(The Puffin) New Tiny Trailer

[steve wolverton]

I had a nice camping trip for New Years. It got cold here last night (upper 30's) but I stayed nice & toasty with my heater cranking away.

I called before heading down to the park and they said they had 4 sites available. I tried to reserve it over the phone, but the lady told me to just drive down & it wouldn't be a problem. Well, you can guess where this is going.

I get to the park, and they're full. She said that I could stay at the shelter area and use the power there, but it was 20amp service only. Luckily I brought my adapter with me, so I said that would be fine. Then she wanted to charge me the same price ($7 more for those sites) and I reminded her that I had tried to reserve a site over the phone. Needless to say, I got my campsite at regular campsite prices.

The awning worked very well. There were some stiff winds on Sunday, but it held up fine.

I also found some beige sheets to match my newly colored walls/tile.

I thinking of heading out to Huntsville State Park next weekend - it's supposed to be warm & I want to ride those trails.

NightCap - Nope, the pattern didn't bother me. I was usually really tired while sponing so I just sort of dab it on there without thinking about it.

Miriam C. & GHOSTSSX - Thanks, I like it better too.

[apratt]

You are making me jealouse of your camping trips.

[steve wolverton]

I just finished epoxying the rear skirt on the camper to tie the sides in with the back. I'll paint it white tomorrow.

I also built a little shelf for my TV to keep it off the counter. This gives me my counter space back (haven't needed it yet) if I ever cook inside. I've screwed it from outside of the camper, so it acts as a gusset as well.


I'll trim it out with 1x2, or maybe even a 1x3. I'll also run a piece of 1/2" conduit (painted black) from the top of the shelf to the bottom of the upper storage area to keep it stiff.

apratt - That's why I was in such a rush to finish it, I love camping. Now I can spend my time on the little details.

[steve wolverton]

NightCap - Nope, the pattern didn't bother me. I was usually really tired while sponing so I just sort of dab it on there without thinking about it.

I meant sponging. I haven't been sponing in a few years.

[NightCap]

NightCap - Nope, the pattern didn't bother me. I was usually really tired while sponing so I just sort of dab it on there without thinking about it.

I meant sponging. I haven't been sponing in a few years.

hehe, I figured sponing is illeagle in some states. But good for you for trying. Also I'm glad to see the TV go in to the tear. I'm looking for a cheap color tv it put in mine. At home here my tear could have cable.

[steve wolverton]

Also I'm glad to see the TV go in to the tear. I'm looking for a cheap color tv it put in mine. At home here my tear could have cable.

I have a satellite system, but I just can't talk myself into hooking it up to the camper. I also have a Direcway Satellite Internet setup, but that dish is a monster! The cable tv hookup is an interesting idea though - I might add an external cable tv hookup when I stay at places that have cable. (I've never been to one)

I was debating whether I wanted a TV in it or not, but after spending a week with Lisa, I'm glad I did. Actually, it came in really handy as we'd watch the news at night to see what the weather was going to do while visiting the parks. It was good about letting us know how cold it was in Amarillo, and that we should get the hell out of there before the snow set in.

While in San Angelo there was a story about a jailbreak a week before we'd gotten there and she woke me up in the middle of the night convinced that the guy who broke out of jail was outside the camper.

As for other toys, I love my video games (X-Box, Playstation I & II, Gamecube, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo, SNES...) but I think a small DVD player may be the only other addition.

Electrical toys include a TV, waffle maker, coffee maker, hair dryer, & heater. Not really roughing it.

I've spent 9 nights so far in my camper and I'm thrilled with it. I knew the real test would be spending a week with another person in it, but since we spend so much time outside, it wasn't bad at all. The only thing I would change is I would make it about 6'4" wide, instead of 6' wide. I'm 6'1" and I made it 6' wide because I didn't want to have to add those mirror extensions while towing. I think I could have made it a few inches wider and still gotten by with the mirrors I have. I manage to sleep 8-10 hours in it every night, so I guess it's not that big of a problem.

