WolgieWagon (Vardo Build)

[wolgie]

So I finished the drop floor today , it's 12.5 inches extra and it sits about 10" from the ground (when the tires are fully inflated). Which should give me about 3 inches extra to get out of the driveway. I have contemplated the height of the vardo. The garage clearance is 82" max with me unhooking the door (from the garage door opener) and pushing it up all the way. The side steps (above the fenders) are 32" from the floor (with the tires partially deflated).

photo5.JPG (104.07 KiB) Viewed 1949 times

I am planning on building the walls up 44" and the height of the roof bow will be 50" from the side steps. The distance from the bottom of the drop floor to the top of the side steps is 25". This would give me 75" from the drop floor to the maximum ceiling center height (minus 2" for ceiling and spars) would end up approx 6'1. I am 5'11 so this should give me enough room to stand straight up (offically albeit barely making it a standie)

Total height would be 32+50 or 82" which gives me little margin, but I figure when complete the springs will sag another inch or so from the weight and I can always deflate the tires another inch. Do you see any problems with this?

Here is a diagram sorry about the pink glitter pen (it is my daughters all i could find handy.. I swear )

photo6.JPG (116.44 KiB) Viewed 1949 times

[droid_ca]

Looks good to me but what do I know I still haven't built a trailer yet but as long as you can fit under it and sleep in it and feel safe that's all that matters

[wolgie]

So I made some sketches up on an appraisal program I have. I had to use feet instead of inches because it wasn't made to do that kind of scale. So ignore the ' symbol it means inches.
I realized paleo's vardo is can't be 56 inches at the side wall and 62 at top of bow roof and get that arc. So I had to revamp my plans. It looks like I need 12 inches of arc over the 78 inch span to have the right look. So my side walls are now 38 inches and highest roof point will be 50" from top of side ledge.

[wolgie]

I also made some headway tonight. I secured the step ledges and built out the two side walls. I decided not to have windows on the sides for simplicities sake and to keep it cozy. I'll have one in the door and one in the front where I will mount the window a/c.

As you can see the boss inspected the work and she approved.

[wolgie]

More progress, I finished studding out the exterior walls, except the roof. I think i have decided to add 3/4 ply to the front and back walls for structural integrity and to support the roof spars. I will notch it along the arch and fit the purlins In then attach them to the exterior walls. I may be slight overkill but, that's how I roll. Plus it saves me from jigs and clamps and bending wood. Yes I guess you can tell I'm not the most patient guy in the world. It must be the ADD, but at least I get alot done. Here are the latest pics.

[wolgie]

Quick update: cut the two arch supports out of 3/4 plywood to go on inside of front and back walls. Then I will glue and screw to them and exterior walls. I will have purlins up and at least the front and back walls this weekend.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339131575.867978.jpg (56.97 KiB) Viewed 1888 times

P.s I didn't use any math to make the arch, it was making my head hurt! So I just did it the old fashioned way. Hope it comes out good.

[droid_ca]

Your trailer is coming along really fast. It will be exciting when you start doing the inside of it. Can't wait to see more photos

[wolgie]

Thanks for the encouragement, it's always helpful and appreciated! Yeah I am looking forward to getting to the inside as well. I may even build the couch/pull out queen size bed this weekend. Now if I could just find a way to get out of working and get back into the garage where I want to be

[wolgie]

Last night I got the roof supports in and installed the outer skin on the front wall. I'm using t&g beadboard and the bottom section (about a foot) fits inside the metal frame supports. Well the clearance was off a bit so I had to sand the heck out of the beadboard and then pound it down there. Once I got it all in place... It hit me, there were two tongues meeting and no groove.

I managed to get it out with no damage and made a groove version and fit it in. Then used that one in the other wall. It was frustrating but it happens. Anyway I'm headin back out to do some more work in it.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339256029.408088.jpg (51.21 KiB) Viewed 1853 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339256040.696066.jpg (53.9 KiB) Viewed 1853 times

[bonnie]

That is very pretty. Enjoying watching this one come together.

[wolgie]

Thanks Bonnie, I got more done today including the purlins for the roof, and the back wall with door cut out. I also made the couch that conveys to a bed. Still trying to figure out the bathroom/toilet config. I may cut a hole in the ledge and make a drawer or box that opens down to empty the contents but I'm not sure I will ask that in an upcoming post. Until then here are some more pics.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339295387.001192.jpg (53.35 KiB) Viewed 1838 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339295405.216202.jpg (50.7 KiB) Viewed 1838 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339295419.896133.jpg (51.58 KiB) Viewed 1838 times

[StandUpGuy]

How much do you suppose it will weigh when you are done?

[wolgie]

Standupguy, that is a question I am wondering often. Other than the flooring and ledges the rest is pretty light although it adds up quickly. The floor had 3/4 ply that was already on there and thoroughly coated in ext paint, so I added a layer of sanded 1/2 red oak ply on top of that and 3/4 red oak ply for the ledge walls and decks. Then I have some 3/4 pine ply for the arches. The rest is 1x2s and 2x2s and skinned in 1/4 inch beadboard and the interior will be 5mm ply. The trailer itself was substantial.

The long and short of it is I have no idea but I will have to get it weighed to satisfy my curiosity.

My major concern is getting it to clear the garage door. I will most likely have to deflate the tires to about 10lbs to get it out. Worst case scenario is to get some spare rims and change the wheels out to get it in and out. But I think it will fit without all that. I'll know as soon as I get the courage to try it. I built it to the max height because I wanted a standy but it's gonna be tight.

[StandUpGuy]

The 3/4 ply is pretty heavy. It adds up quickly.

[wolgie]

Bathroom question. I am considering cutting a hole in my ledge and making a box on the outside. [i will make one on the other side as well for balance]. The box will either slide out or be hinged in the rear and swing down. I will line the box with a trash bag. Don't know if there are any ideas for an old school potty like this. I guess I could fill it partially with blue water. And have a sealed lid for it. It's just one possible option that would occupy the least space possible int he camper. Thoughts?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339301380.867945.jpg (32.5 KiB) Viewed 1822 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1339301394.945288.jpg (44.59 KiB) Viewed 1822 times