The NAT

[ADK]

After lurking for a very long time I have finally started the process of constructing my TTT which I will call the NAT which is short for Not A Tear and about the size of a gnat. I purchased a 40x48 utility trailer some time ago at a yard sale. This spring I pulled it out of storage and have begun to scrape and clean the frame and re-pack the wheel bearings. I have also coated the flooring with asphalt and will be installing that this weekend. I have not posted in so long I have to review the photo upload process so I can get some pics of the build on the board.
I had mulled over several designs from tear to off-road and decided that the camper is going to be a variation of a large chuck box with a 5x7 tent on top. It will hold all my gear plus my bicycle. I also have an oportunity to add battery power. The best part of this build is that virtually all of the materials were free except for the cost of the trailer. I dont expect this build to cost much more than $300.00

[Darren]

Sounds interisting. Can't wait to see the progress.

[bobhenry]

I dont expect this build to cost much more than $300.00

That's what I said then I found the little TV and a neat little Stereo. Then a battery and some neat little lights. ....................................................................................................................................... and so on and so on,

Good luck with the build :

Bob

[ADK]

Thanks Bob,I'll try to get some pics up once I get past the frame stuff.
Would that be the same Brown County State park that has facilities for campers with horses? My daughter lives in Angola and she and her family camp there with a group every year, they trail ride and generally have a heck of a time.

[Cliffmeister2000]

... and decided that the camper is going to be a variation of a large chuck box with a 5x7 tent on top.

I saw something like that in this forum. Sounds like a great idea! Are you limited by the capacity of your tow vehicle, or just working with what you already have?

- Cliff

PS - found it - CCC Explorer Box in this forum

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... sc&start=0

[ADK]

Cliff;
I thought about all of the options and it really came down to something small for weekend excursions. I mostly ride my bike and using the NAT as a base camp seemed like the way to go. I enjoy tent camping and at the tender age of 58 It hasn't gotten to me yet. The other criteria was the kitchen part. I also like to cook and cooking in my DO or over the open fire is the best part of camping. There is an outside chance I may take up fly fishing this year so I can add one more activity to the camping agenda. Other than that I travel pretty light and really do not require a ton of gadgets.
I acquired a ton of material from a construction site and probably have enough material to build two or three tears but since I have opened a studio that specializes in custom made Adirondack furniture I can always use the stuff for extra benches, shelving or mock-ups.
Originally my tow vehicle was a Ford Ranger but after 13 years I had to retire it and my new tow vehicle is a Volkswagen Beetle. I really miss the truck, especially since I now have the studio open.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I thought about all of the options and it really came down to something small for weekend excursions. I mostly ride my bike and using the NAT as a base camp seemed like the way to go.

Sounds like a great plan! The beauty of building your own is, everything you need, nothing you don't! For me, a kid at 54, but 6'4" long, a box big enough for my length is paramount, and a kitchen that my beloved wife approves of. Height is also important, so mine is 56 inches tall in the main cabin. This cost me a lot of extra ply, but is worth it. Everything else is pretty much just seeing if I can do it!

uh, by "bike" do you mean Trek or Harley?

- Cliff

[ADK]

Cliff;
That would be Trek; I have a 4500 that I inherited from a family member which replaced my Fuji that I owned for 15 years. The pride of the fleet however is my Electra Straight 8, its a California cruiser that never fails to get a compliment . It is my choice for the Sunday ride.

[brian_bp]

So, Mike, does the bike go on top of the NAT, the top of the Beetle, or elsewhere? Just curious; lots of people wrestle with the options for combining trailer towing and bike carrying.

[ADK]

Brian;
The plan is to incorporate my bike rack to the top of the NAT, the rack will also act as the stop for the diagonal bracing that will support the tent platform when the top is opened. The bike rack is a Yakima that I had when I owned my pickup, I liked the way the bike clamped in, it was quite solid.

[Cliffmeister2000]

What a great combination! Camping and biking! I will probably put my bike rack in the bed of my pickup. I bought a home made trailer hitch that someone had welded a hitch-mounted 2 bike rack to ($5 at a yard sale), but I have to finish the trailer and test clearances before I make the final decision on that.

I ride a 1994 Trek 7000 with a Specialized branded RockShox front suspension fork, or for road I have a 1994 Trek 2500, a 1987 Nishiki Olympic, and a 1987 Cannondale Black Lightning. I am bike poor. My wife has a Gary Fisher Mountain bike of unknown vintage (eBay, basically identical to my Trek), and a 1996 Trek road bike (I can't remember the designation) that I modified with flat bars for her.

- Cliff

[ADK]

Cliff;
Nice selection there, I completed my first century ride last August and I did it on my Trek; it was a great ride but now I feel the need to add a road bike to my inventory. I am a recreational rider, took it up after my first knee surgery about 30 years ago and I have been riding ever since.
I have only been out about three or four times this year but I hope to do another century for my birthday

[Cliffmeister2000]

Cliff;
... I completed my first century ride last August and I did it on my Trek; it was a great ride but now I feel the need to add a road bike to my inventory. I am a recreational rider, took it up after my first knee surgery about 30 years ago and I have been riding ever since.

Nice! My wife and I have done two centuries, and dozens of organized 1/2 centuries. On both centuries, we were the last ones in who didn't drop out! That's okay with us. I started riding for my 40th birthday, to lose weight. Lost 65 lbs. When I ride, I don't gain weight and don't have knee pain. When I don't, I start to balloon up in weight, and my right knee kills me. I love to ride, but it's tough in the summer here in Phoenix.

- Cliff