Input needed on crazy idea - trailer apartment

Ned · Jan 29, 2010

I appreciate your advice, BigDon. It is rather true to say that I have my heart set on it, in a way- mostly I want to do it because I see potential in it and it'd be an adventure over taking the easier path. Surely, it has its problems. Right now I'm just trying to find out if they can be overcome or not.

I'll admit that an RV with a trailer behind is a viable alternative. Here are the pros and cons I see with it. Pros: no problem to find parking, pre-thought-out and pre-built, mobile without hiring a trucker, and no legal issues. Cons: Don't get to make it myself, would have to double-tow my commuter vehicle (legal?), limited customization, possibly more expensive than semi conversion alone.

Regarding cost: I haven't done a detailed analysis yet, but so far I think I could build my idea for much less than $10,000. I estimate I can pick up a used but roadable dry van for $3000ish, and I'd only need to pay for materials for all the finishing components to go inside. Insulation, drywall, carpet, lighting, kitchenette, plumbing, generator- I think I could make all that happen for under $7000. Does anyone's experience or knowledge contradict that? (If so, please tell me!)

Maybe I ought to clarify that I'm not planning on buying and operating a tractor- my plan hinges on the necessity of hiring a trucker to move my trailer from site to site when needed. Can anyone comment on how that might go?

From all your advice, I'm now looking more heavily into building this into a 5th-wheel trailer rather than a semi. I still like the semi idea just for its utility, but perhaps a 5th wheel is the way to go after all. Apparently 53' fifth-wheel trailers are available, so I could get all the space I want without delving so deep into the commercial-trailer realm.

Big Don said: ↑

Ned, I can see you have your heart set on doing this. But keep in mind the problems you may be creating for yourself. Not just for the moving of it, but for the parking of it. I think you will have a hard time finding an RV park that will let you park there.

Also, when you realistically look at what it is going to take to plumb it for sewer, grey water and fresh water, to insulate it, to heat and cool it, I think you will find that it is cost prohibitive. Can it be done? Of course it can, if you want to spend the money. But will it be logical? I don't think so, but that is just my opinion.

Somebody posted on here doing the motor home with a trailer. Not a bad idea, and probably could be had for less money than what you are looking at overall on a big truck.

Of course if your heart and mind are really set on doing this, then go for it.
Click to expand...

Allow Me. · Jan 29, 2010

I wouldn't think most RV parks would allow you to set up a freight trailer, unless you are in a funky town in BFE someplace. As for having someone move it for you, get in touch with a small trucking company and be flexable with dates. They could then use one of their power units to move you while they have a spare truck at home on the week-end. Or, some toters have 5th wheels mounted. Toters are single axle class 8 trucks that move mobile homes from factory to parks etc. If people can take a bus and convert it to living quarters, you can also do it to a van trailer.

American-Trucker · Jan 29, 2010

Ned said: ↑

Hello everybody,
I have this crazy idea about living in a semi trailer. I know that race drivers, etc will do it to support their mobile lifestyle, but I want to do it also if I end up in the career I want, which will involve me moving around a lot.

Essentially, what I want to do is finish and furnish a 53' trailer like an apartment inside, and live in it. Yes, there are a lot of issues with this. I am hoping for some advice from truckers on how to approach these problems. Here are my questions, below. If you have any other comments or advice, I'd love to hear it.

How can I move it? I don't have or plan to get a truck or Class A license. Is it possible to put out an ad somewhere (where?) to have a trailer moved from A to B? Is this something an O/O would be up for privately, or do I need to go through some sort of agency? What could I expect to pay per mile?

Where can I park it? So far my thoughts have been trailer or RV parks. After all, they're full of trailer homes (albeit of a different sort). I'd want to be staying in once place for 6 weeks-6 months. If you're familiar with living trailer parks, do you think that most or many parks would be OK with having a semi trailer in their park rather than a mobile home or RV?

What regulatory/legal issues might I run into? How do I keep a trailer registered? Will this be difficult, as a private individual?

When I'm modifying the trailer to make it habitable, what sort of things do I need to keep in mind to keep the trailer roadworthy? (Adding say vents on top, or plumbing underneath...

