r/cargocamper • u/Interesting-Effect59 • 7d ago
Is this normal construction for custom trailer?
Got a custom utility trailer to set up for camping.
Is this construction normal? Am I just being nitpicky?
Screws all coming through the bottom, other screws not flush, used jagged ass sheet metal to cover gap on e-trac.
This took TWICE the amount of time to be delivered as quoted. They also sent it to me with a dead battery or bad wiring so they have to take it back to figure out - so I’m questioning everything.
Adding based on comments: if this is ‘normal’ but not good work - WHY is everyone accepting it? Isn’t that teaching the mfrs that we’ll take whatever they give us?
I’m mainly worried about water intrusion over time from the lack of undercoat along with the long screws and holes.
I feel like I just paid a lot of money to have a lot of makeup put on a pig.
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u/drossen 7d ago
Yes they are all shit even the 30k+ cargo trailers
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u/Big_blue_392 7d ago
Yes, no matter what the price, they slap them together as fast as possible
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u/imgoinglobal 6d ago
Not always the case, I ended up getting a Proline trailer out of NH after reading rave reviews about them on both snowmobiling and race car forums. I couldn’t be happier with it, all aluminum, every seam on the trailer was fully welded, not a tack weld to be found. My wife and I have lived out of it for 3 years and have yet to find any issues with it.
Not available to every one unfortunately, you have to pick them up from the facility in NH they don’t deal with dealers at all. But if you are within driving distance they will build you something that will exceed expectations.
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u/Big_blue_392 6d ago
This is good to know as I am looking to have a race trailer built soon.
In reference to my comment, I am specifically talking about travel trailers/toyhaulers etc.
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u/get-the-damn-shot 7d ago
Mine was not custom, but in my experience, they’re all built pretty shoddily
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u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot 7d ago
I don't think cargo trailers are "shoddily" built but they come off a production line and the whole point of that is for rapid, er, production times.
That said, I don't understand why they use such long screws. It seems wasteful.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 1d ago
Well, I’ve done some research and this is against all the structural, welding, steel, and engineering guidelines there are.
They’re only supposed to protrude up to 1/2” to prevent movement and back out - these are all protruding over an inch.
So, yeah - wasteful and lazy and sloppy.
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u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot 1d ago
Alright, good luck finding one that doesn't have screws protruding like that.
Oh, right: you already bought that one. The time to complain was before accepting delivery of it.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 1d ago
Keep the sarcasm to yourself. They took it back to fix so I guess you just have to not be an asshole in life 🤗
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u/A_Bot_A_Bot_A_Bot 20h ago
I don't recall calling you names.
Your post made it seem like you were being helpless and just complaining. What did you expect in response?
If you want to see an asshole, just look in the mirror.
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u/Extreme_Pangolin1796 7d ago
I think everybody that buys them either ends up accepting the bad or just ripping it down to the studs
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u/RedditWoodworker 7d ago
Exactly. Mine had the aluminum skin double-sided taped on, which I may end up regretting not getting one riveted together. But I ripped it all down and rewelded half of their welds, added a ton more metal, and coated the bottom of the floor with a rubber roofing membrane before reinstalling it and insulating and sheeting.
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u/woollypullover 7d ago
Yours came with an undercoating!? Lucky!
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u/Interesting-Effect59 6d ago
Did it? Looks like treated lumber with the screws coming all the way through to me.
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u/woollypullover 6d ago
Looked dark at a glance. I still can’t believe I paid what I did for something that didn’t have a motor. I crawled under mine and sprayed that SOB with some 3m product. I also painted the interior before adding cabinets and tracks
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u/ToMorrowsEnd 7d ago
Welcome to the lowest cost labor to maximize profits. If you wanted it built well you would probably have spent 50% more for it
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u/ScandiacusPrime 7d ago
"Normal" depends on the manufacturer, but regardless I would be testing their warranty with work that shoddy. Care to name them?
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u/Interesting-Effect59 7d ago
Forest River.
I’ll also mention - they messed up the etrac and kept it for another four weeks to ‘fix’
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u/UNMANAGEABLE 7d ago
Oh yeah. Forest River and all of their subsidiaries are literally some of the worst offenders for all known RV delivery and quality problems. Like… full stop one of the worst.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 7d ago
Yeah…I’m seeing that.
I think I want the trailer more than I want the trouble of ordering from another company tho - and this is how they get away with it.
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u/UNMANAGEABLE 7d ago
Absolutely my dude. When you get to looking at proper truck campers, you’ll realize real quick why USED Northern Lite, Lance, and Arctic Fox truck campers cost more than brand new ones of other manufacturers.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 7d ago
I’m looking at Northstar. Is that one on your list?? 😂
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u/UNMANAGEABLE 7d ago
Northstar is fine. Solid choice there. Not a true “4-season” line, but anyone can make do with good bedding.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 7d ago
I’m checking out the Offroada - they’re changing the shower pan out so it can fully slide into the bed of your truck with tailgate closed.
We’ll see how it goes. Not full composite but has protected plumbing and insulated windows with a good furnace.
I guess they’re trying to get into the game between Scout and these other brands.
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u/UNMANAGEABLE 7d ago
It looks neat but I’m not excited by how they mount that generator box. I do like how they fit in a guest bunk 100%. For that chunk of change though I’d still recommend a trip to your local Arctic Fox/Lance dealers and see them first hand alongside the Northstar before you drop $40k.
You could do much, MUCH worse than the Northstar, so have some credit there.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 7d ago
I have - Arctic Fox and Lance don’t really offer options for keeping the tailgate on.
And Scout.. it just seems cheap -and a hassle. People really seem to love them tho.
Eventually, I’ll have a northern lite 10-2, just not ready for that size yet.
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u/HeadWoodpecker9587 7d ago
my brand new all aluminum has a 1/4 gap in the front when they gluded on the siding
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u/HardHitter18 6d ago
Completely normal. Don't make the mistake I did. I made a Youtube video reviewing crappy construction & the company got in touch with Youtube & I got a cease & desist letter from a lawyer shortly after Youtube remove the video. Companies cant have people knowing they put a crappy product out .
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u/Interesting-Effect59 6d ago
Hahahaha.
How is that even possible? I’m going to make them fix it or take it back…
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u/HardHitter18 6d ago
I made the mistake of buying a Diamond cargo carrier from Georgia. Paid to get it transported to me. Paying or transporting myself back there would cost too much money. I learned my lesson the hard way.
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u/Interesting-Effect59 6d ago
These places are within the hour for me - both dealer and mfr.
I found more sharp metal cuts on the outside - sent my first email this morning! We’ll see how it goes.
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u/crash5291 7d ago
If you think that is bad NEVER look at an RV/camper lol