear these apart and do some insulating... lol.






Yeah these are pretty rotted the more I dig into them. Nevermind the messy garage, its my fault




Pretty bad rot at the bottom of the doors so remaking the frames for these. Reusing as much lumber as I can but cutting out all the bad.




One down, now for some insulation and you guessed it, more tuck tape. Love this stuff.



Lots of sanding the aluminum and some self-etching primer and paint and its starting to look a little better, new aluminum kick panels to cover most of the corrosion. Should be better at keeping out the cold/heat.

 

[thatsagiven]

Ill post more tomorrow, Almost caught up. Time for some sleep.

 

[thatsagiven]

One of the first new things I have purchased for the trailer, found this at a local Rv shop cheaper than I could online. Trying to find ways to make the trailer private and dark to sleep in with all the windows. The idea was to have a space that felt bigger inside and the windows do that. I will be getting pull down blackout shades with a clip for the other windows.

Here is the install of the Slim Shade.



Sold the old window to make a big chunk of this back. (Both white and black door windows sold) And awkward picture of me in the window lol.



The devil is in the details, I am liking how this looks. My RV window frame had some hairline cracks and was sun damaged. This new frame makes such a difference on something you interact with every time you use the trailer. The tint is nice as well, saves me from hours of swearing.



Its like I framed this picture on purpose!

 

[thatsagiven]

Working on insulating the floor, bit the bullet and happy I did. A few trial and error ways to get this started, needed to keep the plywood thinnish and lighter. Ended up with framing all sides and center supports that I didn't end up taking pictures of. Its a solid feel on all sides.







Got a little messy with the spray foam, but its coming along.



Tuct tape, come on guys, where is that sponsorship











Test fit of the flooring and what I will be looking at for margin of error, first time installing any flooring.

 

[thatsagiven]

Installing some pot lights! These are super low draw 12v pot lights from Amazon.



Got them all installed and wired and guess what ?!? They don't work. Not even one of them. Lol, should have tested them before and looked into getting replacements, apparently they were supposed to ship an LED controller that connects as well. Got some replacements from a local RV shop that I dont like as much, but they work. Might combine these housings with the new LED lights. We will see.



Cut four of these for all corners.



Like how these lights look installed.




These RV lights have a power switch on them so that could be handy for nights. I might consider this instead of the pot lights and send them back. I don't like the look as much.



Powered and lots of light, but those pot lights though. Form over function? lol the pot lights were only $25 shipped CDN.



If you have made it this far, let me know which you like better. Still on the fence. If I get a partial refund I might keep the housings and use them. A little choked overall.

 

[thatsagiven]

Back at the kitchen build, Still not 100% sure I will be mounting this in the trailer or the jeep but started work on the prototype. Hoping to make it lighter and shorter/smaller if I can over time. Wood is easy to build this for now, but I might take a different route in the future.

 

[andytruck]

I would have welded in a new steel frame around the window opening where you cut the ribs. I guess with plywood on such a small trailer it will not matter. Nice job. Are you going to put the leafs on top of the axle?