The Plan ... so far

[GPW]

Mine didn't come with a ring ...???
and speaking of OBSESSED...

[madjack]

Guys , I got my windows off E-bay from a Frank Bear in Pa. They're nice Hehr windows , but I haven't a clue how to mount them .... they came with no mounting rings , so I'm stumped .... do I drill holes in the frame and screw them to the outside or what ...??? I dunno '

..we used a similar window and it came with clamp rigs...didn't like 'em so we drilled thru the frame, buttered it up with butyl rubber sealant and screwed 'em on...pics tomorrow
madjack

[GPW]

MadJack ... Thanks Dude , That works for me !!!!! Is there any issue with using steel screws in an aluminum frame ,over time ....should I use SS screws?

[Mullet]

gpw. I think iron/steel is a bit more compatable with aluminum than stainless. Look up "galvanic corrosion" on the net and you will find charts that help--pick metals closest together on the list for the least amount of corrosion. You can also get aluminum fasteners, which would be best.

[madjack]

G, we used SS fastners for anything exposed to the weather...a steel screw will leave a rust stain on our pretty AL...as far as galvanic corrosion, as much sealant as we applied to everything there is no real metal to metal contact...and hey Mullet, I am glad you finally got going here...welcome aboard
madjack

[GPW]

M/Jack .... WOW!!! That looks GREAT !!!! Love those pics ... Now I know what I have to do ...

[GPW]

Getting close to the 7 month anniversary of Katrina (swell !!) Two months left till hurricane season ... the welding hasn't happened on the trailer , yet . The parts are mostly all assembled , now except for those last minute things/ideas that always seem to jump in ... Plan is proceeding a little slower than intended ... Heck .!!! I was planning on kicking back by now , sipping a cool iced tea in the doorway of my big TD ...Ha!!! not even a floor yet ... Got a frame though ... Working at it a little at a time , shuffling priorities ... gotta' get this baby done and done right !!!

[GPW]

Working with renewed vigor , I got the window cut out in the door(Jigsaw and the right blade this time ), fits nice , will be mounting as per M/Jack method...got the window traced on the other side (no door ) and even in the exact same spot , looks too low ...??? I may have to cheat the window upwards about 3 or 4 inches for looks ... then they won't be even on the inside .... curtains (longer on one side) , will make up the difference...I suppose??? Today I hope to wrestle the driver side panel(5'x12'x3/4") to my horses , so I can cut out the other window and cutout for the AC....

Been scraping on the trailer (flakey paint ) My welding consultant (he'll probably weld it anyway , even though I wanted the practice...) said to go ahead and put my super duper rusty metal Rustoleum primer on it and we'll just grind away for welding ... I said Yes sir!!! , so we'll be cleaning with a Scotch rust removal wheel +wire wheel(and face shield/goggles/gloves) ,wiping down with prep or min, and then be priming ... especially since I have to do this outside now ... FUN , meditative sorta' stuff , sit and scrape , and think about everything you ever wanted to think about .... Zen TD building .... ooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[GPW]

Trailer's all in Prime now , looks so much nicer ...Glad that's done !!! a friend came by to help me (I think he wants one too ) Got the floor ply (3 pieces of 4'x6' cut out .... fitted the floor frame to the trailer ... Perfect fit(TG)!! got the sides clamped together and belt sanded them even ... moving along now ...

[GPW]

I know Mad Jack likes to see pictures ...




The trailer in prime ,welding next
the sides sanded even
the floor frame and sheeting parts

[GPW]

The more you learn , the more you become discontented .... Having read only a few pages of mikes Ultralight thread , I realized that I'm over doing this TD ... Simple structure , shelves like boats , instead of cabinets ...Led lights on hooks (like real camping ) simple electrical (shore power),seems like much more sense for a Primary Bugout vehicle ...I can build the second one Cute !!!....>2 months left

[GPW]

And now , the spectre of building the second TD has reared it's head....Sure this one is not finished yet , but I have all the confidence that it will , and in time to hopefully not use for it's intended purpose...... Question is , should I experiment with the second , build something radically different ??? I'd like to combine some new ideas to make it easier to build , and mantain ... Plus I have to plan for al the scrap I have left over from #1...

Progress #1 Took the welder(retired) to the store to get a 4 prong #8 dryer cord ...he says we can mate it to the 3 prong extension on my Lincoln 225... I dunno ??? But if this welding thing doesn't happen soon , I'm going to borrow another friends MIG suitcase and weld it myself ... holding up the whole job now ... Today I'm starting the floor / frame assembly ... screws and LHDCA, then the poly and roofing cement on the bottom ...

[Ira]

Wow. That tongue looks LONG. (Maybe it's just the picture.) What are your final dimensions going to be again?

And another question:

Why do I see 2-by lumber on BOTH sides of that wall? I understand for the interior, for insulation, wiring, etc., but on the other side too? I don't get it. Is it just decorative?

[GregB]

Ira,

I'm guessing that is two walls, back to back.

GB

[Ira]

Ira,

I'm guessing that is two walls, back to back.

GB

Duhhhhh....

I TOLD you I was getting old in another post!

Good thing I also didn't ask why that wall looked like an inch and a half THICK!

Man, do I feel dumb and have egg on my face!!!!