Many people are opting for nontraditional living arrangements in the current housing market. After all, the traditional American home comes with a lot of baggage: a mortgage, monthly bills, and never-ending maintenance tasks. One popular option is to purchase a cargo trailer and transform it into a permanent home. While this may seem daunting, with a little planning and creativity, it can be done relatively quickly. Here’s how:
The Advantages of Living in a Cargo Trailer
You may have seen them on the highway – large, metal trailers hitched to the backs of pickup trucks. Maybe you’ve even wondered what it would be like to live in one. After all, they seem pretty spacious. What are the advantages of living in a trailer? Let’s take a look.
Convenience is Key
One of the best things about living in a cargo trailer is the convenience. Have a job that requires you to travel? No problem! Just hitch up your home, and away you go. When you’re ready to settle down for a while, finding a place to park is easy – most campgrounds accommodate RVs and trailers. And if you get homesick or want to change up your scenery, it’s easy to do with a cargo trailer. Just pack up and go!
Living Simply
Another advantage of living in a cargo trailer is that it forces you to live. With limited space, you can’t accumulate a lot of stuff. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It can actually be quite freeing to live with less. You may find that you don’t miss your stuff as much as you thought and that life is simpler and less stressful when you own fewer things.
Affordability
Finally, cargo trailers are more affordable than RVs, making them an excellent option for people who want to enjoy the nomadic lifestyle but don’t want to break the bank doing so. You can usually find good-quality used trailers for around $5,000. And when you compare that to the price of an RV, which can start at $50,000, it’s easy to see why people choose trailers over RVs. Trailers are easier to maintain than RVs, which means fewer repair bills down the road.
Transforming a cargo trailer
If you think living in a cargo trailer is the best option, the next step is to start planning your transformation. Here are a few things to remember as you begin the process.
Find the right trailer
The first thing you need to do is to find the right trailer. You’ll want to take into account the size of the trailer as well as your budget. For instance, a gooseneck enclosed cargo trailer will be more expensive than a standard enclosed trailer, but it will also offer more living space. This is ideal for big families wanting personal space while on the road. On the other hand, if you’re single or have a small family, a standard enclosed trailer will be just fine. Also, keep in mind that not all trailers are created equal. You’ll want to find a good quality trailer that is well-constructed and has few (if any) defects.
Insulate the Cargo Trailer
The first step is to insulate the cargo trailer. This will ensure that your home is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You can use spray foam insulation, which can be found at most hardware stores, or traditional insulation bats. Make sure to seal all cracks and crevices so that no air escapes.
Install Electric Wiring
The next step is to install electric wiring. You will need to run wiring from the main electrical box to outlets throughout the cargo trailer. It is vital to hire a certified electrician to do this so that it is done correctly and up to code. Once the electrician has finished, you can install light fixtures, ceiling fans, and any other electrical fixtures you desire.
Add Plumbing
The third step is to add plumbing. This is a relatively simple process, as most cargo trailers will already have some plumbing installed. If not, you can easily add plumbing by running PVC pipes from the water source to fixtures throughout the trailer. You will also need to install a grey water tank and hook it up to the plumbing system so that wastewater can be appropriately disposed of. Again, it is vital to hire a certified professional if you are unfamiliar with plumbing.
The bottom line
By following these three simple steps, you can easily transform a cargo trailer into a permanent home. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can have the home of your dreams without spending a fortune. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping for your perfect cargo trailer today!
