Build vs buy was a discussion topic with many of the people that toured my International truck conversion at the recent rendevous. I too have owned manufactured travel trailers in the past. My take is that Commercial manufactured RVs are built to sell; they aren't built to last. Building your own on a well built platform (Truck, bus, cargo trailer, etc), allows you to choose and control the build quality, serviceabilty and longevity. Wishing you both a Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Christmas.
😂 I'm retired and thinking of going full time?? But!! 54 years of Quality Control Inspector for aircraft, boats and government contracts for Navy, looks like I'll have to build it myself 😜 auga!!
As somebody who lives in the "RV capital of the world", (elkhart county, IN area) and having worked in the rv plants personally as an electrician, I refuse to buy a "traditional' rv. I know how they are built. Some of the high end products not as bad but not many can afford them. I'll build my own even if it takes me more time. Actually quit because I was told to not do as good a job because it takes too much time, I now have my own business as Electrical/HVAC in residential.
I deliver the brand new trailers from that area out to the dealerships and on the very first 500 to 2500 mile delivery trip things are falling apart. I too am only building my own from a cargo trailer.
I decided to build. It may not have the clean finishes of some of the factory models, but I know the frame won't bend or break, the shell won't leak, the plumbing is not a mismatch of PEX and flex, I have a mini split that is both efficient and effective, I used a tankless instead of a small RV tank heater. Watching videos of failures in factory built, even brand new factory built, I am confident mine will be more reliable.
As a former tech at a famous shiny rv dealership for a number of years. I also decided that I could build a real quality rv that I would feel safe in and would hold up better rolling down the road. 16ft.L×8.5ft.W×7ft.H all aluminum with .030 bonded skin. Ladder rack on roof with walkway. Cargo doors rear. Passenger side rv door. Extended tongue. Straight axles with suspension control. Firestone steel belted radial tires. Electric brakes on all four wheels. A good home is built on a strong foundation. If you're sitting on the fence about what to buy?. Manufacturers rv or Building your own... Guess which way this rv tech is jumping!..
Any videos of your own to upload? Your trailer description is very similar to what I'm looking for and I'd be interested in seeing your build so far. Thanks -
As for the insurance, we are with State Farm. They were willing to take what we spent on it, but suggested we get an appraisal. I checked around and the RV dealers would not do it and the cargo trailer dealers said they could give me the cost of the trailer. I finally found American RV Restoration that was willing to do it. The owner restores RVs and his partner builds Tiny Homes. They took the info on what we put into it and started doing their research. They finally came up with a value based on the cost of materials and labor as if they had built it. The total came in at about 80% more then we had into it. State Farm accepted this. $52k coverage for $900 / yr.
I think having complete control over materials, design, options and workmanship is a huge plus when considering buying a RV or building your own. The fact that you can place anything like water lines, electrical fixtures, windows or even doors allows creativity beyond the norm. I am sure it is not cheap to buy all the components retail but you at least have the choice of spending on quality parts if you can or where they are most needed. Keep on Living !!
My kids don't want to be with us. So we have Thanksgiving with other family members. Sad but that's what it is. I am thankful for you and Deb to give me some hope for an alternate lifestyle. God Bess you and happy travels.
We’ve owned and lived in fifth wheels for years. And my petpeve is the roof and keeping it sealed. And yes most if not all Rv’s for looks not durability. Because of watch your channel and others my wife and I are now building out a new 8 1/2 x 20 ft car hauler into a camper/toyhauler. So believe me you guys are an inspiration to many of us out here. We also love your videos and the discussion on different topics. So please keep up the great work and content so many of us can keep getting ideas.
Always amazes me that people will pay an absolute fortune to buy airstreams, which while they are nice and in some ways are a complete rip off for the price. If you build your own cargo conversion, you can install far better appointments and design than any six figure plus airstream! You guys are doing a great job of educating the public to how they can not be ripped off by the crappy traditional scamming, RV, industry sales entities. I have researched RVs for three decades now and what I have learned is one thing they are pieces of crap that cost a fortune that fall apart and there is no good warranty on an RV because legally it is not the same as a car even if the RV has a motor in it. I truly hope that your RU-vid channel and your movement takes off because it allows people to be in control of their costs and to truly have better quality product than what they would pay 10 to 30 times more for. Thank you for doing what you do, I was unable to come to your recent get together for family reasons, but I believe your approach to camping is the most sound, economical, and intelligent approach for everyone.
