Gypsy Sunshine, a vardo build

[Terra6]

So I've taken the plunge on my next build adventure.
After seeing some amazing builds on here, inspired to make one of my own. While there are many builds on here that I haven't seen, there are 2 so far that have blown my mind.
OH
MY
GOD
And I'm not religious.

Astroliner with that cool early 60s atomic age retro build. Simply awesome on so many levels.
Aannndddd the other is Stardust, a gypsy vardo build. The design, artwork and detail is impressive. And all on a small HF
trailer.
While not able to achieve their levels, going to see what I can do that is unique and appealing as well.
I've got a couple design and decor inspirations of my own.

[Terra6]

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Framed, bolted, painted, floored, glued and screwed.
Phew! Time for a beer
Root beer.
Don't drink and drive, with you're cordless impact driver.
You might screw yourself and get hurt.

[Terra6]

Taken the typical 4x8 HF trailer and expanded it to 6x10 which i find is a good size for a solo standy trailer. Bumped out the framing by bolting on 2x4 extensions 1 ft on all sides. Did this on a previous build which worked successfully. Managed to cross the country twice in that.
No problems, except for the two flat tires and bent axle.
My recommendation on these trailers, great for occasional and local use, say within the state and couple hour runs. And don't overload these trailers because I've heard that the studs can shear off and send a tire going solo down the highway by itself as seen in the rear view mirror. What a friend told me. Close friend who wouldn't lie about this.

Anything longer or farther, get a trailer with bigger tires.

[Terra6]

And a build journey begins with a load of lumber and supplies.

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[Terra6]

OMG the price of lumber!!!
The current cost of reality.
Budget blown before I've even started.

I've found that most deal with the technical issues of a build and decided that cost and time to build details might be appreciated by the many viewers who lurk on here. I would have when I was. Lol.
These builds take way more time than expected so will try to log this info. Same with costs.
Right now I've got trailer built in 3 hrs. Numerous trips for supplies about 6 hrs which would be 1-2 hrs if I knew what I was doing. but that would be no fun and boring.
Another 6 hours to bump out and place floor on trailer and paint. 15 hours and all I have is a flat bed trailer.

Approx $150 to frame and floor the 6x10. $500 for the HF trailer.

[Terra6]

No prebuild design sketch. Going to be similar in size and layout to my previous build and styled like Stardust. PMF Vardo with vintage and other creative touches.
Maybe.
We'll see how it goes and adjust on the fly.
In other words, I'm just flying by the seat of my pants and making it up as I go along.
Things never go as planned in the journey of life.
We're all only here along for the ride.

So let's fill it with Gypsy Sunshine and wanderlust!!!

Spontaneous impulse for a name. Have to call it something.

[Terra6]

Building right along. Another 20 hrs for a 35 hr total to date.
Finalized the interior layout and sourced materials.
Costs- ouch. +$1000. Haven't totaled everything. Afraid too.

Planned and modified, measured, cut, glued, screwed, stapled, adjusted, assembled, framed, skinned and hammered.
4 walls are framed and skinned, with window cutouts.
Starting to look like it could become something interesting.
Should be able to put up the walls and roof this week.
Yay!

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[Terra6]

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Tip of the day. How to cut a curve in plywood without using a jigsaw that you don't have? Raise the blade on your circular saw until it barely exceeds the bottom foot plate. Skim cut the curve and it works marvelously with thin plywood.
Once again, building with a few basic battery powered cordless hand tools. Much is possible with only basics tools and ingenuity. Let's see how this will turn out...

[Bezoar]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with your trailer. So many here have very detailed CAD drawings and CNC machines. Your approach is much closer to mine. I came up with about 20 different side profiles and 4 or 5 interior layouts and am still not sure how it is going to look when I get finished! Following the story is more fun when the author hasn't already told you what happens in the last chapter!

[Terra6]

Thx Bezoar. With 20 side profiles, certainly leaving all of your options open.
Basically know where I'm going with this build overall.
Specific details to be figured out as I progress.
What's that motto? Adapt, improvise and overcome.
Yeah that's what I'll be doing.
My approach due to ABC realities and limitations ( ability, budget and conditions) is always about efficiency and economical. How can it be done simpler or cheaper or more efficient as I go along. Of course some may call it laziness or ineptitude.
I'll be building this with a cordless impact driver and circular saw basically.
Walls are all up and insulated. Roof put on and stabilizer legs to keep it from rocking. The front tongue jack doesn't inspire solid confidence and so we went with bolted 2x4 with metal foot that swivel into position and up out of the way when on the road. Simply screwed into up position and hidden underneath. $10 solution that's light, cheap and efficient.

[Terra6]

It's alive!!
And starting to look like something.
A vardo typically has sloped out sides and a seriously curved roof. I'm simplifying with straight box wall configuration and softer roof arc for build simplicity.
Will still look similar but just won't be authentic gypsy vardo.
Don't think anyone will mind.

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[Terra6]

My approach on this is light weight. Would have gone XPS but no easy local supply so adapt to SIPS as another option.
Using 2.7 mm luaun with 2x2 and 1x2 framed for walls with 1.5inch EPS. Pretty strong considering once its all assembled glued framed and screwed.
With a 10ft span, made my own trusses again using 1x3 and 1x2 glued perpendicular and screwed to strengthen. Cheap lightweight and fairly quick and easy.

Was concerned at first might be too lightweight but now boxed in, will be sturdy fine.

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[Terra6]

Next things to consider is insulate over the roof or under?
Over gives more height and exposes the beams for more visual appeal while under gives simplicity and ease to install with loss of a few inches in height. Still pondering.
Another thing which I am pondering which is the ultimate challenge to fabricate a nice interior with limited tools. Like none for cabinetry making. And no skills.

Some get by with a kreg jig but often not great.
I've got a way to get pro grade cabinet finish without the time labor and tools...
Improvise.

[S. Heisley]

The following is for your inspiration and enjoyment: http://mytinywagon.com/?fbclid=IwAR1OB_ ... eN5tim-Wjg

[Terra6]

Thx Sharon for the link.
Luv looking at other builds for ideas and creativity.

Hammering away at the build. Gettin on it and gettin r dun! To date have 80 hrs into it and now being at the stage of PMF walls, roof and paneled interior walls with trim.
And ready to finish the interior, going over layout design and placement. Further final paint coats on PMF for final color.
FYI, took me 5 gals of paint for three coats to PMF canvas to ply siding. Approx 200ft2. First coat on surface, coat on canvas, paste together and a third coat over the top to totally seal them together and dry as one piece making sure to do it all as quickly as possible. After this stage, paint goes on smooth and absorbed less as the canvas is already saturated. Will require a few more coats to ensure it's waterproof. Imho, 2 more coats sufficient probably 2 gallons. With mistint paint so cheap, usually buy a 5 gallon bucket at $30 and use all of that up.

Walls insulated and covered inside and out. 1.5 inch Rtech in walls with 2 inch in ceilings giving overall SIPS strength properties. Doubled the luaun on the roof with glue and screw.
With my T truss design, the roof is surprisingly strong with. 2 layers of ply, 1x3 plus 1x2 T, and single inner layer of luaun all glued and screwed. How strong you may ask?
Well I like to stand by my build.
Or more accurately, stand on my build.

A roof truss stress test.
I'm still here.

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