Roosevelt 6x12 multi-use

[TeddyR]

Went ahead and bought the shower pan after thinking hard. It will just drain outside with a tube attached. Wiring is in and windows are cut in and installed along with roof vent cut in and installed. (Maxxaire 7500). Just started the 120v boxes and am insulating the V-nose. Had a major snowstorm here so going to need to wait for the melt off before I can resume. It is goig pretty quick tough and lots of fun. I needed a friend for support though when I cut the windows! Pictures to follow in a few days.

[rebapuck]

How's the snow melt?

[TeddyR]

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When I first read about people taking a year to build their trailers I wondered why it took so long. Now I know! I have been "chipping away" with the trailer between life events. I installed the Maxxaire 7500 ceiling unit but I don't have power to it yet. (or to anything else actually other than the AAA battery closet lights.) I did manage to get the carpeting on the walls and decided that e-track made the most sense for securing my set to the side. Ceiling and lights are mostly installed, except where the cabinets will go in the front "v". Power portal is cut and installed so I can snake a regular cord in if need be. Still a lot of front end cabinetry work to build, but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I was really pleased I found this site so I could modify some of my ideas, and steal others!

I have a shakedown cruise to Iowa and Nebraska for Roosevelt shows this week, so we will see how everything travels and where I need to make adjustments. Beds are being welded by a neighbor and should be ready to be installed when I return. Shower base is installed, and porta-potty. TR travel boxes are stacked and installed with french cleats and an additional 1 inch web wrapping to keep them secure.

The spare space I had planned for walking through the trailer is being taken up by stuff. It will still work for between show rest-stop sleeping as planned once the beds are put up as I promised my bride, but I will need to be much better at packing! These shows I am doing this week are multiple format, from theater stage to rustic camp which means I need to bring almost all of my gear, which is not typical, so at least I am getting a flavor for "most needed" situation. I doubt we would try to take a camping break between if we were loaded this heavy and would probably just get a hotel room instead. Once loaded, 6x12 isn't much space.

Enjoy the photos!

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[TeddyR]

boxes with french cleats

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ready for a 2000 mile shakedown

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[rebapuck]

Good luck and happy trails. Hope you strapped those boxes down. A good pothole could jump those off their French cleats.

[TeddyR]

I did strap it down and was very pleased that cargo stayed in place for all those miles! The bed will be nice to have. I set up a cot inside to catch some sleep on the road, but it required some creative packing! Trailer pulled great, still learning the nuance of backing with a longer truck and an inability to judge the distance to the back ramp door. Suspect that will come with experience. All in all, i am pleased with this approach. May do some memorial day camping to see how it handles being an RV.

[TeddyR]

Almost fully loaded. This is why the Cargo Trailer conversion was needed!

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[TeddyR]

Here is my TR Camp set-up I take to special programs across the country. I ended up sleeping in camp this past trip, but am looking forward to cooking and sleeping in the trailer.

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[TeddyR]

Bed install and front end cabinetry under construction

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This is where doing this stuff gets very slow! Seeing progress though and even wife is getting excited to "go camping"!

[khigh]

When I first read about people taking a year to build their trailers I wondered why it took so long. Now I know! I have been "chipping away" with the trailer between life events.

You're going to be done in a year?!?!

I just assumed I was taking on a lifetime project.

The beauty of that system is you keep using it and it keeps getting better. Boy I'm glad I scrapped all my paper plans and just took the thing out as soon as I got it. The more you use it, the better you can make it.

Incidentally, are you familiar with the Winchester Model 94 Theodore Roosevelt Commemorative rifles?

I'm a big TR fan and a big levergun fan and a big fan of century-old firearm engineering design and there's one up the local gun store that's just driving me nuts. I'm not going to make it another week without buying it. There were actually two models made - a full length and a carbine - came in a fancy box with all kinds of commemorative paperwork and such.

[TeddyR]

Those are beautiful Winchesters! I have the 95's in 100th centennial and 150th conservation versions. Still waiting to find the ones you pictured in a stock grain I like - (and frankly when I have the budget again).

I will do better than a full year - should have the trailer buttoned up pretty son to the end of the month given my current attack rate. I have the beds done and mattresses just arrived today, although I am loaded for a show next week so could only install one. Still need to finish the lower drawer install and the countertop. Then hooking up the power center to all those wires and a few more tweek items and trim.

My wife thinks I am obsessed. I just remind her that our TR lives get pretty crazy come fall and stay that way through spring, so this is my only real window to get it done - and still GO CAMPING!!!

I have a few people who have helped me with welding, etc and they are all sharing the concept with others - who at first think I am crazy and then when they see it are starting to look for trailers. You all are trend setters!

[tucked]

Bed install and front end cabinetry under construction

small bed shot.JPG

This is where doing this stuff gets very slow! Seeing progress though and even wife is getting excited to "go camping"!

The bed is nearly identical to what I want to do with the exception of wanting to use horizontal etrack with the 2x4 brackets. How are you attaching to the brackets? Any closeup pics? What size/thickness of square tubing?

[TeddyR]

The bed is made of one inch square tubing. The e track is to support the bed frames when we go into side by side mode. The frames will rest on 2x4 using the e track. The bed configures three ways. Counch with bacrest, bunk bed or double bed resting on e track 2x4. Everything folds right into the wall. Will try ans hoot some pics with the matress in place tomorrow. Trailer is pretty full right now for a show coming up next week.

[TeddyR]

The support brackets are bent steel that comes out from the wall 5 inches. (The mattress is 4" and the steel tubing is 1") On the bent side that attaches to the wall, there are two holes drilled every six inches, so there are about 16 screws holding it to the wall. There are also two holes in the base as well holding the frame in place.

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The beds are mounted to the support frame with 7/16" 2 inch quick remove clevis pins. The beds came be moved into:

1. low bunk / couch position with upper bunk creating a slanted back support
2. two Bunk beds
3. Using Vertical e track, beds can be connected to each other side by side. This can be raised or lowered as needed using the e-track based on gear storage below.

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There are two different height support brackets for the other side of the bunks that stow behind the beds. I probably would have made those "flip down" legs, but the guy who welded them did them as "pin on"

It was important to me that this still function very much as a cargo trailer to move my gear and then have with creature comforts and a dressing room when I arrived to a show. Because of this, the only "permanent" mounted items are the e-tracking, the 24"x24" shower base, which is 3.5 inches high and has a tight fit cover so I can put things on top of it if needed, the support frame for the bed and kitchen area that is only in the "v" area of the trailer (which means I still have a 6x12 on the floor cargo trailer)

[tucked]

Thank you so much for the pictures. I'm planning on building mine out of 1 1/4" square tubing and using the 2x4 E-trac bracket as the "hinge" point for the fold up. I am wanting as much as possible inside attached via e-trac and even trying to come up with a way to mount cabinets via e-trac to be easily removed if needed.