Thank you for the video. I been walking the fence on buy- build I don’t have any real experience with trailers but I do know people who have had issues More to think about. Thank you 😊
Yes. All of these reasons. Love the detailed, relaxed conversation. I notice 2 kinds of RV videos: Cargo Trailer Conversions videos show how much the owners enjoyed making it and using it. 'Regular RV' videos show the owner's frustration with their $50K+ trailer falling apart, confronting the manufacturer, and getting lawyers involved.
And here we thunk you had all the talent! Those are some beautiful paintings that Deb painted! You are both very creative. And complement each other well! Thanks for sharing. Hope you both have a great Thanksgiving! :)
Thank you for sharing your experience with rvs. If nothing else, this experience convinces me that a cargo hauler conversion is the smarter and safer route.
You're the primary reason why I built out our Cargo Glamper versus the RVs I initially considered. Best decision I've made for a on the roads support vehicle. Speaking from my years of USAF Red Horse and Rapid Deployment Force days. Thanks for the common sense approach motivation. Loving my build 😊 Best part our dog and cat loves it too.
Very interested in your story. We had a mid 80s southwind that we were almost killed in. The unit was good but when we purchased it used it had just had all new michelin tires put on it. We didnt know but they were larger tires than they should have been. After 5 blowouts from fl. to Ariz. We were living a nightmare. Thanks to Discount Tires in Tucson, they found the problem, they had us weight the vehicle and we continued to Yellowstone, Indiana and back to Fl where we immediately sold it. The damage on Interestate 10 in Texas was pretty bad, over 5000 damage to the motor home, (one tire wire hit a propane line and luckily we are still alive) The price of the tires were almost 5000. We lived thru it but the memories are still vivid. Enjoyed your story. Charley and Laura, Ocala fl.
I do wonder about the batteries you have under your bed. I’ve heard they have started fires. 🔥 I would just be afraid ! I hope you and Deb have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Happy Turkey Gobble Day to you both!! From Ocklawaha Fl. Always love the videos. Thank you BOTH so much for information. I have my 20 ft cargo and in progress of build. Lolol
Beautiful paintings Deb! You both are so sweet, kind and l enjoy watching your videos. Lots of tips and tricks l’ve seen following your RU-vid channel. I can’t wait to get my 6x8 cargo trailer. God bless you both!❤
I was suprised at the tone of your voice. Being accustomed to your speaking voice I thought your singing voice would be much lower. I was really looking forward to hearing you sing. Rolling into phrases with your deep booming voice. I havent gotten to your " bills music" playlist but, I intend too. Wonderful song
Happy Thanksgiving Deb and Bill! I’ve watched probably most if not all RU-vid conversion video, and I’ve yet to see one that had issues with fires or safety because of poor quality. I’ve seen a lot that have been fine toned as their needs changed or wants change. This is pretty hard to do in a “normal style” RV. Great work on your channel, music, and paintings!
Great video and honestly useful advice and information. Happy Thanksgiving to you both as Tomorrows is your thanksgiving day. Truly wish you the best John and Cathy Niagara Falls Ontario Canada
You may want to remind people to check and make sure they are subscribed because I have been subscribed to your channel for more than 2 years and I keep having to re-subscribe because for some reason RU-vid unsubscribes me without my permission! I personally think if you're dominating a certain market they will unsubscribe people to give others a chance so that advertisers can spend their advertising money on other channels as well. I have noticed that the RU-vid channels who regularly have to contend with people being unsubscribed are often the channels that are the most popular. I'm a native of the Tampa Florida area been here 53 and don't plan on leaving. The only thing Florida doesn't have is mountains!