Another interesting thing - I installed 3 windows in my camper because I wanted plenty of viewing. Well, we never are in the camper. I mean, during the day, we're always outside biking or dorking off. The only time we go in the camper is when it's time to sleep. I have some really dark curtains, so in the brightest part of the day, it's almost pitch black inside! I think that's why we sleep so well. *shrug* I could have saved some money by not installing any windows!

[NightCap]

Be carefull that you don't double or triple your cost in the trailer after electronics. It could be easy to do for us toy junkies.

As for the windows, I think they are a good thing. You never know, but your grandchildren might really like them. And I'm positive they will like the tv and video games in there.

[steve wolverton]

Be carefull that you don't double or triple your cost in the trailer after electronics. It could be easy to do for us toy junkies.

Amen to that.

As for the windows, I think they are a good thing. You never know, but your grandchildren might really like them. And I'm positive they will like the tv and video games in there.

Grandchildren!? That would involve me having kids. Not happening!

[NightCap]

Grandchildren!? That would involve me having kids. Not happening!

Hehe are you sure? You have to pass on those fantastic trailer making skills. Do you want to adopt me and teach them to me? Let me know cause there are a great many people wanting to adopt me. I won't last long.

[steve wolverton]

Here's a real exciting picture.



I picked up a jack on my lunch break yesterday and installed it tonight. It's a 1,000 pound jack and it cost $16.00 from Northern Tool.

NightCap - Sorry, no adoption either. I'm the last of the Mohicans, the name dies with me.

As for passing on trailer making skills to you, I think you may have it backwards. You seem to be doing just fine - the cabinets were very impressive!

[NightCap]

Here's a real exciting picture.

I picked up a jack on my lunch break yesterday and installed it tonight. It's a 1,000 pound jack and it cost $16.00 from Northern Tool.

NightCap - Sorry, no adoption either. I'm the last of the Mohicans, the name dies with me.

As for passing on trailer making skills to you, I think you may have it backwards. You seem to be doing just fine - the cabinets were very impressive!

Ok, I guess. I suppost we can just be buddies then. Thanks for the complement. I liked working on the cabinets. I think they were the funnest part of the build. The wife and myself were discussing color for the inside walls and we were thinking some shade of gold. But I really like the sponging you did. We did that to our living room and it looked good for years. We used an off white or cream for the base coat and a watery green coat and removed the green with a sponge. sorta backwards from what you did.

[DaveandDebbie]

Steve just wanted to say great job and a very quick build. :thumbs up: And a little reintroduction I some how lost this link after the 2005 Purtis Creek gathering and I have spent the last week of my vacation trying to get caught up I was the one that purchased the Lil Guy towed it home with a rental car. Again great job and I like the design Dave

[steve wolverton]

I was the one that purchased the Lil Guy towed it home with a rental car. Again great job and I like the design

Hi Dave. I sure do remember you guys. Do you still have your camper? If so, how you enjoying it?

[DaveandDebbie]

I was the one that purchased the Lil Guy towed it home with a rental car. Again great job and I like the design

Hi Dave. I sure do remember you guys. Do you still have your camper? If so, how you enjoying it?

Yes we still have the Lil Guy and still enjoy it. I still need to do a lot of electrical work I have moded an old computer power supply to provide dc power when shore power is available ..still need to in stall it. My
dvd/tv-tuner am/fm/cd/stereo and flip down monitor are all dc. The trailer works for us but I still have the bug to build Just have to decide what? Hope to see you at Beavers Bend and keep us updated on your build. Dave

[steve wolverton]

The project today is to get my homebuilt trike mounted onto the back of my camper. This way I can take all 3 of my bikes camping with me!



DaveandDebbie - Glad to hear everything is cool. I have a very good feeling that I'll be able to make the Beaver's Bend run. It'll be nice to see everyone.