The Meager Beginning

[vipercairo]

At long last; the TD is underway... The trailer (special order) was built to haul Rinos (I guess)... with a few add-ons the builder "thought" I would benefit from. NOT!

Anyway... so far the frame is part-way "unmodified" and now with insulated floor. The side profile panels are cut (and refined) and each is currently being joined with epoxy and fiberglass... not the best for strength, but I think it will hold long enough to get them attached to the trailer. Pix in album.

More pix in the camera so I'll glean and add as progress is made. This weekend the wall framing will start; I think this is one of the hardest parts of initial construction. Maybe a few days before another update.

Thanks for all youse guys inputs. I may be old, but not so wise I don't listen to the wiser! If I ain't done before MJ's birthday... I'm gonna throw in the towel! Love a good gumbo!

Carl

[Woodbutcher]

Looks like you have a great start. We look forward to watching your progress. Everyone loves the pictures so keep em comin! Good Luck!

[madjack]

Great frame Carl...you should have no problemos hauling small elephants or large horses on it ...anyway it is great to see ya get your build on the way...looking forward to seeing the progress...as the fat man sez..."git 'er dun"
madjack

[Ira]

Got a question for ya:

What do you mean about the sides being joined with epoxy and fiberglass? Don't you do the epoxy after they're up and joined to the spars, to hide the screw heads?

[vipercairo]

Got a question for ya:

What do you mean about the sides being joined with epoxy and fiberglass? Don't you do the epoxy after they're up and joined to the spars, to hide the screw heads?
_________________
"Crabin'...Cookin'…and CAMPIN'!!!"

Because of the length of the sides (12' 2") I had to join two sheets of 4X8 birch ply. The epoxy joint is reinforced with a 4" strip of fiberglass tape merely to hold the two pieces together until I get them glued and secured to the wall inner-frame. The outside will be covered with aluminum so I'm not worried about asthetics at this point.

[Outlaw]

Congrats on your newborn TD! Looks like your off to a great start

[Ron]

Carl,

Glad to see your build is progressing. I'm looking forward to seeing your build pictures and maybe even seeing it in person. There are alot of people on here from the DFW area.


Ron

[Ira]

Got a question for ya:

What do you mean about the sides being joined with epoxy and fiberglass? Don't you do the epoxy after they're up and joined to the spars, to hide the screw heads?
_________________
"Crabin'...Cookin'…and CAMPIN'!!!"

Because of the length of the sides (12' 2") I had to join two sheets of 4X8 birch ply. The epoxy joint is reinforced with a 4" strip of fiberglass tape merely to hold the two pieces together until I get them glued and secured to the wall inner-frame. The outside will be covered with aluminum so I'm not worried about asthetics at this point.

GOT YA!!!

Didn't realize or remember from any of your prior posts that this is what you were doing. I thought you were epoxying the side walls as your final finish and THEN raising them.

[Miriam C.]

Lookin good Carl,
12' huh just keep em coming.
GitRdun.

[Bob Pierce]

I see you have copper tubing running through your frame and up into the back "galley" section of the floor. What type of water system are you planning?

[vipercairo]

I see you have copper tubing running through your frame and up into the back "galley" section of the floor. What type of water system are you planning?
_________________
Bob Pierce

While I breath, I hope.

Bob....

The copper tube is for the LP gas to the stove... As for the water system (if you wanna call it that)... I will have a 15-gallon fresh water tank with demand pump & filter ---> to a small sink single faucet. I will also install a 20-gallon gray water tank for the sink drain. I'm installing the fresh tank just under the PetCool as per Sonetpro's FishInn.

The trick now is to not "bend" any of the copper tubing (front or rear) until I can get to the point of hooking it up. These little Tears can be a daunting challenge!

Carl