Walter, the 7x14 CTC toy hauler/camper

[Staryder61]

For you it was selling the teardrop. For us it was dismantling it because of the plywood failing.
It wasn't just the money we had put in it. It was all those hours, before starting the build. Sketches, plans, the layouts, changing the layouts. The reading and researching on this forum, and material suppliers.
This product, that product. Plywood's. Finishes to include paint, PMF, resin.
Either way, they are both gone now..
We did a mini van conversion. Worked for us for a while. Just not big enough. So it was either a larger van, or this conversion.
Cost wise, conversion makes more since to us. If the drive vehicle craps out. We change and still have the camper.
That's a win win for us.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Some limited progress. Weather has been too nice to work. Got some small things done here and there. Removed the wall panels on one side. Looks like I've had some luck with trailer panel fit. Don't see much in the way of gaps. Or exterior panels that have gaps. Laid out where the first window hole will be cut.

Before I could assemble the jalousie window for install, I wanted to tint the panes. So, I've been spending some time there.

Got some more time in on rust removal on the bed lift parts. Parts arrived to convert the propane stove to use 1lb bottles. I had not yet tested the stove. So I opened it up to change the LP fittings. Found a mouse nest the size of a softball. Cleared the nest. Stove tested fine using the 1lb bottle. So began to clean and disinfect it. Took some doing. Came out looking great.

Tomorrow I'm going to start building the framework to install the first window with. Should be able to finish the rust remove and painting of the last of the bed lift parts too.

Harbor Freight had a 25% off coupon over the holiday. Picked up their smallest 12v winch for the bed lift. Got my 110v inverter at the sale too. Nice saving!

 

[Staryder61]

Some limited progress. Weather has been too nice to work. Got some small things done here and there. Removed the wall panels on one side. Looks like I've had some luck with trailer panel fit. Don't see much in the way of gaps. Or exterior panels that have gaps. Laid out where the first window hole will be cut.

Before I could assemble the jalousie window for install, I wanted to tint the panes. So, I've been spending some time there.




Got some more time in on rust removal on the bed lift parts. Parts arrived to convert the propane stove to use 1lb bottles. I had not yet tested the stove. So I opened it up to change the LP fittings. Found a mouse nest the size of a softball. Cleared the nest. Stove tested fine using the 1lb bottle. So began to clean and disinfect it. Took some doing. Came out looking great.

View attachment 1

Tomorrow I'm going to start building the framework to install the first window with. Should be able to finish the rust remove and painting of the last of the bed lift parts too.

Harbor Freight had a 25% off coupon over the holiday. Picked up their smallest 12v winch for the bed lift. Got my 110v inverter at the sale too. Nice saving!

Wow, progress, an update.. Doing the boogie dance here.. just kidding ya. my progress and others keeps me interested..
you see no gaps.. remember to do a water test any and everywhere anyway..
If I hadn't, then a couple weeks or months later. I would have noticed water coming in somewhere.

 

[Staryder61]

checking ya for updates... tag.. you're it..

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Yikes....I don't check in often I guess. Just some very minor updates.

Weather has been excellent here. So since last update I've done 99% play time. 1% work time. Joy riding my convertible or ebike. Keeping the BBQ hot with tasty things on my deck at home.

Alos get led astray by my top secret hideaway bar and grill. With a lakefront deck. Shaded by some giant oak trees. Have a peek at the pic.
Very small crowd of local patrons. Lunch time visits tend to last longer than they should! Food is beyond awesome as well!!

I haven't totally been wasting away in the fine weather. A big excuse for not working the camper was my table saw and mitre saw were buried deep in the back of the garage. Yesterday I spent the time to get them dug out. Placed front and center and ready to go. So I've ruined that excuse not to work because the saws are buried.

Landed a cool curb find this week as well. A wood king size head board. I'll be able to salvage some nice parts of it to dress up the camper bed.

Also got to meet a Tnttt forum member and his wife this weekend. Cindy and I had a great visit with them. Got to check out his teardrop too. We were both cheering each other on while we built our teardrops. Very cool to finally meet up in person.

