I want to drywall my trailer?

Yes. You could install 3/8" drywall over the paneling. I don't know that it is worth doing in a trailer. If you move the trailer the seams will crack. The drywall will need to be glued and screwed over the paneling. Cost to hire someone to do it can run anywhere from $32-$55 dollars a sheet labor and materials depending on your area and the quality of finish desired (level 4 or level 5).

A more cost effective and DIY friendly approach is to install paintable wall paper over the paneling. You can get this at most major home centers (Lowes, Home Depot) as well as paint suppliers such as Sherwin Williams. It is available in a variety of textures though you may have to special order some of them. You also won't have to deal with the dust associated with sanding drywall (which is a big bonus in an occupied home) or replacing the trim (which can add up fast).

I agree that paint or wallpaper is your best option. I have wallpapered over panelling by using the wallpaper liner first (which gets glued on horizontally). It covers the ridges in the paneling. As others have pointed out, a trailer flexes and also expands and contracts with temperature changes, so drywall would just crack. Plus the extra thickness will cause problems around windows and doors and any built ins. It would be a huge waste of money and look awful. Stick with paint.

Hi, Ashley.

Yes, but maybe not worth it.

A lot depends on the trailer, or mobile home, whether it's newer or older, still on wheels or securely set on blocks, etc. - whether or not the walls will flex, and if so crack seams on drywall.

As a quicker and much less-costly alternative, consider painting the paneling. A nice off-white or pastel color will make the place much lighter and more spacious looking. Once the paneling has been scrubbed clean, a coat of modern self-priming paint can be applied. Try one room first to see what you think. For sheen, avoid flat, use at least eggshell or satin.

Note that such an approach will still show the paneling seams, but I recommend against trying to fill them first, as a sandable filler, like spackling, dries stiff - and will crack. So after the hours of extra work to try to fill the seams, they will still show under the new paint.

Good lord, living in a trailer park.