Build journal for 6.5' X 10' TTT

[aggie79]

Very, very nice! The bathroom looks spacious. I know you've changed to a porta-potty but your bathroom arrangement is something I would like to incorporate in my next build. I can't wait to see the interior progress.

[mustangcats]

Today the 12 volt rocker switches arrived in the mail, so I spent the evening completing most of the wiring at the converter box. Once I had the switches installed and the 110 volts wired to the converter box, it was time to plug it in. None of my 12 volt lights worked and that had me puzzled. I checked to see if it was putting out any dc, so I hooked up my meter and it showed it was putting out dc power. Then it suddenly occured to me that I hadn't run the ground wires back to the the box, so I did that and when I plugged it back in...the lights worked By then it was getting late, so tomorrow I will hook up my 110 volt outlets to the box and test them. I will have a circuit for the water heater, refrigerator and an outlet at the kitchen counter. The 3 piece 7" memory foam bed set is in place and is very comfortable. Tomorrow I will also install the surround material for the shower/tub and may be able to test the plumbing (still need to get the faucet for the kitchen sink). This has been quite a project and fortunately it is close to being ready enough to use. I still intend to take it on a trial camping trip to a nearby park tomorrow night to test it out, even though everything may not be working.

[mustangcats]

Yesterday was a productive day and I was able to get a lot of things done. I finished up the electrical wiring and everything works. Put a sink in the kitchen, put the surround material around the bathtub and finished the plumbing. All I need to do is put water in the tank and test for leaks. Now that all the hard work is done, I need to work on the finishing details such as curtains for the windows, trim around counters and walls to cover the gaps, install floor tile and carpet, etc. I also need to put some drawers and storage under the kitchen counter as well as make other storage in the bathroom, under the bed, etc.

And now for some much promised

[mustangcats]

More pictures (since I can only upload 3 at a time).

[mustangcats]

After spending about 3 months building my TTT, it was finally ready enough to take its maiden voyage to Glacier National Park in Montana. I was not sure what to expect since I hadn't towed it but just a few miles. I'm happy to say that the trip went "without a hitch". I traveled a total of 3536 miles (2881 of those miles actually towing the trailer) and it pulled nicely except my V6 Dodge Dakota is a little underpowered to handle the mountain passes and steep hills without losing speed. A V8 would have been nice, but for my day to day needs it is unnecessary. Most of my time was spent camping in the primitive Flathead National Forest Devil Lake campground. My onboard marine battery supplied the necessary power for the lights and pump so I could take cold showers. On the way out and back home I did stay at a couple of campgrounds that had electric and then I was able to run the refrigerator and recharge all my battery devices. I have to admit it was a little scary being so far from home, pulling a new trailer that had not been been thoroughly tested. I encountered a lot of rough and bumpy highways and the trailer did not fall apart, so I am confident that it is as roadworthy as any commercially made travel trailer. By not having the inside completely finished, I now have thought of things that I would like to have in the way of storage and other ways to make the most use of the limited amount of space while also adding some more convenience features. Now that my vacation is out of the way, I can spend the coming months at a more leisurely pace as I finish the interior and dress up the exterior (it is too plain looking and needs some stripes or decals). I want to try and make it look not so homemade. I am looking forward to taking it on another trip, but one that is closer to home.

[mustangcats]

I am putting the finishing touches on my trailer and should have it done by the time I head for Yellowstone at the end of July. I tore out the bed frame I made last year and have replaced it with a dinette. Now I have a table to eat off of and a place to sit other than the bed. I have also put in a cargo door so I can slide a small air conditioner in and out of the trailer.When the air conditioner is not in use, it sits on a shelf above the refrigerator. When I want to use the air conditioner, all I have to do is open the cargo door and slide the air conditioner through it.

[mustangcats]

Here are some more pictures of my trailer nearing completion. I mainly have trim and finish work yet to do. Click on each picture to make it bigger. The tv and stereo

Outside looking in at the kitchen. I still need to sand and varnish the lower cabinets

Refrigerator with air conditioner on top. The ac slides out through a cargo door when needed.

Dinette. I still need to make some "real" curtains

Bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet

Looking through bathroom door from kitchen. I cut a hole in the wasted space in the wall and made a small
closet to hang clothes.

[Dschroeder83]

Really neat trailer! Thinking about something this sized for our second build. Saw you're in IA, Lincoln Nebraska here.