WolgieWagon (Vardo Build)

[wolgie]

OK guys, here goes. I have been obsessed since stumbling upon the website and I bought myself a trailer. I have flip flopped a few times about what type to build when I finally found the one I want to build.

Here is my overall criteria for the build.
1.Has to fit in my garage space (which is only about 14x14x7ft high) a little longer when I angle it.
2. Has to sleep 3 occasionally and two regularly.
3. AC/Heat
4. Toilet and Shower.
5. Not cost alot.
6. Be able to stand fully in part of the trailer (I'm 6'0)

So I tossed around alot of ideas and landed on Paleotool's Vardo. http://paleotool.com/plans-projects-and ... the-vardo/
I really like the way he built his (however, mine will be built lighter and cheaper) with a different floorplan.

vardo (Small).JPG (55.53 KiB) Viewed 3657 times

I decided on this little trailer I found on Craigslist for $145. Mostly because it was cheap and also because I liked the large opening in the back for a large drop floor.

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The trailer bed area is 4x6 with a 6 foot long tongue. I am already planning on adding 2 feet of support for the floor by welding some tube steel two feet forward and back to the tongue, then adding two A fram style pieces up toward the hitch.
I can already see that my cheap trailer may end up costing more than a better one. As the 8" tires are insufficeint and old and it needs new bushings in the leaf springs (as it doesn't appear to have any left)
I am planning on upgrading the tires to two 12" HF tires http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-sp ... 44144.html
And of course repack or replace the wheel bearings.

Please let me know if you think any of this is a mistake or whatever advice you have. I am very handy and very motivated but no nothing about trailers or RV's and am only a mediocre carpenter.

Thanks

[wolgie]

Here are the plans

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This is the trailer footprint with additional support that I am going to add on the front.

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And here is a close up pic of my trailer axle/spring area it doesn't even look like it has bushings in the slipper spring side

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[droid_ca]

looking good so far
Are you going to put windows in?

[wolgie]

Thanks, yeah I'm gonna get a couple of small shed windows something like this

but probably the dark brown/black ones.

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http://www.amazon.com/Shed-WIndow-Safet ... B005GP9Q5Y
and put them in the sides one on each side. They will have screens and open and I may add a small (removable)fan to one for ventilation when I don't want/or can't run the AC. Actually, I was just thinking. I am going to put a hatch for the AC (5000but window unit) on the upper front which will be about 2 feet above the couch/bed. The window unit will be removed during travel, and I could have a screen that pops in with a 12volt electric fan attached for when I am remote camping. Then open both side windows for ventilation. See this is how my brain works, 90mph and I can't shut it off.

[wolgie]

Well, the trailer was gonna be too much work to get it where I needed it so I sold it. And ponied up some more dough and bought this bad boy. The sawdust will fly in the next 2 or 3 days!!!!

[wolgie]

Ok so I took the plywood sides off. And cut the angle iron braces down to 11".

My sides will be 12" before they go out either 12 or 15" depending on how it looks. I don't know if it's gonna look dumb with the sides sticking out 9" past the tires???? What do you guys think?

I'm gonna get a bunch of wood tomorrow and start some tomorrow night, but will be out of town over the weekend.

Next week the sawdust will fly!

[droid_ca]

My sides will be 12" before they go out either 12 or 15" depending on how it looks. I don't know if it's gonna look dumb with the sides sticking out 9" past the tires???? What do you guys think?

I think if you get some corbels for the sides it would look just fine. Kind of like a ledge vardo. Maybe draw it to scale first to see if you visually like it first

[KCStudly]

Cardboard mock-up? Decide if you like it first.

[wolgie]

Both good ideas. Thanks..... I put some plywood I had up there and it looked fine. I am planning on putting 5 corbals (I had to look that word up) on each side for support, plus it will have the metal braces that go up 11", so it should be real sturdy. I have decided to cut one of the cross braces in the back of the trailer to expand my drop floor to 36" long and 44" wide. I will put a new brace in on the edge where I cut the other. A picture would help if I had one on me. I have to drag the trailer out and up and down the driveway and take some measurements to figure out how low I can make the drop floor.

On another note I got a bunch of wood and other materiels this morning . I can't wait to get started. I am still debating on the siding. I think I will use t-111 11/32 inch t&g for the sides and maybe 1/2 for the front and back. It will be laid with the grooves horizontal. I'll put up pics early next week. Maybe Memorial Day.

[wolgie]

I actually saw this one that used beadboard and I was looking at that today as well. I could get 11/32 beadboard for about $25 each. I am planning on using 2x2s and 1x2 for wall studs, do you think this would be structurally sound enough. Would 11/32 beadboard be good enough on the front and back? or should I bump it up to 23/32?

This is the one I was talking about.

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[droid_ca]

one of the ideas that I had for corbels was find a really nice one that I like (usually expensive) and make a mold of it take some sawdust and glue and see if I could make a mold of it and then either paint them or do gold leafing on them ....nobody would ever know that it was a copy and I thought it would be a good way to save a couple of bucks but that would be for the 3d style I was thinking gargoyles would look sweet

[wolgie]

I looked at some on the Internet, I hadn't thought of the 3d kind but the gargoyle idea is intriguing. I like the idea of buying or copying one and duplicating it.

[wolgie]

I made alot of progress today! I built the (steps) or side boxes, including corbels. They aren't attached to the trailer yet. And I built the drop floor box but have to paint the bottom before I install it.

My carpentry skills are lacking but I make up for it with determination and skill in caulking, paint, and cover up work. I should have the drop floor complete and installed tomorrow.

I hope to start framing this weekend if not sooner. The total width is 79 inches. I made it that big to be able to sleep across the width which will take up less room.

[droid_ca]

WOW looking good. Can't wait to see more

[Deryk the Pirate]

Looks Great!

Im actually contemplateing my next build will be a standie. I love my lil vardo, but a little more space would be nice, and a permanent bed with storage under it. I also like the idea of a toilet/porta pottie.

Good Luck

deryk