Photophobic retreat

[Paul_B]

It begins!
I picked up my trailer this week, way beefier than I expected, a great deal heavier than what most people are building on but it adds peace of mind that it won't break on fire & logging roads.

I had brakes put on from the start, covers me no matter what state I go to and won't ever wish I had stopped slower. Springs are what they put on for ATV trailers so I should be good for any forest roads I come across.

 

[Shadow Catcher]

Looks like a good start. Just remember you are building an airplane, not a tank despite the frame.

 

[Paul_B]

Looks like a good start. Just remember you are building an airplane, not a tank despite the frame.

Good thought to keep in mind but I was always fond of the B-17, overbuilt, sure but took a beating and brought her crew home when nothing else could have.

 

[Paul_B]

Low temperatures forced me to haul the floor inside to paint the underside. Dry and back on the trailer (this side down) I can start building the walls onto it.

 

[Paul_B]

Back in the garage and bolted down. It probably doesn't look like a lot of progress but it was a good amount of work. I think I did it the hard way, by drilling the bolt down holes in the frame first and then trying to match the holes in the floor to them but I didn't want to risk drilling the wrong part of the steel frame.



The second 2x4x10s are the base of the walls, they're spaced for the outer ply from the fenders and the carriage bolts will remain exposed as part of removable teardrop box from utility trailer design.

 

[Paul_B]

Other members feedback got me thinking about the idea of side doors in addition to my rear entry and although I'm not sold on all of their reasons I've gone ahead and cut them out and will attempt to build them myself. I can't afford commercial doors so its going to add quite a bit of labor but having an secondary escape route in case of emergency was a pretty strong selling point.

With both walls cut and framed they stand on their own and are ready for roof bows to start going in. When my canvas arrives I'm going to check my gap on the wheel well again before cutting the roof bows just in case i need to slide the walls in a hair.

My inside wall panels are cut to this same shape but will need to be trimmed along the bottom and notched for the roof bows before getting their final fit.

 

[Paul_B]

Forgot to upload this before, the shape has come along and a test bend around the front was easy. The roof bows support me pulling myself up easily (might have to mount some handles if i get to used too it) with less wobble than going up the stairs on a number of factory TTs I had looked at.

I was hoping to show off my Galley hatches this week but the ribs didn't hold the curve so I'm off to Home Depot to pick up some sheathing plywood to cut new ribs. Fingers crossed they hold or I may be looking at a considerable redesign.

 

[Staryder61]

Great start Paul,
You sir are on your way..
I too had a trailer built, and I'm glad I did,, little more beefier then some use..
But, like the peace of mind, (Not going to collapse going down the hi-way)
David

 

[Paul_B]

Thanks David,
The beefy trailer is a huge piece of mind, most small cars can;t hurt that frame and if my construction falls apart on a trip I know i can strap everything down until i get o the landfill.

 

[Flatworm]

I was worried about doors too. However, I found them easier than expected. Just make allowance for foam tape around the internal frame. I'm pleased with my Wiley windows so far. Very fast and cheap to make.

 

[Staryder61]

Paul,
Constructions looking good,, I don't believe there'll be any trips to the landfill...
Keep the pictures coming as you move along...
What are your plans for the outside finish?

Door is a worry for me too flatworm,

David

 

[clamlamp]

Great work! following your build!

 

[Paul_B]

I've decided I definitely want to add marker lights for both cosmetic and safety reasons. I don't think the minimum that came on the trailer are necessarily enough (even if I don't get a ticket) and the only limitations I could find were that I probably shouldn't (probably not a ticket if i do but unclear) have the 3 ID lights in the center since I'm under 80 inches. A few extra lights look good but being photophobic I don't want to blind myself in the rearview mirror.

Front & Rear renderings of what I plan to do:

The lights I have in mind are pretty low profile so I'm not sure how visible the ones along the curves will be from the sides but they looked funky when mounted on wall.

I might put a couple more red on the back (I'll have extras and the wire will already be there) but with the long brake lights added on the galley doors I think my visibility will be plenty improved without them.
There will (probably) be a porch light over the side doors but it won't be on going down the road so I haven't bothered to render it these.

 

[Paul_B]

Staryder61

I'm going with PMF, I'm not sure I'll like the texture and it might show more than I'm hoping but it seemed to me to be the most forgiving for a first time builder. My woodworking skills would not make a beautiful woody like you see on other people's threads and aluminum is way out of my price range (and no experience working with it).

 

[Staryder61]

Paul, have seen a lot of the ones that were done PMF on here.. once painted they look great, the texture is not noticeable..

 

[Paul_B]

Been awhile since I updated, lots of work, and progress but feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much is left to do.

The inner ply had to go on so I could brace the insulation against it from the outside since you can;t push a wedge in backwards. The bottom most front panel is already back off so trailer wires could be pulled inside while outer ply (and PMF) are applied. The thinner outer strips (lighter color) act as 7 1/2 ft electrical panels for my running lights

Insulation along the front curve, section 2 wouldn't stay put so I had to clamp a stick in place until the outer ply went on. The wire conduit on each side is for the marker lights that will go along the roof, surounding gaps will eventually be filled with spray foam.

Outer ply is in place. More woodplastic than I wanted to use, probably more than i need since it will be covered in pmf but decided to be relatively thorough to keep the canvas from sagging into gaps.

 

[clamlamp]

Been awhile since I updated, lots of work, and progress but feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much is left to do.

The inner ply had to go on so I could brace the insulation against it from the outside since you can;t push a wedge in backwards. The bottom most front panel is already back off so trailer wires could be pulled inside while outer ply (and PMF) are applied. The thinner outer strips (lighter color) act as 7 1/2 ft electrical panels for my running lights

Insulation along the front curve, section 2 wouldn't stay put so I had to clamp a stick in place until the outer ply went on. The wire conduit on each side is for the marker lights that will go along the roof, surounding gaps will eventually be filled with spray foam.

Outer ply is in place. More woodplastic than I wanted to use, probably more than i need since it will be covered in pmf but decided to be relatively thorough to keep the canvas from sagging into gaps.

looking good! keep it up!

 

[Staryder61]

As for the PMF, take a look at clamlamp's, his turned out really good, and he documented the process really well..
Any process, whether aluminum, wood or PMF, can turn out really good. All depends on the time it takes to do it right.
You have come a long way, the quality shows in everything you have accomplished..

 

[Paul_B]

Major snag today, after skinning and painting everything my galley hatches won't go back on. They have warped and are now skewed that if i line up 3 corners on one it's off by a couple inches on the 4th. The other is actually a tighter radius at one edge (no idea how that's even possible). They fit before, they were insulated and wired and then taken off to skin and paint and now that i'm out of canvas and ready for the last coat of paint i'm struggling with the idea i have to rip[ them apart and start over.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated, i thought i was going to be sleeping in this next weekend...

 

[KCStudly]

Did you remove the hatch to do any of the skinning, gluing, building?

Whenever possible it is best to complete the hatch in place, then cut it free from the cabin after all major construction is complete. Things will always move around a little, and this is the best way to 'fixture' the hatch during construction.