Many people are building their own bug out campers using a utility trailer as the base. Take a look at the various ideas people have come up with to build these. Some of them are very well thought out; with solar power, kitchens, bath etc.

If you already have a retreat location, one of these trailers would work well as a semi-permanent / portable base camp. You could live in it while you're building the main cabin and other retreat infrastructure. When you no longer need it you can use it for a guest cabin and still have a moveable bugout rig.

Even if you don't need or want a trailer; you can adapt some of this information and use it to build a small off grid cabin or 'tiny' house. This possibilities are endless.

6 x 10 cargo trailer to camper conversion http://youtu.be/jpU450o6Zuo

Cargo camper conversion: A 6'X 12' enclosed cargo trailer converted to self contained camper/boondocker/bugout vehicle. http://youtu.be/LVTO2oIjq7s

Cargo camper conversion build part 2 http://youtu.be/uPvB-971SqA

CAMPER CONVERSION PT 1 http://youtu.be/TugbKpn1ohM

CAMPER CONVERSION PT 2 http://youtu.be/TuYt39VGA1U

7 X 14 Trailer to Camper Conversion
Take a careful look at this one.

"I've seen a number of trailer conversions on YouTube, however this video goes into more detail about how this actually happens as well as using a number of atypical plans to keep costs down and design simple but just as effective." http://youtu.be/CWjpFsjqSz0


7x14 V-nose cargo trailer http://youtu.be/04wZvksZD6U

Some things you need to consider before buying or building your trailer. http://youtu.be/1IAZcvTd1SA

Some of those are pretty nice, but financially, you are usually better off buying a used camping trailer to begin with. The trick is to buy the camper in the right state where you are not going to get jammed up badly on taxes and fees. A lot of those cargo trailer conversions are done in states where the people pay extra taxes on a camper as opposed to a cargo trailer, so the trailer gets registered as a cargo trailer first.

My concept beats that by having the person provide their own flatbed trailer, then the living module bolts on to it temporarily, and once at a set location, the living module is pushed off the flatbed onto a really basic foundation, or in some cases can just be forklifted to the ground. A few other ways that can be accomplished. At one place in northern Washington, we keep four hi-lift jacks which can lift a building module up several inches, then the trailer is pulled out from under the building (or section of a building) then it is carefully settled down on posts and pier blocks, using the pier block supports which are adjustable. Coarse adjustments are made with the jacks and cutting the 4X4 posts to length, fine adjustments with a wrench on the pier block supports.

I have also seen U Haul truck to RV conversions, same story. By the time the guy was all done he said he would have been better off getting a used motorhome.

That, and on the trailers, smaller is better for storage and maneuverability, obviously bigger is better for living space. That is what gets people settling it out in the 16ft to 20ft range.

The crappiest trailer is usually going to be a superior shelter to the best tent, while the most rudimentary stick framed and plywood cabin is going to be a superior shelter to a trailer.

You start looking at lumber prices in the winter, and the way I see it, I would rather build relatively conventional shed buildings and finish out the interiors and just leave them if necessary than have to haul that much living space around, or freeze/bake in a tent.

Now in mild weather and not looking like a homeless camp, the opposite is true. A nice tent looks like Yuppies camping, RV kind of middle of the road, off grid cabin is an off gridder who someone will want to mess with and run off the land.

Its the jealousy thing. A hatred for someone having more than those tied into "the system" think they deserve to have.

Built a solar powered 6 x 10 back in 2000. We used it as a camper when we went to the multi-state FTX's KSM used to host in KY. It worked pretty well for the intended purpose.

As you mentioned, a used camper is an option. But, you have to be careful. There's a reason the owner is selling it "cheap". Most of the ones I've seen, even those that look ok, have a lot of problems. By the time you fix worn out brakes, leaking roofs, busted plumbing, and rotton floors that are hidden under moldy carpet, you'd be better off building a trailer from scratch. Plus with the bare bones utility trailers you start with a clean slate. You get to build it exactly to your own specs...not something designed by "Joe from RV World".

In all honesty, I have both. I prefer the camper for actually living in, but shtf, the cargo trailer for versatility. Even with that, the internal layout on my cargo trailer is made up of stuff that is on wheels so I can alter the configuration based on what needs to be accomplished.