Get inspired by these 7 smart cargo trailer camper conversions
Thinking about building a cargo trailer camper conversion?
With DIY cargo campers gaining popularity, there is no shortage of inspiration out there. These seven builds are the smartest we have featured. Each video shows how they are designed for durability, comfort and aesthetics, and every build includes a shopping guide for the most interesting items inside.
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What do these cargo trailer camper builds cost?
Build 1: 20x8 Wells Cargo tiny home
Total cost: under $7,000, completed in two weeks
Build 2: 6x12 Lightning aluminum off-grid camper
Total cost: approximately $16,000 CAD, fully off-grid with solar
Build 3: 7x16 modern farmhouse camper
Total cost: approximately $13,000, including the trailer and all materials, built over 2 years, Full bathroom with shower and king size bed in 112 sq. ft.
Build 4: 7x14 Anvil Scandinavian toy hauler
Total cost: $7,200 ($4,000 trailer plus $3,200 in materials)
Costs land all over the map because the trailer itself is only the starting point. Insulation, power and appliances drive the final number. For a full cost breakdown and comparison of DIY vs professional builders, read our guide to what cargo trailer camper builders cost.
How do cargo trailer campers stay powered off-grid?
Nearly every build on this list runs lights, fans, refrigeration, and heat without shore power. There are two proven ways to get there.
Component solar systems
Builds 2 and 6 use dedicated solar setups: panels, a charge controller, a battery bank and an inverter. Renogy is the brand we recommend for component systems. A 320W solar panel 2-pack, a Rover MPPT charge controller, a 12V 300Ah lithium iron phosphate battery and a pure sine wave inverter will run a full-size build indefinitely.
All-in-one power stations
For smaller builds or anyone who wants zero wiring, an EcoFlow power station handles everything in one box. The DELTA 3 Max (2048Wh) is the sweet spot for most cargo trailer campers.
Not sure which route fits your build? We break down the decision in detail in our guide to choosing your cargo trailer's power system.
Cargo trailer to tiny home for $7,000
This crafty couple took a 20x8 Wells Cargo trailer and turned it into a tiny home in just two weeks, for under $7,000. They had the cargo trailer spray foamed for insulation, then added reflective insulation on top of that. They also installed in-floor heating. Skip to 3:00 to start the tour and stay for the time lapse at the end for a start-to-finish build recap.
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EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic power station (1024Wh), the simplest way to run a 12v fridge like this one off-grid
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Get inspired by these 7 smart cargo trailer camper conversions
2. Skier’s stealthy off-grid cargo camper
Cedric Yves Denis is a freeskier who converted a cargo trailer into a super stealthy off-grid camper that he can park and live in almost anywhere. The interior is simple and functional with a converting couch bed, a wood stove, a spacious kitchen, removable table, and loads of storage. He even has a garage built into the back to house his ski gear and solar power system, plus more storage in the bed of his pickup truck. The trailer is a Lightning single axle, all-aluminum 12'x6' cargo trailer and the DIY conversion cost approximately $16,000 CAD all in.
His solar-plus-garage setup is the blueprint we point people to most. A component system like this starts with Renogy 320W solar panels wired through a Rover MPPT charge controller into a Renogy 12V 300Ah lithium battery. If roof shading is a concern where you park, Renogy's ShadowFlux anti-shading panels are built for exactly that problem. For a similar 6x12 footprint, see our 6x12 build guide.
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3. Modern farmhouse design in this cargo trailer camper
You won't believe the before and after of this cargo trailer conversion. Kristi is the voice behind Chatfield Court, a DIY design blog, and her skills really shine in this project. She took a 7x16 cargo trailer (112 sq. ft. in total) and converted it into a comfortable and cozy RV camper, complete with a shower, toilet and a king size bed. The whole build came in around $13,000 including the trailer and all materials, a fraction of what a comparable new RV costs. The interior design rivals any luxury modern RV or camper van, and even most hotels. This one is a must-watch.
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4. Scandinavian design in this cargo trailer camper conversion
This fantastic cargo camper conversion started as an empty 7x14 Anvil cargo trailer with 7 ft interior height. The builder's goal was a toy hauler with a shower and enough room to be comfortable on vacation. It is packed with features but still lightweight enough to tow with a 2018 Toyota Tacoma V6. The starting weight was 2,160 lbs empty and the full build added only 760 pounds for a total build-out weight of 2,920 lbs. He paid $4,000 for the trailer and spent $3,200 on materials for a total cost of $7,200. We are so impressed with the efficient design and functionality of this build. Planning a similar footprint? Our 7x14 build guide covers every part that fits.
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5. The most unique sleeping setup in a cargo trailer camper, ever
Michael takes cargo trailer camper functionality to another level in this build. We love all of the smart, hidden storage, and the bed "fort" underneath the living area is really interesting. The comments on this video say it all: "I love nearly everything about that conversion. The shower is pure genius, and the crypt would be amazing as long as I could have a fan in there. Truly awesome build. I think it's one of my favorites I've seen." Watch, and be inspired.
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EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max (2048Wh), the power station we recommend for running an induction cooktop like this one off-grid
6. Spacious cargo trailer conversion with thoughtful details
Brian Rogers shows an incredible level of skill and design with this cargo trailer camper build. He starts with a 2007 8x16 Pace cargo trailer and converts it to a camper and toy hauler with most amenities found in a luxury RV. Featuring a drop down bed and full shower and bath, there are a ton of smart ideas to borrow from this build. His electrical system is one of the most complete we have featured. Pair a power center like his with a Renogy pure sine wave inverter and a lithium battery bank and you have true RV-grade power in a cargo trailer.
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7. Cargo trailer camper design for travel with dogs
No matter how big your pack, this build proves that cargo trailer camper conversions can be for you. Jake from Nomadic Jake on YouTube and Nicoll who runs @livingtinywithawolf on Instagram are two really inspiring builders. They have made this cargo trailer into a cozy home for themselves and their three dogs. It has all the bells and whistles including heat, AC, hot water and tons of storage. Running AC and hot water off-grid takes serious capacity; the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra (3072Wh) is the all-in-one unit sized for a build like this. For more on keeping pets comfortable in every season, see our guides to heating your cargo trailer camper and keeping it cool in the heat.
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Ready to start your own build?
These seven builds prove the range of what a cargo trailer can become, from a $7,000 two-week tiny home to a fully off-grid basecamp. If you take one thing from this list, make it this: the builds that work best all solved power, insulation and ventilation first, then made them beautiful.
Start with our ultimate guide to cargo trailer camper conversions, browse 85+ build ideas, and if you would rather have a professional build it, our vetted builder directory is the short list we would use ourselves.
Thanks for checking out these inspiring builds! Let us know which one was your favorite in the comments below.
