The Squidget Pop Top build is on.

[cracker39]

I finished the couch/bed platform today and put the stained and varnished facing pieces on both the front couch platform section and on the front of the support frame. The original Squidget had a center support under the front of the support frame. I beefed up the cross members on the PT so I could leave the center open. To be sure that if I ever sell the PT to someone who is extra heavy, I made a drop-down support beneath the seat platform section that extends out. Photos below compare the front of the under seat storage area of both trailers. I don’t have doors made yet for the PT.

Squidget under seat storage area:


PT couch and fully open under seat storage area:

[cracker39]

I’ve completed all of the basic cabinetry framing and have the finished (stain/varnish) face framing ready to install on the side and front cabinets. I’ll do that for the tall cabinet after I’ve received and dry fitted the icebox. Cabinet door for the front cabinet are framed and pieces cut out for the other two cabinets ready to assemble. I have yet do decide on what to use for the door panels or if I will have two drawers in the side cabinet below the sink.

I’m waiting on the icebox and haven’t yet ordered the sink (will do that today). Yesterday I ordered my shore cable, battery monitor and a single basic faucet for my sink. I plan on also installing a filter/drinking water faucet combination like I have on my sink at home. There will be no hot water connection or a water tank. Here is the galley cabinetry as it looks now. The tall cabinet won’t be attached to the floor and wall until the icebox and exterior paneling is installed.

In the photo below, the bed platform has been extended for sleeping and you can see the end of the bed platform touching the tall cabinet and how much floor space remains when the bed platform has been extended.



I just finished a checklist (that is probably missing something) for the anticipated order of things to be done for the completion of the PT. It looks like 2-3 weeks at the most (yeah, right…let’s see how it looks 3 weeks from now). I'm still way behind on updating the build photo WEB pages.

[S. Heisley]

You're getting there, Dale! You'll be camping in it this summer for sure!

[madjack]

...to all, at Dales request, we have moved this to the "Build Journals" forum, so look for it there...................
madjack

[cracker39]

Thank you Jack.

BTW, folks, I have updated my build site, both added to the Cabin page and added the Exterior page.

[cracker39]

The icebox is on it's way and I should have the cabinetry finished in a few days. I started connecting the power in the tongue boxes as my shore cable arrived, but need a breaker box wire "holder" to keep the cable secure in the box before I can continue that, so today I'll work on cabinet face framing, finish the last two doors and mount my spare tire. Hey, I may be only a week away from rolling it out for full side photos.

For anyone interested in an updated build cost estimate, I have just about purchased all of the basic materials and supplies except for materials to finish the counter top in the galley. And I need to purchase some of what I refer to as “luxuryâ€

[cracker39]

A lot has gotten done since this morning...or at least it feels like a lot. Today was another one of those do a little of this and a little of that. I finished installing the last two overhead lights and the electrical wiring and the main breaker in the tongue box. Well, almost. I decided that the 1 amp charger I bought will be used in my bass boat and I’m ordering a larger one for the camper. I’ll need to route the wires to the battery through the conduit and then the electrical will be complete.

I finished assembling the cabinetry face framing for the tall cabinet and the last three cabinet doors. They are coated with Polyshades Honey Pine and tomorrow I’ll final sand and spray on a clear satin poly varnish and they’ll be ready to install. The icebox should be here tomorrow and I can finish up the cabinetry by Saturday or Sunday. I’m a hoarder when it comes to building materials. I bought a large bag of good quality antique brass cabinet hinges probably 15-20 years ago from a hardware store going out of business. I used them in the Squidget, and will use more of them in the PT and have enough left for another camper someday…should I be crazy enough to attempt another one.

I put in the windows this evening and when I buy some more stainless steel screws I’ll put the drip caps over them. The sink arrived today, so now I can begin the plumbing and make the counter top. It’s coming together faster than I thought it would at the end. I’ll put in the door this coming week and work on the door and window moldings.

I still need to find the connections and hoses for the propane cook top and will probably go to a dealer or service company to see what parts I need. This is one area where I’m a total beginner and won’t attempt to cobble it together myself. I haven’t begun to make the propane tank mount yet, but that shouldn’t take long to do. I saw one on the forum made from galvanized strapping and nuts and bolts.

I also attached the spare tire mount today. Again, almost finished that. I could only find three of the four galvanized bolts I bought for the job. I need to buy a single bolt next trip to HD along with another piece of clear pine for moldings. With more lumber, propane connections, new charger, etc. to buy that estimated cost I stated above just may keep growing.

[cracker39]

My build WEB pages are sadly behind my work. I need to get it updated again soon. My ice box arrived and I’m in the process of fitting it in the tall cabinet. But, before I can reinsall that cabinet I need to get the drain plumbing for the sink done as the pipe has to go over beneath the tall cabinet to go through the floor. The tongue runs back under the sink and a portable tank won’t fit beneath the trailer in that spot. So, I may get that cabinet in tomorrow if I get the plumbing cut to fit and the counter top fastened down.

I brought home a sheet of 5/8â€

[Keith.B.Nimble]

Excellent work Dale.

I anxiously await more updates and more pictures so keep them coming.

Keith

[starleen2]

Here is an idea for the holes for the lock down pins. I used this on the ladybug and it sure kept the hole from being elongated or worn due to prolonged usage. It's just a fender washer with the right sized hole

[cracker39]

Here is an idea for the holes for the lock down pins. I used this on the ladybug and it sure kept the hole from being elongated or worn due to prolonged usage. It's just a fender washer with the right sized hole.

Thanks for the photo. What a good idea. I’ve had the thought of doing something like that but hadn’t decided just what. I’m going to Home Depot in a little while. I’ll pick up some fender washers.

[cracker39]

I am soooooo close to being finished with the PT. I am in the final phases, jumping from one area to another to do finishing work. Today I got the cabinet door catches installed (and that’s a job, having to be inside the cabinet to see where the holes go with a door closed). I put on the window and door molding and have more molding to do tomorrow to finish up all of the molding.

Like Sharon, I find that I get dings and dirty spots on the paint and fill have to do some touch up at the end. After installing the battery charger, I realized that I needed to vent that box so it wouldn’t overheat, so I got more 3â€

[S. Heisley]

Lookin' good, Dale! You'll be camping in it in very soon.
It kinda gives me a kick in the nether region to get back to work on mine.

[bdosborn]

Wow Dale, it looks great! I bet you can't wait to camp in it.

Bruce

[cracker39]

I'm hoping to roll it out for photos in the next day or two. Despite the wind I got one side masked with nearly a whole roll of tape and lots of newspaper and spray painted the decorative stripe that I designed on one side, then put on the name with stick-on lettering I had ordered weeks ago. I got a very close m atch of the colors of the striping and the lettering. The interior is just about finished. I hooked up a hose and pressure tested my inlet plumbing today and found no leaks.

Tomorrow I'll find a propane dealer in town and look for the propane hose I need. Neither Home Depot or an RV dealer in the county has one. Yesterday and today I fabricated, applied Rustbullet and assembled my tank mount. The tank sits between my two tongue boxes.