KCStudly wrote:Fabulous job! I hope you get lots of use out of it as I am sure it will make a lasting impression on your kids.
I'm curious, what would you say you biggest "lesson learned" was, and is there any one thing that you might have done differently? My guess, judging by your result, is that you pretty much nailed it!
Thank you
I was thinking about writing up a list of things I may change or do different, but since you asked, here are what I have so far on that topic.
a) Sometimes it is just not possible, but it would have made the build much easier if I had designed it to work with standard material and supplies sizes.
My trailer is about 5' wide x 10' long x 4'-6" tall. This creates a lot of waste materials building with 4x8 sheet goods.
Also, I wanted each aluminum trims to be continuous entire length, so some were 11' long. If I designed in a way I could use 8' sections, it would have saved a lot of trouble. I was not able to source items locally, so I either had to pay freight charge or road trip. (off course I choose road trip
)
b) This kinda relates to a), but working with 0.063 anodized aluminum was not easy. I didn't want it that thick, but that was only size I could find in 5' wide. Also, anodized aluminum is very easy to crack its finish. Bending is obvious, but you need to watch even when you clamp. Too much pressure at small concentrated area can damage the finish.
c) Nothing new, but check dimensions. There are several areas I had dimensional issues.
1) The exterior walls are partially bypassing the trailer frame, and that plus the tire size turned out to be not much space between wall and tire. This ment I had to get spaces. Extra cost.
2) I used lipped aluminum trim to cover most of exposed edges, but I did not account for the thickness of this lips. I know it is about 1/16ish, but that affected alignment of doors and hatch.
d) Don't design too specific for an item. I started out thinking about what I wanted in my trailer. PD405 for power, Camp Chef Oven/Stove in Gallery, window AC unit in tongue area, TV/DVD unit in Cabin cabinet, etc. Well it helps to lay it out, but when that item becomes unavailable it becomes a problem.
When I started, I was looking at 19" TV/DVD unit at Bestbuy and designed cabinet to house that. But now that perticular unit is discontinued and smallest they sell is 20". I think I can still fit 20", but it will be tight.
Also, I laid out galley based on Camp Chef Oven unit, but if I ever decide to go with something else, that space may not be wide enough. same with AC.
I know we are trying to squeeze so many stuff into very small space, but a little bit of wiggle room would help in long run in case you have to replace certain things.
e) Plan you build around climate. I really did not have much choice, but there are certain things would have been easier if I did in different season.
Epoxy, gluing, varnish for some reason, these work ended up in winter period. A lot of time I couldn't do because of temperature in the garage. Caulking and Butyl tapes would be hard to work with in winter as well.
I worked on trailer frame in the summer. I should have done that in the winter.
f) Plan your shopping. I have left out a switch from an order and had to order a switch at later time. $4 switch ended up costing something like $20 with shipping.
g) Budget for glue and fasteners. I totally left this out in my budget. You will use way more than you think. When I was in middle of certain work, I had to go store everyday to pick up screws, glue and caulking. Those add up quick.
h) Which leads to this. Try not keep all of your receipts.
I may think of more, but these are what I have so far.
by Rudyjr » Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:08 pm 
