UT Build (needs a name)

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UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:16 am

Being that I did the build and then joined the site, here is my build as i went.
The trailer is just a Harbor Freight folding trailer. I kind of wish I had waited for the heavier duty solid trailer instead of folding but this works great.
The whole thing is insulated minus the basements and door. Speaking of which, I went cheap on the door :) Its a RV cargo door turned 90*
I have it wired up with a AM/FM/CD, CB, and connections for my handheld 2M HAM to an external di-pole.
Right now it is wired just for 4-wire flat connection but considering upgrading to a 7-wire to utilize some power from the truck. Keeping the 4-wire for the wifes car.
It took my almost exactly one month to build. Luckily for one week when I was on-call for work we didn't have very many calls so I was able to knock-out a lot of the work.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:18 am

Floor framed with basement
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:21 am

Floor insulated
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:22 am

Floor flipped and sealed. I used roofing tar for this part. Initially I hated the stuff. It has held up quite well for months now in rain and everything so yes, I would use it again :)
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:24 am

Side wall pre-trimmed and insulation added. No windows on the trailer to help with the insulating. Also notice the 5mm plywood hanging below the bottom board. The board rests on the top of the floor and the plywood then goes to the bottom of the floor.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:26 am

Here we have walls temporarily in place. This is when I got really excited as everything was coming together.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby Hepcat » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:31 am

U-Tear??
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:31 am

Skip ahead a little bit here. IIRC, this is 3/4" foam insulation from Lowes. The part I don't have a picture of is adding the 5mm plywood to the inside FIRST. That was fun. lol I found a good way to do that was to get it wet :frightened: With the slats in place I was able to slide them in and screw them down internally before adding insulation. It probably helped that it was raining during this part. I would take a hose and wet down a towel in the location where my bends would be. One towel on each side of the plywood. I tried to bend the thin plywood without wetting it down and it just snapped :( When it soaked in a bit, I was then able to bend it and screw it down 4 times per slat. Worked perfect! After that, cut up some insulation. This part was fun also as I had beads of insulation everywhere. A quick sharpen of the wifes non-serated kitchen knife and it cuts through the foam insulation with ease and no bits of foam flying everywhere.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:34 am

Hepcat wrote:U-Tear??

That is actually a fun name being in the Salt Lake valley :)
(University of Utah)
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:36 am

Here is the door cut-out and the inside cabinet started. I don't think I have a picture coming up with the top of the cabinet on but it has a sink and the radios are to the left of the cabinet door.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:39 am

Here is the inside rear of the teardrop. What some of you may be noticing at this point is the lack of a back hatch. Yes this was intentional from the beginning. I wanted everything internal so I could take this out in the snow and not have to stand in the cold. The back shelf is actually a bunk-bed. My son fits it perfect and my other son (toddler) will sleep on it when he is a little bigger. I can actually fit myself, my two daughters, and my son with this setup. Who would have thought, 1 adult and 3 kids in a teardrop!!
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:41 am

I ended up putting silicon on some screws after ward... eh... won't do that again.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:44 am

I opted to put a mirror on the inside driver side. My wife thought I was crazy for putting this in but after our first time out, she completely appreciated having the mirror to make sure her hair wasn't crazy. This shot is also pre-sink install. I bought a teal-fitted sheet and really like my internal color scheme. Also post-picture is the two power sources for lighting. The top light in this picture runs off the standard batteries. Along the wall to the back of the trailer next to the mirror is the same light converted to USB. That way I can have light if I am hooked up or not.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:46 am

I realize that I need to take some more finished pictures :) I'm actually in the middle of re-skinning it. Any requests and I will gladly go out to take some more specific pics. After I finish the re-skin, I will add some more then.
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Re: UT Build (needs a name)

Postby utahluge » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:52 am

Another shot from another camping trip.
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