big plans

[volster]

Alright, here we go. I have been thinking about doing this for years and think I might be able to start in the next few months. I want to build what I call a teardrop on steroids. Modeled after the T@B camper, this is a complete custom job to meet my design instead of settling for someone else’s. I have purchased a 6’6” X 10” trailer that I am going to use as the platform and will extent past the front and back to make a 12’ box, or close to it. I have also purchased some old louvered windows from an old camper that I will use, should have 6 windows total. The exterior will be strip built straight grain redwood that is salvaged, beautiful wood. Then I will use fiberglass cloth and resin to give it the look of a strip built canoe. I also plan on using soft top material from a convertible car as the top. I have big plans and hope to gain knowledge and maybe even give some. I have many years experience building scenery for the theatre where things have to be light weight and portable. What I would like to know from people from the start is what would they have dome different? My interior will just be a sleeping quarters and the galley will be in the back with a lift gate and tail gate just like my 1968 Jeepster. The sofa in the front will convert to bunk beds for my two boys and the dinette will be the larger bed for my wife and myself.

[Mary C]

ok, before you get all the plans made check out the foamie section. I am using canvas over foam attached with glue. You may pick up some ideas. Just a thought!!! Keep all bases open as they say Welcome to the forum,

Mary C.

[volster]

The foamies are interesting, I guess it would float. Being a wood guy, I feel that wood is the way I am going to go. The foamies are interesting to look at though, I am glad you pointed them out to me. I have worked with both foam and canvas before and I really want a woodie. My next project is building a woodie Jeepster to pull it with. I hope I get all of this done before I die.

[Roly Nelson]

Hello, Volster..........for the lack of a better name. When I meet you at a camp ground, can I call you Volster? It looks like you know exactly what you want to build, good for you. I am a bit puzzled about you soft-top plans. Does that mean that with a 6 ft 6 inch wide, 12 foot long trailer, you plan to have a fabric, roof, that may or may not keep out the snow, hail and rain, as you head out across the highways of our wonderful USA? If so, good luck, because many of us build out of the box, and what your are planning is rather original. Do take pics as your build progresses, we love pics. Good luck on your build, enjoy your final result, and perhaps we will meet you in a campgroud, somewhere across the US.
Roly, the So Calif woody guy

[volster]

Yes Roly, I plan on using the soft top material from a car soft top to cover the top of my camper. The wood under the fabric will be covered in fiberglass cloth and sealed like a boat. The fabric will act just like the soft top on a car keeping the rain off the fiberglass. Should be double protection. I am looking forward to camping with the family. Goals are to hit Tennessee state parks and National parks. The county I live in, Blount County, has one third of the county in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Will be spending a lot of time there.

[volster]

I have a question about the size of a “tiny travel trailer”. I just picked up a 1974 AMF Scamper off of craigslist for $100. The box is 18’ long and 7.5’ wide. This is a tandem axle trailer. It has a 4 burner stove and oven combo in it that is hardly used. It also has water holding tanks and waist tanks along with a head. Most of the interior has been gutted and there is a lot of wood rot in the walls. I plan on stripping it down to the frame and starting over with about the same size box. I am still going to keep the same design concept, just larger. No one is going to kick me off this forum with a trailer this size are they?

[Greg M]

We won't kick you off, we'll just make fun of you . Nah, we won't even do that as long as you provide plenty of pictures.

[RandyG]

Hi volster and welcome, your plans are HUGE! But I have one question, and I am not trying to be rude, but what is the point of using nice wood for the roof if you just plan on covering it? You could use foam just for the roof with that nice wood on the inside and cover the outside with resin and canvas. Just a thought.

[volster]

You are not being rude, maybe I was not clear. I am using the redwood for the sides and luan for the top under the soft top material. Everything that is not seen is luan. Thanks.