Lady Bug Winter Warrior - finally campable!

[starleen2]

Mike - it is 76" wide - I'm pushing the 80" rule! the Last build was 74 inches wide. We will sleep crosswise on a queen sized foam mattress.


SmokeyBob - It is the thickness of the plywood - plus the internal bracing of the walls. The lateral 90 degree bracing of the lower wall joints add additional stiffness to the entire perimeter of the floor - thus guarding against any twisting or sagging - now this only works to a certain distance - after 16 inches of overhang - more bracing is needed underneath. What you see is 13 1/2 inches of overhang. This overhang worked out very well for the last two builds with no apparent sagging and was very stiff.

Now off to finish those walls

[starleen2]

Whew – got a lot done today. Those lessons about bending plywood paid off today as I got the first curved piece installed. Cindy and I heeded all the advice and put our collective strength together and viola – curving piece of ply. We have some temporary stringers across until I can install the permanent ones. The walls have the additional framing to prevent any warping and are insulated with the Blue Styrofoam ¾ insulation. Also the windows are framed out to be installed later – these will be flush mount to the exterior

Framing details




Walls and Front panel attached along with window cutouts.

[aggie79]

Looking great! Keep things going!

Tom

[campingdude]

WOW Scott, Looking Good

[starleen2]

Put the top inner panel on today. While it is only 36 " long - It was a booger to bend - But we got it on. Also completed the wheel well boxes. Got the straps on and letting it all bend into shape.

[starleen2]

Rain Day – sure glad I’m working in the garage today
Size Comparison Mock Up

With Mrs Starleen (5’00”)

With Me(6’00” ) – the hatch is actually 3 inches tall than I am-, however due to the camera angle – It looks shorter

Here is a side view with the window cut outs and wheel wells installed

Finished front and wheel wells installed


Almost finished with the lower portion. Each day brings more progress

[toypusher]

You're really moving along there, Scott!

It's looking good and I can hardly wait to see it finished!

[RAYVILLIAN]

Looks great guy you'll be camping in that before you know it.
Gary

[SmokeyBob]

Scott
Any idea on what the rear section will weigh? Will you use any devices to assist in the lifting?

[starleen2]

Scott
Any idea on what the rear section will weigh? Will you use any devices to assist in the lifting?

Haven't got that far yet. I'm still getting the lower portion finished. Over the weekend, we added the front panels over the spars and leveled the seams. I sprayed the interior today with some clear polyurethane sealer - I'm going for the natural wood interior look - I need to sand out some of the Runs - but overall it finished out nicely. Almost ready to install the flooring and the bed. Then I can start work on the hatch

[mikeschn]

Looking good there Scott.

Mike...

[starleen2]

A few more picts for your picture hungry folks

From this:

To this:

What a difference a coat of polyurethane makes (actually four coats)
And the front is coming along nicely! tried to do it in one piece but I have a compound curve on the front (bow in the center) so I had to use individual strips. Sanding, sanding, sanding. . . .


Now for some trim and flooring – stay tuned

[Dark Horse]

Looks Great!

[starleen2]

Took out the scales and decided to do a weight check using the three points method on the lower section. (the scales only go up to 300lbs) Right wheel + left wheel+ Tongue Jack=570lbs

[Miriam C.]

Took out the scales and decided to do a weight check using the three points method on the lower section. (the scales only go up to 300lbs) Right wheel + left wheel+ Tongue Jack=570lbs

That sounds like you are on a great track. Is the 3-way real accurate? I am too lazy to take mine to a scale.

Looking forward to seeing this in person.