Started construction today!

[stanimal]

The trailer from Northern Tool finally arrived. Three weeks after making the decision to build a teardrop I finally got to put wrench to bolt and get started. Once it was out of the box I laid all the parts out.

Started bolting things together.


And got the whole thing assembled.



Took it for a quick trip around the neighborhood. It tracks straight, which was my primary concern. It seems to bounce a little bit, but I'm sure that's just because it is so light.

Tomorrow morning it's off to the lumber yard to get some wood, bolts, screws, and some wheel chocks. I'm hoping to have the floor framed out tomorrow. My plan then is to get the trailer registered over the week, and then next weekend I can use it to haul my larger pieces of plywood. Since I have a Jeep, hauling a full sheet is tough. I'll appreciate having the trailer to use to haul the rest of the heavy stuff for the build.

Tomorrow, we make sawdust!!

[AlgoDan]

Keep us posted, will be watching your build.

[stanimal]

Made some sawdust today!

I bought several 2X4's and ripped them down into 2X2's. Also bought 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood. I thought I was being smart and saving myself some work by having the store trim them down to 58 1/2 inches for me. Being the trusting sort, I didn't check the cut when they made it. Turns out they cut it at 58 1/8" I've got a gap running all around the perimeter of my frame. I don't think it's a huge deal. I can hide it with the some quarter round or something when it comes time to do the finish work.

Framed out the sub floor, got is all screwed together, and then coated the underside of everything with Armor Liner bed liner. Waterproof and tough as nails. Got the sub floor bolted to the frame, recessed the bolts and washers, tightened them down with washers and lock nuts. Then used about eleventy billion outdoor screws to secure the decking to the sub floor.

All told, a good weekend of work. Assuming the wife approves the next purchase, next week is buying two sheets of Oak 3/4" plywood for the side walls, and then the real fun starts to happen.

Thanks to all who have helped me get to this point. I realize it's not much yet, but it's gonna be.

Now to come up with a name. Shaggin Wagon too cliche?

[KCStudly]

Shaggin Wagon too cliche?

Yes. Besides, it's too close to Becky's build, the "Sagwagon". It's your call, but why not wait till you find a name that really speaks to you. From your user name, how about "The Animal Farm", cuz' this thing we do is just crazy, isn't it?

[Junkboy999]

I sure a name will come to you. Sometimes it takes a special memorable event in the building process, like
the third time you hit your thumb with a hammer, or the time the drill fell off the deck of the trailer and hit
your little toe.


Great start keep us posted.

[Irmo Atomics]

Shaggin Wagon sounds good to me... Are you from South Carolina, or maybe an Austin Powers fan?
I look forward to more pictures and updates!

[PubUltraStar]

Austin Powers would be more shagedelic. I believe the Shaggin Wagon was from Dumb and Dumber. I have a temporary name for my teardrop, and won't decide on the final name until I know that I can still get the custom license plate that I want. Shaggin Waggon is a fun name, but not sure I'd want that labeled on the teardrop. Reminds me too much of the name of that truck in Kill Bill, which is too NSFW to list on this forum.

[stanimal]

Well, I wanted to post an update today, but unfortunately, there is no construction going on around here because some lowlife douchebag with a small penis stole my power tools along with a generator from my garage last night. This puts a bit of a ding in the build funds, sine I had to replace the tools before I could do anything else.

I hope to start cutting side walls next weekend.

[Junkboy999]

Dude that sucks.

I mark all my tools. keep an eye on the local pawn shops. if you find one of your tools DO NOT talk the
the pawn shop owner, go directly to the cops. As long as you have a police report listing the missing tools
and how they are marked you’ll get them back.

[PubUltraStar]

People can be such dicks. Sorry about your tools. I suppose you can get the necessary replacements as needed, and start thinking of a way to ensure they don't walk away again. Good luck getting your tools back.

[stanimal]

Got back on track with my build this weekend. Up to this point, I had a trailer, subfloor, and floor ready to go. Saturday I h=bought two sheets of 3/4" birch to use for my walls. I got the shape cut, cutouts for windows and doors done.

FYI, I was talking when my wife took the picture, but if you want to think I was waving hello to you, that's OK also.

[stanimal]

Got the bottoms of the walls sealed, and then attached them to the trailer using another eleventy billion screws. Got several spars put in place, and have managed to keep the whole thing square (well, within 1/8 of an inch on one corner. Close enough for this guys standards.

Finally though, it has risen, has a shape, and is starting to look like something other than a utility trailer and some wood. I've noticed a clearance problem with the door and the fender of the trailer. I think I'm going to have to cut a corner off the door and use it to fill in on the wall. I think some screws and some sanding and filler will make it essentially unnoticeable.

Im going to have to buy some more things before I get too much further along. Roof vent fan and a hurricane hinge probably need to be grabbed

Not yet sure how I will make the the outside. Since the trailer is five feet wide, I am thinking of ripping two sheets of thin ply at 2 1/2 feet each and stitching them together old school boat building style. Lots of decisions and design elements to come up with yet.

[AlgoDan]

Looking good and nice progress, and I like that big a## window too....

[spbiknut]

Very nice! Does your door clear the wheel fender? Looks like it does, but can't really tell from the picture. Congrats and keep up the great work!

-Troy

[Kharn]

How did you handle getting the unassembled trailer off the truck, did they charge you a liftgate fee? (and if so, how much?)
Can a 60" wide sheet fit across the NT trailer's deck? I saw you mentioned 58.5", so I'm assuming that is so two 3/4" walls brings you to the full 60", or is the trailer narrower?

Sorry to hear about your tools getting stolen, thieves suck.