Good video. I think you expressed concerns that others may have. Getting an RV serviced in a timely manner seems to be a challenge for many folks. Taking weeks to get parts, etc. I have heard a number of stories on youtube where people who bought VERY EXPENSIVE RV's had trouble getting them serviced. The Wingman's channel the last couple years has been filled with stories that would make the most optimistic person to act with caution. I would feel better if I knew I could work on and fix any of the systems in a trailer I had. If you have to wait a couple months to get something fixed why own it?
In my state my registration for my “cargo” trailer is only $5 a year which I pay $25 for 5 years. My RV trailer costs me about $200 a year just for the registration plus whatever my insurance is. I don’t want to rock the boat trying to register it as an RV. Going to sell the RV hopefully very soon.
Tampa native. The weather is wackadoodle but don't forget that were surrounded by at least on three sides. Florida is basically a big sandbar but its beautiful and ill never live anywhere else. We get snow in the north and so there's not much that you won't be able to do if you live in Florida year round.
I noticed that one of the things you look for in the van builds of the people you interview is, a fire exstinguisher. (sp) That is very important. If you do any investigating at all you will find many RV fires in even the very expensive RVs. Thanks for the great content and have a great turkey day.
Another great video. I can't wait to get to a rendezvous sometime. Grange Insurance "Huntington Bank" has been fantastic with me on the cargo van build and the cargo trailer I sold to a friend so I can build another one. Thankfully I've never had to make a claim, but all I had to do is send copies of receipts, pictures and estimated replacement cost and they handled the rest. My new Neo is around $200.00 a year, insured for $27,000.00 and climbing, lol. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone 🍻✌🌞
Yea. About the insurance. I have a house in tulsa ok. Paid over 30k on insurance over the life of the mortgage. Filed a roof claim and miraculously it jumped to 3000 per year. They made out quite well. USAA has their golf and skeet ranges in down town san anton. I cancelled insurance and will just pray i live long enough to sell this place and join your lifestyle.
Completely agree on used RV construction - run from it! Only thing I would have changed on your cargo trailer would have been the doors (metal residential) and I would have gone with double glazed residential windows. RV doors and windows are trash, IMHO. I started a rebuild on a 30' Class A that my wife and I full-timed in for 3 years. Hollow walls and he's together with glue and 3" deck screws. I gutted it and decided to sell it "as is" to get rid of it. I basically gave it away, but I showed the buyer exactly what I found. He wanted the 454 & tranny for a project. Thanks for the videos!
It would be great to have residential metal doors. However, that would have required a little more fabrication on our part to make them work. We preferred to devote the time required elsewhere in the project. As far as the windows are concerned, we are very happy with our choice. We purchased and installed our own windows, and these definitely seem to be of better quality than ones the manufacturer use. We also went with 12 inch wide windows on purpose so we wouldn't need to cut any metal studs. They seal much, much better when they aren't straddling a stud. If you want more window area, simply stack out more of them side by side. Anyway, these windows are great (IOHO) and they do not leak at all. We intend to install one in each door eventually.
@@billanddeb If you don't plan on mounting anything to the walls and stay with stock wall stud spacing, that would afford us a wider window, correct? I thought I remembered 16oc or so as the base construction. Any other reasons you went with 12oc spacing? Thanks -
Hi just ran across your channel and heard your voice and just knew it was my neighbor talking and then when I saw you, you look like him!! So I'm wondering if you have a close relative, possibly brother in Oklahoma. If not you have a twin living near me. I dont want to give his name to protect his privacy but he is a very nice guy that works as DJ on radio locally and also plays with his band and is very good. I am enjoying your video thus far.
I do have a brother, but he looks nothing like me, and he doesn't play in a band, nor does he live in Oklahoma. I've heard that everyone has a "twin" out there somewhere. 😳
Without getting through the video, I can say. Cargo trailers are built better and if you build it yourself, you end up with what you want instead of what is offered by the dealers.
I appreciate you answering my question. I think it really boiled down to your bad experience with and RV and desire to have better materials with easier repair when necessary. Makes sense. How big do you think a person could reasonably go with a cargo? Sorry for the added question. LOL Merry Christmas!!
