Contemplating a build

[Ystava]

Hello--

I just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm contemplating a build for myself and my family.

primary design elements I'm looking for

- I am looking for a very simple sleeper for myself, my wife, and my two kids. Probably in the form of a 5x8-ish teardrop or a popup hardside caravan of some kind.
- I am not looking anything too involved wrt a galley or cabinetry except where it adds to structural strength. I think simple allows for more situations.
- I am looking for something I mount or unmount from a utility trailer so I can use it for both.

what I really need to educate myself about.

- simple and effective (an inexpensive ways) to building doors/hatches/windows
- how to skin it - I'm leaning toward marine paint.
- do you guys recommend marine plywood, or is that overkill?
- I live in the Northeast where it is damp, cold, and there is a lot of salt on the roads.

Anyone have some links to builds they think would help me on my way I'd appreciate the help as I start to brainstorm this.

[Mary C]

Welcome, Welcome!!!! first where do you live and I will make my suggestions first check out the build threads read at least a couple of pages of all the subjects so you can get more info on your ideas for a build and just get familiar with forum. when it comes time after you have read you will start deciding on what you want and and some ideas on how to build . Sorry no one has welcomed you but most of us like a name location and then we can give answers that you can use. You said you live in the Northwest but you used the term caravan a European term, to me a Georgia girl I get confused. So please enlighten us. Next Mark off a 4x8 area in your living room or on a bed and get everyone in that area to sleep. Now spread that out to 60 inches and put the kids crosswise. Much better now extend it out 2 feet. Much Much better, Now if they out grow this area then they are ready for one of you to sleep in the tent next to the TD for a while (Not bear country) in a couple of years just the Kids outside in the tent, Now if you store it inside, out of the weather then you can get by with the marine plywood with marine paint if you seal it with varnish and poly, but if you store it outside in the weather usually in 4 or 5 years it will delaminate and you will get leaks. if you do not plan to camp with the bears and you are really imaginative you could build a foamie. so Check out the foamie section.

Mary C.

[Ystava]

I am from upstate NY right now.

Sorry if I am mixing up terminology.

I want to build a sleeper for myself and my 2 boys. I don't really need fancy. I want to keep engineering to the minimum, but I'm not afraid of it. I'm a decent woodworker, and have restored a fiberglass dinghy sailboat before; so I've got ability. I like to do things simple, but effective. I also have/had a Coleman Colorado, and did some restoration, but it just isn't waterproof anymore and a hub came apart.

I want something I can mount in a utility trailer so I don't have to maintain registrations for a camper I rarely use and a separate trailer. So I want a camper pod I can slide into or onto a utility trailer. I could even just get a trailer frame and have a utility pod, and a camper pod. Whatever.

A 5x6 teardrop could work if I don't have a dedicated galley. I've also seen a hardside popup "caravan" http://freespace.virgin.net/stones.ukp/ ... aravan.htm. This intrigues me because something it would be something I could stand in, but with a smaller rolling profile than a teardrop. I like using my rear view mirror.

I've got all sorts of ideas floating in my head... but I'm probably re-inventing the wheel.

I've been perusing the site, but there's almost too much information here to digest.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum
Check out the Buy & Sell at the bottom of the page.
There was just what you may be looking for list yesterday.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi