Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **chiefdog** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:40 am

Hi guys i have been thinking of building a small caravan or camper for some time now. i made a start finally and things seem to be going ok. if anyone is interested i will post some picks soon. i hope you guys dont dislike it too much as it is my first.

by **aggie79** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:17 am

Of course we're interested. Post some picture please! I'm on first build, too.

Tom

by **wlivesey** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:45 pm

aggie79 wrote::applause: Of course we're interested. Post some picture please! I'm on first build, too.

Tom

Just to clarify, post LOTS of pictures! Welcome to the madness...

by **chiefdog** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:41 am

i managed to put some photos on my album, being new at this i am not sure what i am doing and where things are going.sorry guys. any help would be great.

Picked this trailer up from Ebay. It's 10 x 6 heavy duty. It's got the same clearance as my 6inch lifted Patrol.

I cut down the frame to make a starting point of the van.

This is the basic frame & shape that it's going to become. That front cut out section is because there will be a draw type slide that comes out of the side as the bed runs across the front of the van.

The back is left open as a lift up door will be the entire width of the trailer to allow room for my ATV.

All of the studs of the frame are made from 19x19mm Meranti. The roof is open because there's going to be canvas pop top to allow standing room.

by **wlivesey** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:47 am

Hey, That's looking really good. I think my next trailer (don't tell my wife) will be of steel construction. Keep it up. :thumbsup:

by **chiefdog** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:18 am

sorry mate i was not very clear with my description on the van but only the main support frames at the back, top and the front are steel. all of the rest of the frame are primed meranti 19mmx19mm. it needs to be strong as the places i want to take it will be quite rough. the patrol has a 6" suspension lift and the trailer has exactly the same clearence too. thanks for your kind words.
Sam

by **hugh** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:24 am

looks good, should be real nice when finished. Just curious, what is meranti?

by **chiefdog** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:51 am

it is a type of timber here in australia that is very light wieght and water resistant, as well as being cheap too. quite a few caravan manufacturers use it instead of pine.

by **chiefdog** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:08 am

The outside is sheeted with 9mm marine ply, under coated. It's stronger than I thought. It's very rigid.

by **Steve F** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:39 am

Where abouts in NSW are you (assuming I saw the plates right

)

Looking good

You'll really appreciate it offroad, they are surprisingly tough.

Cheers
Steve

by **chiefdog** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:18 pm

i live near windsor mate, i enjoy going away on a regular basis but i am really fed up setting up tent and stuff. i am hoping that it shouldn't be too difficult to tow on the beach. time will tell i guess :worship:

most people seem to agree that polystyrene is the way to go for insulation, would you know where to get it from?

by **Steve F** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:25 pm

chiefdog wrote:i live near windsor mate, i enjoy going away on a regular basis but i am really fed up setting up tent and stuff. i am hoping that it shouldn't be too difficult to tow on the beach. time will tell i guess most people seem to agree that polystyrene is the way to go for insulation, would you know where to get it from?

I got mine from a place in Port Macquaire, they were the only ones that would cut it to the thickness I wanted, cost more to courier than buy but it was worth it

If you're interested I'll look up the place.

I'm over at Mt Colah so just a stones throw from you.

Cheers
Steve

by **chiefdog** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:33 am

hi steve i found a place that will deliver enough 20mm foam to my house for $160 hope that is ok eh :worship:

i have been looking at your build and i think you have a sweet rig mate. i hope mine looks half as good as yours :applause:

i also was thinking of diamond plating the front of mine. it really makes it look just that much more professional.

by **chiefdog** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:33 am

hi steve i found a place that will deliver enough 20mm foam to my house for $160 hope that is ok eh :worship:

i have been looking at your build and i think you have a sweet rig mate. i hope mine looks half as good as yours :applause:

i also was thinking of diamond plating the front of mine. it really makes it look just that much more professional.

by **chiefdog** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:16 am

hi guys i was wondering if it is best to paint the final coloured coats with a spray gun or a paint roller?

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

offroad mini caravan/camper finally started!

offroad mini caravan/camper finally started!

there are photos posted on my album

Getting there.

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