The Patrol Box

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

Re: The Patrol Box

Postby JDHIV » Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:50 pm

pjo129 wrote:Update coming. I'll need to do it from an actual computer. Tapatalk won't let's post pics. We did take the about 50% complete Patrol Box to CRA 2013. We even made Cooltears Magazine.

Pete


EXCELLENT!!!! CAN'T WAIT! :twisted: :thumbsup: :applause:

Also, you built this to also be a utility trailer....so that is why you built up a much more beefy structure than needed for just the camper part alone, right?

How much less could you do if just supporting a 200lb or so truck cap?

Thanks!
_John
:pictures: coming....Woo Hoo!!
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby JDHIV » Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:00 pm

ALSO....I just free-subscribed to CoolTears magazine ! Thanks for mentioning them...and I found the link on Stacie Tamaki's flirtyguide blog! Go Stacie!

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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Mon Aug 19, 2013 1:27 pm

I used 1/2", 3/8" and 2x4 construction for the floor. I would say you could easily use a sandwich of 1/4", 1x, and 1/4"(or even 1/8"). You could definitely go with 2x2 construction on the sides. I have 1/4" outer skin. You could use 1/8".
I know others on here, like my friend bobhenry or prohandyman (both fellow Hoosier Tearjerkers), could better answer that.
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

It's only dumb if it doesn't work.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby JDHIV » Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:17 pm

I would say you could easily use a sandwich of 1/4", 1x, and 1/4"(or even 1/8"). You could definitely go with 2x2 construction on the sides. I have 1/4" outer skin. You could use 1/8".


By that you mean 1/4" ply bottom layer, "1x"?? not sure what you mean, and then either 1/4 or even 1/8 ply on top? so, kind of a Torsion-floor...or at least a sandwich of with I'm-not-sure-what in the middle???



I know others on here, like my friend bobhenry or prohandyman (both fellow Hoosier Tearjerkers), could better answer that.


I'll definitely hope they chime in.....I'm going to likely get an awesome style of canopy/cap with a door already in it similar to the style of Ohbugger's ! and I have a couple of weeks off...so, I"d like to get started ASAP!!!!

Thanks! :applause: :worship: :D
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:34 pm

OK. Questions first: If I were doing this trailer as a camper only (maybe even if I were doing it as a combo), I would use my 2x3s across the frame, then 1/8" ply, then 1x4 frame with 3/4 pink insulation (where I used the 2x4s and 1-1/2 pink), then top it with 1/4" ply. I would glue and screw everything.

I hope that helps, John. Please don't think me an expert here.

And now, the much delayed and highly anticipated update. :D

When we last left our intrepid campers, they were getting ready for the Hoosier Spring gathering.

This was Wednesday night:
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I started Thursday morning by skinning the sides with 1/4" ply.

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After that I secured the truck cap using 1/4" bolts and tee nuts. Here is our youngest, Lanee', doing the "trailer dance" with Preston.

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Then I framed in the back.

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And skinned it.

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I left the space open for the ingress/egress door. Sorry, I didn't get pics of the door construction. It is 2x3s on the flat with 1/4 ply skin and 1-1/2" pink foam. Here it is installed

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I covered it with a two part Epoxy Floor Primer I found at the Habitat ReStore for $2.50 a quart. I got 2 quarts of part A and 2 quarts of part B. This was difficult to use as it was a warm day and part A and part B were hardening almost on the brush as I was painting the trailer.

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That is where I left it on Friday afternoon, back in May.

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Unfortunately on Saturday Lanee' woke up having severe asthma problems. :thumbdown: We had to cancel out on our first camping trip in the Patrol Box. :cry:
Well, this has been a long post and it's late, so it's off to bed. I'll catch it up later this week. Pics :pictures: are in my gallery if you can't wait.
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby JDHIV » Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:41 pm

Thanks!! Looks good! I checked out your gallery AND emailed the guy from the magazine that took a pic............he sent me a pic of your truck-cap-camper! Not too different from some of what you posted. Cool nonetheless and I just bought an older full-sized cap/canopy today..........and WILL be building a camper out of it!!!

I'll start a separate build thread but link all the good info I have gleaned in my start of a build thread that WAS going to be a tradish foamie!

If I remember (OR someone replies to this thread asking) I'll post the link there as it is related to this type of build!

_John (JDHIV)
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Sat May 03, 2014 10:54 pm

Well, It's been about a year and I'm just getting back to doing some work on the Patrol Box. I know, I'm a slacker.

I started work today on the namesake of the camper. The actual patrol boxes that will hang off the side and form the galley. I was able to do this mostly from some 3/4" scrap plywood I had left over from other projects.

Here's what I started with after the initial cuts. I'm going with 2 boxes that will be 2'X3'X16". 16" because that was the size of the cutoffs I am using.
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I am getting to use my Kreg Jig Jr. for the first time. If you don't have one of these, get one.
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I decided to go two levels with compartments underneath. Box number two may get a different configuration.
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Here the back is on.
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30" Piano hinge installed.
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Latch and handles.
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Finished inside.
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They will hang on the trailer using a simple French cleat (shown here laying against the other lumber)
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Box number two tomorrow.
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

It's only dumb if it doesn't work.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby GerryS » Tue May 06, 2014 5:26 am

Life happens. This is more about the journey than the destination, at least in the physical sense :). Watch your weight....those boxes look good, but balancing weight, ruggedness, and function are a delicate balancing act.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Tue May 06, 2014 7:50 am

Thanks Gerry. They'll travel in the van for the most part. But your point is correct. If they go in the trailer, they'll ride over the wheels.
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

It's only dumb if it doesn't work.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby GerryS » Tue May 06, 2014 3:28 pm

You'll be fine then......looking forward to seeing them in just a couple days....where is spring going!
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We have paint

Postby pjo129 » Tue May 06, 2014 10:10 pm

Got home from work early today, after I did my civic duty and voted in the primary. I got to work on the outside of the Patrol Box.

First, I caulked the corners and installed some trim.
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Then I got out the paint.
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I'm going to put a couple coats of this green on it. The top will be painted in tan (sans stripes says the boss lady :) )
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

It's only dumb if it doesn't work.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Wed May 07, 2014 10:15 pm

I ran into a bit of a problem with the build. :?

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=59737&p=1077745#p1077745

I think that I have it resolved, at least temporarily :thumbsup:

Today I put the second coat of green paint on it.

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It already looks MUCH better.
Pete Olson
Newburgh, IN

"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

It's only dumb if it doesn't work.
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby GerryS » Sun May 18, 2014 7:53 pm

Those patrol boxes on the side really look like they will serve you well...great idea using the French cleats and removable boxes...put your kitchen where you want it and a a height of your choosing.

Low work surfaces are my big complaint about ours....
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby Verna » Sun May 18, 2014 8:09 pm

Pete, it would be so nice if you could figure out some legs for the patrol boxes. I keep picturing the fold down legs on a gurney in an ambulance...strange, but it would be helpful to your back ;)
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Re: The Patrol Box

Postby pjo129 » Sun May 18, 2014 10:56 pm

Verna, the gears are turning even now.
Pete Olson
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"Patrol Box" camper build thread http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=55583

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