Started construction today!

[stanimal]

spbiknut - yeah, there's a clearance problem with that door. I'm 6'2", so when I took the photo the perspective makes it look like it clears, but it's about an inch and a half too high, or an inch and a half too rearward to work. I think I have a good read on ho to fix it. More woodworking than I'd like, but such is the price for being stupid and not double checking the fit before I cut.

[stanimal]

Kharn - You assume correctly with the 3/4" walls. The trailer is a true 60".

The truck that brought the trailer to my house had a lift gate, and the driver lowered it down and used a pallet jack to wheel it right into my garage. I was not charged extra for it, but I think I got a nice driver as opposed to that being their normal service.

The trailer is split into two boxes with a total weight of something like 260 or 280 pounds or so. I am fairly stout and I think, had I had to, I could have hoofed it from the end of my driveway into my garage. I did have a plan of sliding them off the back of the truck so one end was on the ground, them loading them on a furniture dolly to push them into the garage, and that would have worked. One box contains all the metal frame members, and is heavier, but it is also long and narrow, so it's easier to get a grip around it.

Without a doubt, two adult men could handle it without much problem. It'll still be heavy, but no worse than moving a full keg of beer (for a handy comparison).

[stanimal]

And now in other news, I finally conviced my tax assessor's office that yes, in fact all I needed to register the trailer was my receipt and the certificate of origin. There was a three-hour long fiasco in friday over this. I finally got called back and told that yes, in fact, I was right. Apparently, they were upset because Northern Tool did not sign the Certificate of Origin as the dealer. I tried to explain that they never had the trailer, it came to me in a box and I assembled it.

Three days and a call by them to the State later, and I have my plate.

Hopefully more building this weekend.

[Kharn]

spbiknut - yeah, there's a clearance problem with that door. I'm 6'2", so when I took the photo the perspective makes it look like it clears, but it's about an inch and a half too high, or an inch and a half too rearward to work. I think I have a good read on ho to fix it. More woodworking than I'd like, but such is the price for being stupid and not double checking the fit before I cut.

If you have a way to make spline joints (biscuit joiner would be the easiest), you could cut 3" out ahead of the door, and then add 3" (plus the kerfs, so it wouldn't be the same slice you took out) behind the door. The only downside is such a repair would be obvious if you were doing a woody-style exterior.

[stanimal]

I think I've got the general part of the fix figured out. Doing it structurally isn't too tough. I'm hoping that with enough sanding, and then some epoxy when I seal it, followed by some paint it won't be obvious. I'm pretty sure I will always be able to tell.

[stanimal]

Moved on to some other work today. I want to start making the shelving, and the foot area of the inside. In order to do that, I need to get an idea what my clearances for the hatch will be. Did a general frame out for the hatch. I cut the ribs from 1X12 pine boards. They are two inches wide, and are secured on top and bottom by 1X2 boards.

I made them intentionally narrower than the internal dimension of the hatch opening. When I got them in, there was still a clearance problem. They weren't quite square, and there was a slight bowing outward in the middle. The blocking you see cleared up 90% of the clearance problem, and once I start running spars across the center, that should eliminate any minor outward bowing.

Outside will be birch ply, just like the walls. inside of the hatch will most likely be peg board material, so that when it is open I can hang things such as a lantern, cookware, etc from hooks.

[stanimal]

Here are pictures of the hatch door clamped in place to gauge tolerances.Looks like I will have enough room.

The other photo shows a dry fitting of the rear shelf. I'm not going to do rear cabinets. We will most likely haul all of out gear inside the sleeping area of the trailer, then set up the rear area when we arrive.

It was good to get back into building things that are really visible. Helps the morale. Last weekend was lots and lots of sanding, especially of the floor.

[stanimal]

Almost forgot. First picture here is a picture of the fix for the door clearance. I ripped two inches off of the bottom of the door, then picked up a doweling jig. Four wood dowels some glue, and three screws later, and the two inches I ripped off the door bottom are back attached to the wall. Some sanding before paint and you shouldn't be able to tell too badly.

The second photo is checking the foot clearance of the rear shelf, which will also serve as the bottom of the interior cabinetry.

[stanimal]

Just a few more things done today. Installed the rear shelf, framed out the opening for the roof vent, and drilled out holes to run the wires for the brake lights.

[AlgoDan]

Looking good, moving right along

[stanimal]

Not a hole lot happening this weekend. We have some company, and I had some honey do's around the house that I was told could not be put off any further. I did manage to hit all the holes so far on the outside with some wood filler, ready to be sanded down.

I've just about decided to buy a roll of the plastic living hinge from Monroe. It seems extremely durable, water proof, and there is enough of it to use for both the hatch and the door.

[Oldragbaggers]

I'm a little late to the party here, but congrats on your build. It's coming along great!!

I think madjack uses the living hinge and has very good things to say about it. He has had it on his trailer for a long time with no problems, if I remember correctly.

[stanimal]

Been a couple of weeks since I was able to get anything substantial done.

I installed beadboard ceilings, They did not bend quite as well as I wanted, so the inside is a little more angular than designed. I got it all caulked and painted this morning, and cut out the ceiling hole for the vent and fan.

[stanimal]

Also started to build and install the cabinets. I bought a finishing nailer to install the beadboard, and have used it so much on other things. I'm really not sure I could have done the rest of the trailer without it.


I'm going to have to make the cabinet doors sometime. The small cabinets will have hinges at the top. The larger cabinets will have two cabinets with doors, and the center cabinet will stay open for an Ipad to be mounted for video.

[AlgoDan]

Nice progress, With each passing day it get's closer to completion. Good job