Any other advice or insight into this idea is fully welcome. I'm not sure yet whether the response will be "You're crazy" or "Yeah, people already do this and it's not that bad".

Thanks!

Edit: I neglected the main reason why I'm considering a semi-trailer over a purpose-built mobile dwelling. This idea started out as an option to have a mobile workshop wherever I moved, with a mill, lathe, welder, etc... then the idea evolved into living in the trailer. I can't put shop equipment in an RV.
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I can tell you i wouldnt do this myself, tho I do think you have a really cool idea here. I was just thinking what if you used an old reefer trailer? that way it would be insulated already and have a generator already "the reefer unit" just an idea, tho a fifth wheel camper would probably be the better way to go

RickG · Jan 29, 2010

2007 Haulmark Edge 53 Ft. w/ Living Quaters
Great Financing

$32,500.00
53 Ft With Living Quarters

1 1/2 Ft. Extra Height

Awning Exterior Recessed Lights

Observatition Deck w/ Removable Ladder

Inmotion Satellight System

Pull Out Step

Alum Wheels

Generator Door

LQ:

Bed In Bunk

Bathroom w/ Shower, Sink & Toliet

Slide Out

Fold Out Couch

A/C Unit

Refridge

Microwave

Stove

Stereo

Garage:

28 Ft.

Raised Rubber Coin Floor

Over Head Cabinet

2 - A/C Units

Freebird135 · Jan 29, 2010

something to think about, after you do all the modifications (cutting holes in the floor for plumbing, insulating, wiring etc) nobody is going to want to buy it whenever you are done with it

it could be done but would really take some work....you would have to figure something out with the doors, a latched trailer door cant be opened from the inside...you probably wouldnt want to do swing doors, would be better off with a roll up door you can alter to be able to close it behind you and could even rig a lock with a couple anchor points a chain and a padlock

it is doable but definitely not practical at all, not to mention a huge fire hazard....your on the couch in the nose of the trailer, your welding equipment catches fire when your asleep....you would have no chance of getting out

plus even with insulating it it would be cold as hell in the winter unless you have some kind of heater...and if you dont have a kingpin lock you may wake up in a different city you fell asleep in

Sad_Panda · Jan 29, 2010

You guys and gals are boring sticks in the mud.

When I get thee land I'm building a shipping container home on it.

Ned · Jan 29, 2010

RickG said: ↑

2007 Haulmark Edge 53 Ft. w/ Living Quaters
Great Financing

Click to expand...

That's a pretty cool find, RickG! Thanks for linking that. That's a very similar idea to what I want to do. It's about three times my max budget, though. I've looked at another listing for an enclosed 53' 5th-wheel trailer that I could convert myself, but even a plain one is just about double the price of a semi van.

Because of everyone's input about RVs and fifth wheels and such, I'm now looking into that much more seriously. But if I do decide to do the crazy thing and make my own in a dry van trailer, does anyone have any advice on how I could overcome the problems of parking and transporting it?

lowbudget · Jan 29, 2010

What about these welders and mills and lathes? How much weight/ sq. ft. are we talking here? Are we looking at a mini lathe/mill, or more like a 10-15 inch capacity lathe? You'd need a pretty strong floor to support anything of medium duty.

halfburn · Jan 29, 2010

Freighttrain said: ↑

Contact some RV dealers and see if they have or know where a large tow behind travel trailer is that got jackknifed or wrecked some how.You might be able to find one cheap.Just rip all the guts out and put them in the dry van or a old furnature moving van(lower deck and side door for people).
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If you like to work on them here is a place to look.
http://www.crankyape.com/default.asp?pg=DisItems&Cat=6
In the RV forums I read people discussing buying them there. Sold as is.

Ned · Jan 29, 2010

lowbudget said: ↑

What about these welders and mills and lathes? How much weight/ sq. ft. are we talking here? Are we looking at a mini lathe/mill, or more like a 10-15 inch capacity lathe? You'd need a pretty strong floor to support anything of medium duty.
Click to expand...

I want to have a Bridgeport Series 1 mill, which weighs about 2000lbs. I don't have a specific lathe picked out, but it will probably weigh around that much. The welder shouldn't be more than a few hundred max. You can see why I don't want to put these things in an RV or even a normal enclosed non-commercial trailer.

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