Geoff's Tiny Trailer Build: ROUND 1

[GeoffStaysFly]

Hello everyone! First off, I must thank all the contributors to this forum, it really contains a wealth of information.

This will be my first large project, certainly my first large woodworking project. I refinish and modify electric guitars so at least I am fearless using tools around expensive parts I do have very basic woodworking skills, and intend to use this project as a base to progress my abilities.

My plan for this trailer is very simple, and revolves around unhindered practicality. My goal is to have a mobile bed/ dry cubby for when the fly-fishing is so good I need to live on the river or when the snow is so deep I can't make it home from the mountain. The trailer only needs to be 4x8, big enough for me and a lady if she dare intrude. Other than that I want a single indoor burner in addition to a very simple shelf for the outdoor burners/ grill, and a decent sound system.



As you can see I left the design very open, I have no need for intricacy, I want a clean interior with visible, accessible storage.

My Harbor Freight 4x8 trailer arrives tomorrow and I intend to built it on Thursday, once that is complete I need to clean the workshop with my roommate (its his father's). I am hoping to finish this on Saturday and set up an area to work on Sunday. Currently I am unemployed and just taking a few classes for fun so I am hoping to complete this project inside of 2 months (I secretly think it might be sooner).
I will keep this thread updated with pictures once I start building, I expect to finish the floor next week, hopefully cutting the walls by the weekend!

I'll leave you with my costs thus far:
HF 4x8 Trailer - $400
Speakers (retrofit in-wall system) - $50
Windows - $130

[Kharn]

I would cut the indoor burner, cooking inside would be very difficult and all of your bedding would smell like food.

[oregonguy]

I would cut the indoor burner, cooking inside would be very difficult and all of your bedding would smell like food.

+1

Maybe put the burner on a slide out, accessible through a lift up access hatch... It'd be no fun to cook while laying on your bed, not safe either.

[GeoffStaysFly]

I agree the stove is the least practical portion of the design. My original idea was just to have a little alcohol stove for indoors, but I thought if I put the 12v powered vent right behind the cook top I could use a burner, the airflow through the other vent and windows should keep the trailer clear. I also have no intention of cooking anything fancy inside, it was more for soup and pasta when its freezing or raining outside. It is more for comfort, but I actually may just build a slight recess for an emergency alcohol stove and just route the propane up to the hatch. There should be enough space so I can cook while sitting up on the bed, there is about 6 inches between the bed and cooktop.

Thanks,
Geoff

[aggie79]

Great design! Time to make some sawdust.

Fly fishing...long ago I took a trip with friends to the Snake River in Idaho. We left our truck at a ranger station and hiked into back country. Our days were spent fly fishing and out nights were spent around a campfire. One of the best experiences in my life.

We look forward to you getting started on your trailer.

Take care,
Tom

[GeoffStaysFly]

Awesome story Aggie! I hope that is what I will spend the rest of my life doing. The Snake is a great river, I passed through Idaho and had to pull over a few times The big rivers are really fun, we have some nice ones here in Montana, but I live on a little creek and seem to fish that more than anything else, thats where the trailer comes in haha.

I must confess, I am already planning a trip down south to fish flats this spring (tarpon season), and I may have to hit Oregon for some steelhead in the fall. Depending on my work (hopefully) I will rig up a fishing kayak for my roof, a pack-raft would be incredible eventually too, but that might take a few years.

One addition I made since I fish nearly everyday (through ice this morning) is that half of the lower countertop will be set up for fly-tying, mainly just a flat area with several small drawers below and some mesh storage above for hook pack and other tidbits. Also, there will be no permanent stove, just a recessed area for an emergency alcohol stove.

Sorry for taking so long to get pictures up, I had to move to my new workshop. I built the HF frame at home and then used it to pick up wood for the floor, which will be finished tomorrow, hopefully dry on Sunday. If I can get a roommate to help I would like to buy the wood for the walls tomorrow as well that way I will only have to use the trailer illegally once more

[Larry C]

You could use a backpackers butane stove.
http://www.amazon.com/MSR-11792-Pocket-Rocket-Stove/dp/B000A8C5QE/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1319894964&sr=1-1

I have used this type of stove for years. When I used to winter backpack, I always had a butane stove as a back up to finicky liquid fuel stoves. I would keep the stove in my sleeping bag at night (butane doesn't like extreme cold), and pull it out in the morning, and light it.
It would burn off the frost inside the tent and quickly heat water in a small tea pot, so I could have hot chocolate before getting out of my sleeping bag. This worked even at -40 F/C when all other liquid fuel stoves wouldn't light.
This could be a simple solution with the extra benefit of adding heat, and eliminating frost/dew from the inside. Crack a window for ventilation.
These stoves are tiny and could be carried with you while fishing so you can have something hot whenever you want. Also, I never had any luck with alcohol stoves However, there may be more efficient ones now.

$.02

Larry C

[StandUpGuy]

I would cut the indoor burner, cooking inside would be very difficult and all of your bedding would smell like food.

He wants a burner inside. Just because he has a burner does not mean he is frying bacon.

[GeoffStaysFly]

Sorry its been so long, I have been working on the trailer here and there, but I am in a play on Dec. 5th, so things will be slow until then. Here are a few pictures of the first side which is framed and has the window traced. I am hoping before I go away on Dec. 20th the other wall will be framed, window and door cut, and the walls will be up with a few roof spars.
-Geoff

[GeoffStaysFly]

Wow, sorry I kind of let this thread die, but here is a current picture. It is kind of like a weekender with no hatch and framing for a shelf which will get added soon.

I also decided to move cross country which has helped push my progress since the trailer will pull my few belongings which won't fit in the car. I am leaving the interior pretty unfinished/ uninsulated until this spring when she will be outfitted for camping/ fishing!