Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello fellow foam-ites:

I have had my eye on George Coe's "Bug Out" trailer for some time and following his youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3xVuHPVJm1kSSiploqPyrw videos detailing how he built his trailer.

Decided to take the plunge for myself. My vision for a "foamie for one", just me and my small dog...was this:



When I saw George add the 2x2 inch steel tube to his trailer, I knew I wanted to do that as well. Bought the tube before I bought the trailer or started the actual build.



When I went to buy an HF trailer they had the "problem with DOT" sign up and did not sell me a trailer. Went back to the same store days later, different people on duty, sign about suspended trailer sales was still posted, but they did sell me a trailer!

So I bolted the trailer together, and painted it grey:



I was going to bolt on the 2x2 inch steel tube, but decided to hire a "mobile welder" off Craigslist, so that I could also move the axle back a few inches in case I wanted to go with the larger 13 inch rims in the future:



The "mobile welder" went buck wild and every time he saw a bolt, he welded! We moved the axle rearward 3 inches, sawed off the holders for the fold up wheels, and installed the 2x2 inch steel tube "spine" (really transforms this trailer to be MUCH nicer). He also installed (welded on) a rear cargo carrier with extruded metal below. There are 2 inch receivers on both ends of the trailer. I will fabricate a removable hitch for the front:



Before I had the windows/door, I did a quick mock up of the panels:

Profile:


Quick Mockup:


I thought looked a lot like my initial concept drawing....

So far so good. My windows and doors came in, so did the cuts for them:



And then spackled:



I messed up on the drivers side window cut out, so had to buy another panel. Wasn't too upset by this as I didn't like the window location on my first attempt. So bought another panel and made my cuts, and spackled for the deep printing on the printed side:

Here is the corrected panel:



When the spackle was drying I thought "oh no"...yep, did it backwards and the printed side will be on the outside! Was supposed to be "all printed sides on the inside"!

Oh well, will just spend more time on the spackle/smoothing for this panel before the canvas goes on.

Snowed here this evening, so my jets will be cooling for a few days.

Wanted to say thanks again to George Coe, for his generosity in sharing of his knowledge and his help!

Thanks George!!

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Pmullen503 wrote:A hot iron over a wet cloth will steam out that writing. So much so that you may not need to use filler.

Really? It will pull up the sunken lettering? Will give that a go! Thanks!

Just make sure there is always steam so you don't melt the foam. Don't let the cloth go completely dry.

Worked on the floor some, today:





Cheers...

Ripped down pressure treated 2x4's to be the 1x2 floor spacers:



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JazzVinyl wrote:Ripped down pressure treated 2x4's to be the 1x2 floor spacers:
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Floor spacers are upside down. The tapper is designed so that it clears the drip edge, but has full support of the trailer frame.

ghcoe wrote:Floor spacers are upside down. The tapper is designed so that it clears the drip edge, but has full support of the trailer frame.

10-4 on the spacer orientation, George. These are for the side walls, do you also 'drip edge' the front and back, bottom edges?

Some progress today:

I added an upper floor over the inner rails. I wanted that three inches of floor space that the inner rails occupy back (also want insulation in the gap between and some electrical wiring will be in there, too:



The upper floor was a smidge longer than the inner rail edges:



Circular saw to the rescue:



Now were good:



Five spacers between the trailer and floor. In my build,. four may be enough.



George, do you think leaving the last one off would be okay?

Starting on electrical...this is a 6 circuit fuse / terminal box:



Planning on 3x 12v outlets inside, one 12v outlet outside, one switch for lights inside and one switch for a porch light, 6 circuits, total.

Also, George...my spacers are thicker then the 1x2's you specified. Might have to go with a different drip edge (like on your house) to account for thicker spacers. Think that would work? Or should I fall back to the specified 1x2 spacers?


Cheers...

JazzVinyl wrote:George, do you think leaving the last one off would be okay?

Also, George...my spacers are thicker then the 1x2's you specified. Might have to go with a different drip edge (like on your house) to account for thicker spacers. Think that would work? Or should I fall back to the specified 1x2 spacers?
Cheers...

If there is not too much overhang it should be ok. Especially since you are making a box frame for the floor. Which if you put a sheet of foam in you would insulate the floor more. Just a suggestion.

Spacers probably would be fine. My spacers show some as well. I don't really notice since I painted the spacers the same color as the trailer. No biggie.

ghcoe wrote:If there is not too much overhang it should be ok. Especially since you are making a box frame for the floor. Which if you put a sheet of foam in you would insulate the floor more. Just a suggestion.

Spacers probably would be fine. My spacers show some as well. I don't really notice since I painted the spacers the same color as the trailer. No biggie.

Yes I definitely plan to insulate the floor.

And I wonder if you could post some closer photos of the drywall item you are using as the drip edge?

Do you "drip edge" front and back, too?

Appreciate!

JazzVinyl wrote:
And I wonder if you could post some closer photos of the drywall item you are using as the drip edge?

Do you "drip edge" front and back, too?

Appreciate!

Yes, all four sides.

Making some progress here. Started the glue up:



Then moved indoors due to evening forecast calling for steady 35 mph winds, to glue up the passenger side:



The roof was glued on next (the rear panel is just taped on to stay, at this point):



Next day, glued up the front 3/4 panel:



Then the rear panel was glued in place:



Installed front corner shelves (these have screen glued on the bottoms' to make them very stiff), you can also see my 12v outlets:



Next day, caulked and painted (primer) the innards (you can see my corner shelves again and the 6 circuit fuse box)



Soon, it will be time for the challenge of the outside canvass work...

Getting lots of help/advice from George Coe II, which is very much appreciated!!

That long steel tube welded to the trailer and all the bolts being welded will give it a hugely improved level of rigidity, and the basket is a neat and useful addition too.

Great idea on insulating the floor and on adding corner shelves to add support to the wall panels.

I'd seen those videos and was really impressed with how a well built foamie could take whatever nature and winter travel could throw at it and still be absolutely fine.

looking really GOOD JV !!!