Lester's Nest'r

[bc toys]

glad ya'll had a blast now you can get out more and enjoy the trailer that you built

[LesterS]

Well -- took it out for a much longer shakedown... discovered some foibles and shortcomings, but all in all a good trip. Oh. And it rained.
(Wouldn't be camping if it didn't rain.)

But also found out that it's not the smallest TTT in the park...


Kinda puts it all into 'scale' doesn't it?

[LesterS]

Just a minor update.

The wife and I don't get to use the Nest'r as often as we would like, but it's still ready to go at a moment's notice.

I have updated it some...


Repaired it some...


And used it ... some.



It is still far from done.



Ahhh... Teardop time.

[aggie79]

Very nice! Still one of my all time favorite TTTs.

[Vedette]

What? If it doesn't rain it snows when you go camping??
Glad to see you are now enjoying your new trailer.....Great Job!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[LesterS]

Little did I know when I made the original post and 'time prediction' as 2109, how close I really would be!

It's now 2107, and FINALLY I get around to doing some interior work again...






Aaah ... teardrop time!

[antalog]

Beautiful build! And thank you for sharing the link and install to the hubcaps!

[LesterS]

I finally calculated a fairly close estimate of the weight for the Nest'r.
Using some landscape timbers, a floor jack, some bricks, and scrap 2x4's (as stacking blocks) I used a simple method to get close... (sorry no pictures).

1.) I ran the landing gear down, and leveled the trailer. (this is important; you're gonna balance the trailer on a small beam!)
2.) Built a fulcrum to one side of the axle. (close at about 8-10 inches away).
3.) Make note of the ACTUAL measurement from Center to Center of the points that touch.
4.) I placed the landscape timer on the fulcrum and raised it (using the jack).
5.) Lower the landing gear [raise camper] to keep things from tipping.
6.) Built another 'stack' on the scale to rest the other end on of the timber on. (Remembering the tare weight)
7.) I slowly lowered the trailer onto the contraption until the landing gear legs were just barely off the ground.
- - [ All of the trailer's weight was balanced and resting on the timber, at the middle of the axle, except the tongue. ]
8.) I recorded the gross weight as the axle number.
9.) Separately I weighed the tongue only for adding to the calculation at the end..

Measurements:
The fulcrum was 9-5/8" from the axle center.
The scale support was 62-1/2" from axle center
The first weight was 105lbs (with 10lbs tare of brick and 2x4's) or 95lbs.
The second (tongue) was 115lbs with (15lbs tare -- a metal jack stand) or 100 lbs.

So...

(62.5/9.625) * 95 = 616.88 lbs
+ 100 for the tongue = about 717 lbs
TOTAL EMPTY WEIGHT is less than 750 lbs!
I figure it's +/- 25lbs accuracy.

I originally wanted a camper that was under 1000lbs so I could load another 500 in it. I think I accomplished that.

A 50lb battery goes in the tongue box to increase the tongue weight, and I load it mostly in front of the axle, just to make it trail better.

[aggie79]

Again, fantastic job Lester!

[LesterS]

I appreciate all the compliments; but there are lessons to be learned ...
DO:
Coat the underside of anything and EVERYTHING before permanently attaching to the frame.
Waterproof, coat, cover, seal, EVERYWHERE. (Water will find a way in)
Paint, paint, and paint some more. (Latex is just fine.)
USE your camper; as soon as possible even if is "not done"!

DO NOT:
Forget to use fiberglass fabric on anything you want to be permanently protected.
Think that epoxy sealing alone will prevent the wood from 'checking' or cracking.
Let more than year or two pass without painting it again. (Touch-ups ARE painting).
Forget to check the bearing grease and tire pressure.
Sweat how it looks; use it!
Think that it can't be repaired - and EASILY. (That's why it's made of wood/epoxy/paint.)

Yes, she has rotted in spots.
No, the damage is not fatal.
Yes it's a hassle. (That it doesn't last forever).
No, it's not a hassle. (To repair it.)
Yes, it was worth it.

Now some more pictures...







That last picture shows something folks around here always neglect; Title & Tag.
(Not a requirement in TN.)

[LesterS]

Yes she gets used...


That was the first year of the Louisville KY, Bourbon and Beyond Festival. We brought all our water, food, ice, (and extra beer.) And the HEAT was in the 90's for the 4 days. We had brought the shower tent; and used a 12v pump/shower kit purchased for 18 bucks off Amazon. One pot of boiling water in 2 gallons of regular = one nice shower. My buddy had to sleep in a tent; but I had it made.

So yeah, it got some use.

BUT.
I have a confession to make ...
... we have joined the 'dark side'.

We bought a manufactured travel trailer...


Camping with the Nest'r just reminded us of how much we liked camping so we 'upped' or game.

Now I'm trying to decide when to sell the Nest'r and how much ask for her.

[LesterS]

And today the Nest'r adopted new people to take her camping.
It was great fun while it lasted; now its time for another couple to love her.

[bc toys]

[HarleyCamper]

Beautiful build, and truer words never spoken:
Use it
Paint it
Maintain it