The Patrol Box

[pjo129]

Since work on the Behemoth http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=53644 is in a semi-permanent holding pattern and the Hoosier Tearjerkers Spring Gathering is in two weeks, I came up with a PLAN B.

Background info:
I have 4 boys (and one adorable little girl). All of my boys are involved in scouting. One is an Eagle scout has moved to the Venture Crew. Two are Boy Scouts. One is still in Cub Scouts. I am also a registered leader. My wife, bless her soul , is a merit badge counselor (and a saint).
The past two gatherings we have been in a tent. This will do no longer.

Last summer I got this Harbor Freight trailer from GerryS, TnTTT member and fellow Hoosier tearjerker, for gas money and a song.


Unfortunately it came with a unique licensing situation. Thanks to the information gathered on this forum, I received this in the mail today.

Problem solved.

So here's the plan:
credit to ohbugger for the idea.


More later. The princess needs attention.

[pjo129]

OK, so here's the idea. I want to use this trailer as both a camper AND a utility trailer. Not having a pickup truck can be inconvenient at times. SO, I am going to build removable chuckboxes for the back end. When I camp, these will mount on the side of the trailer using a french cleat or something like that. With the chuckbox galley and a scout themed paint scheme The Patrol Box seemed the perfect name.

Yesterday I made a huge pickup for the Patrol Box. This was on craigslist for $25 . Can't pass that up.



My only concern was, "how do I get that home?" (Remember, no pickup . Also, my wife has our van with the hitch in OKC.). Being a fairly resourceful fellow, I redneck engineered a way to pick the camper shell up. Also, I'm not afraid to have people laugh at me. It's only dumb if it doesn't work.



The topper is 6'X8'. This will give me room for a queen-size mattress. It is 24" tall. If I build my sides 36", that gives me approximately 5' of interior space. I should even be able to change my pants in there.

I am thinking 2"X2" sidewalls with 1/2" plywood on the outside and 1/4" ply on the inside. Just for the heck of it, I'll probably go ahead and insulate with the 2" foam board.

If it stops raining this week, I'll get to work and be sure to take lots of

[nhstt]

Unfortunately it came with a unique licensing situation. Thanks to the information gathered on this forum, I received this in the mail today.

Problem solved.
Saw a forum on this, Did you just mail in the paper work and was it available on line. I have a new H.F. frame and time limit like you. Want To Camp Now!
My two scouts are helping with the build , love your name! ours is called the ladybug-out
Karen

[pjo129]

Unfortunately not available online. I called the number that was on the forum. They sent me the forms. I mailed them and paid $10 rush on it. Got it within a week.

Camping with scouts is easy. I let my 16yo Life Scout handle the fire and their tent. I don't have to do anything.

[nhstt]

Unfortunately not available online. I called the number that was on the forum. They sent me the forms. I mailed them and paid $10 rush on it. Got it within a week.

Thanks, I'll go look that up!


Camping with scouts is easy. I let my 16yo Life Scout handle the fire and their tent. I don't have to do anything.

The tears for me and my spouse tents for the boys. Although I'm doing a SUV tent for the back of my little old forester.
Karen

[pjo129]

Well, I'm ready for work to begin. I stopped by the local Green Big Box Store and picked up some supplies.



1/4" BC ply for the sides (inside and out)
3/8" BC ply for the floor
1/2" pink foam for the side insulation
1" pink foam for the floor insulation
2X4 select for the framing
a bucket of white elastomeric sealant for the underside

All I need are some bolts to attach the whole thing to the frame.

Building commences Saturday morning. Wish me luck. Pics to come.

[pjo129]

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there. Especially my lovely wife, Vickie, who puts up with me.

Here's where we got this weekend.

Saturday we didn't get started until after lunch. I had to run to the hardware store and Harbor Freight. Then drop off the future tow vehicle, my Grand Marquis, at U-Haul for hitch installation.

First, we had to make the folding trailer a non-folding trailer. I hadn't anticipated this step.



I had plenty of help from one excited future camper. This is Preston, my 9 year old (son #4). He was great with holding things, getting tools, and handing me bolts, nuts, etc.


End of Saturday. Support slats laid out and partly attached to the frame.


Started after church and lunch on Sunday. My oldest, Jonathan (19), came out to help. I put him to work bolting the support slats to the frame. He didn't so much like the lock washer, nut, lock nut set-up; but that's too bad for him.


I got help from both Jonathan and my 16 year old, Christian, on ripping plywood for the bottom of the trailer. Sorry, no on that step. I had my hands full on the table saw.

We finished up Sunday with a Double coating of White Elastomeric Roof Sealant. I just couldn't do the Black Goo. I'll leave that out to dry overnight.


Grocery shopping and Scouts after work tomorrow. More on Tuesday.

[pjo129]

Here's what I got done tonight.

I got the floor flipped and framed. I'm doing a sandwich floor with 1.5" pink foam insulation and a 3/8" top. I put a good deal of 2X4 floor supports in the sandwich because this will also double as a utility trailer. (I know you want )

Here you go.


Here's the pink stuff inserted.

Sorry the pic is a little fuzzy; it was starting to get dark.

After supper at about 8:30, I got the 2 big boys to help me rip the plywood floor. I didn't get any pics of them helping me, you'll just have to take my word on it.

Here's me screwing down the deck in the dark. Thank God for hats with lights and drills with lights.


Hopefully I can get some work in tomorrow before it rains.

No pressure. I only have to be campable by Friday.

[KCStudly]

Pitch a tent on that floor and you are done.

[pjo129]

That's what my two older boys said.

I Ted them that that kind of defeats the purpose.

[pjo129]

I am sure no one here knows about life getting in the way of teardropping.

First, here's the update.

Wednesday evening I got the sides up.

That's my second oldest, Christian, giving a hand.

I went with 2X4 construction. I figure the ruggedness will outweigh the weight i sacrifice. I plan to use this with and without the top as a utility trailer as well as a camper.


After the sides were up, I insulated with 1-1/2" pink foam.


I left a space in the driver's side rear to house a future electrical box.


The last thing I did on Wednesday was to have my sons help me lift the topper onto the trailer. They were leaving with my wife the next morning and wouldn't be around to help when it was needed.


More later.

[Oldragbaggers]

I like it Pete!!! What a great way to make use of what you have, involve the kids, and get on the road quick.

Happy camping to you and your family!!

[Junkboy999]

Ha haha now that is thinking Inside the box.

[JDHIV]

Hi Pete,

It has been 3 months....what has progressed since then???

I'm excited to do a build just like this without the concern for also having a utility trailer.

I would love to see more pics! and how you did the inside!

I assume you just dropped the cap right on top of the flat wood that you used as a top rail on your half-wall.

I found your post as I looked through Ohbugger's of the same design...........did anyone else try this? I'd love to see links to that as well!

Also, I think your way of getting the cap home on your sedan is AWESOME!!!! I just may use that if I can't drag a trailer out to pick up any that I'm looking at!

Thanks!

_John

[pjo129]

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