Aluminum Standy with bath

[luscombe]

I have out grown my teardrop that I built four years ago. I should say that one of my annual trips has out grown the trailer. I crew for a hotair balloon each year and at the ralley there is no running water and the ten gallons in my teardrop is not heated for bathing and four days on ten gallons is tough. My present teardrop started with a HF trailer and the only thing I used from the kit is the steel. This time I will buy flat sheets and save the cost of the parts left in the basement. I'm not in the market for a new car, so the Honda Accord will be the tow car and the trailer will have to be light enough for this vehicle. I considered doing a fiberglass and luan shower like I built for my RV but I think an aluminum shower would be lighter.

[luscombe]

[album]121554[/album This is the frame for the trailer. I am still fumbeling around with picture sizes to post.

[luscombe]

[album]126884[/album This is how the trailer was brought to the DMV for a title inspection as a utility trailer. It now has a permanent plate.

[luscombe]

At this point the trailer weighs 490 pounds. The frame is 16 gauge A-36 steel six inches deep with a two inch upper and lower flange. This will provide stiffness and a place to put the water and black tanks for the bath and kitchen. The heavier components will be located near the axle as will the tanks.There will be a slide on the driver's side to give me plenty of room for the bed and a place for my parrot to sleep.There were no questions when I got the title inspection and that saved any problems or questions regarding the electrical and propane lines. The heaviest item will be the refrigerator at 140 pounds.

[luscombe]

This is the frame with the tanks in place.

[luscombe]

This is a picture of the frame with the slide mechanism in place. it adds about 100 pounds but I need the room. This should be all of the steel, the rest of the build will be aluminum .032 3004H16.

[luscombe]

This is the first aluminum being riveted to the frame. The arches are 2x2x .032 3004H14 aluminum bent in a six and a half foot arch.

[luscombe]

This is the rest of the frame being added. The rafters and perlins are 1x2x.032 3004H16.

[kudzu]

Oh my!! This is gonna be good.

[luscombe]

These pictures will show the skinning of the trailer and the slide. There will be 2 inch styrofoam insulation between the inner and outer walls of the coach. I am presently working on the door frame and the shower unit.

[rand_98201]

cant wait to see more of this build

[mezmo]

Very interesting build. I like the deep frame with the end
tapers.

Is there any reason for putting the door on the road side?
Just mentioning it as the utility connections are usually on
that side, so most entry doors are on the curb side to avoid
them being in the way of walking around. Also that placement
helps with access to the inside if you happen to be just off
the road on the shoulder area. Of course, if you are having
two doors, one on each side, then the question is moot.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[luscombe]

The door is on the drivers side as I have never been to a "camp ground" . I only use my campers for primative camping at bluegrass festivals and airshows. If you notice, there is a 2 inch lower portion of the floor under the door. This is to accomodate a maserator pump at the low side of the black tank. To empty the tank I am going to open the door, reach in to an access panel in the floor pull out a one inch hose, flip the switch to start the pump and empty the tank. This avoids the raised floors to allow the three inch hoses for gravity drains. It also lowers the center of gravity for the trailer.I love the low profile of my present teardrop but I need the bath. I camp at Oshkosh for almost two weeks each year.It will be nice not to have to put your shoes on for a morning nature call. When this build is done,I will show the build of my teardrop.

[luscombe]

This is the pattern that was made to form the 6 and a half foot framing members for the front of the trailer It is being used to make the top of the shower unit. These are the special tools used to shrink the metal. These tools are being used to fabricate the trim on the front of the trailer. This tool is being used to capture the tuck in the shrinking process. This is the top of the shower unit. This is a test fit of the shower in the trailer. That is the water heater under the seat of the shower unit. This is the final fit of the shower in the bath. This is a look in through the slide. This is the bed with storage underneath and the fresh water tank below that within the frame members.

[luscombe]

I haven't posted in a while. Here is where I stand. The work at present is on the interior.