Somewhere between roughing it at a tent campsite you carried your gear to and full-blown glamping in a resort-style yurt, there’s a perfect solution for aluminum trailer enthusiasts who want to explore the USA’s campgrounds and get outdoors for as many weekends of the year as possible. Meet the aluminum cargo trailer camper conversion, a DIY project so popular you can find thousands of online videos and a slew of groups and forums devoted to discussing custom builds.
From the very basic buildouts that leverage configurable wall track and portable furnishings like an air mattress, to custom-designed upscale interiors with full kitchens and bathrooms, there are many ways to approach a DIY camper build.
Go to Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and blogs – you’ll find a wide array of builds and supportive communities to join for discussion, tips, tricks, and showcasing the finished project. You could probably spend the next two weeks watching YouTube videos about DIY cargo trailer camper conversions without repeating a video, so whatever specific feature you're hoping to add, there's probably a tutorial available.
Take some time to really explore the information out there and get to know what you like and what you want to avoid in your build; get to know the different types of trailer, floor plan, and setup available. Meet fellow campers and folks who are at every stage of their cargo trailer to camper conversion process: hopefuls, newbies, builders in the middle of the process trying to trust the process, and seasoned pros whose cargo trailer camper conversion has become a real home on wheels. Check out inspiration roundups like this one at RVShare.com to start planning your perfect aluminum cargo trailer camper conversion.
When you're ready to build, there's one very important next step to take: you need a trailer! ALCOM can help with that.
With an enclosed aluminum cargo trailer from ALCOM, you’re choosing an ideal blank canvas for your DIY camper conversion. Our aluminum cargo trailers come in flat-front or V-nose box styles with double barn doors or a spring-assisted rear ramp door. Their all-welded aluminum construction is naturally resistant to rust, and aluminum's lighter weight when compared to steel makes it a great choice for a camper trailer. Adding custom interior features won't bog down your payload in a lighter trailer, and more tow vehicles can safely hitch on an aluminum trailer thanks to its lighter weight.
If you don't already have an enclosed ALCOM aluminum cargo trailer, we recommend you get one for your DIY cargo trailer camper conversion! Trailers of all sizes, including some as small as 5'x10' and as large as 8'x20', can be converted into DIY campers and tiny homes; it's all about balancing your priorities and payload when building out the interior.
Maybe your local ALCOM dealer already has the enclosed aluminum cargo trailer you need sitting on their lot; check there first, but if you don’t find the right size, color, or box style locally, you can order your own custom-built cargo trailer with your ALCOM dealer’s help.
When you order an ALCOM aluminum enclosed cargo trailer, you get to choose every detail: the trailer size, the axles, the side panel color(s), doors and windows, floor and wall coverings, tie-down anchors, floor and wall track, cabinets, and so much more.
Start with your favorite color or two-tone color package with (or without!) an anodized divider. Our all-aluminum cargo trailers have bonded, screwless side panels available in Windstar Silver, Flat Black, Crystal White, Indigo Blue, Penske Yellow, Forest Green, Orange, Charcoal, Pewter Metallic, Victory Red, Champagne or Brandywine.
If you plan to add lights, insulation, and flooring, consider your ALCOM options. We offer lighting packages, insulated wall and ceiling upgrades, and a variety of decking options including water-resistant, extruded aluminum, vinyl and more. If you’re planning to use a generator in your DIY cargo trailer camper, let us build the generator compartment right in for you! They’re 24” deep and available in 30”x30” or 36”x36” with an optional door.
ALCOM can add windows with optional, extra doors with optional screens and steps, a roof vent and fan, a walk-on catwalk for the trailer's roof, or even a fold-down bed! Whether you stick to the basic trailer box or go all-out with built-in upgrades, your ALCOM dealer can help you order the exact trailer you need.
Searching online is a great way to find cargo trailer camper conversion floor plan inspiration. If it's your first build, then you might spend more time looking, learning, researching and sketching your plan than you do building the trailer interior, and that's okay.
Some seasoned DIY-ers offer their own trusty floor plans online for download and there are hours and hours of videos available to help you gather ideas, avoid unnecessary and dangerous mistakes, learn how to install parts, and get your build underway. Playing With Sticks demonstrates how to build a totally modular cargo trailer conversion with E-track in just one day. Here's a guide specifically designed for floor-planning a 7'x14' cargo trailer, or a 98-square-foot camper.
You'll see cargo trailers of every make, model and vintage in tutorials, but for some ALCOM-specific inspiration, check out these incredible builds:
NorthWoods Engineered built out a 12’ Triton Vault Series V-nose cargo trailer with folding beds and an easily convertible interior that can haul vehicles when it’s not on camping duty.
Randall turned a 6'x10' Stealth enclosed cargo trailer into a multi-functional tiny camper with plenty of storage and configurable beds.
Penny and Rod built a beautiful tiny home on wheels in a 7'x14' EZ Hauler cargo trailer, complete with a mini split, a deck, and a high ceiling for comfortable headroom.
Michael of Westfield Woodcraft turned a 7'x14' Stealth enclosed cargo trailer into a beautiful DIY camper with all the comforts of home and custom woodwork.
With your floor plan finalized -- or at least loosely decided and ready to adapt if you run into hurdles or change your mind mid-stream, which some DIYers say can happen, especially on your first build -- it's time to start the cargo trailer camper conversion.
Sourcing materials may include a variety of places, including your local big-box home improvement stores, local hardware stores, online marketplaces, yard sales, eBay, and your own shed or garage. If your ALCOM aluminum cargo trailer has our integrated wall stud package, you're off to a great start for a modular camper conversion. Anchor points can attach anywhere and easily relocate if your needs change. For more involved builds, don't be afraid to ask a friend or loved one to help you handle the process. Take your time, use your resources, and keep all those "how to install this specific item in your camper trailer" videos saved in a playlist, because you're going to want to reference them frequently. Most importantly: have fun, be safe, and get ready to explore more in your brand-new custom cargo trailer camper conversion.
Check out this DIY camper trailer conversion with a real ALCOM customer for some advice on the building process and pictures of the finished project!
If you've been considering taking the DIY camper trailer conversion plunge, stop dreaming and start doing it! ALCOM has all the aluminum enclosed cargo trailers you need, with size options, features, upgrades, and even two-tone color packages to make your rig unique.
Take a look at our brand sites below and browse our enclosed aluminum cargo trailer offerings, including the range of trailer sizes and upgrade options menu. Next, use the Dealer Locator tool on any of our brand sites to find your nearest ALCOM dealer. Reach out to get started finding or custom-ordering your future cargo-hauler-to-camper conversion trailer today!