Budget Build For Boo!

[fullon627]

My youngest (27yo) child Cassie (we call her Boo) asked me over six months ago (that's when I started lurking here) if I could build her a small camp trailer to pull behind her 2011 Dodge Caliber (tow rating of 2000lbs). I told her I would but she would have to pony up $1000 to build it and I would take care of the rest??????? To my surprise she said she had the money! So I told her I don't build things in a rush (whenever I build anything, I collect all the parts needed first, after that, it happens quickly). I said to her, we would have to start collecting parts patiently, looking for deals. I asked her to start sketching up drawings of what she wanted. I have to tell you it was a lot of fun doing that with her, she was so excited! She like the shape of the Runaways built in Florida. But that's just a place to sleep nothing else. So we agreed on a plan (after collecting many parts).
I donated a factory built mini speed boat trailer for the build (I own a marine repair shop). Even though it was a 8" boat, the trailer was rated for 2000lbs. That trailer is built out of 3/16 2x3 box tube! Way overly built for such a small boat. It was easy for my son to square out the frame for this build. The trailer frame is 63" wide, so the camp trailer is going to be 63 and 3/8" wide by 8' long by 4" tall above the frame. It will have a 36" slide out on the back for the kitchen, This camp trailer will have 3/4" plywood sides and 1/4" roof. It will be pink in color!!!! I'm already three weekends into the build! Shame on me!

[KCStudly]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you are off to a good start.

One thing I wish I had done differently was to limit my cabin width to 60 inches. Even if you have to incorporate a step or toe board around the lower perimeter, if it is not too late, you should consider this. There is just a lot of waste and extra expense when you go over 60 inches, and the extra inside room really isn't needed for a two person camper.

I look forward to seeing some of your build pics!

How to post pictures

[fullon627]

Thanks KC! The mini boat trailer I donated was from a boat I purchased years ago for $300. It's a 1978 boat and trailer. I thought at the time I wanted a mini boat. Glad I didn't do anything with it. My back couldn't take that kind of pounding from a mini boat now. Old mini boats are in high demand. So I sold the boat without the trailer recently for $800. Bam! Free trailer frame for her and $500 profit in my pocket!! This small camp trailer is going to be either painted or have bed liner on the outside. So I don't have to worry about skins. 90% of everything cut off will be reused somewhere. Sneak peek!
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[rebapuck]

Will your daughter be involved in the build? She should be to really make it hers.

[fullon627]

Will your daughter be involved in the build? She should be to really make it hers.

She definitely is! Hand and hand. She's telling me what to do??? This camp trailer (can't call it a teardrop or anything else) is being built with just a worm drive Skill saw, a sabre saw and my Dewalt drill and that's it for power tools. All free hand! She hand drew the front radius. I cut out the straight lines, but she wanted and did the radiuses for the roof, door. and windows. We screwed the two sheets 4x8 plywood together and made the cutouts at the same time. I have to say, this ACX plywood I bought for the walls, is the best ACX I've ever seen. No not's voids or fillers! Like marine plywood.

[bc toys]

can't see any of your pics love the fact you and your daughter are building it together

[fullon627]

can't see any of your pics love the fact you and your daughter are building it together

Sorry BC! Can anybody out there see my pics? I can see them???

[pchast]

Not me.

[fullon627]

Not me.

I think I fixed it. Did I????

[Wolfgang92025]

yup...you fixed it.

Welcome to the fun......

[bc toys]

Yes you did and thanks l like you start of the trailer keep up the good work

[fullon627]

This long weekend will give us some time to work on the trailer. Since this a "budget build"???. I thought I give a list of some of the deals I found on the net for the build.

New, 44x29 insulated cargo doors with locks and door handles on the inside. EBay $130 for both shipped ( the cargo doors both open on the same side but for $130 shipped on budget. She'll have on one side a "suicide door").
New, 30x18 Clear RV skylight $35 shipped.
New, Vortex 2 vent/fan $65 shipped.
New, Kinro 24x22 crank out flush window $89 for both shipped.
New, WFCO 40amp Power Converter Charger (WF8740PB) (BLACK) $85 shipped.
New, 2 10 gallon water tanks (on for gray water) $50 shipped for both.
Used, 22x14 insulated locking cargo door for ac slide out. $25 shipped.
New, Raydon 36" 500lb locking in and out draw slides and 2 30" Raydon 250lb draw slides non locking $150 shipped.
The photos below are all from the sellers websites.

[pchast]

Sounds like you are a champion shopper.
Better than I anyway!

[fullon627]

Sounds like you are a champion shopper.
Better than I anyway!

Thanks' PC, It's budget based. Built on the fly as we go. Built around the parts we bought. But we don't dwell on things/changes to much. Boo wants this done by the end of October! We are building all the roof supports out of 2x2's, because that's what I had laying around. We got the rest of the roof supports in today and put in the rear portion of the inside ceiling. Holes drilled for wiring also. Boo worked on it for a solid 7 hours with me today. More tomorrow! Some pics now.


Boo filling the screw holes.



Boo putting the glue on the ceiling



Boo holding up the ceiling so I can screw it up (did I just say that??).



Rear ceiling in!




Wiring holes drilled.

[fullon627]

Work for five hours yesterday. It was nice to have Boo's friend Mara helping. Got the front (curved) part of the ceiling in and Mara was a big help in that! Then they ( I just supervise after that???) spent the rest of the day filling and sanding screw holes. Boo did purchase the insulating for the roof yesterday. Boo is taking the day off today. I will be putting in the insulation, cutting out the holes for the skylight and vent. I will also be doing some wiring.


Mara, pre-countersinking holes before we put the ceiling up.



Inside ceiling pics.