How much does a cargo trailer camper conversion cost?
Short answer
A DIY cargo trailer camper runs about $8,000 to $15,000 on a 6x12 and $12,000 to $25,000 on a 7x14 or 7x16, trailer included, according to Cargo Trailer Campers. A professional build is a different number: Emery Custom Builds publishes $30,000 to $50,000 for a basic build and $80,000 to $120,000+ for premium, before the trailer itself. Expect the conversion to add 700 to 1,500 lb.
Last reviewed by the Trailer3D editorial team · How we source prices
| Trailer size | New empty trailer | DIY total build |
|---|---|---|
| 5x8 | $2,500 to $4,500 | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| 6x12 | $4,000 to $6,500 | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| 7x14 / 7x16 | $6,000 to $9,500 | $12,000 to $25,000 |
| 8x16 and up | $8,000 to $12,000+ | $18,000 to $30,000+ |
DIY numbers are real, but they leave out your time
The table above assumes you do the labor. That is the only reason a 7x16 camper can come in near $12,000. A custom-ordered 7x16 enclosed trailer with standard features lists at $6,085 from USA Cargo Trailer Sales, so on the low end the trailer is half the project.
One documented build on RV Inspiration came to about $11,200 for a 7x14: roughly $4,200 for the trailer and about $7,000 in materials. That is a lean build. Add a lithium battery bank, a roof air conditioner and a real shower and the materials line climbs fast.
What DIY totals hide is months of weekends and the cost of redoing things. Wiring, propane and the roof penetrations are where first builds go wrong, and they are the parts an insurer or campground will ask about later.
What professional builders charge
Emery Custom Builds publishes three tiers for labor and materials only: Basic $30,000 to $50,000, Standard $55,000 to $75,000 and Premium $80,000 to $120,000+. The trailer is extra, which Emery puts at roughly $3,000 to $20,000 depending on size and spec.
A Cargo Trailer Campers roundup lists NüAbode in two sizes (7x14 and 8.5x16) starting at $58,900. Check the builder's own site before you plan around that figure, since roundup prices go stale. The same roundup puts typical lead time at 6 to 16 weeks from deposit to delivery.
The gap between $12,000 DIY and $60,000 pro is mostly labor, plus the fact that a shop has built the same layout before. You are paying for the second build, not the first.
Pick the trailer for height and weight first
Standard interior height on most cargo trailers is about 6 ft. Insulation, subfloor and ceiling panels eat 2 to 4 in of that, and you cannot add height after the trailer is built. If you are tall, order the extra height from the factory.
Empty weights run about 1,300 to 1,800 lb for a 6x12, 2,400 to 3,000 lb for a 7x16 and around 2,900 lb and up for an 8x16. A conversion typically adds 700 to 1,500 lb before water, gear and food. Cargo Trailer Campers suggests keeping the loaded trailer under 80% of your tow rating, with 10 to 15% of trailer weight on the tongue.
Run the math on a real example. A 7x16 at 2,700 lb empty plus a 1,200 lb conversion is 3,900 lb before you pack it. Load it with 500 lb of water and gear and you are at 4,400 lb, so by the 80% rule you want a tow rating of at least 5,500 lb.
Protect the deposit
Small camper builders do fail. When Lil Snoozy RV in South Carolina closed, about 45 customers had paid deposits, generally over $10,000 each on a 40% down structure, and waits had stretched to about 18 months. The owner was reported to be filing Chapter 7.
Ask for a written build schedule with payments tied to stages you can see (frame, rough-in, finish), not a large lump up front. Ask how many builds are in the queue ahead of yours and how many people are on the shop floor.
Where Trailer3D fits
If you want a pro build, describe the trailer size and the layout you want on Trailer3D and up to 4 builders who serve your area send quotes. It is free for buyers, and it lets you compare tiers side by side instead of trusting one shop's price sheet.
Questions
How much does it cost to convert a cargo trailer into a camper?
DIY totals run about $8,000 to $15,000 for a 6x12 and $12,000 to $25,000 for a 7x14 or 7x16, trailer included. Professional builds from published price sheets start around $30,000 for labor and materials and go past $120,000.
What size cargo trailer is best for a camper?
For two people, 7x14 or 7x16 is the common pick because it fits a bed, a small galley and storage. Order extra interior height if you are tall, since insulation takes 2 to 4 in off the standard 6 ft.
How much weight does a camper conversion add?
Typically 700 to 1,500 lb on top of the empty trailer weight, before water and gear. Keep the loaded trailer under about 80% of your tow vehicle's rating.
Can you register a cargo trailer as an RV?
It depends on your state. Some DMVs will retitle after an inspection, others keep it as a cargo or utility trailer. See our guide on cargo trailer conversion registration before you build.
Sources
- Emery Custom Builds: Cargo trailer conversion cost
- Cargo Trailer Campers: What size cargo trailer camper should I build
- Cargo Trailer Campers: Cargo trailer camper builders, who they are and what they cost
- USA Cargo Trailer Sales: Custom design 7x16 enclosed trailer
- RV Inspiration: Renovate an enclosed cargo trailer for $10k
- Small Trailer Enthusiast: Nearly 50 face losing deposits as Lil Snoozy closes
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