Building in the Desert on a Trailer with No Name...

[kevindford]

My no-name trailer build has begun, with the assembly of the Northern Tool 5x8 aluminum non-folding trailer.

The deck is going to 5/8" plywood directly on trailer beams, no frame.

The walls and galley bulkhead are insulation panels with 1/4" doug fir ACX to create a type of structural insulation panel (I know they aren't true SIPs, but I don't know what else to call them. Non-structural insulation panels. Yeah, NSIPs.) A local buddy has a 5'x10' vacuum bagging setup and is helping me. I joined the local SynShop to gain access to their carpentry tools, including a 4x8 CNC router.

I've done some design using onshape (free in-browser CAD software), you can look at the panels I made here:

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/6ec1f ... ac616a5dfc

The construction method will be slot and tab, with 1" tabs screwed to the deck with a corresponding slot in the NSIP to fit over, glued and screwed. The galley walls and counter will connect to each other and to the walls the same way.

I think that will be the most interesting part of this build. Lots of new skills for me to learn including: CAD software, CNC router, vacuum bagging, electrical system design.

I'm homeless (by choice) but also couch surf w friends and family when I'm not out exploring the southwest US. Thanks for the ongoing help and sharing of experience to everyone here.

[tony.latham]

Sounds like you're headed down an innovative creek.

with 1/4" doug fir ACX to create

I'm a big fan of 1/4' subfloor plywood. It's usually a few bucks cheaper and higher quality than ACX. No voids and a prettier grain.



That floor is fir and the wall is the subfloor plywood. Six bits says your local lumberyard has it –– and no, Home Depot doesn't qualify as a lumberyard.

Tony

[kevindford]

Sounds like you're headed down an innovative creek.

with 1/4" doug fir ACX to create

I'm a big fan of 1/4' subfloor plywood. It's usually a few bucks cheaper and higher quality than ACX. No voids and a prettier grain.



That floor is fir and the wall is the subfloor plywood. Six bits says your local lumberyard has it –– and no, Home Depot doesn't qualify as a lumberyard.

Tony

Yeah, that wall is gorgeous. What kind of wood? 'A' side of ACX doesn't have patches either, though.

[tony.latham]

Sounds like you're headed down an innovative creek.

with 1/4" doug fir ACX to create

I'm a big fan of 1/4' subfloor plywood. It's usually a few bucks cheaper and higher quality than ACX. No voids and a prettier grain.



That floor is fir and the wall is the subfloor plywood. Six bits says your local lumberyard has it –– and no, Home Depot doesn't qualify as a lumberyard.

Tony

Yeah, that wall is gorgeous. What kind of wood? 'A' side of ACX doesn't have patches either, though.

That's the 1/4" subfloor. I think it's some kind of birch. I believe that subfloor––which is rated for moist environments has to have fewer footballs or perhaps none.

Here's the other side:



The last time I bought 1/4" ply, the ACX was $24 and this subfloor was $22.

Tony

[kevindford]

3/4" ply for the deck, finished w a couple coats of polyurethane on top and rubberized rustoleum on the bottom.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kevindford]

Northern Tool 5x8 aluminum trailer assembly






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kevindford]

First vacuum bag process for bulkhead panels-

[Kaz]

In the desert you can't remember your name:

[kinto]

Maybe it's just the angle of the pictures, but the door looks almost centered(?)

I'm assuming you've checked that the door & fender will clear each other?


kent

[tony.latham]

Maybe it's just the angle of the pictures, but the door looks almost centered(?)

I'm assuming you've checked that the door & fender will clear each other?


kent

I think you may be talking about my #3 build since the above photos were taken of her when she was being built in 2015.

Here's a photo of my #1 that has the same profile showing the fender clearance.



It may look farther back than most teardrops. These cabins are ten-feet long with slider storage up front that forms a headboard. Thus the doors are placed right at the hips.

Tony

[kevindford]

In the desert you can't remember your name:

Cuz there ain't no one for to give you no name :-)

[kevindford]

Recent progress:

https://youtu.be/JvvA4bTPpGI