First, I’m glad this forum is here! I’ve been lurking for about a year now while I planned this build. It’s nice to be around like minds!
The backstory:
Well- I like building things. I’m married with a three and a soon to be 6 year old. Before the family I grew up camping with my parents. After college, I bought a used Sunlite pop up truck camper that served me well through my wedding, and through the birth of my (daughter) around that time I discovered that condensation, snow load, ants damage, and an improperly braved AC unit can combine to make for a not so watertight camper come spring!
We made do with a 5th hand (!?) pop up last summer, and agreed to purchase a toy hauler spring of 2019. Needless to say researching camper/toybauler construction, and touring rv’s At dealerships- I was exasperated. Big $$ for a camper that had frills I didn’t need, poor capacity, and even poorer build quality....
So, I figured airstreams were the most durable RV’s out there. They are made with Aluminium skin over studs, with plywood interior walls....just like a cargo trailer! The idea was born: the original concept was to Replace the pop up with a hard sided trailer of similar utility—-and a whole heap of extra flexibility for hauling big boy toys, kids toys, and outdoor adventures like hunting and fishing....anywhere my truck would go.
Long story short; my wife encouraged me to go to plan B. (She’s a pretty good catch...) we decided on the build it once build it right plan! So the goal became:
1) good camper for family road trips across country (maybe including overnight cat naps in a rest area)
2) at home in a traditional campground but also comfortable rustic camping (which we prefer)
3) flexible enough in design to accommodate toys (dirt bikes and a kids quad now, but with potential for a Jeep or pair of UTV’s in the future)
3a) one of my goals is to run the rubicon trail with my kids so that is an important goal of ours!
5) ability to quickly pack, load and go for weekend trips; ability to power wash interior floors after.
4) durable construction with a self imposed goal of 10-11k including purchase of trailer
Big intimidating goals!