If you are in the market for a new home but don’t want to deal with the huge investment of buying a new one, then maybe a trailer could be what you need. Reefer trailers are a good start but can you really convert one so that you can live inside?
You can live in a reefer trailer as long as you create holes for oxygen and carbon dioxide to funnel through. You will also need to consider your water, sewage, and electricity hookups but there are many reasons why they make a good home.
Want to save some money on moving into a new home and convert your own reefer trailer? Keep reading to learn exactly why these trailers make a good living space and what you need to consider before starting your own.
Why Is a Reefer Trailer Good to Live In?
A reefer trailer is good to live in because all the walls are fully insulated, keeping you protected from your environment and providing a more stable home.
A reefer trailer provides comfort and security that other types of trailers do not. Although some people prefer a traditional home, most are switching to mobile homes for the flexibility they provide.
The importance of insulation is really about keeping warm air in, not cold air out. In order to maintain a comfortable temperature in the home during both hot and cool seasons, it is important to insulate the outer walls of the home for plenty of thermal mass.
The reefer trailer already has the insulation built in so you won’t have to do any additional construction to make sure you will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Another great thing about living in a reefer trailer is that they are very energy efficient because of their insulation.
Less heat will escape through areas like:
- Walls
- Windows
- Ceiling
This can save on heating bills, so you don’t have to worry about high monthly costs for your utilities!
A few other benefits of choosing a reefer trailer are that they are built with high-quality materials, have steel construction, and come in many different sizes.
If you’re in the market for a new home but don’t want to deal with the hassle of buying and selling your current one, then maybe it’s time to consider using a refrigerated trailer instead.
How Long Do Reefer Trailers Last?
Protected from the outside environment, a reefer trailer will last for many years. The fiberglass walls provide protection from harsh weather conditions, which lengthens the lifespan of the trailer.
Most wear on trailers comes as a result of constantly opening and closing doors, but since you’ll be converting your trailer, you won’t have to worry about this issue.
Most refrigerated trailers come with insulation properties too so problems like break-ins are reduced. It won’t be as easy for someone to open a trailer door as it would be to kick in a door in a home.
The high-quality materials that make up refrigerated trailers also help to extend their life expectancy, such as steel construction for extreme durability in any climate.
The reefer trailer is known for a strong framework due to increased live loads and heavy-duty flooring systems that handle a lot of weight per square foot.
What to Consider When Living in a Reefer Trailer
When moving into a reefer trailer, you want to take some time to consider key facts like cleaning the trailer, insulation, and getting an HVAC system.
Cleaning Your Reefer Trailer
It goes without saying, that due to the nature of a reefer trailer, you’ll need to get on your hands and knees and do your routine cleaning. Taking precautionary measures can help you avoid getting unwanted pests into the home.
You may also consider adding a vapor barrier in between the insulation layer and the wall paneling.
Insulating Your Trailer for Weather
Insulation is important because it helps provide a comfortable living space that offers protection from more extreme weather conditions like heat or cold. It’s a good idea to make sure any insulation used will be effective at keeping out different temperatures.
Getting an HVAC system
An HVAC system can help you keep your home at the perfect temperature. With a reefer trailer, you won’t be able to get a central AC system so an HVAC is the next best thing.
What Types of Trailers Can You Live In?
Refrigerated trailers are often used for transporting perishable cargo, and they can be converted into a suitable living space.
The beauty of the refrigerated trailer is that it’s insulated from the outside environment, which helps make it more long-lasting. When you convert one, you won’t have to worry about standard problems like wood rot or insect infestations.
If you’ve been researching different trailer types and have yet to find one that suits your needs, don’t worry. There are many different types of trailers available for conversion, including self-storage and utility trailers.
Self-storage type trailers are a great option because they can be turned into an office space, granny flat, or even vehicle storage. The key here is to consider the length of the trailer and how much you want to spend on conversion costs.
Utility trailer conversions are often seen as a way to convert old refrigerated containers for various purposes, such as becoming a home or business.
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Reefer Trailer?
The cost of renovating a refrigerated trailer could be as little as $5,000 and up to $30,000. The exact answer will depend on how much you are adding to your trailer.
With an investment that large, you’ll want to decide on exactly the kind of renovation you would be interested in before making any plans.
It’s important to know what amenities and features will suit your lifestyle best because this will affect remodeling costs. It can often be more expensive to finish or refurbish one room and attach it to another than simply converting everything at once.
There are many ways that a reefer trailer could be renovated which include adding more storage space with containers of various sizes or turning the trailer into a living area for guests like an AirBNB home for example.
Living Inside a Reefer Trailer
The reefer trailer already comes fully insulated, so it will last a lot longer than normal trailers and have fewer utility bills. You will have to put in a good amount of work or money but you could be living in the trailer for years.
