5 x 8 benroy

[Simple_Abound]

The 2 pieces are now together. I can now finish the trailer lights and install the tongue box. I'm going to get it weighed and then get it legal for the road.

[Bugaboo]

I am very interested to hear what it ended up weighing in at for you. I am looking to build something similar in design, though it will be 5w x 12L x 5h.

Also I am curious how it went building the hatch as I am looking at a very similar construction to yours(Benroy with Fredricks hatch). Along with how you terminated the PMF along the gap between the wall and hatch. Did you wrap it or just terminate flush with the exterior wall? Oh and how did you seal your doors, building vs buying has caught my interest due to the sheer cost of premade doors.
Additionally is there anything that you would do differently on the build with the design and or structure?

I am also from Minnesota.

[Simple_Abound]

It's good to see there's another person from Minnesota on this site. I have not had a chance to get it weighed, it's not quite finished. I can push it back into my garage on a slight grassy incline, I'm guessing it's well under 1,000 pounds. The cost of premade doors is extremely high, I've kept my build under $5,000. Making your own doors is time consuming. I purchased Tony Latham's book, it's been extremely helpful. This picture shows the finish on the hatch. The drop cloths I used did go around corners fairly well.

I've had someone near me build both of my trailer frames, which has been extremely helpful and is a very important part of a build. The exterior is done except for the side marker lights.

[Simple_Abound]

If I were to do anything different I would have like to make it 9' but I wanted to keep the weight as low as possible.

[Simple_Abound]

It's almost done, to hit the road/ get weighed. I have my hopes high that it will be under 800 pounds but I know it could be 1,000 pounds. The roof rack for the solar panels, it's very simple, needs to be finished. The pull out door for the fridge and the 3rd brake will be finished at a later date. Last but not least, the gas springs on the hatch.

[tony.latham]

She looks great!

Tony

[Simple_Abound]

She looks great!

Tony

Thank you, Tony. Some things are turning out better than expected, the hatch. Others are turning out worse, the doors, they are slightly bowed at the top and bottom and will need to be addressed. The list of things left is small.

[Simple_Abound]

Another project has been completed. I painted the plywood in the galley with some white primer, then gave it a light sanding. Then applied a couple coats of polyurethane. Up next is the lift supports for the galley, I'm getting really sick of propping it up with a stick.

[Simple_Abound]

The springs are in, i dreaded doing it but it's pretty basic math. They are temporarily in, I'm going to be making new mounts for the bottom, they also need to be moved a little. It opens and closes well. It's not bad for a "utility trailer". It's going to be used mostly during the winter in Minnesota.

[Simple_Abound]

The springs are done, along with the rest of the build for now. I'm going to use in a couple times before finishing the rest of the galley.

[TimC]

She's a beauty!

[Simple_Abound]

The mattress has been installed and it's done. I'm not sure if cutting the 2 layers of mattress to size and installing it was worth the $75. It was quite the rodeo but it can be done. It's not the best built, that's fine with me. The price of everything from the solar panels to the tires came in just under $5,500. I'm hoping to see others out in the middle of winter this year. Even with the mild winter last year I only saw one other person in a camper.

[italianub]

The mattress has been installed and it's done. I'm not sure if cutting the 2 layers of mattress to size and installing it was worth the $75. It was quite the rodeo but it can be done. It's not the best built, that's fine with me. The price of everything from the solar panels to the tires came in just under $5,500. I'm hoping to see others out in the middle of winter this year. Even with the mild winter last year I only saw one other person in a camper.

Looks incredible!!! Very nice. Any chance you can go into details on the doors? I am starting my doors next week and could use all the help I can get!

[Bugaboo]

I just noticed that you used the classic generic benroy profile with a hard break in the rear curve. Did that cause any issues for you when you skinned the hatch and/or would you do it differently if you were to do it over again?
My plan as of now is a modified benroy profile with a 20" radius there to keep it a continuous curve/piece.

Looking amazing by the way. I really like how you covered up the electrical box area and still allowed airflow and visibility of the charge controller.

[Simple_Abound]

Looks incredible!!! Very nice. Any chance you can go into details on the doors? I am starting my doors next week and could use all the help I can get!

I followed Tony Latham's design for the doors. The doors are the cut outs of the openings, no need for more material or building more than needed. I was lost before the book. It's much easier to have a book than getting your phone covered with sawdust, glue and paint.