Ok..I started it...

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Mon Nov 28, 2016 12:01 pm

I TOLD you I was gonna do it.. WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY STOP ME???

Based on THIS design (http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=65131) I started my project. Calling it a project is more correct because things are coming up that I am fixing as I go along. Not saying it'll WORK, but hoping I have something for next spring/summer.

Trailer3.jpg
Trailer3.jpg (310.15 KiB) Viewed 2482 times


Trailer1a.jpg
Trailer1a.jpg (338.67 KiB) Viewed 2482 times
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby MadMango » Mon Nov 28, 2016 1:43 pm

You could have used the stake-side receptacles on the trailer and 6 removable 2x4 stakes mounted on the camper to attach the two, but I think your straps will work. I worry if they are not tight (and they will stretch) and slap as you are driving they will wear through whatever finish you have on your plywood. Your "project" is on a good start, can't wait to see the finished product.
MadMango
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating." ~Quentin Stafford-Fraser

You can see my design planning, The Mobile Mango.
You can follow my TTT build here, The Mobile Mango
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:49 pm

Ok, showing some progress...

body structure.jpg
body structure
body structure.jpg (349.44 KiB) Viewed 2268 times


back structure.jpg
back end bulkhead
back structure.jpg (538.29 KiB) Viewed 2268 times


front half painted.jpg
paint going on..
front half painted.jpg (321.45 KiB) Viewed 2268 times
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:57 pm

inside.....

inside wall.jpg
where the window goes...
inside wall.jpg (131.94 KiB) Viewed 2265 times


inside front1.jpg
for my head...
inside front1.jpg (162.81 KiB) Viewed 2265 times
Last edited by VT800C on Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:59 pm

the foot of my cot...

inside back.jpg
for my feet (and a chair)
inside back.jpg (137.76 KiB) Viewed 2263 times


and the galley..

Galley1.jpg
Galley1.jpg (241.29 KiB) Viewed 2263 times
Last edited by VT800C on Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:26 pm

door side painted.jpg
looking forward to the shakedown..but a long way to go...
door side painted.jpg (216.02 KiB) Viewed 2259 times


still in work...but getting closer...
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby ae6black » Thu Mar 09, 2017 4:22 pm

Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby working on it » Thu Mar 09, 2017 6:41 pm

ae6black wrote:Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art
I thought of the same thing when was looking for latches (in keeping with the "gate, or heavy-duty hardware" aesthetic of my trailer. I wanted to be able to lock my doors open, or closed. I also have quad locking latches on my hatch. I made my own door-bar system, to secure the doors while the outside was locked open. I was trying to convince my wife to use it, so I made it hard to get in. Unfortunately, I have to carry a lot of keys.
  • dual latches, lock closed or lock open.png
    dual latches, lock closed or lock open.png (565.48 KiB) Viewed 2186 times
  • inside locking.png
    inside locking.png (487.36 KiB) Viewed 2186 times
  • dual latches, both sides of hatch.png
    dual latches, both sides of hatch.png (394.07 KiB) Viewed 2186 times
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs
  • *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
  • *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
  • *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
  • *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
  • *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof
173193172890148599
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:06 pm

ae6black wrote:Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

I thought about that. Actually, if the hasp is open and the lock on and locked, the hasp doesn't go far enough on to keep me from opening the door. With my 2 sons helping me, believe me, this was one of the first things I tried! I will be using a screen door latch and handle for opening and closing when camping.
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby working on it » Sat Mar 11, 2017 8:10 pm

VT800C wrote:
ae6black wrote:Personally I'd be concerned about the locks on the doors. Not for keeping people out but about somebody messing with you and locking you in. I've had kids in youth groups that would love to lock me in a camper and then taunt me while I was locked in side. Just saying.

