New Build in England....

[Transit80]

Hi all, Ive been looking at all the build threads on this here forum and have managed to get myself a two berth caravan (no HF trailers to be had) that had been in an accident.
Ive stripped it to the chassis and cut the floor down to a decent size(96x59), will need to do a bit of cutting and welding to shorten the length and strengthen it but that is not a problem as I have all my own gear to do this.

Im in the planning stage at the moment(will be for a bit longer) and still changing my mind every time I read another build journal . Got to say the ATMA Travelear is just brilliant, to Dave for building such a work of art .
As posted before, it started like this,



And now looks like this,



Looking forward to getting on with it.

Chris

WED BERRUM EXUM TAE

[KCStudly]

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your build.

I look forward to following along. As usual, don't be afraid to ask for help... you will get lots of good input.

So many possibilities it makes your head spin!

[Transit80]

Thanks KCS , head is already spinning, questions will be asked. I am starting on the frame and the floor tomorrow.

Chris

[jackdaw]

Hi Chris, Enjoy the build fella.....but be warned it can be very addictive building teardrops ........I'm just finishing off number 6. All built on old caravan chassis' of one sort or another. Each on a bit different from each other
What are you planning on towing with ?

[grantstew8]

Welcome,
I thought I'd posted but it's not appeared....

It is addictive, I'm now planning version 2, and version 1 is almost complete.

One of the thing I struggled with is finding bits like latches and hinges. albert Jagger http://www.albert-jagger.co.uk/ have a huge selection:
I've bought a continuous hinge (two, because I cut one too short...) and slam latches and a few other bits and bobs.

Keep the momentum going and take one step at a time, spend loads of time planning and enjoy it.

Keep us posted and feel free to take a look at my blunders on youtube.

[Transit80]

Thanks for the encouragement Jackdaw,

What are you planning on towing with ?[/quote]
I am hoping to tow it with me Saab 96 but will wait and see how heavy it turns out,


Thanks as well Grantstew, they have a place not far from me in Walsall( 22 miles), handy to know.

Chris

[Martiangod]

Is the frame Galv or AL.

Looks like an awesome base for a build, good luck and hope you stripped all the good stuff off the donor

Build On !!!

[Transit80]

Hi Chris, its a galvanised chassis and Ive managed to salvage a couple of windows and roof vents, oh and the floor!!, it was only the shell when I bought it.
Started changing the chassis today and have welded a couple of corner strengtheners to the rear to help hold the rear jacks( I know, I know, they go BELOW the chassis ) ,a crosspiece made from a piece of tube I had in the garage to help support the floor and moved a crosspiece from under the chassis to between the chassis rails again to support the floor.





The outside measurement of the frame is now 96"x 59". Going to do the floor in the new year as Christmas has got in the way .

Chris

Just had a thought, going to make the spare wheel holder to hinge/swing on that round tube at the back,its got enough room between there and the rear rail

[Transit80]

Got a bit more done yesterday, have welded the rear stabiliser jacks on and made the spare wheel holder to fit under the rear.





Got to finish the wheel holder, then paint the whole lot with Black Hammerite paint.

Chris

[Transit80]

Ive been able to do some work on my trailer, have done most of the floor including making two under floor storage boxes.

Glued and screwed the side rails on( these are to add a little bit of width to the floor and to allow fixing of the sides to the frame)


Used 5x80 screws and polyurethane glue,


Drunk loads of tea


Cut and stuck the floor down,cut out the openings for the storage, and ended up with this at close of play,


Ive left a 10mm lip on the sides as I am going to rebate the sides to fit over them to go flush onto the siderails.

Chris

[Transit80]

Managed to get some more done today, put the under floor storage boxes in, insulated the floor and coated the floor and then the insulation with around 4.5 litres of Bitumastic paint. Still got to put some screws through the insulation to make sure it stays where it is. Also I have covered the underneath of the storage boxes with what we call self stick Flashband which is a bit cheaper than fibreglass and when it is warmed up with a heatgun there is some sort of tar like substance on the back which melts and seals it all up.







Going to let that lot dry for the next week and try and get a few jobs in for some funds to carry on.

Chris

[Transit80]

Hi all, done a bit more to the trailer today and have reached what I suppose is the first real milestone, I have managed to get the floor bolted to the frame .
No pictures today as it got dark and its blowing a gale and pouring down here.


Chris

[grantstew8]

You're keeping the momentum going despite the weather.
Enjoy the warmth tonight!

[Transit80]

Did a bit on the trailer today, made the walls and temporarily fitted a few roof spars, got to measure and make the inner walls and work out where to put the door and window.







Got a long way to go but this is fun. .

Chris

[Transit80]

This weekend have only spent a few hours on me trailer, Ive got the inner framing done, cut out the door and the window hopefully next week or so I can get the walls fixed on and then possibly think about wiring .





Chris