Cargo trailer camper builders: Who they are and what they cost
If you're searching for a company to build a cargo trailer camper for you, those businesses exist. A handful of shops in the U.S. take a plain cargo trailer and convert it into a livable camper (sleeping area, kitchen, insulation, electrical system) built to your specs. Some also sell readymade models if you'd rather skip the design process.
But before you contact anyone, you should know the price range. Professional conversions typically run $35,000 to $135,000 all-in, trailer included, depending on size and what you want inside. If that fits your budget, the builders below are worth a look. If that range is beyond what you would like to spend, skip ahead to the section on what doing it yourself actually costs.
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What is a cargo trailer camper?
A cargo trailer camper is an enclosed cargo trailer converted into a livable camper. You start with a standard cargo trailer shell (walls, roof, floor, and doors already in place) and add insulation, interior walls, a sleeping setup, a kitchen, and a 12V electrical system. That's a low-voltage DC power setup (safer and simpler to work with than the AC wiring in your house) that runs your lights, fridge, fans, and USB ports.
Some builds include a bathroom. Most run on solar and battery. A few include a propane furnace or stovetop.
Professionally built conversions start around $30,000 for a basic interior and go well past $120,000 for a premium, fully off-grid setup. You add the trailer cost on top: $5,000-$15,000, depending on size and condition.
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Cargo trailer camper builders: Who they are and what they cost
Companies that build custom cargo trailer campers
These are the main builders doing this work in the U.S. as of 2026. Explore the full Cargo Trailer Camper Builder Directory.
CTConversion
CTConversion builds custom cargo trailer conversions one at a time. You work with them on the layout, they handle the full build. Their story is familiar to a lot of people in this space: they looked at factory toy haulers, decided the markup wasn't worth it, and built exactly what they wanted from scratch. Now they do that for customers.
Pricing isn't listed publicly. You'll need to contact them with your trailer size and what you want inside to get a real number. That's pretty standard for a shop doing one-off custom work. Click here to visit CTConversion for more info and send a request through their contact formhere.
NüAbode
NüAbode offers two sizes (7'x14' and 8.5'x16'), starting at $58,900. They've partnered with Rock Solid Cargo Trailers and build for both on-grid and off-grid use. The off-grid package adds solar panels, a battery bank, and a water filtration system. Optional upgrades include a 3-inch lift kit, off-road tires, and Starlink for connectivity in remote areas.
Worth knowing: NüAbode also sells DIY build-out components separately. You can pick up their cabinetry, bed base, and couch frame individually if you want to start with a prepped shell and finish the interior yourself. Click here to visit NüAbode for more info and send a request through their contact form here.
Emery Custom Builds
Emery posts the most transparent pricing of the builders I found:
Basic build: $30,000-$50,000 (add $5,000-$15,000 for the trailer)
Premium build: $80,000-$120,000+ (add $5,000-$15,000 for the trailer)
Common sizes they work with are 6'x12' (72 sq ft), 7'x14' (98 sq ft), and 7'x16' (112 sq ft). A premium 7'x16' with a full off-grid electrical system, nicer appliances, and a bathroom puts you at the top of that range, or above it. Click here to visit Emery Custom Builds for more info and send a request through their 4-minute project submission process here.
How much does it cost to have a cargo trailer camper built?
Here's the honest all-in breakdown, trailer included:
| Build level | Build cost | Trailer cost | Estimated all-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $30,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$15,000 | $35,000–$65,000 |
| Mid-range | $50,000–$80,000 | $5,000–$15,000 | $55,000–$95,000 |
| Premium | $80,000–$120,000+ | $5,000–$15,000 | $85,000–$135,000+ |
Pricing sourced from Emery Custom Builds, NüAbode, and Apex Conversion (out of business), 2025–2026.
A few things push the cost up fast: adding a bathroom (significant complexity and weight), going with a larger trailer, choosing a high-capacity battery bank, putting in a solar array over 400 watts, or building to full-time-living quality standards.
What keeps the cost down: a smaller trailer (6'x12' vs. 7'x16'), skipping the bathroom, and keeping the electrical simple. Shore power hookup means plugging into a standard campsite outlet rather than running on solar and battery full-time. A basic kitchen instead of built-in cabinetry and a full range helps too. You can build a capable, comfortable camper without touching the premium tier.
