Ok..I started it...

[VT800C]

I TOLD you I was gonna do it.. WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY STOP ME???

Based on THIS design (http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=65131) I started my project. Calling it a project is more correct because things are coming up that I am fixing as I go along. Not saying it'll WORK, but hoping I have something for next spring/summer.

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[MadMango]

You could have used the stake-side receptacles on the trailer and 6 removable 2x4 stakes mounted on the camper to attach the two, but I think your straps will work. I worry if they are not tight (and they will stretch) and slap as you are driving they will wear through whatever finish you have on your plywood. Your "project" is on a good start, can't wait to see the finished product.

[VT800C]

Ok, showing some progress...

body structure

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back end bulkhead

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paint going on..

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[VT800C]

inside.....

where the window goes...

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for my head...

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[VT800C]

the foot of my cot...

for my feet (and a chair)

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and the galley..

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[VT800C]

looking forward to the shakedown..but a long way to go...

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still in work...but getting closer...

[ae6black]

Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

[working on it]

Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

I thought of the same thing when was looking for latches (in keeping with the "gate, or heavy-duty hardware" aesthetic of my trailer. I wanted to be able to lock my doors open, or closed. I also have quad locking latches on my hatch. I made my own door-bar system, to secure the doors while the outside was locked open. I was trying to convince my wife to use it, so I made it hard to get in. Unfortunately, I have to carry a lot of keys.

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[VT800C]

Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

I thought about that. Actually, if the hasp is open and the lock on and locked, the hasp doesn't go far enough on to keep me from opening the door. With my 2 sons helping me, believe me, this was one of the first things I tried! I will be using a screen door latch and handle for opening and closing when camping.

[working on it]

Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

I thought about that. Actually, if the hasp is open and the lock on and locked, the hasp doesn't go far enough on to keep me from opening the door. With my 2 sons helping me, believe me, this was one of the first things I tried! I will be using a screen door latch and handle for opening and closing when camping.

The sliding bolt latch I used was the second latch I tried; the first was a rotating post hasp (using a padlock to lock open or closed), but on my test piece, I couldn't get it to shut tightly enough to fully compress my automotive doorseals. I then tried to find a black swinging door latch, but none were available, so I measured (on a zinc-plated sample) the usable gap between the handle piece and the bolt receiver piece...I didn't think the bolt could reach far enough across my door gap to securely lock it. So, I tried the sliding bolt latch, but had to fill the open bolt receiver piece with a machined piece of black acetal rod, drilled just the right size to hold the bolt in the closed position (secured in position with a Spax screw from inside the trailer). I put a lot of effort in getting my prank-proof latch to work! And about using a "screen-door" latch & handle, I never saw one that couldn't be pulled open by a small child...they're not made strong enough. I said that my doorseals were hard to compress, right?, so I had to use something for an inside latch that could hold that compressed force...I took some thick aluminum square tubing (thick-walled stuff), and cut-off one side of it, to make a channel to snap another aluminum tube into, to keep the door shut in tight compression. Well, the inner aluminum could be stubborn to remove, so I switched to 3/4" oak dowels (very strong, easier to remove, and can be sawn thru if they stick!). I wish you luck with the screen door hardware, if you so choose to use it. I was building a secure fortress for my wife to camp in (she never has), so I took door security to heart. Note: I put my windows up high on my trailer for the same reason (a typical teardrop door/window just didn't look safe enough to me). But, that's just my way....

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  rotating post hasp.jpg (51.05 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

  wouldn't hold the door closed tight enough

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  Swinging door latch.jpg (77.11 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

  latching bolt wouldn't reach across the door gap

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  Stanley sliding bolt door-gate latch.png (145.44 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

  two locking positions, some modifications done to ensure tight fit

[VT800C]

I took your advice, and actually used the gate locks, (one in each direction) and I used one on the inside as well (I am going for a 'rustic' look). and because the way they mount, I use a pad and it presses the door nice and tight. In fact, it worked so well, I will use one on the back door to make it more water-tight. Thank you!

[VT800C]

Some Photos for your enjoyment.

[VT800C]

The shore power advice from the electrics section of this forum worked like a CHAMP! Love the looks!

the galley? might get it finished...

someday..

[Dan242]

Looks good, nice and simple, I have a shore power plug like that also, installing it in next day or so. I thought about the same thing (being locked inside) i will just lock the hasp open when inside and have a seperate lock inside. These trailers are kinda like old cars, never finished...... but as long as you can actually use it, all good

[VT800C]

At the park

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took it out for the Shakedown this past weekend.

towed well behind my 4-banger RAV 4

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a few things I need to change..as it was the first time out...

cooking station...

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I had 5 groups of visitors check it out...for a home-built, I liked it!