A woody tiny-trailer for my first build!

[drshoe]

Weekend 9

Finally got a chance to get back to work on the trailer, even if we didn't get much done.

We had a tongue made by a local welding shop. I sent plans out to 7 local shops, only 2 responded and only 1 was willing to do it. All I needed was a few holes drilled and some anti-crush sleeves welded in. Guess it's time to take a welding class.

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We also installed a grate underneath the air-conditioner to reduce the amount of road splash entering that compartment and installed the back panel with a utility door to access the power center.

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[drshoe]

Weekend 9 continued

We also installed the fenders and attached the lights. The lights have actually been removed again as they need to be extended out a few inches further.

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[drshoe]

Weekend 10

Had to get a smaller coupler - got that installed and moved the tongue jack.

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Trimmed the bottom:

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Trimmed the corners and installed vents covers over the galley exhaust holes:

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[drshoe]

Weekend 10 continued

Added a vent cover for the air conditioner exhaust also:

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Added some decorative trim stripes:

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And trimmed the seams:

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We are so close to done! Unfortunately the weather is such that our plans to clear coat with spar varnish will have to wait for spring. Otherwise, the remainder will be done over Thanksgiving break.

[noseoil]

Looking really good! Nice job on the trim & details.

[Woodbutcher]

Nice work, you are in the home stretch now!

[rebapuck]

Good idea on the carved decorative trim.

[drshoe]

Weekend 11

Installed the tail lights and side indicator lights.

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[drshoe]

Weekend 11 continued

Installed stabilizer jacks. On the rear they fold down and extend laterally:

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On the front, the A-frame tongue prevented that so they point forward, with a slight angle laterally:

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[drshoe]

Weekend 11 continued

Installed a vent cover:

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Some trim around the hatch lid and camlocks to keep it shut:

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And an important kitchen accessory:

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[drshoe]

Weekend 11 continued

We fashioned a battery box from a weatherproof file box, some grommets and a vinyl tube for a vent, we put putty where the cables meet the grommets just to ensure they were sealed. The + lead and one - lead go to the PD4045, the other - lead goes to the DC ground block:

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The DC system is grounded to trailer frame by the other large gauge wire running from the ground block to the same contact point as the AC system:

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We painted the countertop with "scrubable paint" we'll see how long it lasts.

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[drshoe]

Weekend 11 continued

We installed a shelf in the galley, it's not a ton of space but is a bit taller than what you can see in the picture, and it's big enough to get a coleman stove into:

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And with all the lights and the camera flash off, you can see we've got plenty of light to cook by:

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We still aren't done as not everything we needed arrived in time. We have a half dozen trim pieces yet to install, I decided to order some of that black plastic continuous piano hinge to trim the odd angles of the body. I also had to order some nuts for the tongue, apparently 1/2" coarse Grade 8 nylock nuts are not in high demand.

That will be taken care of next weekend, I'll also be installing the tow kit on the wife's Dodge Caliber. If all goes well, we're going to be taking the trailer for a spin by the end of the weekend!

[KCStudly]

Looking good!

I was wondering about the decision to run the chassis ground from the bus instead of directly from the battery.

[drshoe]

I was wondering about the decision to run the chassis ground from the bus instead of directly from the battery.

Two reasons, it was convenient and it satisfies my current requirements (pun intended.)

It is good standard practice to run the chassis ground to the battery terminal. That way if you disconnect the bus from the battery, the chassis is still grounded.

At this point I haven't installed any type of general disconnect for the DC system; if I were to install a switch on the battery to bus connection then I would most certainly bring the chassis ground to the battery post.

[drshoe]

Weekend 12

It's done! for now...

A sketch from before we started:

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and pictures:

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