Why many people start with this search and end up building their own
The cargo trailer camper community is full of people who started right where you are. They searched for builders, got real quotes, and then picked up the tools themselves.
The DIY version of a comparable build (a 7'x14' trailer with a queen bed, small kitchen, 12V fridge, 200 watts of solar, and solid insulation) runs $8,000-$20,000 all-in. That's trailer plus materials. Not $55,000 to $95,000.
This cost gap is significant, and it isn't because the builders are ripping anyone off. Professional labor is expensive. Shops have overhead. Building something to a professional standard takes time, resources and years of experience, and you're paying for all of it. But the gap is wide enough that a lot of people look at both sides and decide they'd rather put in the nights and weekends.
Here's what most people don't know before they start looking at this: cargo trailer conversions are more approachable than they sound. The trailer is already a box. You're insulating it, framing out a simple interior, building some furniture, and running 12V DC wiring, which is more forgiving to work with than your home's AC wiring.
That doesn't mean DIY is right for everyone. If you're working long weeks and your weekends are already gone, and you have the budget, paying someone else to build it is a reasonable call. Before you rule it out, take a real look at what's actually involved. You might surprise yourself.
DIY vs. hiring a builder: what the comparison actually looks like
Both paths get you to the same thing: a cargo trailer camper built around your needs, ready for the road. The question is what you're giving up to get there. A professional build trades money for your time. A DIY build trades your time for money. Neither is the wrong answer. Here's how they break down side by side:
| Hiring a builder | Building it yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $35,000–$135,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Timeline | 6–16 weeks (queue + build time) | 4–12 weekends of your time |
| Your involvement | Spec it out, show up for delivery | You're doing the work |
| Customization | High (within the builder's capabilities) | Complete: your choices, start to finish |
| Skills needed | None | Basic tool comfort and willingness to learn 12V wiring |
Frequently asked questions
What companies build custom cargo trailer campers in the U.S.?
The main builders doing this work are CTConversion (fully custom, contact for a quote), Apex Conversion (custom and readymade models, 6-10 week build time), NüAbode (two sizes starting at $58,900), and Emery Custom Builds ($30,000-$120,000+ for the build, not including trailer).
How much does it cost to have a cargo trailer camper professionally built?
All-in, including the trailer, most buyers spend $35,000-$135,000 depending on size and features. A basic 6'x12' build at the low end runs around $35,000-$65,000. A premium 7'x16' fully off-grid build with a bathroom can exceed $135,000.
How long does it take a company to build a cargo trailer camper?
Most builders need 6-16 weeks from deposit to delivery. Apex Conversion estimates 6-10 weeks for the build itself. Queue time before your build starts can extend this if there's a wait for your slot.
What size cargo trailer works best for a camper conversion?
The most popular sizes are 6'x12' (72 sq ft) and 7'x14' (98 sq ft). A 6'x12' works well for one person and tows with smaller vehicles. A 7'x14' fits a queen bed, a kitchen area, and a small bathroom if you want one. A 7'x16' gives you room for two separate sleeping spaces or a more comfortable bathroom.
Can a cargo trailer camper have a bathroom?
Yes. Most professional builds can include a wet bath (a small room with a toilet, sink, and shower together) or a cassette toilet setup (a self-contained portable toilet you empty at a dump station) with an outdoor shower. Bathrooms add complexity, increase the trailer size you need, and push the build cost up.
Is a DIY cargo trailer camper cheaper than hiring a builder?
A lot cheaper, usually. A DIY build runs $8,000-$20,000 all-in. A professionally converted trailer starts around $35,000 and can go well past $135,000. What you're trading is money for time: the DIY path takes your weekends; hiring a builder takes your budget.
Where to go from here
If hiring a builder makes sense for your situation, contact a couple of the companies above with your trailer size, your must-haves, and a rough budget. The more specific you are, the more useful their quote will be. And be sure to tell them you found them through CargoTrailerCampers.com!
If the price range has you reconsidering, spend some time in the cargo trailer camper forums. There are build threads at every budget level, with photos and detailed material costs logged along the way. There are folks who've built exactly what you're picturing, and they're usually happy to talk about it so you can make a plan that works best for you.
