Page 1 of 1

8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:13 pm
by bignick
Hi all, I am a new member but a longtime lurker.

I am re-purposing an old work trailer (it used to be an oven.) into a camper for my wife and I. It has worked hard and I think she deserves a good retirement! This trailer has about 350k miles on it and has held up remarkably well. Diamond Cargo is the manufacturer.
Our kids are older now and enjoy tent camping. There will be water in the sink only. I think I am just going to drain it out the floor into a honey wagon.... or bucket... whatever. Two or three 110 outlets, and some 12v Lighting. I am going for simple... and cheap! Hope those two can come together.

I have started the build and will use this as my build log. I would like to have this done by spring.
I want to thank everyone for their build threads on here, you guys have had some great ideas and I hope that someone can use mine for a small amount of inspiration! I hope it comes out half as nice as yall's.

Nick

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:40 pm
by bignick
So here is my working plan. It has changed a little as I go.
Talent level for plan is slightly more than my talent level for do. :thinking:


156875

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:52 pm
by bignick
I roughed in the cabinet frames, and the closet. At this point I have the MDF on top to set stuff on.
oh I dont have pictures of the insulation but I took off the top piece of Ply, cut the insulation to fit and slid it down between the frames. I hate removing those nail\screws...satan himself designed those. I had no idea that if you ask they will use actual screws.. and they didnt charge any more to do it!

156876

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 8:58 pm
by bignick
I know you can never have enough storage or shelves, so I built some into the end of my closet. I will add another board or something to keep things in place but this is the general idea
156877

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:23 pm
by hankaye
bignick, Howdy;

First of all WELCOME!!!

Ok, now a serious question, you got a brother / cousin named Saint???

You seem to do gettin'er done, looks good so far. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

hank

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:39 pm
by bignick
hankaye, Its coming along... Thank you for the compliment! The rain here in NC has slowed me up big time. I hope to get back on it tommorow. :NC
Its about to get serious here pretty quick. I picked up some windows from an RV that is being parted out, and I need to cut some holes in this thing!

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:35 pm
by bignick
I got my windows in, that was fun.... I have one more but im not sure if its gonna make it in before summer.
i have also installed my tool box cabinet, mostly so I have some nice drawers, Harbor freight special.
I got my counters done and built my cabinet doors.
I also installed a couple of 12v lights158091158095158093158093158092

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:41 pm
by bignick
The plan was to be able to pin the rear doors open while camping. I have a 12x12 canopy with side walls and screens I am going to put behind the camper for dining ect... well I was at Home Depot and they had these 32 in screen doors for 32$.
So this happened.158094

The bedside door will be pinned shut until I need to load something.

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2019 2:35 pm
by kirkupnorth
Hey, BigNick-

Welcome -- that trailer is looking good!

Keep posting the pics -- we all love watching a new build. :)

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Mon May 06, 2019 7:14 am
by Grummy
bignick wrote:... well I was at Home Depot and they had these 32 in screen doors for 32$.
So this happened.


Love those back doors..... Sure will beat the magnetic screen concept and will have a really nice look and feel from inside when getting up in the morning !

It looks like they might have changed a little bit of your rear floor plan though, based on your earlier post. That's how it goes though... you get some kind of plan, then let the things you find take course.

Amazing too if you built all those cabinet doors... I would have gone crazy by the 3rd one !

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Mon May 06, 2019 8:45 pm
by bignick
Thank you guys for the kind words. The cabinet doors were a pain, it was the first time I have ever done them. I had leftover oak flooring that I used for the frames. Left the groove and cut the tongue side off. It worked. I will post some more progress tomorrow I hope. I’m trying to get some of the electric buttoned up. I am going for simple.... if there is such a thing. It has definitely been an evolving plan!

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:02 pm
by bignick
So my wife and I have been pretty busy painting. We got the paint on the walls and trim. I got carpet installed on the floor, and I also put it on the closet shelves. Here are a couple pics. I have more when the site will let me load some more.158582158583

Re: 8x16 V nose camper conversion.

PostPosted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:08 pm
by bignick
I still need to wire my water pump, and a bit of paint on the window frames. Then its on to the outside. I need to make some extensions for my easy up awning legs. ( i need ideas folks) I am thinking pvc tube. I also have to install some strapping on my bag awning, I bought it used and the bag is in rough shape. There are also a few holes in the exterior sheet metal to take care of.