This project is a 4x8 Benroy on a Tractor Supply trailer that will be used primarily for stargazing. I looked over several designs and considered my own. My wife really likes the Benroy shape so I mocked up the floor plan in the living room where I made sure that the telescopes would fit inside for transport and the bed space would be sufficient. Everything worked. All of our gear can be loaded through the side doors.
We're a 20-30 minute drive to dark skies. It's a pain to load the scopes, set up, tear down in the dark and drive home. It will be much nicer to have everything packed in a trailer ready to go. We can get off work, have dinner, hook up the camper, pack an ice chest and head to a spot out in the weeds. When we're done we cover the scopes, catch a nap, pack in the daylight and head home.
It'll be nice to have for out-of-town star parties and car-camping. The bed will be about the size of our backpacking tent so we don't expect too much culture shock. Like Mike said about the weekender, it's a step up from a tent.
This is my first trailer build but I've had plenty of experience working on my home and general tinkering. I was given a lot of really good tools by my step-dad who passed them to me when his health kept him from using them. He's still around to stand around and point! I have friends already sending me their ideas for cabinets and LED, so I'll likely farm out some of the work.
I'm building the body on a 1/2" floor with 3/4 sides. The top will be Masonite, paneling inside and maybe some side tables. I'm going to layer several military closed-cell foam sleeping pads for a mattress and insulation on the floor. The body will attach to the trailer over a 2x4 sub.
The plan for electric is shore/12v with a maintainer. Lights will be switchable red and white LED's. Throw in a fantastic fan and maybe a mall AC if it won't eat up too much space. The AC is low on the list since this is primarily a boondocker.
I'll use a CPES to seal everything tightly. I like the idea of enamel paint over that, but I've not settled on it yet.
Supplies are a mix of box stores and local suppliers.
Todays purchases: 2 sheets 3/4, 1 sheet 1/2, black beauty fence paint, 3 sheets masonite, 3 sheets interior paneling, 3 sheets insulation, 8 1x2x8's, 2 tubes liquid nails and 1 box of 1 1/4 exterior screws.
Total: 309.44
I worked 3 hours today and got the underside coated with fence paint, and one side including the door and window cut out. Other than hot weather and a mosquito attack when it cooled off it wasn't too bad. I caught a pic with my cell when I shut down.