Hello Mr.Bill and Mrs. Deb, and thank you for sharing all of your informative videos. I recently pulled the trigger and purchased a new Neo 7'x7.5x15' cargo trailer. I like to do more boon docking verse staying at a serviced camp site with my rooftop 2000 watt solar array, 15kw battery bank and 1800watt generator . Which brings me to my question I like to ask. Do you still have your mini (portable) washing machine from the red trailer?
We got rid of the small washer after just a short while. It used 5 gallons of water to wash and 5 gallons to rinse. When water is hauled in and hauled off, it was not worth the few items you could wash at a time.
Great information about the insurance. I’ve wondered about that. What license plate? I’m assuming yours is registered as a cargo, but thought I’d ask. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Kohree RV Water Pump 3.5GPM 55PSI 12V Quiet DC Diaphragm Fresh Water Pump for Camper, RV Marine, Yacht, Caravan, with Pressure Switch a.co/d/eyzqaDo We have this one, and we love it. It replaced a shurflo water pump that was troublesome.
We have studies all the possible RV options the past three years, luckily we found your channel, we have been learning from your channel since then. We are going to start our first cargo trailer conversion soon, hopefully we will be able to join your rendezvous sooner. Question for you Bill about your tools，do you have a list of your tools? For example, brad nailer gun, what size would you recommend and brand? Thank you so much!@billanddeb
Luv ya 2 and have watched both build journeys. I am currently trying to finish my conversion as time allows. The one thing that I think about with mine is a straight line high wind blow over or tornado event. I have 8 tie down points off off my solar rack in case of an event I can not escape the area in an attempt to secure the trailer. I also have escape out of the rear no matter which side the trailer may settle on to minimize a long drop escape. My question is: If you have a blow over event and your trailer settles on the door side....How are you 2 getting out? I see no escape thru the 2 skinny windows that would be above you in that instance
Continued....To clarify the escape out of the rear of trailer, I cut my rear ramp in half and it is now part awning and part short deck. The awning is powered by linear actuators and a manual emergency release if a power failure occurs. This way I always have a chance to get out even if not a fire type emergency
That's a good question. I guess first and foremost, we monitor the weather religiously when the sky looks ominous. I grew up in Oklahoma. I've seen over 50 Tornadoes in my lifetime. I do not fear them, but I definitely respect them. If the weather got that serious, we probably wouldn't be in the trailer at all. In fact, in the last 4 years we have left the trailer twice during a major weather event. Yes, we're currently in Florida. If there's a threat of a hurricane reaching us we're long gone before that happens. Our relatives bring that up often. We laugh and say, that's why our home has wheels. We can hook up and head north when necessary. If we did happen to roll over on its side, there's a 50% chance it will roll over with the doors on the ground. There's also a 50% chance it will roll over with the doors up. But again, Me, Deb, and our baby Delilah probably will have left the trailer long before that happens. 😁
I enjoy your channel. I've decided to build my own also. The new rv trailers I've looked at were falling apart on the lot. Are you happy with your rock solid trailer? I'm going to order a trailer ready for conversion. Any recommendations?
Greg. I think maybe that's a good topic for our first Topic Tuesday video of 2024. Stay tuned for its release on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024 @ 6:30 Central Standard Time.
Question: is an 8.5' wide cargo trailer considered a wide load? I thought 8' wide was as wide as you could go and stay under the wide load category. Thanks!
Actually, anything beyond 8 1/2 feet wide is considered a "wide load." 8 1/2 wide is the legal limit. There are literally thousands of 8 1/2 wide cargo trailers out there all over the US.
You definitely know it's raining during a deluge. We do have 1 3/4 inches of insulation in the ceiling, and solar panels on top, which cuts down on the sound. But hey, it's got a metal roof. You're gonna hear a heavy rain event.
I watch you a lot, I'm a first time buyer and I bought an $11k Cargo trailer. This week I got a Property Tax notice for 2023 in the amount of $600.00! Is that a normal bill, because it's more than I can pay out each year?
@billanddeb oh ok, I got to thinking about that and figured they might want inspections done during the building process kind of like a home built trailer requires an inspection at a service shop
Well, yes. But I also have a 7×7×12 narrow track design I'd like to build as well. Of course, Deb would probably leave me if I took on another project. 😒
