HELLO - FIRST POST - Building the CUBBY

[BILLYL]

Hello-

Just stumbled into this site and this is going to be great!

Just got my Cubby Plans and ordered my HF trailer - it was on sale for $219. And I have been spending alot of time reading the manual. I do hope as I go along on this project I can search the forum to see if the question has been answered and if not post a few.

I do have one question - in building the platform the under carriage for Cubby is asphalted and the insulation is installed. It seems to me that the insulation - since it is exposed to the road would get all dinged up and such. And when you store the Cubby - won't little creatures get up there and make the insulation a potential home? Would be be advisable to skin the underside?

Thanks in advance for your comments and thoughts.

BILL

[Arne]

If anything, I would paint/coat the underside insulation. Yes, it might get dinged a bit, but realistically, tiny grains of sand or small pebbles won't do much damage.

I don't think asphalt coating should bother the foam, but am not sure, as it does have some volatiles in it...

I would never cover the bottom, as water will get kicked up and might migrate inside if there is a top and bottom to the deck.

[TonyCooper]

I did both.. I covered the wood with emulsion, then added the insulation and covered it with more emulsion, then just before installing the floor on the trailer frame I installed .030 aluminum between the floor assembly and the frame and sealed it with caulk on both sides. Then bolted it all down... Overkill perhaps

[shil]

Don't bother insulating the floor. Throw in a mattress and you're done.

[BILLYL]

Thanks - great advice.

BILL

[San Diegan]

BILLYL,

I am glad you asked this. I was wondering. The Kuffel Creek plans mention 3/4" rigid foam insulation that goes on the bottom, but never go further with it.

I had also pictured rocks and road debris gouging it out and had considered a skin on the underside of the platform.

Thanks for generating some input on this. It's good to hear these folks' opinion and experience.

Tom

[BILLYL]

Tom-

From what I can gather - some do and some don't. So it looks like it's builder's choice.

BILL

[norm perkiss]

Bill,

A couple of tips I picked up here.

It was suggested to me to use the galvanized Bugle head screws instead of the drywall screws. I checked and side by side the galvanized ones are better, less chance of snapping off, at install and over time. A flat head screw counter sunk is best for more strength.

Also the wire size of #16, recommended in the Kuffle Creek plans should be increased (#14-#12). It depends on the load the wires carry and the distance traveled. Check out the Electrical Page on the forum. This info is feedback I received on this forum. Lots of good folks here, I've learned alot.

Norm

[BILLYL]

Norm-

Thanks for the advice. I'll be naking ther necessary changes as suggested.

BILL

[doug hodder]

You might also want to check and see what it would cost to have it shot with Rhino Liner, like they spray truck beds. It's tough and waterproof. Doug

[BILLYL]

Doug-

That's a good idea. I'll check that one out.

BILL

[madjack]

You might also want to check and see what it would cost to have it shot with Rhino Liner, like they spray truck beds. It's tough and waterproof. Doug

...for around $50/gal you can get the product and apply it yourself, here is a link but I am sure you can get same locally coverage is about 100sqft

http://tinyurl.com/49kuq

madjack

[doug hodder]

Billy, keep me posted on your progress. I just got Comet plans, and am working on modifying them to suit my needs. We can work out the details together. Doug

[BILLYL]

Doug -

Souinds like a plan.

What I have done so far -

Ordered the HF frame ( got it on sell for $219)

Working on modifying the layout - want bigger doors and more cabin space (I'm 6'2") so a 6" cabin ain't going to make it.

On the Cubby they want you to replace one of the supports on the trailer with wood - as with others will use a metal piece - so getting my friend to weld that.

One thought I had was - once I get the frame all squared up -maybe have my friend weld it up. Just thinking.

BILL

[TonyCooper]

Bill,

A couple of tips I picked up here.

It was suggested to me to use the galvanized Bugle head screws instead of the drywall screws. I checked and side by side the galvanized ones are better, less chance of snapping off, at install and over time. A flat head screw counter sunk is best for more strength.

Norm

I used "Deck Mate" decking screws from Home Depot. They have a Phillips Square Drv head so no chewing up the head when sinking them in. They are very strong, won't corrode and the box came with the drill bit to drive them in. Box is yellow and blue. Check them out!