The Tin Ammerman!

[xrover]

I have been on the board for a few months now but never introduced. I was in the process of building an expedition trailer for taking off road by using a small utility trailer I own. In the process of researching a camp kitchen I googled "tiny trailer" and hit this site. It totally changed my plans, since the expedition trailer's main part involved a rooftop tent. A TENT!!! After seeing and reading about everyone's TD's, I was hooked. I made a stab at one but had to back out as the finances were not working at the time. A few weeks ago that all changed and I was able to pick up a solidly built, basic teardrop (which a few other members have). Over the past week I got 'personalizing it'. That old utility trailer of mine had some nice teardrop fenders, so after a quick trip to the sandblaster, and some aluminum paint, they fit the bill perfectly (replacing the squared off HF fenders). My TD has a white painted roof, which matches my truck, however I had to have aluminum. So after $150 of aluminum if have skinned the top and the inside galley roof. One of the board members has a nice looking side table so after PM'ing for some info, I did up a quick 24x38 side table and a 24x10 beer holder for the other side. Finished up with a tongue box to hold a battery.
I will now finish up the rear galley which will include a slide out shelf for my coleman steel belted cooler and matching water tank. I as well plan to build a small cabinet, lined with aluminum and flip up top for the stove.


Images are available at:

http://gallery.me.com/lcater#100139&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=4

[John T. Hodgen]

welcome to the forum,
Just seen your T/D pictures and I got to say--LOVE IT!!!! The aluminum looks GREAT!!!! I really LIKE the pattern in the woodgrain!! What kind of wood is that-I NEED to get me some of that?
I just finished with my build(are they EVER really Finished??). I have about 1600.00 in mine NOW. Good luck on your travels in such a beautiful camper, I know you'll be stopped everywhere u go
Pictures of mine can be seen at: http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/
Like I said "LOVE IT" Til by the fire--John T.

[xrover]

Thanks John, but all credit for the wood goes to the builder. He goes down to Lowes and goes through the pile of Luan to pick ones with the best grain. He builds using 3/4" composite sandwiched between 2 luan panels. Maybe adds some weight, but it still comes in under 700 pounds. I've put it over that mark with the added skin, front tire carrier, and tongue box.
Nice looking TD on your site!
Len

[John T. Hodgen]

Hey X,
Mine is built with the same sandwich system. I was wondering how much it wood weight--even if just a ballpark figure. Thanks for the review, We are VERY Happy the way it turned out. I have Luan two but when I picked mine out they didn't have as PURTY ONES as yours, but I'm !!!!
I'm (WE) are going to try to get to three different gatherings within 300 miles of US---Tenn(april), NC(may), Va.(July)....Whew what a way to break in a new trailer All Tearjerkers Gatherings!!
Til later by the fire----John T.

[Miriam C.]

Did I say hello? and to the playground.

[xrover]

I was back to working on my TD and she is almost ready for her first run.

I added some hot water tank blanket material to the floor. It is removable, so easy to clean and I figure will add just a bit more insulation from the ground cold. My roof is insulation already.

Here is the headboard area:


here is the foot area:


I as well installed a high tail light for brakes. I picked this lamp up at Princess Auto which is similiar to HF. I thought it had a nice retro look to it:


With the mattress:


Additional photos available at http://gallery.me.com/lcater/100139

[Miriam C.]

Very nice. The bubble foils stuff might get crushed but if it does and you need something you can put a regular piece of foam under.

[xrover]

Oh yea, I have the ability to crush the bubble's for sure. When that happens I may look at the thin pink foam to keep the height down. Something more closed cell though for insulation quality.
Thanks

[ERV]

X
That is what I use in mine for winter camping. Works great. We stayed in it this winter (back yard) at right around -11. With just a small heater. Very comfy. Nice job on making it your . Looks good. Erv

[xrover]

Well she's just about ready for her maiden voyage.
Check out my link for the latest photos: (go to the bottom for newest).

http://gallery.me.com/lcater#100139

Some highlights:

1) THE GALLEY IS FINISHED! It started out as a plain wooden shelf so a blank canvas you could say. I am not a woodworker either, and rarely have the patience to do it justice (does this mean I have no virtue?). The lower shelf rolls out for access to the cooler. By shear fluke the coleman fuel can fits in between perfectly. The top shelf has an aluminumized area to support the stove and deflect any heat from the wood. To the right of that is a small cabinet I built from re-purposed pine to hold my coleman lantern and some other nicnacs.

2) Installed LED battery operated lights for now. I do have AC/DC connectors and will bring some portable lighting but knew I wanted some LED's in place for the innaugral run on June 19.

3) Not shown in the photos is a decided to go with 2 umbrellas to cover the doors. These are 2 large golf style umbrellas which are the wind proof design (they have a wind flap built into them and are guaranteed not to blow apart). I went really cheap on the mount. I bought 2 x 1 1/2" ABS Y pipe and end cap. I mounted this just to the rear of the door by screwing it in at the top, bottom, and Y. Very secure. I put on the end cap, drilled a hole for drainage and the handle of the umbrella sits down in it. I will use a bungie to secure for wind. I'll post a pic up in a bit.

Thanks everyone for your ideas a shamelessly stole while trolling around!
Len