Hip 2b²- updated with pics! Old time is money build

[urban5]

So I have a family of 6, and could not find a design to fit us all. So I Designed several designs, and look at many more that all of you good peeps have been kind enough to share.

I always liked the old school look, and I the newer more angular designs. I finally decided on a pretty complicated design, but life gets in the way. My oldest son was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor in april, of this year, they have killed it, and he is now recovering.

He still wanted to build the camper with me even though he has lost his ability to walk, and has a hard time using his right hand. I started looking for an easier fast design to build so that we could get to camping. I looked at the weekender, but I thought it could be even easier than that. Then I was looking at the vintage designs and decided to build the Camp Trailer.

I have changed the design slighty, by squaring the front (cause I am going to have a shelf there), and am building it on a harbor freight trailer, to save time and money. (brain tumors are pretty costly).

I bought the material this morning (already had the trailer). The first receipt is for $290. I started building at 3pm, and stopped for the night at 7pm. Already the sides are up, the framing is done, and the roof is on.

Sunday I have to go on a short trip, but I plan on getting it to the painting stage by the end of the day on Monday. I am doing the build with box store materials, and have found everything I need to complete the build.

Keep in mind my tear is ultra simple. Where the gallery area is normally I have a shelf to sit my chuck box, as I cook over camp fire, or use a coleman stove. The wall that seperates the galley from the sleep area, fold down on mine to make a bunk.

I am taking pics, and will upload them on Monday night.

[Weirdnerd]

Best wishes for your son, I hope he recovers his mobility and have the opportunity to live a full life, Thanks for sharing.

[S. Heisley]

Sorry to hear about your son and troubles. Hopefully, he will continue to get better and better. Thanks for letting us know about your build. It sounds like you are well on your way. I surmise that some of the 6 of you will still be in a tent? I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of your build or maybe a rough sketch! Thanks!

[starleen2]

Sometimes the act of building can be therapeutic for the stresses encountered with your son's treatment. Bring your son out to the garage and let him watch and help as much as he is able. it will have a long lasting effect and build memories that both of you will NEVER forget

[urban5]

Trust me he sat out there the whole time and watched. Everytime I would do something I would look over at him, and he would smile and give me the thumbs up (he can't speak yet)

[urban5]

Well Sunday was a bust, as we had a birthday party to go to.

Monday- I ended up only having 3 hrs to work on the trailer. So I did some finishing touches to the structural framing. I also sheathed the front and the back of the trailer. Other than that it was just removing all of the temp. bracing that I put up.

Tues- Today I had about 4 hours to work on the trailer, so I did one of the things that worries me the most. I built the hatch. I have a very simple trailer design, so my hatch was ultra simple. I cut the plywood to fit the hatch opening (my hatch is completely flat), then I used 2x2 to add structure. Attaching it took a little more thinking than I am used to though .

I have decided not to paint the trailer but instead use Aluminum. I am using a budget idea that was mentioned on some long forgotten thread ions ago (probably a couple of months). My local box store sells rolls of aluminum that are 20"x 25'. So I have 5 rolls. After I am done, I will probably have a roll or two to go back to the store. It is a little too complicated to describe so when I post pics of it you will understand.

So here is a break down of time and money spent so far.

Time- 10 hrs.
Money- $567 (doesn't include the price of the trailer)

So far so good. Tomorrow I hope to skin it, but I will probably take a couple of days to do this to insure everything is sealed good.

[pete42]

Keep on keeping on sounds like a good idea as well as a song.

pete

[urban5]

Didn't work on the teardrop today, but I did make a short trip to get windows for the tear. I bought some new style rv windows with sliders and built in screens . I got the pair for $150. I also bought a third window that was 30" x 15" also a slider (side to side). It is a vintage style and I am going to use it in the front of the camper. It needs a new screen, and to be cleaned up a bit, but it will work well for my needs.

[urban5]

Well I finished sheathing the roof yesterday. Today I will be finishing chaulking everything, adding trim pieces, cutting in the doors and windows. If I can finish all of this today I will be done with the exterior.

So I now have 14 hours into the trailer. So thats not quite the weekends worth of work I would spend on it in a normal 12 hour weekend day.

Total spent

last total $567
3 Windows $180
This mornings supply run $123

New total = $870

I think I have bought every thing that is needed to finish the trailer completely, which i believe would put me under the budget contests winner by ten dollars. I am pretty proud of that. I am taking plenty of pics, and will probably post some of them tonight or tomorrow.

[S. Heisley]

When will we get to see pictures?

[urban5]

[urban5]

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[urban5]

[S. Heisley]

Wow! You're really moving!

[urban5]

I told you my design was super simple, and easy to build. I know it doesn't look nearly as nice as most of the teardrops on the site, but it will do for me. I am proud of it, though there are some things I would like to have done a little different. Most of the are because I do not have a shop, so I had to build it outside with no type of cover. The aluminum is wrinkled a little here and there, but it works well (it rained today for the first time since I built it, and no leaks).

For a first time builder that just wants to camp, I think it is perfect. There will be no galley, the entry door is actually the back hatch. The chuck box mounts on the tongue. There will be a bunk at the very front of the trailer. It is very utilitarian but so is its owner.