Art

I thought about that. Actually, if the hasp is open and the lock on and locked, the hasp doesn't go far enough on to keep me from opening the door. With my 2 sons helping me, believe me, this was one of the first things I tried! I will be using a screen door latch and handle for opening and closing when camping.
The sliding bolt latch I used was the second latch I tried; the first was a rotating post hasp (using a padlock to lock open or closed), but on my test piece, I couldn't get it to shut tightly enough to fully compress my automotive doorseals. I then tried to find a black swinging door latch, but none were available, so I measured (on a zinc-plated sample) the usable gap between the handle piece and the bolt receiver piece...I didn't think the bolt could reach far enough across my door gap to securely lock it. So, I tried the sliding bolt latch, but had to fill the open bolt receiver piece with a machined piece of black acetal rod, drilled just the right size to hold the bolt in the closed position (secured in position with a Spax screw from inside the trailer). I put a lot of effort in getting my prank-proof latch to work! And about using a "screen-door" latch & handle, I never saw one that couldn't be pulled open by a small child...they're not made strong enough. I said that my doorseals were hard to compress, right?, so I had to use something for an inside latch that could hold that compressed force...I took some thick aluminum square tubing (thick-walled stuff), and cut-off one side of it, to make a channel to snap another aluminum tube into, to keep the door shut in tight compression. Well, the inner aluminum could be stubborn to remove, so I switched to 3/4" oak dowels (very strong, easier to remove, and can be sawn thru if they stick!). I wish you luck with the screen door hardware, if you so choose to use it. I was building a secure fortress for my wife to camp in (she never has), so I took door security to heart. Note: I put my windows up high on my trailer for the same reason (a typical teardrop door/window just didn't look safe enough to me). But, that's just my way....
  • rotating post hasp.jpg
    rotating post hasp.jpg (51.05 KiB) Viewed 2092 times
    wouldn't hold the door closed tight enough
  • Swinging door latch.jpg
    Swinging door latch.jpg (77.11 KiB) Viewed 2092 times
    latching bolt wouldn't reach across the door gap
  • Stanley sliding bolt door-gate  latch.png
    Stanley sliding bolt door-gate latch.png (145.44 KiB) Viewed 2092 times
    two locking positions, some modifications done to ensure tight fit
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs
  • *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
  • *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
  • *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
  • *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
  • *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof
173193172890148599
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:44 pm

I took your advice, and actually used the gate locks, (one in each direction) and I used one on the inside as well (I am going for a 'rustic' look). and because the way they mount, I use a pad and it presses the door nice and tight. In fact, it worked so well, I will use one on the back door to make it more water-tight. Thank you!
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:54 pm

Some Photos for your enjoyment.
Attachments
Window_and_Deck.jpg
I put a wood deck on the front for a tie-down point and for weight and balance.
Window_and_Deck.jpg (340.26 KiB) Viewed 1983 times
Door_And_Table.jpg
Here you can see the door latches, and one on the inside. The table will be free-standing and supported by the back galley door.
Door_And_Table.jpg (333.44 KiB) Viewed 1983 times
TV_Inside.jpg
Inside, I have overhead shore power, both in the sleeping area and the galley. This might come in handy someday.
TV_Inside.jpg (118.09 KiB) Viewed 1983 times
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:58 pm

The shore power advice from the electrics section of this forum worked like a CHAMP! Love the looks!

the galley? might get it finished...

someday..
Attachments
Galley_redone.jpg
need to figure out a good prep surface, and get rid of the scraps.
Galley_redone.jpg (345.45 KiB) Viewed 1982 times
Shore_Power.jpg
looks very clean. very sharp!
Shore_Power.jpg (375.92 KiB) Viewed 1982 times
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby Dan242 » Wed Apr 19, 2017 2:06 pm

Looks good, nice and simple, I have a shore power plug like that also, installing it in next day or so. I thought about the same thing (being locked inside) i will just lock the hasp open when inside and have a seperate lock inside. These trailers are kinda like old cars, never finished...... but as long as you can actually use it, all good
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Re: Ok..I started it...

Postby VT800C » Mon May 22, 2017 6:53 am

rig-home.jpg
At the park
rig-home.jpg (845.3 KiB) Viewed 1838 times


took it out for the Shakedown this past weekend.

rig2.jpg
towed well behind my 4-banger RAV 4
rig2.jpg (766.51 KiB) Viewed 1838 times


a few things I need to change..as it was the first time out...

rig-kitchen.jpg
cooking station...
rig-kitchen.jpg (763.77 KiB) Viewed 1838 times


I had 5 groups of visitors check it out...for a home-built, I liked it!
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