Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

lrrowe wrote:I like the idea of a truck bed tank for those times off the grid. I always thought I would add one. It would work also for when I run the beaches at Cape Hatteras to fish.

Yes.. the 66 gallons (2 tanks) will be in the CTC and I'll fill them as needed. If I am going to be on an extended Boondock, I'll put the third tank in the truck. I have a little 12VDC pump to transfer it with. I just happen to have the third tanks. Those 7 gallon Gerry cans would be nicer. Then you don't need a transfer pump.

Do you go off grid alot?

In the Fall yes, while I hunt in the George Washington National Forest. And I consider while I am fishing on the Cape Hatteras Banks, that I am basically off the "grid" for the day...not camping though. Although it is my plans for this and future years to consider camping at the National Park Campground at Cape Hatteras and that has no power (I believe..need to see if it has changed from many years ago). And now that I have the CT near completion, I hope to get out there more. But for us in the East, our opportunities are not as good as much further West for off grid camping.

Edit: And this June, I am joing a TearJerker event in upstate NY at Fish Creek Pond in the northern part of the Adirondacks. That campground has no power amentities so I will be off the grid there. I am looking forward to that trip as it takes me about 14 hours north to my old boyhood stomping grounds. And by then I hope to have my solar panels installed.

PS. Has anyone noticed the shortage of solar panels (Cenergy type) from Solar Blvd. You cannot find 100-150 watt units from them directly or from eBay. I emailed them yesterday and them indicated they are totally out of stock. Not sure when the stock will be back. I procastinated too long when I found then for $1 a watt and free shipping. Is the demand increasing or is the ship,late from China?

Decided to go with the ladder and the 20 cu ft. cargo carrier I also recovered from the donor RV. It needs to be cleaned up... but will be perfect for the grill, chairs, etc. so I do not have to fill up the truck bed. I also have some aluminum channel I recovered from the awning to make the roof rack for this out of.

Well, the ladder is installed. I weigh about 195lbs all dressed and the ladder is rock solid climbing up. I had to build some support into the walls and ceiling for where it missed beams. This is the time to do it now, before I button up the inside.

I intended to get the hot water heater hole cut today and installed, but I didn;t get that far.

I keep chipping away at it. I got the hole cut and the Hot water heater setting in the hole. I have some bracing yet to do inside and then I have to seal it all up, but I think it looks good. Definitely a "measure twice, cut once" event.

I used a 4.5 In angle grinder to cut the beam in the wall and a jigsaw for the hole itself. It cut real easy. I'll take a few pics of the bracing when I get to it later in the week.

Nice job on the water heater! Looks like it was installed at the factory that way.

Hey flboy,
I just recently found your post over here and have been spending much time scouring it. First let me say I loved your prior build. Also, I love the fact that you were able to salvage so much from the donor camper. That kind of thing really appeals to me because it allows you to use those funds elsewhere.
Couple things real quick:
1. New trailer is AWESOME
2. Very nice list of items ordered
3. Nice solar system
4. Yes, ladder & cargo unit
5. You said toilet is a monument? Not to be used?
6. All work so far looks very professional, nicely done


McDave

McDave wrote:Hey flboy,
I just recently found your post over here and have been spending much time scouring it. First let me say I loved your prior build. Also, I love the fact that you were able to salvage so much from the donor camper. That kind of thing really appeals to me because it allows you to use those funds elsewhere.
Couple things real quick:
1. New trailer is AWESOME
2. Very nice list of items ordered
3. Nice solar system
4. Yes, ladder & cargo unit
5. You said toilet is a monument? Not to be used?
6. All work so far looks very professional, nicely done


McDave

Thanks McDave. I appreciate the comments. I am really excited to be building this. I learned a lot on the first one, so this one will be an improvement for me. The donor trailer is/was a blessing! It is saving me a few thousand easy. RV Appliances (stove, oven, water heater, furnace, holding Tanks, Windows, ladders, cargo carriers, propane tanks, doors, switches, etc.) are expensive when you put all that together. It is more work to refurb all that stuff, but it has allowed me to put more into the cargo trailer itself (extra height, trim, paint, wheels, etc) and the solar power system.

I mentioned the toilet as a "monument" because it has to go there due to placement of the black water tank and the need to drop straight in. It will get used. The placement of the toilet was more or less fixed where it is at if I wanted it up front. Once I decided where it had to go, I fit the rest around it. The black water tank is 6 ft long and fits between the 16" beams underneath. Further up, the tongue has members that would interfere, then the axles are in the way... and the cargo area needs to be open for the motorcycles.

Looks like good planning & execution. Enjoying this build.

aggie79 wrote:Nice job on the water heater! Looks like it was installed at the factory that way.

Thanks! That's the look I am going for. I hate cutting holes in the roof and sides... always makes me nervous.

Ah yes, I understand completely about making all the assorted odd shapes work together, and the "I want it here, but it fits here". Also I am noticing the trailer keeps getting smaller and the fixtures seem to be getting bigger, fast!
McDave

I got the bracing in on the Hot water tank and it is all screwed in. I was going to weld in the braces, but I have found you can take a 1" square aluminum bar and it fills in and then I can drill it into the parts of the P-hat bracing that extend over it. It seems to be just as strong and is much easier. I am probably going to do the same for the windows. I have taken Marine plywood and Liquid nailed on the sides so screws can drive into something and the top and bottom go into the aluminum bar. Very sturdy.

I will build a Styrofoam enclosure around the tank now for insulation and blow in the expanding foam to fill in the gaps. It should be well insulated.

I wish I had more time in the evenings. I got 1.5 hours in after work before it started to rain and got dark.. This weekend I should get the windows in the sides, the water inlets, the outside shower, and then the bathroom vent fan. I am also going to replace the top vent with a Maxxair. CamperWorld had an internet special on them for $93.97 (over $50 off) with free shipping. Couldn't pass it up. It is a 4 speed 900CFM fan. Wow! I bet that will keep the air moving on the batteries when I am boon docking and am not running the AC.

I didn't get much time this weekend for the trailer. It rained moset of Saturday and I didn't want to be cutting holes in the rain. I did manage to squeeze a few hours in this afternoon and was able to get one window in. I'll be doing another just like it on the other side. This is where the loft bed will bee, so I wanted good ventilation there. These windows came from the cab over bed on the donor camper. See pics below.

I'll try to get a few hours in the evening this week to make a few more holes. I have a few vents to install on the roof, water inlets, etc...

Looking good. Keep it up.

TheOtherSean wrote:Looking good. Keep it up.

Thanks!

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