Enclosed trailers are highly versatile and highly modifiable vehicles. If you’re using your trailer as storage and transportation for landscaping, construction, or other tools and equipment, you may be familiar with some of the modifications to improve its functionality to make accessing cargo safer and more convenient. And if you’re not, then you’ve come to the right place! 

As the provider of high quality backup cameras and other automotive accessories, CameraSource is familiar with the customizations and modifications that you can make to your enclosed trailer. Keep reading to find out how to make your enclosed trailer safer and more accessible. 

What is an enclosed trailer?

Enclosed trailers, often called cargo trailers, are non-powered vehicles that are towed by powered vehicles like a car or truck. They are connected with a hitch, usually a two inch ball hitch, which allows for the trailer to move independently from the towing vehicle. These trailers usually come in widths from five to eight feet, and lengths from eight to thirty-two feet. Like regular utility trailers, an enclosed trailer must have brake lights and proper license plates in order to be road-worthy in the United States. 

Starting in 2018, all automobiles sold in the USA are required to have backup cameras. Since the rise of backup cameras in cars, the fatality rate of accidents involving cars reversing dropped 30%. Whie enclosed trailers are not automobiles and are not required to be equipped with backup cameras, they still benefit from the added safety of a backup camera. 

No matter what you use it for, if you have an enclosed trailer, you may have encountered situations where it’s difficult to maneuver in and out of tight parking spots, through awkward roads, or around dangerous obstacles on job sites. Just imagine how much easier and safer that would be with the enhanced visibility and awareness of a backup camera. 

Enclosed Trailer Modifications

Modifications will depend on budget, trailer size, and what you're using the trailer for, whether it’s for transportation or storage.

Enclosed Trailer Uses

The beauty of enclosed trailers is that they’re versatile. They’re ideal for any type of professional work that requires the transporting, safeguarding, and storage of equipment and tools.

Common uses for enclosed trailers are construction trailers, which are towed and hooked up to a job site to provide phones and electricity. They are also used to transport tools, equipment, and supplies that might be damaged by the elements. 

Enclosed trailers are also useful for transporting tools and supplies for hobbies and recreation. If you're an adventurous soul that is into motorsports like snowmobiling, four-wheeling, motocross or sprint cars, you can easily modify an enclosed trailer to transport vehicles and all kinds of equipment and tools for maintenance, repairs, or restoration. 

Other than transporting cargo, enclosed trailers can accommodate a range of uses for mobile businesses as workspaces or storefronts to sell concessions and other services and products. They’re also perfect for recreational use like camping. 

Modifications to an enclosed trailer are not too difficult. To use it for more than just moving items, you’ll need to consider how you want to customize it. 

Enclosed Trailer Safety Modifications

The main benefit of enclosed trailers is their security. They provide storage for safeguarding potentially valuable, fragile, or hazardous items (such as flammable chemicals, construction materials, or landscape equipment), from exposure to the elements, theft, or damages. 

For additional security measures you can implement simple modifications like fuel fill doors, or heavy duty latches and locks.

Backup Cameras

Whether you’re transporting cargo like construction or landscaping equipment, freight, or something else, having a suite of front and side cameras, as well as a backup camera, is essential for keeping your trailer safe. If you profession involves a trailer for construction, landscaping, or similar tasks, we recommend any of the following options for equipping an enclosed trailer:

• Commercial backup cameras
• RV and bus backup cameras
• Heavy duty backup cameras
• Dash cameras
• Wireless backup cameras

Backup cameras can reduce accidents, and help prevent damages and injuries when maneuvering in and out of tight spots. When working on a tricky job site, the awareness that a backup camera provides is essential for safety. 

How to Keep a Trailer Cool & Safe

When using an enclosed trailer as a workspace or chemical and equipment storage, air ventilation and temperature control are important to monitor. Keeping a trailer cool and ventilated is easy with a few modifications:

• If your trailer came with only one rear door, add a second door or a few sets of small windows or vents that can be opened for cross ventilation.
• Install exhaust vents from all equipment to the outside.
• Install at least one roof vent and if possible one with a temperature triggered fan.
• Consider installing a small AC unit to run while you are stationary and have your equipment running.

