When we tell people we travel out of a cargo trailer, they either think we’re broke or crazy. Maybe both. But once they step inside one of our cargo trailer conversion builds, their jaws usually drop—then come the questions:
“You built this yourself? How much did it cost?”
The answer? Less than half of what you’d pay for the most basic RV on the market. And yes, I’ve built and remodeled several — each one tailored for specific needs, each one far cheaper, tougher, and more flexible than any RV we’d ever own.
Right now, there’s a growing wave of interest in cargo trailer conversions. People are waking up to the fact that maybe—just maybe—they don’t need a 35-foot rolling apartment to travel or live on the road. Maybe they just need something simple, efficient, and built for them, not mass production.
Welcome to the world of cargo trailer conversions.
🚐 RVs: Fancy, Fragile, and Fast-Depreciating
Let’s talk RVs first.
We’ve owned one. It was shiny, comfortable, and packed with gadgets. But even though it was on the cheaper side, it still came with a list of headaches as long as the open road.
- Instant depreciation: The moment you drive off the lot, you lose thousands.
- Overpriced systems: You’re paying for branding and features you didn’t ask for.
- Maintenance nightmares: Something always breaks, and repairs are rarely simple.
- Storage and fuel costs: Big rigs equal big bills.
The RV felt less like freedom and more like dragging a glass castle around the country.
That’s when we discovered the potential of cargo trailers.
🛠️ The Blank Canvas You Didn’t Know You Needed
Cargo trailers don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. They’re just steel boxes on wheels—and that’s the beauty of it.
The first trailer I converted cost me $2,800. We threw in another $2,000 over a couple of months—insulation, basic electrical, solar panel to use with a Jackery, a bed platform, some custom cabinets, and a cassette toilet.
No slide-outs. No cheap plastic fixtures. No overpriced nonsense.
Just solid, functional space that worked for us.
Since then, we’ve built out a couple more, each one unique and comfortable—and all under $7,000 total. Compare that to the $20,000+ you’d need just to start shopping for an RV.
🌱 Simpler Living, Bigger Life
The biggest benefit isn’t even the price—it’s the mindset.
Living in a cargo trailer means:
- Every inch has a purpose.
- You carry what you need.
- You fix what breaks.
- You unplug from the RV rat race.
My setup includes a compact kitchen, below bed storage, portable solar panel and battery bank, and a cassette toilet. It’s all I need to be off-grid for weeks, with zero hook-ups and zero debt.
There’s no fluff—just freedom.
🌍 A Growing Community of DIY Builders
We’re not alone.
YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are full of folks doing the same thing—converting trailers to suit their lifestyles. Some are minimalists. Some are tech-lovers. Some are full-time digital nomads.
The common thread? They all got sick of the RV sales pitch.
And here’s the kicker: well-built cargo trailers hold their value. In some cases, they even appreciate, especially as more people look for affordable, mobile living options. We still have our initial cargo trailer build and I can guarantee we could get what we paid for it – but we’re not selling!
🧱 Durability Over Decoration
Cargo trailers are built to haul tools and machines over rough roads. They’re solid. They don’t come with flimsy walls or fragile plumbing. We’ve taken mine through snow, sand, wind, and heat without a single major issue.
- No leaky slide-outs.
- No cracked fiberglass.
- No sagging floors.
We build it tough, seal everything well, and use materials that last.
⚠️ Keeping It Real: What You Should Know
Cargo trailer conversions aren’t for everyone.
If you don’t enjoy building things or figuring out solutions, you might struggle. There’s a learning curve:
- Electrical systems (depending on what you need)
- Insulation
- Ventilation
- Plumbing (if you add it)
- Layout planning
- Towing safety
But if you’re the kind of person who likes building stuff that lasts, it’s one of the most rewarding projects you can take on.
🛤️ Final Thoughts: Freedom, Built Not Bought
We didn’t set out to become a cargo trailer evangelist. We just wanted to travel affordably without living in a fiberglass money pit.
But here we are—several builds, remodels, all debt-free, and loving life on the road more than ever.
So if you’re standing at the crossroads of RV ownership and DIY conversion, ask yourself:
Do you want a lifestyle or a liability?
A flashy RV that costs more than your car and breaks down every summer—or a lean, rugged trailer built just for you?
For us, the answer’s sitting in my driveway right now.
👇 Want to See a Build?
If you’re curious what a $5K trailer build looks like inside, check out THIS VIDEO on our initial build or THIS VIDEO on our current design. Make sure to like and subscribe to keep up with our ongoing adventures!
We’re in the process of updating our site, so stay tuned for lots of information on SOLO SUV CAMPING (with Cupcake), more cargo trailer conversions, our tiny cabin build in Tennessee, and more!
