Cargo Trailer to Off Grid Camper Conversion
This is a standard 6x12 cargo trailer that I will be converting into a full off-grid camper.
This is a standard 6x12 cargo trailer that I will be converting into a full off-grid camper. It starts out as a bare box on wheels, nothing fancy, but the goal is to turn it into something completely self-sufficient. The first step is insulation. The walls, ceiling, and floor will be insulated with rigid foam board or spray foam so the interior can hold temperature in both hot and cold weather. The walls will be finished with thin lightweight panels so everything is durable and easy to repair if needed.
The roof will hold about 500-600 watts of solar panels wired into a 200-400 amp hour lithium battery bank. That power will run through a charge controller and pure sine wave inverter, giving me the ability to run LED lights, a water pump, fans, and small fridge, and later with a 3300W generator, and AC unit. With this setup I won’t need to rely on shore power, which is the point of building something that is truly off grid.
Here's a mockup video walkaround. (disregard all the stuff inside, this is a rendering, so the computer adds stuff that's not there). This is just to give you a good idea of how it will look when it's done.
Inside there will be a small galley kitchenette. It will have a sink with both fresh and grey water tanks, a simple 12 volt pump, and space for a camp stove or portable induction cooktop. It is not meant to be a full house kitchen, just something that handles the basics in a compact space.
The bed will be built with storage underneath (or it will be a fold down bed, I haven't decided which yet. so it serves two purposes or provides more space, like a toy hauler.
It will be large enough for two adults to sleep comfortably, and the drawers and cabinets will hold gear, clothing, and supplies. This maximizes the space in a trailer that size.
On the back there will be a fold down deck (the door) that turns into a porch (Iw will shore it up and build extra reinforcement into it if I need to beef up the ramp.
Combined with an awning it gives a shaded outdoor space to sit, cook, or just expand the living area when parked. This makes a small trailer feel much bigger and more usable.
The side door will have a screen door, and back door will have a sliding screen door to keep the bugs out.
I'll have to wire it up myself and install more ventilation and a roof top or wall mounted AC unit if the solar panels take up too much space, which I think they will.
The target finished weight is under two thousand pounds so it can be towed with a midsize SUV or small truck without any problems. That makes it flexible and easy to move without needing a heavy-duty tow vehicle.
The reason for building it this way is simple. It costs a fraction of what a factory RV or travel trailer would cost, it is built exactly the way I want without wasted features, and it is easy to repair or modify in the future.
When it is finished it will be a simple, durable, self-sufficient camper that does everything I need for off grid travel and living.
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UPDATE:
Build Price List
| Item | Spec | Est. Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation (spray foam kit or rigid board) | Full 6×12 coverage | 600 |
| Wall/ceiling panels & trim | Lightweight interior finish | 250 |
| Flooring | Vinyl plank | 150 |
| Sealants, fasteners, adhesives | General build | 100 |
| Solar panels | 500W | 250 |
| Solar mounts/hardware | Brackets, rails | 80 |
| MPPT charge controller | 40A class | 120 |
| LiFePO4 battery | 200Ah | 480 |
| Battery monitor & shunt | Coulomb counter | 60 |
| DC wiring, bus bars, fuses, lugs | Protection & wiring | 200 |
| Pure sine inverter | 2000W | 220 |
| 12V distribution panel & switches | Breaker/fuse box | 80 |
| Roof vent fan | MaxxAir-style | 160 |
| Compact AC | 8,000 BTU | 180 |
| Inverter generator | 3300W class | 400 |
| 12V fridge | Budget chest-style | 150 |
| Sink + faucet | Compact | 100 |
| 12V pump + fittings | 1–3 gpm | 60 |
| Freshwater tank | 20–25 gal | 120 |
| Grey tank | 20–25 gal | 120 |
| PEX tubing & fittings | Plumbing run | 80 |
| Bed platform & storage | Plywood & framing | 160 |
| Cabinets/drawers | Plywood, slides, pulls | 220 |
| Rear ramp reinforcement | 4×4 post legs + hinges | 35 |
| Manual awning | Budget 8–10 ft | 90 |
| Side door screen | Magnetic | 50 |
| Rear bug screen | Curtain/slider | 70 |
| Vent covers & passive vents | Extra airflow | 60 |
| LED lights + wiring | Pucks/strips | 60 |
| Tools/consumables | Paint, bits, abrasives | 150 |
Subtotal (parts & materials): $4,815
Contingency (10%): $480
Total conversion cost: $5,295
TOTAL BUILD COST:
Conversion total: $5,295
All-in with NEW trailer at $3,500: $8,795
All-in with USED trailer at $1,500: $6,795
Prices are estimates. There's a lot on this list that I could remove or shave some more off the total build price. Price will fluctuate based on many factors like regional cost of materials, time of year, and who you buy parts and materials from.
All in all, a total build price of $5.3k to $8.8k is very reasonable for an amazing 100% off grid camper trailer, and comes in way under the $10k budget campers out there that still need shore power and RV hookups.
With this camper you can live anywhere! This is what I'll be building for myself to live in. So I want it comfortable and secure and have all the basic necessities and some luxuries too, because it will be my home.
Thanks for reading!