If you’re using the trailer as a workspace, it is also a good idea to install a smoke and carbon monoxide monitor inside the deepest part of the trailer. 

Enclosed Trailer Cargo Control Modifications 

Enclosed trailers’ primary use is the storage and transportation of cargo. Modifications can be made to trailers to make doing so easy and safe:

• E Track - E Track is a cargo control system that is designed to make tying down your load easier, especially in partially filled spaces to prevent cargo from shifting during transit.
• D rings and anchor tie points - D rings and other similar tie and anchor points are useful for securing cargo and preventing damages when transporting it. 
• Extended loading ramps - Extended loading ramps decrease the incline required to load objects onto a trailer, which means less physical strain when doing so. 
• Racks, hangers, hooks, shelves, and organizers - For more specialized equipment, consider different storage systems to keep them secure and organized.

 

How to Create a Mobile Work Space in An Enclosed Trailer

In addition to modifications for safety and easy cargo management, consider modifications to make the trailer a usable workspace. You can add lighting, internet, electrical outlets, or counters so you can safely work inside it. Every enclosed trailer is a little different, so the electrical wiring process may vary depending on size, manufacturer, age, the voltage you want, and more. Adding electricity to an enclosed trailer is a little more involved than rewiring a utility trailer, but it is doable and can be worth the effort. 

 

How to Raise a Trailer

Raising a trailer is a solid idea for a number of reasons. You're less likely to bang your dump valve (or other important bits) on the ground, and you’re less likely to drag the trailer itself when pulling in and out of sloped terrains. It’s also easier to keep things level in a taller vehicle. 

The easiest way to do this is known as flipping your axles. Flipping your axles just means moving your suspension from below the axle (standard, "underslung" springs) to above the axle ("overslung" springs) in order to create more clearance between the underside of the trailer and the road.

 

Enclosed Trailer Modifications for Living & Camping

Tiny houses and minimalism are an increasingly popular lifestyle that more people are adopting in response to environmental and economic conditions. Modifying a trailer for camping and living usually involves an entire conversion. Living in an enclosed trailer can be a difficult challenge, but there are plenty of modifications you can make to the small space to feel more like home. 

Enclosed Trailer Camping Conversion

For some people, it’s easier to make the upfront investment in a ready made RV or camping trailer. Others prefer a DIY approach to save on costs. Meanwhile, others enjoy having a project, or want special customizations with certain specifications. 

In addition to adding electricity, lighting, and outlets, cutting out windows, installing kitchen appliances, and adding insulation are all modifications that can be made to an enclosed cargo trailer to transform it into a livable trailer. It’s important to prioritize practical and space saving modifications like multi purpose appliances, or convenient storage. 

For camping, upgrading an enclosed trailer to have a toilet, shower, and sink are good modifications, though they often require more sophisticated work (installing water lines for instance). In a pinch, a chemical toilet will work just fine. If you’re going full camping mode, a bed is usually a must have first step, along with basic kitchen equipment and other cooking appliances. 

Overall, one of the most important features to include on an enclosed trailer for camping is a winch. You never know when you’ll get stuck or need to pull something out, so it’s always a good idea to have an electric winch installed if possible. 

For most cargo trailer to camper conversions, you’re looking at an investment between $5,000 and $15,000 in total for the trailer and build. This will vary depending on the design and amenities you are looking for and how much you want to do yourself compared to getting professionally installed. 

Camera Source for Vehicle Safety Modifications 

Any vehicle can benefit from the added safety and convenience that backup cameras provide, and the same is true for enclosed cargo trailers. Whether it’s hitching up a trailer, backing in and out of tight spaces, or checking blindspots when driving an RV, Camera Source has the tools to help drivers reverse with confidence and ease.

When life takes you on the move, be prepared for whatever the road throws your way with Camera Source’s wide collection of high quality backup cameras and helpful expertise. We’ll help you solve any problems the road throws your way. Get in touch with us today.