I'm going after work today to check out a 35' office trailer, which I plan to convert into a RV trailer. It's dual axel, has heat and AC, full power and all that done up, and is 2 rooms. I plan to strip it out, install a bathroom, kitchen cabinets with sink, stuff like that.

I know a lot of you guys have pretty serious trailers, which had been on my list of things to buy in the coming months, but now this presents itself to me at zero cost in good condition. My question is, does anyone have experience with plumbing and such? Where would I get supplies for this? I'm pretty handy, so I'm not worried about getting the work done, I just don't know where to get some of the supplies to do it. I'm not worried about a shower, I don't do that long of trips generally. Bathroom and kitchen is a must though. I can partition a corner off for the bathroom/sink and neighbor it to the kitchen area, so I can easily go through walls for water coming in as well as waste.

 

Most RV stores have a huge catalog of stuff that you can order through them or find the same things through online resources. Might wanna go ask a local RV dealer for the catalog.

For plumbing, I don't see why normal PVC pipe would not work. It is available...well you know where it's available.

One another note...will you be able to LEGALLY tow that thing? I know most states have "total length" laws. Your truck may not be able to tow it due to it, and your truck, totaling a length that exceeds the law. Make sense? 35' is freakin' huge! Add a 6" tongue and a 19' tow vehicle and you're longer than a semi!

 

I would think an office trailer would have a high center of gravity. If so, be careful how fast you pull it and make sure you have brakes on it. Sounds like a good project though. campingworld.com has a lot of good parts and check around for a camper salvage yard in your area. If you can not get license for it just get a oneway permit from your state police.

 

The big issue that I see, aside from weight, is that Office trailers weren`t meant to be towed as Rv`s. they wern`t designed and built as such. and the cost for RV accesories is huge unless you buy used. a new RV fridge alone is approx. $1100. I personally would suggest sticking to a very nice older TT. you can pick up a very nice 15 yr old one for what it would cost to fix up the office trailer.

 

I only plan to go a bit north to a campground a couple times a year with it and my kids. It currently weighs 3500# but is empty other than the wall/door seperating the two rooms. I can't imagine more than 2000-3000# more for standard supplies then water tanks. I was planning to use standard pvc pipe, but as far as water tanks/pump, i wasn't sure where to get. I'm familiar with campingworld.com, it's where we picked up the canopy for the 31' Motorhome, 3 times, because someone keeps leaving it open in high wind... I never noticed tanks and stuff though, i'll have to look. I would imagine keeping it pretty bare it will likely not exceed 9000# wet. I don't plan to go fast with it, the camp ground is 2 hours away at speed limit speeds. The trailer doesn't have brakes, but that's something i'll be installing, I plan to make it my winter project. It needs electrical for brakes and turn signals anyways that has to be wired as well. It has them but they're not working for an unknown reason.

 

I found my 1988 Coachman 45' fifth wheel a few years back for $2500 including the hitch. It was not perfect but I could not turn it down. I have had to do a little roof repair but that is about it. I had it sold for $4000 last year but my wife backed me out of the deal. Older trailers are sometimes a steal and it is easier to change them to what you want or need.

 

An office trailer???? The first place you should tow that to is a scale!! Do you know the weight? 35' seems like more than 11k pounds!

 

As others have mentioned, you might want to get that thing to a scale and weigh it. Office trailers are built with mobile home frames that are very heavy. I would think the frame alone is going to be in the 4500# to 5000# range.

Something else to think about, how are you going to hook up a weight distributing hitch to it, just a thought.

Unless you are going to do a basic conversion just using 120 volt appliances, no tanks or A/C, you will spend far more money than it would be just to buy a travel trailer.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing this, just wanted you to get a heads up on the facts. I've built two Toter-Homes myself with full amenities , and believe me, It's not cheap.

 

As it turns out, when I got there it was no good. The underside was completely rotted, the carpet you were standing on was about all there was. The tires were completely shot, though they "held air". I was planning on going strait 120v, it had all the wiring to plug in outside, had ac, had heat. Obviously you wouldn't ride in it while moving, so no need for it to have power on the go. I also have a small 3000w generator i was planning to use.

The only real addition that would be costly that I was looking at was tanks. I don't know anything about them but i'm sure to be pressurized and such would require a special tank/pump for all that. The trailer empty weighed 3500lb, it wasn't one of those super giant mobile home ones. Not over 65, and not for long type, which was fine for the short distances i had planned.

Either way, it's out, it was no good, pretty much for scrap.

 

Funny you should ask as I just sold and helped move a 35' TT from a permanent lot.

Like others stated, weight might be an issue but it's doubtful it weighs more then your truck can pull. The one we moved weighed around 6,500lbs and thats with everything inside like water, holding tank, appliances, etc..There might be a tag with the office trailer specs on the frame near the tongue or on the *** end or possibly in a closet inside.

Width might be an issue as well. Some of those office trailers are slightly wider then your average TT and may require a "wide load" package. Flags, banner and all that jazz. You may want to check your local road laws to confirm trailer width conditions. You still should be able to tow it you just have to add all the safety stuff. "Wide load" kits can be bought at places like Argi-Supply, ASC, etc..

Also, it's not like it's going to be your tag-a-long that you pull every weekend. Sounds like you are moving it once and setting it up for your family to visit ala vacation cabin.

Since you are working from scratch who says you need to buy RV specific appliances? Why not buy a small used refrigerator? Add floor support if needed. Get contractor grade sinks, cabinets, etc...You can certainly go cheap in this respect and still get reliable products for your needs.

Consult your local plumber and ask what materials they use to install clean water in and gray water out. You can probably buy everything for that at Lowe's/Home Depot. Make sure you have a reliable source for parts near the camper location to keep you from pulling your hair out when stuff breaks/leaks.

Since you are up north and your cabin is further north, make sure you insulate the pipes very well. Heat tape is your friend.

I don't know about snow loading and stuff like that being from the south but you may want to make sure the roof is tight and sheding water properly.

It should be a snap to add stuff like cable and phone and it might even have those connections built in.

As a side note, the guy that pulled my 35' TT away, did it with a half ton, dodge, single cab, gasser, 4x4. It looked like an ant pulling an elephant down the road but he got her home intact. Two plus hours travel time and no special towing equipment. I wouldn't have done it that way. But I have an excursion and don't concern myself with matters such as "how much does it weigh?"

Hook it up and pull it till the wheels fall off.

 

Now you tell me.

Oh well. There's always another one waiting to be picked up and loved.

Have fun shopping.

 

Don't you just love it when this happens?

 

It was all worth it, welcome to my signature.