6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:40 pm

Hello all.
This is the beginning of my cargo trailer conversion and I wanted to document it here so I can give back a little bit from all I have learned and gained from this forum. Thanks to all who have given positive contributions!
Today I ordered a 6‘ x 6‘ 6” tall by 12’ featherlight cargo trailer. I researched for a couple of months before settling on this particular brand and size. Unfortunately the leadtime is two or three months so not much will be happening until I actually pick it up. In the meantime I have a mock up of the floor size in my house and cut outs of different components I plan to put in it so I can move them around and see how they fit ahead of time. I have pretty much settled on the Dometic CFX-95DZW fridge, the Natures Head composting toilet, a 32”X32” shower stall, and a fan-tastic fan 801200 for my roof vent. I plan to custom make a couch/bed that will open up to the size about halfway between a twin and a full-size.
I’m leaning toward the RELiON RB300 300 ah lithium ion battery as the heart of my solar system. And I plan to put about 600 W of solar panels on the roof across a roof rack. I’ve been living for about 10 years off the grid with a solar system feeding my house and it has worked quite well for me. The lithium ion battery aspect will be new for me vs the lead acid I have now, and I welcome any feedback from anyone that has experience with that type of relatively new system.
Also I am looking for a couple of windows that will fit between the framing upright on the cargo trailer which are 16 inches on center. I’m thinking somewhere along the lines of 14” x 22”, double pane and screened and opening. if anyone has any ideas on good quality windows I welcome that feedback as I have not really settled on any particular brand yet.

I look forward to interacting with those with much more experience than myself as my project moves along. And I will try to document the good, the bad and the ugly.

Attached is a picture of the drawings from the factory of what I ordered.
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby low277 » Tue Nov 21, 2017 9:14 pm

Congrats on the new trailer! I looked at and priced one almost the same as that one. They are very nice trailers, I had sticker shock and ended up buying a cheaper brand. I will enjoy watching yours come together!
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:16 pm

Sticker shock indeed! They are very proud of them no doubt. I hope reality meets expectations. And then they say the lead time is almost 3 months, salt into the wound. Sticker shock on the composting toilet and fridge also! Quality sure is expensive. I hope the value is there. Another sticker shock is the Lithium battery, ouch!
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6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby EZDog » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:23 pm

Hi
I have a 12' Featherlite too that I am still planning on converting when I get a little more time.
Mine is Pre-Owned and still brought a pretty penny but only a fraction too of a new one luckily.

Image

I found this window on Ebay and bought 5 of them and they look like they will fit right between the trailer framing to me but I have not decided exactly where they will go yet or cut any metal thus far.

They had white ones too when I got mine but these silver do not look terrible to me at all for the price.
They packed/shipped carefully and mine arrived in good shape overall.
These are designed to be installed vertically too and the weep holes and screens are oriented as such.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14-1-4-X-27-1- ... 51e25bda33
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:26 pm

Cool.
Very similar projects we will be working on it looks like.
Thanks for the info on the windows, I’ll check it out.
Do you have a sketch of what you intend to floor plan to look like?
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby Iconfabul8 » Fri Dec 01, 2017 2:31 am

7sparky7 wrote: Also I am looking for a couple of windows that will fit between the framing upright on the cargo trailer which are 16 inches on center. I’m thinking somewhere along the lines of 14” x 22”, double pane and screened and opening. if anyone has any ideas on good quality windows I welcome that feedback as I have not really settled on any particular brand yet.
I look forward to interacting with those with much more experience than myself as my project moves along. And I will try to document the good, the bad and the ugly.

We had a discussion on windows not long ago. It may be helpful.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=69314
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:07 am

Thanks for the informative link!
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby EZDog » Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:12 pm

7sparky7 wrote:Cool.
Very similar projects we will be working on it looks like.
Thanks for the info on the windows, I’ll check it out.
Do you have a sketch of what you intend to floor plan to look like?

Nope I have not gotten to that point yet and likely will not .
I like to just lay wood down on the floor and sort of model layouts usually.

This will be my second build too and I will probably keep it pretty minimal like before overall and not get cluttered inside with permanent fixtures.

viewtopic.php?t=65711

I really just want to take another run at this but with a higher quality base from the start.
My original is just fine and I have had few issues really but the Featherlite is such a nicer platform to build from that is mu motivation.
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:39 pm

I like your idea of laying wood down on the floor. And I cut out pieces out of cardboard to represent different things so they can be moved around to get a better feel of the layout.

I look forward to seeing your build and learning from it.
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby sodatrain » Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:03 pm

How's it going?
--
My 7x7x14 Tandem Axel build thread: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=69731
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:50 pm

Trailer is on order.
They say it will be February before I will get it. I’m taking this time to work on other projects that I need to get done and do a lot of research and order equipment to go inside. I have ordered my refrigerator and composting toilet and lithium battery and a few other little items so far.
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby low277 » Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:06 pm

The wait for your new trailer can seem really long when you are anxiously waiting!!!! Hope the time goes by quickly for you! :thumbsup:
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:35 pm

So while I’m still waiting on my trailer to be built and delivered, I figured I would post some pricing on things I have ordered and received for my build out.

1.) 6x12 Featherlite enclosed cargo trailer; with the following options added: Electric brakes, roof height of 6‘6“, spare tire, camper door with deadbolt and screen door.
Ordered from Golden Gate Trailers of Concorde North Carolina $8,710.81. Due sometime in February

2.) Nature’s Head composting toilet. Amazon. $960.00

3.) Dometic Refrigerator/freezer CFX–95DZW 90 quarts. 120vac/12vdc. Amazon $865.02

4.) Dometic cfx-cvr95dz insulated protective cover for fridge/freezer. Amazon $60.98

5.) 12 volt 300 amp hour lithium ion battery model RB-300 from Relion Battery of Fort Mill South Carolina $3200

6.) 45 amp lithium ion battery charger. Part number CHG – PD9145AL. 120 V plug-in. Inteli-power 9100L series from Relion Battery, Fort Mill South Carolina $212

7.) Surge protector, progressive industries, BMSLCH30. Amazon $223.95

8.) Fan-tastic vent 801200. Amazon $121.72

9.) Fan-tastic vent cover V1500WH Amazon $55.77

10.) Camco universal vent installation kit 25003 Amazon $6.99


Crazy expensive, I know!!!
But I really want to build this out right. I will be living in this camper while I am building my next house, and after that will be traveling several months out of the year and camping in it.

I will post more of what is going in it as I acquire it.
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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby McDave » Sat Jan 13, 2018 11:08 am

Yup, spend the time and $$$ to do it right the first time if possible. It's never any cheaper to do it twice. And you want to be proud of your efforts.
Good Luck.

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Re: 6X12 Featherlite Cargo Conversion

Postby 7sparky7 » Sat Jan 13, 2018 12:32 pm

Thanks McDave for your vote of confidence.
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