Red Dragons - The Build (Updated 3/17/10)

[dmckruit]

Spent some more time on the trailer the last few weeks. I got the subfloor finished and framed.





Underside of subfloor:



Next I put flashing over the seams of the underside of the subfloor. The next step will be to apply undercoat and bolt the subfloor down to the frame.

[dmckruit]

Applied the undercoating today.



Then I varnished the main floor.



Now I am literally waiting for paint to dry. Tomorrow things should start happening. I will get the subfloor attached to the frame, then I can install the insulation, and apply the top floor.

Then next I can begin on the sides.

[dmckruit]

Adding the insulation to the floor:



And applying the top floor:



I am going to cover the floor with fancy linoleum so I wasn't concerned that the plywood was one piece or any special wood.

Now I can finally begin the task of cutting out the side profiles.

[dmckruit]

Didn't get much done today tearwise. Took the tree down and ran errands, then finally got some time this afternoon to work on my side profile.

I laid out the gridlines, then measured where the dots should go. The connected the dots. It was easier than I thought. Should have it cut tomorrow.







Also, got a package slip from the mailman today. My windows are in!! Will post pics tomorrow.

[Miriam C.]

No where to go but up!

Look forward to the rest of the build.

[Todah Tear]

Lookin good. It will be real toasty inside your tear during those cold PA nights.

Todah

[dmckruit]

Didn't get much more done this weekend, had too many other things to do. I am hoping to get the sides cut out before the weekend, but most of my week nights this week are booked.

I did get to the camper supply store on Saturday and picked up about 25 feet of 12V wire, 2 porch lights, 2 interior lights, and a roof vent. I thought that since I am sandwiching the walls with insulation, I might want to run the wires in the walls before I attach to the frame.

The porch lights are white, which I plan on painting black to match the frame and future fenders.

We are supposed to book our vacation in late July for PirateLand in Myrtle Beach any day now. I want to have my tear done for the LibertyBell TearJerkers Gettysburg gathering in May.

[Kens]

Dmckruit I don't live to far From you and was wondering where is this camping store you talk about. I could use some parts for my #2 build. By the way you have a real name. Ken

[dmckruit]

It is B&R Camper Supply in East Butler, PA. They are located on Route 422 east of Butler (about 1 mile past the Bonniebrook Road intersection going east on the left hand side).

http://b-rcamper.com/

They said to stop by next month and pickup their 2009 RV supply catalog (which is as big as a phone book).

My name is Dave

[Kens]

Dave, Thanks for the info on the trailer supply. I will have to check it out one of these weekends. By the way your bulld is on its way to being first class. Ken

[dmckruit]

My windows:



Some of the electrical stuff I bought this weekend:



Got some work done this morning before leaving to see "Jersey Boys - The Musical". Got part of the sides cut out by clamping two pieces of masonite back to back. There is a 24" wide panel for the back that I got drawn out, which I need to cut yet. Some of my cuts with the jigsaw were a little uneven and I kind of got a little roller coaster effect on the front edge. I can't find my planer, so I will have to pick one up in the morning so that I can even it out.

[planovet]

Some of my cuts with the jigsaw were a little uneven and I kind of got a little roller coaster effect on the front edge. I can't find my planer, so I will have to pick one up in the morning so that I can even it out.

I evened mine out with a belt sander. Worked pretty good.

[dmckruit]

Woke up this morning and this is what I found outside:





Looks like a good day to work on my Teardrop.

Got the side profile cut and checked for fit:



Cut the door out:



And cut the wheel well:



Then I had to go out and shovel. Thats it for today.

[dmckruit]

Took a snow day off from work (after 2 failed attempts to go). Roads here were a complete sheet of ice. So I fired up the kerosene and electric heaters and begain framing the walls of my tear. I still have more to complete with the studs before adding the insulation and the white (dry erase) type paneling for the interior.



I noticed a slight bow on the front part of my floor that I can't straighten out. Because this part will be under the storage cabinet at the front, and also under the mattress, it shouldn't be noticable on the inside. I just want to make sure that its all square and level on the outside. So I am going to cut a strip wood to match the negative of the irregularity so that I will have a level piece to attach the bottom of the sides to.

I used glue and screws to attach the masonite to the studs. However, I found that masonite doesn't like to countersink the screws the way wood does. So I need to pickup a 1/4" countersink bit so that I can sink the screws flush with the masonite. I may also cover the sides with a thin sheet of foam underlayment (the type for floating wood floors) before I skin with aluminum to hide any lumps and depressions.



Hopefully I can spend some more time on Saturday. I am really getting cabin fever. If my trailer was done, I would be in Florida by now.

[Nitetimes]

I would highly recommend sitting all 4 corners of your trailer on stands or something else solid before you go any further. If it's not sitting solid you will have a very hard time getting it all squared up. If you level it side to side in the front and back you will know everything's going to go together the way it should.