Small caravan box by Tom

[ipy]

Today I installed caravan capsule on a utility trailer. It went wrong because I was in a hurry and did not take my time to do it properly.

I dropped capsule down on ground twice because it fallen from a chair it was standing on while I slided trailer underneath.

First time it just fell in ground but the second time it first hit the fence and then hit the ground.

The result is that PVC panels are broken on the right side. I cannot replace them with new ones. Also a PVC profiles on the front edges of lower part broke so did radiator foil on this part which is under the level of OSB floor.

I have not decided what to do now- scrap the box and start like new or try to fix it.

No other damages are visible, I see no influence on capsule integrality.

[Sheddie]

Oh no
It could have been a lot worse, at least no one was injured.
That could be quite easy to repair. You could cut the area out and fit another window, or do you need to fit a vent or any outside light or anything like that?

[ipy]

I decided I will repair this caravan box. I plan to remove vinyl wrap from damaged wall, sort out problem with broken panels and apply a new vinyl wrap.

I suppose I will install 2 outdoor lamps on places where panels are broken plus another one at the front of a caravan, just before kitchen hatch. I planned install lamps on this side, anyway.

What I think about caravan is that it looks really good in real life and I could say it is sweet. But I still regret it does not have a classical teardrop shape.

Now I am installing windows. Still need to hurry but I hope not to spoil anything more.

[KCStudly]

Yes, very sweet!

[ipy]

Today I sealed a roof window as well as did the first stage of fitting windows. Need to learn how to fit quite a wide strips of white plastic within a narrow slot in window seals. Hope I wil find some time on Friday to work...

[Sheddie]

Looking good

[pchast]

A neat job.

[ipy]

I built a kitchen hatch- ot opens up, because it was easier for me to adjust hinges. I also built rear door. Both hatch and door needs finishing with PVC foil and corner PVC profiles, but it will come later.

I applied all L profiles on connection between the roof and walls and sealed them. Need to cover them with thin PVC strips so they would look pleasant.

I also applied a sticky tape which was just like gum or even chewing gum between walls and aluminium profiles that support windows. This sticky thing gives water protection- I was told that window seals itself protect only from wind, not rain.

When I finish windows, kitchen hatch and a rear door so they can be locked I will go to a trailer dealer so that he would install supports on the back of the caravan. Now, when I go inside, I overweight the rear and the front lifts up (I am of average body build).

When supports are fitted, I can start working on the inside.

[KCStudly]

Neat build.

You could block the rear of the trailer up for now with some scrap wood and keep working until you have time to get the stabilizer jacks installed.

Over here we refer to the gummy sealer tape as putty tape, or RV putty tape.

[ipy]

Today I applied a purple PVC foil on a rear panel and PVC profile on a bottom edges of both side walls. I supported rear of the trailer temporarily with some wood and drilled holes from cabin down through trailer floor. Then I fixed capsule with 4 screws in 4 corners. I also fitted 4 hinges on which a rear hatch will be installed.

[pchast]

I see the local inspector approves!


The trailer rear gate will cover your door if
someone closes it on you. Will you remove it
for camping use?

[ipy]

Today I applied PVC foil on both sides of a kitchen hatch: white outside and silver inside. Installed a hatch lock, it locks from inside the cabin. Also did some kind of a gutter above the hatch.

Filled empty spaces in front part of MFP construction with styrofoam and then whole walls with XPS styrofoam.

Regarding the problem of locking us when we are inside: before entering caravan, I will hang locked padlocks on gate locks (gate open down), so nobody can use them. Door will be equipped with the same lock as kitchen hatch, also operated from inside.

[daveesl77]

You are building a really nice looking camper! The most important part is the time your family gets to play in it both during the build and when in use. Very, very nice design and build!

dave

[ipy]

Today I went to a trailers dealer to get rear supports installed. By the way I had my test drive.

So far, so good!

[KCStudly]

Perfect!