Order of Construction Question

[gregp136]

Hello All,

My cubby plans, and most of the build journals I have browsed have people putting the walls on the trailer, then framing, insulating, wiring and skinning the inside. The problem is my trailer is in a cold garage, while my walls are in a "less cold" basement. As you can see, I have already framed them, insulated them, and started the wiring.



I was going to finish the rough wiring, put on the inside skins, and then move them to the garage and put them on the trailer.



Am I missing something? Is there something that I have not thought of that will make this not work?

Greg (and Laurie)

[jdarkoregon]

Greg, the puzzle you are building has more than one way to be completed. It sounds like you have a plan on how you are going to put all the pieces together. STICK WITH YOUR PLAN!!!!!

Measure twice and cut once. BTW lots of people have done exactly what you are doing. Build all the parts, make sure they fit together and when it does get warmer, you'll be done before you know it and your fingers won't have frozed off.

Have fun and build lite

John

[RichAFix]

I am building mine just as you are. My problem is I can't get anything bigger than a 4x8 out of the basement and I am building a 5x10 trailer so it makes the build more interesting, kind of like a puzzle. You have to be very accurate with all measurements.

They didn't build the International Space Station in space, just one piece of the puzzle at a time on the ground then attach it to the rest in the harsh environment. Keep as you are doing. There is no wrong way.

[planovet]

That's what I did. My sides, front and back bulkheads were completely finished BEFORE I attached them to the trailer. It was much easier doing everything with the sides on the work table versus climbing in and out of the tear. I even installed the door hinges and door while the sides were laying flat. Much easier to get the gaps even. I was very pleased how it worked out.

[Juneaudave]

I agree. I think its easier to do as much as you can with the parts laying flat, including epoxy and such.

One of the problems in not having a nice heated workshop is that you never have a good work surface that is big enough for panels. On my first build I always had something cobbled together. This time around, I have made up sawhorses and a full work surface that I can set up inside or out to work on. I think it will be worth the extra cost and effort as I get into the build.

[gregp136]

It always bothers me when peoples work benches look nicer than my final product....



Seriously, I like that idea. I have the horses but tend to use one side on top of the other to support them.

Greg (and Laurie)

[Miriam C.]

If you go to Steve Frederick's site you will find lots of TD's build with the walls finished before installing. This also allows you to do the ceiling from the outside in....Much easier in my opinion.

[S. Heisley]

I've been told that the "Big Boys" build modular-style, finishing the walls before they put them together. Besides, for us, it's much easier on the back and knees!

[ssrjim]

That is how I did my 3rd one and any future trailers:

http://web.mac.com/ramjim/TearDrop_3/Sides.html#30

[gregp136]

I have been a member since Jan, and have spent hours and hours reading all the old posts. I can not remember one where EVERYONE agrees.

Thanks everyone. Am moving forward.

Greg (and Laurie)

[dwgriff1]

Prefinish everything possible.

It is a lot easier on a flat bench than inside a small trailer.

dave

[aggie79]

Like others, I pre-built my floor and walls. Here they are stacked on a cart along with the aluminum and plywood for the exterior.



I partially pre-built my headboard cabinet, but did not pre-build my interior cabinet; however, I wish now that I had built complete cabinets ahead of time.

Tom

[bobhenry]

It always bothers me when peoples work benches look nicer than my final product....



Seriously, I like that idea. I have the horses but tend to use one side on top of the other to support them.

Greg (and Laurie)

We discussed this elswhere but it fit here too !