Personally, I'd recommend you shop around and ask around first. I ran
across my 27' (project) travel trailer by taking a drive in the area
of the small town where I live and there it was only about a mile from
town. The outside looked ok but it was obvious from being sunk down to
its axles that it hadn't been anywhere in awhile. As it turned out,
the owner of the property had told the renter with the trialer that it
had to go, or the renter did. I got it for the price of towing it
away.

Don't forget to repack the wheel bearings before trying to tow it
anywhere. Any old vehicle or trailer thats been sitting for years is a
candidate for a spun or siezed bearing. Watching your wheel pass you
on the highway is amusing, but not that fun.

Likely right there. Wood wrought might be a concern. If you make a
roof with aluminum roll roofing and add an elevated plywood roof,
supported by brackets on the side of the trailer, I think you would be
better off. Or, instead of plywood, (depending on your budget), you
could use aluminum checker plate like this stuff:
www.eagleindustriesltd.com/custom/box_liners.html
Then you could skip the rolled roofing and extras.

If you want to keep moisture out then roof vents are a consideration.
Likewise if you want to have a fridge and stove which might vent
through the roof. I expect everything could be vented through side
vents near the roof line though. As for suppliers, depends on where
you are. If theres a used RV parts dealer nearby, or company willing
to custom make siding, or provide "generic" siding, etc. Doors are
easy, but the best are fiberglass covered insulated doors, as older
RV's & TT's had doors wrapped in aluminum which is not a great idea.

D.BC

check a library. ones I have used usually have older books on building rv's.

also the truck bed  spray on liner might be a good roof material.
some have posted using it to repair leaky roofs.

mikeyhsd@sport.rr.commikeyhsd@sport.rr.com

 Hi again,

 I was trying to find a small travel trailer, but they are more
 than I want to spend for one thing among others. Now
 it seems like a better idea to build one instead. I already
 have a flatbed carhauling trailer I haven't even looked
 at in years, so that would be the thing to start with. I'd
 like to make the roof able to be walked on and support
 two or three people also, and was thinking of using
 2x4s for the ceiling and maybe half inch plywood covered
 with aluminum from a continuous roll. Maybe the aluminum
 would not hold up to any amount of walking though? If
 I ever want to put furniture or something like that on it, I
 would expect to lay some plywood on it first so the feet
 can't poke through the aluminum. This is the type of
 idea I have in mind:

 http://tinyurl.com/2ato7x

 to build on a trailer with a design about like this:

 http://tinyurl.com/2ykbw6

 Do you people have any advice? Can anyone suggest
 places that show ideas, and exposed framework etc?
 Also any input about lights (interior and exterior), windows
 and doors, siding, suppliers...would be much appreciated.
 I'm thinking of a side door, and double doors on the back.

 Thank you for any suggestions!
 David

I've built a couple of conversion vans from bare work vans, so I have
a little experience. If you plan on having  gas & electric like an RV,
a stove, sink, hot & cold running water, refrigerator, bed & some
place to sit, the $1,000 or under you are looking to spend is a drop
in the bucket, let alone the box you've got to make to hold it all,
which will need windows & a door.  Keep looking for used.

Tom J

I wish that it was practical to build something like this.  Unfortunately,
once one assembles all of the parts, you're into what an older used trailer
would sell for.  I sold a 73 motor home with genny with only 45000 miles on
it for $1500, and I was glad to get it.

If you decide to go ahead with it -- and some camp grounds won't really
welcome you -- take a look at the stuff that this outfit has:

http://www.colawrvsalvage.com/

Phil

be sure to post the pictures....

john

People often think they can build something for less than they can buy
it for.  Rarely is this true, particularly so for RVs.  By the time
you assemble even a basic complement of components you will have more
money into your project than if you had simply looked for a used unit.
Plus the money you spend will be truly spent because your homemade
trailer will be virtually worthless if you ever try to sell it.  

Save your money & keep looking.

There are plans on ebay for about $25.00.

Your mistake was thinking when you mentioned a
travel trailer, we would know you were talking
about a toy hauler. Suggest you look in to the
concept of toy haulers. They have beds that are
drawn up to the ceiling when not in use and
having a ramp that folds down in the back for
loading things. I think this would be a better
review of technology for you to convert your
utility trailer. But I would suggest you look
for some salvaged aluminum frame work for your
topside construction, to prevent top heavy
condition.

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/design/RWagon/RWagon.php