(The Puffin) New Tiny Trailer

[steve wolverton]

Also are you protecting the bottom edges of the ply with anything else other than the epoxy, im concerened with road debree eating a chunk out of the edges?

I was going to beef it up by using a 2x2 across the bottom edge, but I haven't, and I don't think I'm going to. It seems to be holding up just fine as it's only cosmetic and doesn't support any weight.

Maybe If I get mine done sometime this summer I might see you at Summerville... 7th WEEKEND of construction here and you were already camping in yours by then

Holy crap! Your camper is looking nice. I just went through your gallery. I'd love to see it sometime. Oooh, and a jetski! Ooooh, what's the little black/purple car with the wheels?

[steve wolverton]

i can't seem to find how you attach your awning to the top to your camper? can you show a picture of that?

I'd be happy to. It's sooooooo simple too.


The awning attaches (sorry for the strings hanging down, I hadn't trimmed it yet) to a 7' piece of 1/2" conduit by grommits. I then used black zip ties (wire ties) to attach the awning to the conduit. The pole then slips down on to two clothesline hangers. About $3 worth of hardware + the awning material.

Here's a closeup:

I hope this helps.

btw, love your paint ideas... stripe adds a lot!

Thank you!

[SaGR]

SaGR, you mean building a stitch & glue tear? I think it would be great. Tears are constructed like pre-stitch in glue boats now. I don't see why it wouldn't work just as well to update the building method.

I'm going to do the first one by the book to get the feel for it and then see what can be adapted to a S&G method.

We were going to buy a commercial TD but it just isn't going to work for us so we're going to build a generic Benroy.

[packerz4]

thanks steve, that's what i was looking for. where did you get your material? i'm thinking about using a gray tarp... but the tent like material would be great...

[steve wolverton]

thanks steve, that's what i was looking for. where did you get your material? i'm thinking about using a gray tarp... but the tent like material would be great...

I used white cotton canvas from Walmart. It works great as a shade. I haven't sealed it, so it's not waterproof yet.

[packerz4]

I used white cotton canvas from Walmart. It works great as a shade. I haven't sealed it, so it's not waterproof yet.

EXCELLENT!

THANKS STEVE!

i appreciate your help, and your posts, your trailer is one of my favorites!

tk

[angib]

I was thinking about stitch and glue and flour this morning and was wondering if anyone had done it.

Nope, but I've built boats that way too and it could be used to make a wild shape tear - maybe something like a mini-Bowler?

In order to mark/cut out the panels, you need a program that will calculate the panel shapes from an overall design and this (free) one will do it: Hull Designer from Carlson Software

If you fancy doing this, I'd be happy to help.

One problem with a complex shape is making sure you can build in leak-proof doors - something that boats don't have to worry about!

Andrew

[steve wolverton]

The Puffin's 'rub strakes' are now gone. The upper ones have been relocated inside the camper They're hidden by the foam bedding in the back of the camper, and the storage shelf, bathroom, and counter hide them in the front. The bottom ones were removed as they were just cosmetic. The sides of the camper are now flush.



I'm going to paint the bottom half black, the top will remain white, and a 3/4" section that will be painted red will divide the two. I'll use a roundover bit in my router to round the edges.



I ordered the epoxy/fillers today, so I should have it on the road next weekend to do some more camping. I'm planning a Utah camping/biking trip sometime in June.

[SaGR]

I may give it a try on a small scale later.

I'm sure there will be some filleting just to smooth the edges inside.

[Novanut]

Hi Steve, new member here... been looking at your TTT. I like it and am trying to do a similar one. I've looked and don't recall seeing anything saying what size the door is. Any chance you could tell me and also pass along any helpfull advice? Thanks
Jay

[donreby]

Hi Steve,
Beautiful camper. Now that I'm in CT, after 20+ years in Houston area, I really need a TTT or tear. Do you have a web site or someplace with detailed plans? I hope to build this year, though I need to get out of the condo first.
Don

[steve wolverton]

Hi Steve, new member here...

Hi there. Welcome to the forums.

I've looked and don't recall seeing anything saying what size the door is. Any chance you could tell me and also pass along any helpfull advice?

The door measures 20" x 58". The biggest piece of advice I'd give is to read - read - read. Read all that you can in these forums, and don't be afraid to ask any question. I built my camper in my mind long before I cut any wood. I also used a CAD program to help me visualize how things would be setup. Good luck, let us know if you have any questions.

[steve wolverton]

Beautiful camper. Now that I'm in CT, after 20+ years in Houston area, I really need a TTT or tear. Do you have a web site or someplace with detailed plans? I hope to build this year, though I need to get out of the condo first.

Hello. I don't have any detailed plans for mine, but there are a lot of plans for tears available here. Mike has the Generic Benroy Plans available at the very top of this forum. They are great plans and should give you a good idea of what's involved in building. I'll have some simple plans of mine up in the near future, and I'll post a link when they're complete. If I were you, I'd make a list of the pros and cons of the Tears & TTT's and decide which would work best for you. Best of luck to you!

[Zorkman]

Hey Steve,
Sorry got some more questions for ya,
I noticed you said, In a different thread I think, that you plan to glass the entire outside and paint with marine paint. Is the textured exterior paint not holding up? Just curious since time is such a factor for me and I do not plan to spend TOO much time sanding and smoothing and was going to go the textured exterior paint route as well?

Let me know.

Oh also, you said the hinge from Homedepot is rusting? is this just the screws or the pin in the hinge as well? I had picked up the same style hinge, but after reading your post I ordered an aluminum one as well as some stainless screws from Mcmaster.com....

Now back to skinning the top and trimming out the corners .. Hope to wrap up constructionby the end of next weekend, and the weekend after that epoxy the outside (Thanks for the quick how-to on the epoxy as well)..

[Jeeper92]

great trailer, I im thinking of building something in that mold. What are the dimensions on that thing? I am 6'6 and need some room