(The Puffin) New Tiny Trailer

[steve wolverton]

And maybe a hot tub.

The problem with a hot tub is I can only put 6-8 ladies in it. I'll need at least two hot tubs.



Ok - gonna try to finish this camper this weekend. I'm tired of working on it - I getting close to my 30 day project burnout period. 3 weekends of work and I've got a camper.

Maybe after a camping recharge I'll be motivated to finish the interior.

[NightCap]

Get anything done today? I figured out how to proceed on my hatch and cut out my vent hole on the roof. I have to say I love my flush cutting router bit. I think I will marry it.

[steve wolverton]

Get anything done today?

I made a trip to the hardware store to get some sealant, and my blue paint for the stripe. Well, it seems like everyone wanted to paint this weekend and there was about 10 people in line at the paint department, so I figured I'd just come back later and get the paint. I drove all over Houston trying to locate a door latch & electrical hatch that I wanted. I found some, but not the ones I want. So I just gave up and ordered them. I doubt they'll be here before Thanksgiving through. It looks like I'll be making the trip to see my friend w/o the camper. That was poor planning on my part - I should have ordered it weeks ago. So now my camper is basically finished (waiting for my bumper to dry) and then all I have to do is stab in the dropped floor (about to do that after this message) and I'm ready to camp. Well, as soon as those two parts make it in, then I'll be ready to camp.

Today I painted the bumper, installed a second door jamb that acts as a second seal, and I'm about to install the dropped floor. I also sealed the edging, and my strakes. The camper is ready for the weather now. Lots of little jobs now - I'm glad the hard stuff is behind me.

I figured out how to proceed on my hatch and cut out my vent hole on the roof. I have to say I love my flush cutting router bit. I think I will marry it.

That's one bit I don't have and probably the one I could use the most. I have a few roundover bits, but I really don't use my router much at all.

Sunday pics:


Holy matching crap Batman! I really didn't plan it like that.

You can see the second door jamb installed in the above pic. I've got to epoxy it in, and she'll be watertight! (It will also help muffle the screaming)

Isn't that a nice stealth door handle? Don't get me started!

[mikeschn]

The stealth handle is a good idea... I might have to use that on my daughters teardrop. Either that, or put in one of those automatic door openers like Len has on his hatch.

Hey Steve, Now that you are done with your trailer, can you build an Escape Hatch for me? It shouldn't take you more than 2 weekends the way you build.

Mike...

[steve wolverton]

The stealth handle is a good idea...

I'm working on a patent for it.

Hey Steve, Now that you are done with your trailer, can you build an Escape Hatch for me? It shouldn't take you more than 2 weekends the way you build.

I'd love to help you out Mike, but I think I need some camping time. Then I have to build one of those cool bicycle choppers that was shown on your site. *shakes fist at all the cool toy ideas*

[NightCap]

Be proud young man! That is one nice looking trailer. Good job. You are always welcome at my campfire.

[steve wolverton]

All the talk about scooters in another thread got me thinking about my own campground cruiser. I've been wanting a chopper for awhile & thought about making one. (I probably will still build my own) I picked up this little toy yesterday. I have my Trek mountain bike for the trails, and this little guy will be for running around the campgrounds.

It's as long as my camper!

[Hudsonite]

Not only is the speed of your build impressive, but your camper is very nice looking. Great job! Any plans to offer a "speed building" course?

[Miriam C.]

It is amazing how fast some of you guys build.
Great job Steve.

[steve wolverton]

Hudsonite - Speed building 101 eh? No real secrets. I kept everything simple, no crazy curves, no hatch, etc. I made sure to keep the camper 8' in length (although it is 6 feet & 1/4" wide) and used 24" & 36" radius cuts on the roof. I have one door instead of the two like most tear drops have, and I used paint with texture additive, so all of my sanding was with 60 grit belt sander. One of the biggest helps in building was I had already constructed the camper in my CAD program so I had a good idea of where I was going, and made minimal changes. The most important items I wanted were:

1 - dropped floor (I want to stand while cooking/changing clothes)
2 - interior kitchen (I cook outside, but when it's cold/raining I'm inside)
3 - bathroom (no porta-potti stuffed under shelf - I wanted separate room with door)
4 - storage! (I have tons of it, easily accessible)
5 - lightweight (I'm guessing 700 - really want to get it weighed!)
6 - fixed bed (no folding, converting, moving, etc. - get inside & crash)
7 - short & fat (fit inside garage, but be over 6' wide)
8 - attractive (I don't want an ugly camper - been told it's 'cute' by the onlookers)
9 - simple design (I like the looks, and I think it will be very functional)
10 - AC (5000BTU unit mounted inside)

So that's about it. I designed a camper that took the features of a teardrop and popup camper that I really liked and merged them to create this. I'll let everyone know how well (or not) it works soon. I appreciate your comments.

