What do you guys suggest I do to weather seal it? Would just a deck stain/sealant be enough, or should I do something else? Maybe caulking on the edges?
I recently purchased a 14x7 trailer to be used for camping, fishing and hunting. I'd like to use the back ramp as an outdoor deck. Has anyone found a solution to adding adjustable jacks of some sort to the ramp that allows it to both sit flush to the ground for loading but then can be lifted so it sits level? I'm trying to avoid just screwing 2 scissor jacks to the corners or using blocks of wood.
I've posted about the mobile lab a few times, built into a 24x8 Wells Cargo from 2005. This is the zone of geekery... I brought the Bionode over from the development lab via folding aluminum ramp and a winch with wireless remote. Nothing broke! That black platform under it is a shock isolation platform mounted on wire rope isolators (with little loading ramps).
This provides my compute tools in one package including about 24 TB of storage, local AI for a few projects, video production, home assistant, communications, etc. It has its own battery backup, but the trailer's main power system is right next to it, including about 5 kwh of lithium. The machine is tucked between the folded ramp and a pelican case, and above it is the mini split.
Moving aft, there's a small machine shop, adjustable bed under fold-down workbench, galley, electronics lab, ham radio, 3D printer, waterworks, piano, inventory storage, tools, etc. The roof is 2.6 kW of solar panels. (I have not gotten an all-up weight yet, but have started offloading excess inventory.)
Please don't come at me about the size of the wood that was used. It's heavy, I know. It'll be OK.
2022 6x10 interstate load runner 6’3 tall Cargo trailer conversion, Toy hauler. 1 inch insulation all around ( floors too). Stained and polyurethaned all interior wood. Sealed underbelly. 6’3 high corrugated metal ceiling. Instant hot water shower fed by insulated 30 gallon tank via 12v seaflow pump. Stainless steel Sink, rechargable usbc water faucet, propane stove/oven, diesel heater, and a queen bed that goes up and down with the push of a button. Wireless,usbc rechargeable, kelvin adjustable, and dimmable lights throughout. Vinyl flooring. Motorcycle chalk, 4 motorcycle tie downs anchored to frame rails, height adjustable desk/office space, two windows. New (2025) 7 ply tires, leaf springs, and I recently (2025) had the dexter axel, hubs, and bearings serviced at the dealer in Petaluma. Shower is straight plumbed through the floor. Ecoflow power bank, dometic fridge, and motorcycle not included. Trailer alone, non insulated, is 7k new. Around 4k lbs dry. Zero rush to sell.
10k. SONOMA COUNTY
Alrity this is my last post with more of the build process, apologies for blowing up the forum. Please check my other posts to see more photos, thanks for looking! 6x10 2022 interstate load runner 6’3 tall Cargo trailer conversion, Toy hauler. 1 inch insulation all around ( floors too). Stained and polyurethaned all interior wood. Sealed underbelly. 6’3 high corrugated metal ceiling. Instant hot water shower fed by insulated 30 gallon tank via 12v seaflow pump. Stainless steel Sink, rechargable usbc water faucet, propane stove/oven, diesel heater, and a queen bed that goes up and down with the push of a button. Wireless,usbc rechargeable, kelvin adjustable, and dimmable lights throughout. Vinyl flooring. Motorcycle chalk, 4 motorcycle tie downs anchored to frame rails, height adjustable desk/office space, two windows. New (2025) 7 ply tires, leaf springs, and I recently (2025) had the dexter axel, hubs, and bearings serviced at the dealer in Petaluma. Shower is straight plumbed through the floor. Ecoflow power bank, dometic fridge, and motorcycle not included. Trailer alone, non insulated, is 7k new. Around 4k lbs dry. This is a tiny home that has all the creature comforts but can still serve as a solid blank canvas for someone else’s needs. It was everything i needed out of a full time residence for over two years. Zero rush to sell.
