I have been lurking for a while now and am ready to start my build. I have come to realize from reading over the posts that the COLLECTIVE knowledge of this group is far greater than the sum of its parts. This leads me to the idea of posting my goal and resources and letting the group vote on how I should procede and what methods will be best for achieving that goal.
HGTV did something like this when building a house a couple years ago and the results were outstanding!!
So having said that here are my goals:
6x10 VARDO trailer that serves the following needs
1. Sleeps 2 and has a standing head room of 6'3"
2. Able to be stored outside
3. Have heat and AC
4. Serves as a "toy hauler" for my Harley
5. Completed in time to attend Sturgis 2011 in August
6. Cost of no more than $2000
I am confident that it can be done and done WELL!
Here are my resources so far
1. A 2009 6x10 trailer with 3500# single axle and PT deck
2. Basic framework welded to the trailer to support roof/walls
3. 10 sheets of 1/2" cdx plywood
4. 30 2x2 8ft sticks of whitewood lumber
5. 20 2x4 8ft sticks of whitewood lumber
6. screws/fasteners out the wazoo
7. Almost every carpentry/woodwork tool known to exist
8. Primers/paints/sealers and coatings
9. $1,175.00 in my build acount
I purchased the trailer for $450, registration $25, steel and welding $350 for a total of $825 spent so far.
Thanks in advance!!
I would like to begin with the upper walls. I was thinking 2x2 framing to fit inside the rails...possibly 1/4" bolts through the wood framing and steel to secure the completed wall assembly to the framework.. Then possibly skin it with 1/2" cdx. The door will be in the rear as in a traditional Vardo.
I was very interested in the Mineral spirits/urathane mix as a sealer(3 coats)..then a solid color wood stain as a color coat. I would like the finished product to feature the wood grain texture but not the blemishes of cdx. I was considering the seal coats on all framing lumber as well as the plywood...better safe than sorry.
My inspiration is this:
Even those souls that are found must occasionally become lost to appreciate what they have.