Newbie from Florida (post holiday update)

[signofbarsoom]

I guess I could make some goofy coment about your putting the floor plywood on the wrong side of the structural floor members, but I'll just wait for more pics that will show a plywood floor on the top side as well.........:-)

Insulated the floor with 3/4" styrofoam before installing deck.

[signofbarsoom]

Also got the front radius fixed and framed out the door, 1 window and the roof vent.





Next up: 1 more window and FRP roof.

[bobhenry]

Threw me for a sec the contact adhesive kinda looked like in floor radiant heating. A new idea that I haven't seen yet on this forum.
Front radius looks nice! Now truthfully don't you wish you had rounded the rear also !

[signofbarsoom]

Well I've been going to town on this project. Here's some progress pics...





The weather has been great this Christmas week but the temperature change is causing some heavy dew. The first coat of paint got applied about 4PM several days ago. It was tacked up before the dew started to set but after a whole night I woke up to find it had run down the sides. Two more coats were put on earlier in the day that followed. We had a good rain Christmas and it held up well. I had no wrinkling in the plywood and sat inside for awhile but found no leaks. The roof is a fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panel. I saw it at Home Depot and questioned its UV resistance. A simple search of this forum revealed that others have been using it with no problems, so I went ahead. The bottom will be coated with Herculiner up to the trim. Down the road I want to add a window to the door. For now I better get a few hands an get the bottom done. Its getting heavy! Then its on to the inside...



PS- I love the head room my design gives me. Its also a little different which suits me well!

[signofbarsoom]

I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. For me, it was all about family and the trailer. With two weeks off of work I had time for both.


The galley is almost complete. I want to put some dividers and a rail in front of the shelf yet. The utility area below needs a bit of work. I have a hatch to make and the water jugs need to be secured. Down the road the galley will get a sink but that might have to wait.



Here is a close up...



And another showing the 12 V wiring. As a HVAC mechanic this was probably the most fun. There is a deep cycle battery in the utility area that feeds this. Its protected by a 30amp main fuse and each branch circiut is fused at the fuse block. A 20 W solar panel provides a trickle charge to keep the battery topped off. Its working pretty good. I have been rocking out to the Pioneer car stereo 6-8 hrs a day for 3 days and actually have more juice in the battery then when I started. I dont believe it will keep up with fans and lights going but it will help. Again down the road I'll be getting a battery charger.

There is 115V in the trailer too. I have an outlet in the cabin, galley, and utility area.



Last picture for now. I hinged the panel so that it can be angled to best recieve the sun. Maybe I,ll figure out some way to pitch it left or right but for now I,ll line the trailer up the best I can.

[Miriam C.]

Just great! You really moved on this and it is wonderful. Nice bright color too.

[Anthony J Grant]

Hey John,

Welcome from a fellow HVAC Tech / fellow Newbie. Your build looks good, Ill be watching.

Tony

[CAJUN LADY]

John, you are in high gear with your build...way to go! Your design looks really good. I look forward to seeing the finished interior pictures.

[signofbarsoom]

I have learned alot in a short time. If this works out there will be another As i said this is the first time building anything like this. My biggest challenge is my enthusiasm. She'll be strong and functional but if I ever do it again I'll slow down and concentrate on workmanship. It could also be a little lighter. I found a picture here of a broken tongue and it freaked me out!

Anthony, same line of work, similar designs (from whats in your album), and I'm originally from Grand Rapids. Cool!

Thanks everyone, I'm having a blast!

P.S. Cajun Lady, keep an eye out. You might see us driving around Tampa soon!