Hello!
I've been lurking on this forum (and specifically in this section) for a while now, but haven't been ready to post until now. I haven't *quite* gotten through the bit thrify thread... I'm currently at 236/465. I see the end in sight, it's just still pretty far away.
Anyway, when I started reading through all this, I got pretty big dreams pretty quickly of building a 7'x12' foamie to live in for a while. But over the last couple weeks, I've decided that maybe I should pare back and try and go for something smaller first to try and learn the basics and figure out what I'm doing, as well as to give me a little trailer to travel in for a while so that I figure out what I really do want/need in a big trailer. My TV is a 2001 SAAB 9-5, which has a surprising towing capacity of 3,500lbs, but only if the trailer has its own brakes. It's only 1000lbs without them, so I'll be looking to make this thing no heavier than 750lbs to be on the safe side. Looking at the builds and weights that I've seen on here so far, it looks like that may be doable, which is exciting. Also hoping to keep this to under $1500 overall, although if that ends up balooning to closer to $2000, that's survivable. Will do my level best to keep it from going any higher than that, though.
Soooooo here's the plan so far:
4'x8' teardrop, 4' high, built on the standard 1195 capacity HF base
Very similar in shape to the original foamie GPW did in the front, with a plane flat back flat for simplicity's sake
No curves, to avoid having to worry about kerfing and shaping and all that jazz
Basic electrical to charge/run computers and some of the galley, and run a fan or heater as required, maybe with solar panels (have to price that and do some research to see if that's feasible)
Standard waterproofed canvas covering, possibly with a thin epoxy layer over the very outside depending on budget at that point and feasibility
identical self-built doors on each side, with plexiglass panels fixed in them
Standard 14" roof vent for ventilation
I've downloaded sketchup to try and get a detailed 3d model of it, but have yet to learn to use it. Too busy figuring out what colors I'm going to paint it.
As soon as I figure that out I should be able to describe more specifically what I've got in mind.
I've called the nearest HF store (~40 minutes away) and they have the trailer in stock. Will be headed out there tomorrow to grab it when I'm able to borrow my dad's truck. When I've got it put together, I should be able to use it to go to the local big box store for the bulk of my materials. If I do this quickly enough, might even be able to take advantage of some of the Father's Day sales. Plus, using the trailer base to help me build the teardrop just feels right.
Heeeeeeere we go. Wish me luck.