I've had a couple of people asking about cost on the project so I'll post this information I sent to them. I spent a lot of time over several months researching and planning so if anybody is interested, you're welcome to any information I have regarding a trailer/camper project. I'm sure some of you have checked on the trailers and know they are expensive so here's what I used to analyze which way I was going to go. Just what I decided, it won't be right for everyone.
I don't mind sharing information at all. That's why I'm posting everything on the forums. I started out with the premise that I wanted to have a camping trailer I could pull behind my Jeep. We do a lot of camping, always have, I have a son that's been in scouts since he was 7 and now is in Venture Scouts along with his older sister so we're always out somewhere. After deciding that I wanted a trailer, I started looking at the different brands, AT, Tentrax, Livinlite, etc. There are dozens of them. I liked different features of all of them. I didn't like the prices of any of them. The Jeep branded trailer made by livinlite is what I decided to base my trailer on since that would allow me to actually have a trailer I could stand up in, have a meal in if the weather is bad and will also allow for heating & A/C. Most of the rest of the offroad campers use a rooftop tent of some sort. That being settled, with the base price of these trailers starting at around $11,000, I figured if I could build one for half that, it was worth my time. So here's the budget I put together. I figure to have about $4,000 in the base trailer and then we'll see how much we add on in amenities.
Aluminum for frame, skin, etc. $1,800 (My brother has a trailer fab shop so we ordered it wholesale)
Axle & trailer jack $200 (I ordered this through Redneck with a commercial account)
Tires/Wheels $300 (I had the tires already so they're not included)
Tent upper section $450 (I bought this directly from the tent manufacturer)
Offroad hitch $250 (I ordered a max coupler from AT)
Catalytic heater $250 (I haven't actually bought this yet)
Partner cook stove $220 (Ordered online)
A/C unit $700 (Yet to acquire but will have to get it soon)
Total $4,170
Most of these are actual numbers as I've already bought most of it. I'll also spend a hundred bucks or so in welder wire and tips plus I'm going to have the trailer sides powder-coated which will probably add a couple hundred bucks. Again, if I get in for half the retail considering I'm going to have much more amenities, I'll be happy. Bear in mind that I've got a good shop to do this in and already have the welder and tools necessary.
Let me know if this helps or if you have any more questions.