10k SONOMA COUNTY
2022 6x10 interstate load runner 6’3 tall Cargo trailer conversion, Toy hauler. 1 inch insulation all around ( floors too). Stained and polyurethaned all interior wood. Sealed underbelly. 6’3 high corrugated metal ceiling. Instant hot water shower fed by insulated 30 gallon tank via 12v seaflow pump. Stainless steel Sink, rechargable usbc water faucet, propane stove/oven, diesel heater, and a queen bed that goes up and down with the push of a button. Wireless,usbc rechargeable, kelvin adjustable, and dimmable lights throughout. Vinyl flooring. Motorcycle chalk, 4 motorcycle tie downs anchored to frame rails, height adjustable desk/office space, two windows. New (2025) 7 ply tires, leaf springs, and I recently (2025) had the dexter axel, hubs, and bearings serviced at the dealer in Petaluma. Shower is straight plumbed through the floor. Ecoflow power bank, dometic fridge, and motorcycle not included. Trailer alone, non insulated, is 7k new. Around 4k lbs dry. Zero rush to sell.
10k SONOMA COUNTY
FYI - Incase you don’t wanna DIY………
I noticed that many of your builds use manual tongue jacks. I've been working on a drill adapter that works with the half-inch bent rod handle. It clamps on to the 90 degree that comes out of the jack and puts a 3/4" hex head in line so you can spin in with your cordless drill. If you'd find this useful, let me know and I can tell you how I make it or where to find one.
Not sure why we can not post pics into an existing post in this group. So, I posted a new post to answer my solution.
Someone asked about the best Deck Support. I always build a door mounted system out of aluminum tubing as you do not need to carry anything but a strap and it self adjusts to the ground.
A ratchet strap is used to pull the two legs toward each other. It always automatically levels to the grade you are parked on.
The real secret to fast deployment is to use 1/8" Dyneema Rope on each side, right next to the steel cables, that are SET to exactly 90 degrees from the rear of the trailer. This way, when you park your trailer and level it, the ramp door is automatically level as well. No need to drag your level out, no need to adjust anything.
You swing down the legs, pull the strap across and put a little tension on it. Done. No wobbles. The 1/8" Dyneema can handle something like 1600lbs, so you can walk on it without the legs if you have good attachment points. On the end of the bottom end of the Dyneema, I have "S" hooks. I can unhook and drop the door completely if I want.
I've built a few of these on builds out of what ever aluminum I have laying around. The first one was made out of the adjustable slide arms of an old RV awning.
Hey all. Has anyone rebuilt their ramp door out of aluminum framing to lift up instead of down? I don't need the ramp and it's so dang heavy as it's made of steel framing and 3/4 plywood with spring assist. I would like to remove it and build a frame out of aluminum that would allow me to fold the door in half and then lift both halves up (bi-fold?). This will allow me access to the lower items in the back and also be able to use it as shade if needed when open. Any ideas?
Tanya the trailer took her first camping trip this weekend! Obviously there’s still a lot left to finish, but she’s usable now! I’m glad I decided on the modular build out rather than the original plan I was going for. It’s very cozy inside 🙂
314ah lifepo4 got down to 80% after two days, running lights, charging phones and tablets, Inverter for the TV and 2 dc fridges. 200w foldable solar panel got me back about 5% each day. Probably could have done better if I monitored it more, but it’s still free power!
I really need some blinds or curtains, and I’m definitely taking the cam bar off of the man door. Debating on one of those new 12v ac units for the roof, but might be a bit overkill.
Overall a very successful first trip!
For me it was complete customization. I couldn't quite find something that fit my needs exactly how I wanted. I'm probably going to be into the whole thing for about 25k, so money wasn't the reason, but I know for many it is, or can be.
Well this is fun. No one mentioned I would have to buy new tools to do this. I love buying new tools.
I went to start taking the inside apart yesterday and discovered I needed a t50, maybe even bigger torx bit for door hinges as well as an eight sided star bit??? That one’s new to me. I looked through every bit I could find and no luck owning one so I had to order online.
Anyone else run into this issue?
I know mini splits are the way so let's ignore that.
Do any companies make quiet av units that go on top that are also quiet? I want heat too.
Made some progress over the last 2 days. Welded in reinforcement to mount the diesel heater's fuel can, cut in the two windows, got the roof vent installed. Welded in alumimum frames for the roof vent and the escape window. Finished insulating the ceiling too
