Hi! (insert original title here)

[Ironmando]

Hi everybody, my name is Brandon. I'm in my mid-20's and still live at home, because I'd never leave my parents for the world! Heh... that ain't true. I stumbled across this awesome site because I was researching CT conversions, I'd like to build something I can live in permanently. Now, I live in Texas (specifically the Dallas area) and our weather can never make up its mind. We are an area of extremes, long hot summers and dark cold winters. In my reading it looks like a lot can be done with the foam method, would that really hold up in both seasons?

A little bit about my background: I like building things. I'm in a Star Wars costuming club and built my own armor, and I make props too. But I have never taken on a project like this. I know nothing about plumbing/electrical or most of what goes into building a structure. But when I was a kid we did own a travel trailer and after being in the Boy Scouts I do have tons of camping knowledge.

Back to why I'm here: as I said, initially I was wanting to get an enclosed trailer to modify... but those suckers ain't cheap, and I need to make sure whatever I get/build can still be towed by my HHR. One of the things I've been considering is making the trailer have all the essentials but actually sleeping in the car since it's so spacious with the seat folded down. But of course I'd prefer the trailer to be the perfect living quarters.

I've thought a great deal about what kind of trailer I want to build. Again, started out thinking box but looked a lot into a TD standie. Things I have to have:
Legitimate bathroom (the chemical toilets look great for every once in a while, but I'm not sure I could deal with that all the time, I also need an indoor standing shower)
Galley (since I don't cook much I can get by with a microwave, mini fridge, hotplate, sink and minimal counter space)
Some sort of desk (I do a lot of computer work so I'd want a small office of some sort)
"Entertainment" (Room for TV, PS3, stuff to kick back and relax with)
And some comfy furniture- but I can get by with camping gear to start out.

For my initial build I was thinking very little electrical/plumbing but with available hookups- however the more I think about this I do plan on being in it every day so... I may need to go the extra mile and really look into that stuff.

Quick question (and I may start a thread of its own later): How do people usually consider accessing Wi Fi? I'm sure a lot of camp grounds probably supply it, and if you're out in the woods for a weekend a normal wireless data plan is probably okay- but if I'm living in this thing perhaps off grid I'm definitely going to go over my plan.

***

And as a side note, perhaps before I get involved with all this I may do a simple sleeper TD because my folks own a yellow VW bug that would really look cool towing a matching trailer. It's something my mother has always wanted, and they do go on occasional trips with other bug enthusiasts so it could really help them out. My GF has a green one, too, and who knows- if I build one she may want one herself!

[Shadow Catcher]

Welcome to the community.
From personal much longer experience, what you feel you need today will not be what you want in the future particularly when you find how much fun these trailers can be and where you can go with them.
On our trip from Ohio to California in 2012 about half of the camp grounds did not have power and very few of them had a functional wifi. As an example in the KOA in Wyoming just trying to check email the connection kept being dropped and I went to the front desk and was told that yes we have a problem when ever there is wind, and I said when in Wyoming do you not have wind. In most cases the band width available is not sufficient for much of anything other than maybe checking email.
The story of the trip http://tomandnancygrover.blogspot.com/

[Mary C]

Brandon, Welcome to the forum, I know that by your post you are still in the confusion of what to build? may I offer advice of one who has seen a lot and read a lot on here. may I suggest you do a whole lot of reading the build threads and visit some of the tiny trailer threads. May I start with a suggestion to look your true needs, wants and desires. For some people, they can live in a very small Teardrop, Others it takes a bedroom just for their clothes. Living full time in a trailer you must decide how to keep warm, how to cook, how to shower, and how to store what food you have and have to see to your potty needs. It can be costly, especially if you want one thing and the reality is you wont use or need it. Sometimes we make costly mistakes buying cheap Hinges for doors that rust within a month or two, then we have to replace them with the more expensive ones. I heard a lot of ideas , hopefully you can read enough here to narrow down your options. There are all sorts of considerations, one you mentioned electrical, the thing is you have to decide what you want and how to supply that demand. What will your travel vs being in one location for a long time be? Can you set up solar? Your main concern is wifi I suggest a verizion Hot Spot they are dependable. Where can you 'camp" park or live, those places KOA, state parks and other places get very expensive, OK for travel but daily $25 per-night is somewhere about $800. a month. As far as building a foamie that is certainly possible. your requirements sound like you need a tiny house with permanent toilet and water drain.That is a house. An RV with holding tank and stored water and tank for used water and potty waste. Perhaps if you go to home depot or Lowes you can get more understanding of the costs involved, your electrical can add up quickly, plumbing and tanks and then you need to purchase all the building materials. Your excitement is great and your enthusiasm is wonderful but read and read, maybe you can narrow your proposed build down to what you want and need. Good luck in your search.

Mary C.