first build

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first build

Postby unamonkey » Thu May 22, 2014 2:16 pm

So I've started on the build - and despite my wife's enthusiasm for my starting on it, I'm still going to call it "Wife's Doubt".

Picked up a trailer that its former life was a pop-up. $300 for it all.
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One wall removed
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All walls gone - floor was disgusting - molded right through
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Screws holding the OSB to the frame were rusted and I ended up stripping them. Brute force to get the floor off, and had to cut some to get leverage
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Bare frame.
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I plan to cut off the bumper, the old step on the side, and any screws I couldn't get loose. A few engineers I work with suggested scraping off the loose rust with a steel brush then coat it with Por15 to seal it up, which I hope to start on this weekend.
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Re: first build

Postby KCStudly » Thu May 22, 2014 2:54 pm

Good trailer base. :thumbsup:

Do you intend to build out over the wheels, or will you cut the side rails off?

I can vouch for the POR15; it's good stuff. It is, however, not UV stable, so you will want to top coat it with their Chassis Coat Black or Top-Coat, at least on any areas, such as the tongue, that will be exposed. The rust preventative will still last a long time without the top coat, but it will fade to a slightly-hazy-less-than-black color if not protected.
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Thu May 22, 2014 5:01 pm

I'm going to build over the wheels, so I'll have to make wheel wells. I forgot to include measurements on my first post - it's 6'2" wide by 9'2" long. Width between the wheels is just over 4' and I would like it wider than that, so full width it is!

Pulled great behind the car when I brought it home (50 miles to get it), so no other plans to alter the frame/chassis in any way other than the cuts I mentioned.
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Re: first build

Postby dano » Thu May 22, 2014 5:34 pm

I Love seeing these types of builds. Please let us know as you continue with the build. Best of luck and have fun.
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Re: first build

Postby KCStudly » Thu May 22, 2014 6:41 pm

Have you picked a profile yet? TD, slouchy, standy?

Inquiring minds (and probably some lurkers) would like to know. :D
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My Build: The Poet Creek Express Hybrid Foamie

Poet Creek Or Bust
Engineering the TLAR way - "That Looks About Right"
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Thu May 22, 2014 9:48 pm

I had something all drawn out, similar to below:
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But that was designed for a 5x8 frame, and when I spent some hours on a Sketchup, I was really happy with it.

Then I came across this frame and the dimensions have changed. So I think I'll go with a generic benroy design, but square off the back. It's been too nice out lately to sit down and re-draw it, but there's supposed to be a rainy day this weekend, so maybe I'll get something out then.

Edit: Took a screenshot of the cutaway from my sketchup, I might still go with this design. Baby steps - finish frame, get a floor down, go from there...
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Last edited by unamonkey on Thu May 22, 2014 9:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: first build

Postby RandyG » Thu May 22, 2014 9:56 pm

Good find on the old pop up, looking forward to watching! :thumbsup:
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Re: first build

Postby Shar » Thu May 22, 2014 11:48 pm

Best wishes on the build!
Sheryl
If all these people did it, so can I.
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Mon May 26, 2014 9:20 am

Not much to update today - borrowed a sawzall from a friend.

Made quick work of the bumper
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Removed the step, old propane line (lots of rust dumped out of it), and side pieces. Left the front and rear bed supports from the old pop-up in case I also decide to haul a canoe or kayak on top and have a place to tie it down.
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I'm going to start grinding some rust off this morning. I'll try to update tonight!
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Wed May 28, 2014 9:50 pm

Took the frame to a welder yesterday to patch the corners and smooth out my cuts and he had it done by this morning. Using a corded power drill to grind off dirt and start coating with Por15.

Welds look good - top and bottom were already done by manufacturer but I had the whole corners done.
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Spent an hour sanding/grinding and realized my garage wasn't drafty/ventilating enough and I didn't have a face mask on, so decided to stop and started with the Por15 on portions I had cleaned up.
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Left is the Por, bottom is sanded, top and right are yet to be done.
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Once I get the whole top portion done, remove tires, flip it over, and repeat. Getting close to making sawdust... wife has to work on Saturday so I think I'll get a bunch of shop time in, might have to get some lumber on Friday. :)
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Re: first build

Postby Sidekick » Wed May 28, 2014 11:08 pm

well, ya gotta start somewhere to go anywhere
" Chances are- if you don't know where you are going, you will never get there"
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Re: first build

Postby SLUG36 » Thu May 29, 2014 6:38 am

good luck on your build, I started with a Pop Up camper chassis, and cleaning it up was a pain!!
Making big pieces of wood into the wrong size..... for over 30 years....
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Fri May 30, 2014 11:33 pm

Not much to update and no pics - flipped the frame over, removed tires, sand more. Gotta dump some brush out of my other trailer tomorrow morning then get plywood and 1x4s. More Por15 application. I'll try to get some pictures in this weekend. I'm pretty happy with the progress thus far :D
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:53 am

Finished painting the frame as much as I'm going to for now.

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Unfortunately, I'm out of town on business all week. BUT I plan to buy lumber on Saturday and start laying out my floor. Menards is currently having their 'ol 11% off sale and I want to cash in on that.
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Re: first build

Postby unamonkey » Sun Jun 08, 2014 4:34 pm

Kicked up some sawdust today.

Cutting cross-beams
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All bordering 1x4s done
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Front half of the 3/4" ply is cut - two pieces since this is a 6'x9' frame
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Whole floor! Nothing attached yet
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Any my first foul-up - didn't take into account of the wheel well when I was measuring (you can see in the previous image as well) - I did make a shim to fit into place, and trimmed off the other long side.
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I'll start screwing it all together tomorrow or the day after. My 1x4 cuts are VERY poor and not straight along the edges (I'm in tech support by trade) but they do all fit. I also can't seem to find Henry's Asphalt Emulsion anywhere in town, which means an hour drive to and from a HD or Lowe's to get some. Slowly but surely...
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