Progress before post - that's the order.

[bgordon]

The white panels on the interior, I'm almost ashamed to disclose.
They are inexpensive (repeat cheap) "oak" prefinished 1/8" thick paneling.
I place quotes around the word oak because the only thing oak about it, is it has an oak-like grain pattern under the white finish.

Nope, nothing to be ashamed of! You are helping other builders with your photos, and in my book that's just great! Thanks!

What are the white sheets made of? If it is so light, I imagine it must be some sort of plastic. If I'm not mistaken mdf would be much heavier, and so would masonite. (White sheets like those only come in mdf and masonite in my part of the woods... )

Thanks again for the explanation!

[LesterS]

The "oak" panelling is a cheap wood lanimate - luan most likely. The backside has some 'repair' cutouts (football shaped) like all plywood does it's just this material is very thin The front side is embossed to an oak pattern and then painted a semigloss white. I think in all it's three layers thick. (Or three layers THIN).

I didn't even bother to use a saw to cut it! A few swipes with a sharp utility knife and it's cut through. (Just be careful!)

[Tear Dreamer]

Very nice! Can you estimate what the total weight will be when completed?

[LesterS]

...Can you estimate what the total weight will be when completed?

That's a tough one. I've used the spreadsheet that's available here this site. (Angib's ?) ...and muddling around I can get a pretty wide difference. I will say, I've tried very hard to use the lightest, thinnest, cheapest, etc. But like all our creations here, It'll be a 'work-in-progress' probably long after its maiden voyage!

But to get to your question, I'm figgering, empty, no tanks, no gear, no storage doors, just open shelves and no fancy stuff, probably 700 to 750 lbs. Add some gear, and provisions, then that should go to 1000 easily.

Now If I decided to add tanks, shower, interior stove, and other 'upgrades' later on, well that could push it up way more.

As soon as it's 'road worthy' it'll go to a scale to see the overall weight, until then though, it's just a guess.

[LesterS]

Here's a link to a *.ZIP file for Lester's Nest'r...

http://steelcharm.home.twave.net/LestersNestr_Multiviews.zip

In it you will find the same file as an *.EXE (A program). This is a program AND file together... an E-Drawing and a the E-Drawing viewer.
Run the ZIP - extract the program - run the program.

It looks like this...


It should be pretty self explanatory.
Enjoy!

[LesterS]

I added a few more pix to the gallery, and managed a bit more progress; added some blocking for where the running lights will go and added the backing plates (plywood) for the tailights and tag.
Gallery:http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/album_personal.php?user_id=5360

I also finished the rear roll-pan framing and the rear quarter framing.


I rolled the whole thing outside again and turned it around (cleaned the garage) and moved her back in. It was an overcast day but about 65 degrees - gotta love that Fayetteville 'winter' - (summer's maybe not so much!)

Now, "back on that big ugly plane" to Chicago, and freezing my tender parts off until next weekend.

[doug hodder]

Really a cool build Lester!!! Rolled rockers and tapering to the rear look wonderful! As a boat builder, it might be an idea to epoxy encapsulate (paint out the insides with epoxy) those rockers in addition to the weep holes you are going to do. Water on the outside isn't going to be an issue, but if any water were to penetrate the ply from the inside, it'll show up in your finish on the outside. Just an idea. Doug

[Sam I am]

That's a beautiful build! Looks like a really well thought out design!

[prohandyman]

Very cool build. I'm no expert, but 750-1000 # sounds awful light for what I'm seeing. What about 12 vt battery, mattress, leveling jacks, tongue jack,etc?

[Juneaudave]

The rolled rockers and pan..the shape and dimensions...this build has some stuff on it I would like to do!!!!!! Now if I could only find a way to finish mine!!! Nice job!!!

[LesterS]

Very cool build. I'm no expert, but 750-1000 # sounds awful light for what I'm seeing. What about 12 vt battery, mattress, leveling jacks, tongue jack,etc? Thinking

Hey! Allow me my delusions!

All kidding aside, I've tried to keep the weight down at every turn. The framing is light using 1X2 SPF, very little ply, and the interior skin (fake oak paneling) weighs .115 lbs/sq ft.

The exterior panels I haven't weighed yet, but they are 3x7x1/8 luan (door skins). And... they aren't attached yet.

I've wheeled it around and currently the tongue weight is about 30-40lbs -so I have to build a tongue box for a battery.

And my wife insists I tell everyone that I'm far from the Charles Atlas type, so if I can move it around still, it's not very heavy!

Oh, as for the the inside epoxy comment -- I have to agree, there's going to have to be some kind of protection, and undercoating, I just haven't got that far along yet.

So, for the sake of my delusion, my TARGET is under 1200lbs.

And the other comments?
Well judging from the those that have complimented, and THEIR builds, I can only say very humbly, 'Thank you'.

[Kens]

WOW I love it. This is what I have been thinking about. May be my next build.

[LesterS]

I've decided to continue to post here, rather than start another thread... so without further ado, here's an update...

The Nest'r now has landing gear! and I'm off the jack stands.

I have "solved" the compound front corner issue. (I think)
At least the underside has some support.


The wiring for interior accessories and lighting is now in. I ran 16ga wire to support two accessories at a time; the wiring runs back to the tongue box. -- Yes, my plan is to have the battery on the tongue. The extra weight should not be a big deal -- hopefully!

That 'tongue box' is really a small plastic toolbox from Lowes, it was just the right size, and I don't have to construct one now!

Lessee... what's next?
Oh, yeah the counter top is covered and trimmed out...

That's sticky-backed floor tile - cheap solution!

And what's it look like as of today?...

I've begun to install all the insulation. I want to see it "wrapped" some time this century!

Actually, my traveling with the new 'position' at work has put a damper on progress -- I'm home only about 40-some hours each weekend, and about one full week a month. In that time, I have some hunny-do's to do, (she's pretty good about keeping them to the bare minimum) and the remaining time is spent re-grouping.

As long as I make some inroads, I'm happy.

[Miriam C.]

I can understand not having time. Just keep at it and soon you will look around for something to do The remodeling comes a couple of weeks later.

Looks great

[Ivar the Red]

Progress before post????what in the world???? I've been here for almost a year and I'm just getting started.maybe i just like to talk


But seriously folks, that's one fine looking trailer you have there, can't wait to see it finished.