Well, I've been researching and phyco analizing everything for a while now. I have decided on the 4? x 8 Weekender style: 1) easier to build with squared edges, 2) a little more modern looking, because 3) my wife likes this style a little better.
As suggested, we looked at our needs, wants, and desires. After being disappointed on 2 out of 3 due to funding issues, we stuck with needs. We don't really "set up camp" when we stop for the night, just a place to sleep like has been said "where you know the sheets are clean". Since we don't stay long in one spot we don't do any cooking, one meal a day and we're good to go. A place to store our luggage would be nice, getting in & out of those top mounted rack bags can be a pain.
With all that being said, I am using Mikes Weekender drawings (Thanks Mike!) and have taken a lot of very useful information from Mark (& Cindi)'s Little Swiss Teardrop site (Thanks Mark (& Cindi)!). The 80" should be sufficent floor space to sleep in (I'm 6'4 - 200#, she's 5'2 - you don't think I'm stupid do you!#)
I have a very limited budget, so I am having to do the best I can with what I've got. For starters I will be using a sandwich wall design - 1/4ply-1x's-luan. I was going to use luan inside and out since I am intending to skin with metal, however, my thinking is; if I want to attach something (lights, etc) on the outside I need something to screw into. For the 1x material I am ripping down the lumber I have on hand with a table saw (my time's cheap).
I know where there are a couple of old house trailers sitting in the woods I may try to convince the owners to "donate" the siding to my cause. My neighbor, who is a fellow pack-rat & "junk" collector is now joining my pursuit in search of "usable, cheap or free" items for my build. He may even "donate" (I'm sure it will cost me something) some windows out of an old camper shell (ya, that's what they called 'em back then, not "toppers"). He has a '67 Shasta with the "wings" on it (Elvis curtains & all) If I can't find windows cheap, I will build my own and have them seal the same way the door does.
So, after making a 9 1/2' piece of luan for my canvas, I drew the outline up, then taking Mark's idea, drop the frame down to "set" my headliner on. Used pocket screws to join my frame work (will go back and glue / screw for final assembly), boy-o-boy I like that Kreg pocket hole jig I purchased with my Christmas money (hoping to pick-up corperate sponsorship my mentioning name).
As of last night I have one wall framed and all but one piece for the second wall. I used 1x4 treated for the bottom board that attaches the wall to the floor (why treated? because I had it) Actually I had all the pieces, but, while getting excited and cutting boards for the rear, Goof Ball chopped up the 8' 1x4 for the bottom of wall #2.
Cost so far:
$10 for 1 sheet of luan (had enough scrape left over from last year's flooring project to get the extra 18" - I told you I was a pack-rat)
$4 for pocket hole screws
Total to date $14
Can't count the Kreg Pocket Jig, it's a tool purchase that can used for future project (right guys? come on, back me up here!)
Monday I went to town with my wife, stopped by the scrap yard and sold the cat. converter I had to replace; got $55, so I'm thinking "Hello Plywood!". Before I got home, my brother called and said "we" (I have 3 bro's) bought Mom a 32" TV for her birthday, my part is $90,... "Goodbye Plywood!"
I had to stop midway through my build yesterday to work on a friends Saab. Made $80, WooHoo!!! Hello Plywood, oh, wait, I still owe my bro. $40, give $20 for church offering tomorrow, need groceries... never mind.
Sorry for being long winded. I'll try to start getting pictures. My wife had the 500mm on the camera, can't focus less than 9', I've only got a 1.5 car garage. (that .5 car is hard to get into)