Handyman in NC - Tim B.

[treebeau]

Here I go.
My first build. Been wanting to do it for years.
I don't have experience welding (maybe some day) so I took a photo of a Northern Tools trailer, sketched and wrote some details and had a local company build it. Came out nice, and usable, but if there is another build in my future there will be some modifications.

Hoping the pictures show.

Starting the floor this weekend.
Tim B.

The sketch:


The trailer as fabricated:

[treebeau]

Building the floor.

Laying out and fitting the 2x4 framework.



These parts all rest on welded cross members, so pocket holes are more than enough.


And finally I am starting to layout a storage compartment (front) and a place to bolt on a spare tire underneath the galley (back). Still not sure how I will mount them so those pieces are all just wedged in for now.

[Junkboy999]

Looking Good

Keep pluging away at it.


Terry
Junkboy999

[jbyrd]

Looking good, was just curious as to what profile you are going with?

[treebeau]

Thanks!!

I am putting 2 inspiration pictures here. I am probably going to go with a Benroy style or one very close with a few small changes. Haven't really nailed that down yet. But definitely going to do a Woody (I love woodworking and it's a must for me). I am well aware that the prettier of these 2 TDs has the doors opening toward the back, and I won't be doing that.

[treebeau]

Yes, I am slow, but that's me.
Got a new girlfriend (she asked "Where...the girlfriend store?" OK, I now HAVE a WONDERFUL new girlfriend) and have been enjoying THAT aspect of my life.

Here is the continuation of the floor.

Two sheets of 1/2 inch plywood.


They were cut to 4ft by 5ft, and are butted together to form the 5ft by 8ft floor.


The cut off pieces are used to form a storage well in the floor. Not sure what to store here, but so many of you make these and I know that NOW is the time. I don't want to regret NOT having done it.

[treebeau]

To stiffen the corners, I cut and glued in 3/4 by 3/4 strips. Then glued on 4 strips at the bottom edges to support the box bottom.


A board was cut for length and width and notched for the corners. It will be glued down, then caulked inside and out. Then sealed with goo on the underside later.


And a random sampling of the "types" of things that can be stored. I think there should probably be a jack, tire plugs, air pressure gauge, jumper cables and other maintenance things instead.

[pete42]

congrats' on trailer looks like you will end up with one fine looking trailer.

pete

[toypusher]

Looking good. But you might want to consider mounting your spare under the front of the tear vs under the galley. They galley will already add extra weight behind the wheels. Maybe plan that you could have a mounting point either under the galley or under the front and then see how the tongue weight works out before actually installing any mounts for it.

Just my opinion here!

[bc toys]

remember you don't want the floor box any lower then you axel or you might lose the bottom on a big hump

[treebeau]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think mounting the spare on the tongue would be easier, so if that is the way to go then I don't have to worry about extra blocking. But nevertheless, I did mount the 2x4s under the galley if I decide to go that way.

As for storage box depth, yikes! I did want it fairly deep and only considered that it would be higher than your typical speed bump. Before the bottom is glued in place I will give a lot more consideration to the depth. Thanks!!



So now a continuation.
Since I have my 2x4 framing lying flat, I have a broader surface for butting plywood edges. SO I decided to attach the floor in a few smaller sections, Of course the whole underside will be treated later.

Here is the front panel. It is glued and screwed in place.


And here is the back one. These floor panels hang ever so slightly over the edges and will be trimmed exact with a router.


And here is the fill in.


Still needing to cut the storage compartment cover, drill for bolts, flip, seal for roadworthiness, flip, and bolt down.

[ecna]

I really like the storage compartment. Too late for me though, I'm not cutting it in now.

[treebeau]

Still chipping away at the floor.

Made a hatch cover using available plywood. It was a little short, so I cut thin strips to make up the gap. One is pointed to with the red arrow. The holes are just so I can lift it out for now. When I do the finish floor there will be some recessed rings to lift.


And voila, it is snug, but not too snug.



Using a router and bearing bit I trimmed the plywood flush with the outer edge of the 2x4 frame. The only difficulty here was I had to prop the long edges up over the wheels to do some of that trimming. Easy now since it isn't bolted down.



It was suggested that the bottom of the storage box not be lower than the bottom of the axle. So I marked it, then made and clamped on a guide for cutting with the circular saw.



Cut all 4 sides and now I just lose some depth. It's ok, because I wasn't all that sure I needed a storage bin anyway.



I have since cut and glued on new strips to secure the box bottom and have started prepping for waterproofing the floor.

[TRP]

Looks like a great start.

Keep going on it, before you know it you'll be putting up walls.

T

[jbyrd]

Coming along very nicely, I like the drop box and my next one will have one.