Metamorphosis

[Arne]

I got it, luckily, at home depot... they have a huge and messed up molding area... I went looking late last year for somthing that would take the curve and found wood too stiff. Not sure what type of plastic it is made from, but it is quite bendy.... getting it to stay bent is another story... it will, but it takes persuasion. It is about 4 bucks for 8 feet of it.

It is a light oak color, but I painted it... not sure if it comes in darker shades or not, as I was looking for shape and bendability... color didn't matter.

I even thought of just cutting a 1 inch strip of 1/8th ply to use, but this has a nicer shape.

[cracker39]

OK...so it's plastic, not a flexible foam piece. I saw those and didn't think of heating them to make them bend...good idea. I have a heat gun, and will probably use light oak paneling inside. Do these strips nail ok or do you have to use adhesive?

[Arne]

I did use titebond, but I think an panel adhesive would work better..... after I removed the props, it pulled away in one place... but, only a bit, and I'll put some caulk in it....

The heat only works to a certain extent.... I put one end in a vice, pointing to the ceiling, put a spring clamp on the top for weight and let it bend towards the floor, then applied heat with a heat gun and watched it bend more.. when it was cool, I took it out of the vice and it only retained about 25% of the bend, but it was a help.

[Arne]

Because I limited the galley extension to 16", the counter top is flipable. It is up for travel with the hatch closed, and down for camping.

[Arne]

First pic was planned shape. Bottom pic is finished profile, photoshopped to make it all white. Back end still has to be painted. Wheels will be relocated further to the rear once finished and all items are back in tear. First coat of 1/8" ply is on. Second one will go on tomorrow.

[cracker39]

Arne, Your signature saying surely hit home today. I stopped at an RV dealer on the way home from my Dad's home today to look at their parts and equipment. There were 4 or 5 salesmen standing around in their matching mint green golf shirts with their logo (Emerald Coast RV) doing nothing but BSing about buying cars. I needed a question answered, waited patiently for several minutes until one of them finally asked if he could help me, and told him that I would be building a small trailer and he said I was wasting my time. He said I could buy one cheaper than building. I told him "crap" and that I couldn't touch a small popup for under $5000 and mine would only cost around $2000. He then said if I built it, it would be worth nothing and I couldn't sell it because it wouldn't have a brand name on it.

So, I went back to looking. I then went to another saleman and said I had a question about the type of receptical I'd need on the trailer I would build. He gruffly replied, "I don't know what you're building...go across the street to that RV park and look at theirs". I guess they just don't want to waste time on a tiny trailer builder and selling parts just doesn't give them a commission. I'll never stop there again.

[asianflava]

I've found when it comes to getting questions answered, avoid the salesman at all costs! This applies to cars, boats, etc. I would usually ask the guy at the parts counter, if he doesn't know he would ask a mechanic because often times they are in line also. They usually know what parts go bad because they sell a lot of them.

As a rule, I hate salesmen (when I have to deal with them) during any negotiations, I turn into a total jerk (for lack of a better term). I know their games and I won't play. I don't care what the monthly payment will be, why should they, as long as I get it cheap. I usually get prequalified so I know the terms of the loan. The only blank left to fill is the price.

I had a crotchety old instructor for reciprocating engines. He told us, "The best buisness deals are ones where both parties think they screwed over the other." I always keep that in mind.

[Arne]

Dale, there are always those who will try to make themselves feel good by making others feel badly. Most of the time, I try to steer clear of unhappy people like that, sometimes I just can't avoid them, but I do try.

I think I'll name my trailer Metamorphis, or "The Morph", or some such. I have this idea of painting something on it across the back with a heavily saturated paint brush, so it will the letters will drip and run down, like the title of a bad Halloween movie.

I do have to leave on Sept 30, but if time allows, I plan on painting a stripe down each side. It will start about belt high, and on the door, the stripe will enter as the roof of a tear drop.... and the stripe will continue to the back from the bottom of the tear..... Something like this rough drawing. If anyone has anyway of tweaking it, let me know and I'll give it a shot.

[Arne]

The second layer of 1/8 ply is on... Tomorrow, I can start putting on the cpes.... then......... uniflex 255........ will be so nice to have it all one color again..!.

Mentally, cutting apart a functioning tear drop trailer is not the easiest thing to do.... will be nice to have it looking like it is all in one piece again... with 4' height, and a galley.... just like the big boys..

[Arne]

All sanded, ready for filling.. Front & back..... last pic is gauge made to allow me to put brads through top ply into 1/2" walls... the off set is 1/4"

[Arne]

For major construction purposes, the morph is done. I have a punch list of things to do, but the basic shape is in place, so this will be the last of what I hope was an interesting build to watch. Slightly over 3 weeks, and about $350, including wood, epoxy, reading lights, fantastic, etc...... When all is complete, and ready to go on the road, I put one last pic out of the finished product......

So, here we have the before and the after...... the 'underhang' on the new profile will be fudged in and will disappear, probably behid a 1x4 running the full length of the trailer, painted white.

[madjack]

...Arne, I was a little skeptical when you announced your plans to "morph" your trailer but I have to say I am impressed...outstanding job...don't ya just love these little trailers
madjack

[Arne]

madjack, as mentioned, it wasn't a lot of fun cutting up my buddy. We have spent approximately 60 days camping in it in the past year (it was finished, Oct. 2, 2004). We actually sleep better in the tear than at home. And it has taken us to some exceedingly good places and times.

Both Shirley and I agree the new layout will be more usable. Now Shirley wants to bring a coffee maker (in addition to the microwave I put in for her)..... but, and you'll be proud of me... I put my foot down and said ... maybe..

There is still a lot of odds and ends to do, including getting 110 to the back, hooking up some more 12v for reading lights and odds and ends... and the hatch has to be cut (there are 4 inch long sections on each side holding it all together).... but, I should be ready to haul butt to Cape Cod on Sept. 30..... and after that, our new little buddy will be ready to head off to more parts unknown....

The big thing today was to get the uniflex 255 epoxy on, so everything else can continue.

[pkrfanatic]

Chopped and Stretched Nice work!

[Arne]

Mark, thank you (chopped 6", stretched 16" and lowered 3")... now to get back to using it.....