Colorado off-road standy

[cowboynico]

Hello there,
Newbie here just started my first build. I started with a few napkin designs and landed on a 10'x6' standy on top of a 4x8 utility trailer I made in high school. Here is the first set of pics along with the journal entries that I am posting all at the same time because I am a slacker...it is all 2x4 construction which I know is heavy but I wanted it a little heavier due to the large side profile (wind) while towing.

First steps were the floor frame. I started with the fenders forward, then built a matching piece for the back.
April 11th 2015

note: The underside exterior plywood (1/2") was added to each piece of the floor frame as it was made which I regretted at first, due to all the weakest seams lining up, but it made a lot of the build much easier.

I then finished the rest of the floor framing.
April 20th 2015

The underside was sealed with caulk and painted with 6 coats of latex based extreior paint I found on a clearance aisle as it was mixed incorrectly.

[cowboynico]

The next step for me was subfloor (1/2") OSB and R13 non-backed fiberglass as I couldn't afford Bluebeard.
April 23rd 2015

The first wall is up and the thing is actually looking like I am making progress now.

[39Ratrod]

That is one hell of a wall! Looks like you could put R-???? in those walls!!! You'll be ready for those cold Colo nites for sure!

[cowboynico]

Ha I am a chronic over builder but I am also one that likes to push the limits of "under normal conditions" so I figure, too insulated, too heavy, too rigid are good things for me. Haha. The rest of the framing should be done tonight, I'll post better pics.

[cowboynico]

Almost finished the framing tonight but things were moving slow and I was cutting boards too many times, due to exhaustion so I decided to call it. Here is the most current state of affairs.
April 25th 2015


Questions comments concerns welcome.
The big gap in the drivers side on the rear is where the door framing will go when I get done with it.

[noseoil]

Looks to be plenty strong, but it may end up a "just a bit" on the heavy side when you're done. Any target on rolling weight yet? Hope the tow vehicle isn't a mini. Do you have electric brakes for that beast? Welcome!

[Wobbly Wheels]

Because you're talking about off-road and "...one that likes to push the limits of "under normal conditions", do you have plans to upgrade the suspension ?
What capacity did you build it for ?

It's not typically what one sees around here but there's nothing wrong with heavy if you're planning on it from the start.

[KCStudly]

Despite the heavy build technique, based on the narrow wheelbase and large tall sail area, I am having visions of Penguino.

For off road use one also needs to be concerned about off camber scenarios and high CG's, not to mention leaning into trail side brush and other hazards.

Weight in the basement (such as the proverbial 500 lbs of beer) would help, but weight everywhere kind of cancels out the excuse of building heavy for stability.

Just saying, a little more research into what has worked for others, and what has not, would probably be beneficial.

On the other hand, it's coming right along and you are making fast progress!

[cowboynico]

Tow vehicle is a chevy half ton pickup. The axle is currently a 2000 w/o brakes. I am still in the process of calculating weight. I am ready and willing to put a 3500 lb with brakes but I want to see where I am at with the current setup. Suspension is leaf springs. Wind on the highway is definitely a concern of mine. I am 6'3" which ended up making the camper about 9'1" from the ground to the top. It is 6' wide and 10' long. The saving grace here is the steel trailer frame alone is about 400 lbs. I will do some calculating really quick and see what the framing so far weighs.

[cowboynico]

As it sits right now, I calculated 568.875 lbs in 2x4 plywood and OSB.

[KCStudly]

With or w/o the 400 lb frame?

What do you plan to skin it with?

The height and length aren't the biggest concern, it's that in combination with the 4 ft wheelbase that give concern. The short leg of the triangle is the brace against the wind and the higher up the CG the more tippy it will be.

[cowboynico]

That was 568 lbs of wood. So roughly 1000 pounds overall. The tires are like 53" on center. Skinning will likely be 1/2" OSB with rhino liner.

[cowboynico]

Hey there. Haven't been online bit have still been building. As of this week I am beginning the electrical and interior. I have the exterior all sheated and I need to get my electric run before the exterior gets rhino liner. I'll start posting more pics but here is the only pic I have right now.

[39Ratrod]

Any updates?

[cowboynico]

Sorry i havent posted in a while....i am buying a real house so the project took a short break. As of now i have the exterior painted and have finished the walls on the inside!

Here is my girlfriend staining the tounge and groove.

Here is the finished walls inside with the flush mount ceiling lights

This is how she sits now.
I know it is too narrow. I will be fabbing up a new much wider axle soon.