Miriam C. - Thank you! The plan was to have it done by Thanksgiving, and I would have succeeded if my door latch was here. So now I'm off to have Turkey Day with a friend and I'll install the latch this weekend (if it makes it) and get some camping in. Had I not missed that one weekend visiting another friend, I could have completed the build in one month, or 4 weekends. I'll have plenty of time to enjoy some winter camping now. I'm ready to camp!

[steve wolverton]

Here's rough draft (very rough!) of my camper build that I'm working on. I'm going to save it as a PDF with photos, CAD drawings, etc. later.

It'll give an idea of what's coming though. It might be a small resource for the new builders.

http://www.stevewolverton.com/puffin_draft.txt

Have a good Turkey Day all.

[NightCap]

Here's rough draft (very rough!) of my camper build that I'm working on. I'm going to save it as a PDF with photos, CAD drawings, etc. later.

It'll give an idea of what's coming though. It might be a small resource for the new builders.

http://www.stevewolverton.com/puffin_draft.txt

Have a good Turkey Day all.

Wow! Thanks. Very good info. Very complete. Did you get photos of each little step? Looks like the makings of a good book.

[mikeschn]

Steve,

If you want to compile that as a pdf, complete with photos, I'll put it in the menu for you.

Mike...

[Classic Finn]

Hudsonite - Speed building 101 eh? No real secrets. I kept everything simple, no crazy curves, no hatch, etc. I made sure to keep the camper 8' in length (although it is 6 feet & 1/4" wide) and used 24" & 36" radius cuts on the roof. I have one door instead of the two like most tear drops have, and I used paint with texture additive, so all of my sanding was with 60 grit belt sander. One of the biggest helps in building was I had already constructed the camper in my CAD program so I had a good idea of where I was going, and made minimal changes. The most important items I wanted were:

1 - dropped floor (I want to stand while cooking/changing clothes)
2 - interior kitchen (I cook outside, but when it's cold/raining I'm inside)
3 - bathroom (no porta-potti stuffed under shelf - I wanted separate room with door)
4 - storage! (I have tons of it, easily accessible)
5 - lightweight (I'm guessing 700 - really want to get it weighed!)
6 - fixed bed (no folding, converting, moving, etc. - get inside & crash)
7 - short & fat (fit inside garage, but be over 6' wide)
8 - attractive (I don't want an ugly camper - been told it's 'cute' by the onlookers)
9 - simple design (I like the looks, and I think it will be very functional)
10 - AC (5000BTU unit mounted inside)

So that's about it. I designed a camper that took the features of a teardrop and popup camper that I really liked and merged them to create this. I'll let everyone know how well (or not) it works soon. I appreciate your comments.

Miriam C. - Thank you! The plan was to have it done by Thanksgiving, and I would have succeeded if my door latch was here. So now I'm off to have Turkey Day with a friend and I'll install the latch this weekend (if it makes it) and get some camping in. Had I not missed that one weekend visiting another friend, I could have completed the build in one month, or 4 weekends. I'll have plenty of time to enjoy some winter camping now. I'm ready to camp!

Steve you have one very nice lil trailer there... and for sure the speed you built it amazes me... Congratulations... Sure looks great..

Classic Finn

[steve wolverton]

NightCap - I didn't take photos of every step, so I'll be supplementing the photos with CAD drawings. I think creating all the CAD drawings is going to take longer than actually building it.

mikeschn - That would be great! I'll let you know when I have it ready. It may be awhile...it feels like there is not enough time in the day sometimes.

Classic Finn - I appreciate your kind words. I've already got a few other projects in my mind, so I have to complete the trailer so I can move on to my next project.