We shall see if I finally knuckle down soon and get something done.

 

[Vnose-TNT]

I'll be following your build. Mine is a 6X14 V Nose with a single axel. A king size bed sounds great if you can live with it and as to the elevator rig, you might consider using tracts and wheels from a garage door shop. That can keep the bed from moving in all the wrong directions going up or down.

I'll be rigging up fold down beds on both sides. At my age I have those nightly trips and trying to crawl over someone isn't easy. One RV tip I saw, which makes sense, is not to put your ceiling vent fan directly over your bed, it is possible to wake up and wonder about who wet the bed.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

V nose- Thanks for the input. I'm safe with roof fan location. The trailer rafters are framed for the fan well ahead of the bed. So all is well.

I think I will be good with the stability of the bed as it raises and lowers. I'm using the complete system from a pop up camper. It has 4 telescoping corner posts that locate the bed ( old camper roof) and guide it straight up and down. Pic below

So if you imagine all the canvas gone you have 4 posts left. Plus a platform/roof raised in the air. My bed frame platform will be 3 ft shorter (so lighter) than the camper roof was. In addition to the shorter length the bed platform will be made from lighter materials as well. Plus many of the pop up campers used roof top RV style A/C units too. The system lifted that fine as well. So even a foam mattress on the platform should lift just fine.

Next hurdel was getting bed to drop low enough for easy entry exit. I do not want to climb up to get in bed. You will enter exit bed from foot end. So i plan to build some Gondola shaped bed side rails to add to the drop of the mattress. My trailer is a 7' tall model so I will be able to lift bed high enough to have good clearance under raised bed. A butchered photo to show the concept planned.

That's my theory. Sometimes practice/reality varies greatly from theory. I hope not this time.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Finally knuckled down and got a window installed. I'm happy with the result. Several more to go. Just not until spring.

Built frame from some recycled pallet oak beams.

 

[hankaye]

Mr. Lahey, Howdy;

Congrats on the install. Appears to be a louvered window. I like them.
Allow you to get some ventilation should it be raining.


hank

 

[undercrust]

Would love to know where people are finding these louvred windows (doubly so if anyone can recommend a source that's in Canada). They look like they'd be fantastic if you're out in the weather, but you still want to get some fresh air!

 

[hankaye]

undercrust, Howdy;

Hope your Holiday was a pleasant one.

May I suggest that you speak to some folks at various RV repair shops/dealerships
to see where they might be sourcing things like the windows.

Have a fun New Year and scavenger hunt for the items on your build list.

hank

 

[onehoser]

Would love to know where people are finding these louvred windows (doubly so if anyone can recommend a source that's in Canada). They look like they'd be fantastic if you're out in the weather, but you still want to get some fresh air!

they’re known as hehr torque windows. you can also salvage them from campers, the seals dry out but can be replaced with new seals

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Would love to know where people are finding these louvred windows (doubly so if anyone can recommend a source that's in Canada). They look like they'd be fantastic if you're out in the weather, but you still want to get some fresh air!

I purchased the windows a couple years back. Ordered them from Home Depot. Only place I could find them. They are residential units. They are made with safety glass. Last time I checked they had been discontinued.

 

[Modstock]

Look up mobile home windows. Usually brings up the home depot units.

Sent from my SM-A115AP using Tapatalk

 

[vladislaoapp]

Yes, trailers with lifting platforms are a cool thing to save space in the trailer. It really helps to feel comfortable traveling together. So you can afford a double bed. I'm also currently considering options for new teardrops. This year I will be traveling with my partner. We really need something very convenient. By the way, I want a shower stall. I liked the trailer for Jay Flight SLX 8 263RBS 2023. I found information about this in an article about the best travel trailers. This trailer weighing 7k pounds, with a pull-out bed, a shower cabin, and a cozy kitchen. That's my teardrop dream.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

After a 3 year break. I am finally back working on this conversion. After this weekend I should have it in a bare bones camping able state. It will finally see use this season!

Over the past few days, I have finally installed the second window. I wall mounted my Fantastic fan. Still managed to fall off the ladder backwards from 3 steps up while installing the fan.. Landed flat on my back on the lawn. Somehow came away with only a bruised ego.

Hope to have my ceiling panels up this weekend. I have some 1/4" OSB aromatic cedar closet liner panels I got at a closeout sale. They should work out great.

Sent off the money to title and plate the trailer. Purchased my state park yearly admit pass too. For me to spend that money. Shows I'm serious about getting out this season!!!

I'll get some pic's up at some point.

 

[Camping Cur]

After a 3 year break. I am finally back working on this conversion. After this weekend I should have it in a bare bones camping able state. It will finally see use this season!

Over the past few days, I have finally installed the second window. I wall mounted my Fantastic fan. Still managed to fall off the ladder backwards from 3 steps up while installing the fan.. Landed flat on my back on the lawn. Somehow came away with only a bruised ego.

Hope to have my ceiling panels up this weekend. I have some 1/4" OSB aromatic cedar closet liner panels I got at a closeout sale. They should work out great.

Sent off the money to title and plate the trailer. Purchased my state park yearly admit pass too. For me to spend that money. Shows I'm serious about getting out this season!!!

I'll get some pic's up at some point.

Howdy,
Been checking out this build and thanks again for your kind comments about ours. When it came to windows I could not locate any awning style crank out windows so I went with shed/playhouse/chicken coop windows. We also did not want to lug around a 20# LP tank, but did want to occasionally cook on our mini gas grill. The 1# tanks have really jumped in price though. So...we bought a mini LP 5# tank from Costco that is just the right size. ( I think it was about 50 bucks.) Costs about 4 bucks to fill from empty and came with a gauge attached. Not too heavy but holds plenty of gas for several trips. You might check it out. Got the hose to attach it to the grill at WM for less than 20 bucks!
Was wondering too if you could say what held you up from building for that 3 year period? Glad you are up and at 'em again. What part of the country are you located? We are in SW Florida (HOT!!).
Take care and keep up the build journal. Great looking trailer BTW!!

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Howdy,
Been checking out this build and thanks again for your kind comments about ours. When it came to windows I could not locate any awning style crank out windows so I went with shed/playhouse/chicken coop windows. We also did not want to lug around a 20# LP tank, but did want to occasionally cook on our mini gas grill. The 1# tanks have really jumped in price though. So...we bought a mini LP 5# tank from Costco that is just the right size. ( I think it was about 50 bucks.) Costs about 4 bucks to fill from empty and came with a gauge attached. Not too heavy but holds plenty of gas for several trips. You might check it out. Got the hose to attach it to the grill at WM for less than 20 bucks!
Was wondering too if you could say what held you up from building for that 3 year period? Glad you are up and at 'em again. What part of the country are you located? We are in SW Florida (HOT!!).
Take care and keep up the build journal. Great looking trailer BTW!!

CC-Thanks for the interest in my build. The big delay in building was from multiple factors. Too long a story to type out. Maybe someday around a campfire will be the time to tell it.

During the delay I did figure out I did not have to lift the bed like I spoke of earlier. That I could pack our two ebikes tight together. At the head of the bed. Then just push the bed far enough forward to get the rear ramp gate shut.

I did get my cedar osb ceiling up. Took a bit longer than I hoped. Glad it's done.

I've started to plan out my cabinets and counter for the front V nose. I like to use the gear I want to stow. Placed where it fits best. So I can build the structure to fit all the items. Then lay the countertop over it all.

Starting to place items how I want them housed in the camper.

There will be an rv sink, 10gal gravity feed water system, commode storage, folding tv trays, bbq, power station and my Coleman cookstove. The board on the floor is where the bed ends. With the bikes stowed at the head of bed.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

I was able to carve out the time to get the trailer to where I could go camping. Little more than a metal tent if you will. Got out 4 times this season. I am very happy with how comfortable and functional it worked out to be.

I hope to finish the trim work and front kitchen area this coming spring. Meanwhile it proved to work out better than I hoped.