My Build in Colorado

[MrMatt]

Some of you probably know what it is like to want to post that you have finally begun your project. I have been spending alot of my free time for the last 2 years on this forum and the day has finally come!

So here are some of the details so far:

Starting out with the smaller of the Harbor Freight trailers, I replaced the tongue with 3-inch channel to get the length I need on the tongue. The frame of the box is primarily 2x4 construction on top of the steel kit. I have completed the baseboard (floorboard) and at the point where it contacts the trailer frame it has doublewalled contrution and is braced by additional 2x4s.

I have the underside coated with black oil based rust-oleum and I am thinking about using one of the sticky undercoatings I see talked about on here all the time, I'll have to use a friends garage (with a pit) ten the tim comes for that. I am opting to wait cause I want to really sealit all up tight and I expect to be cutting a vent for the AC to vent out the floor.

I cannot believe how rigid the frame is, my wife and I spent time laying on the trailer (yeah no mattress, backache) to check for fit as soon as the floor was in. I have opted to build 2x2 framed walls and have nearly completed the first one. I was given 2 brand new sheets of oak Luan by an interested neighbor who saw what I was working on. (It is amazing the attention this thing already draws and it is not even close to being done. The free Oak settles the enterior treatment question.

The end product will be roughly 4x8 with a 4 foot ceiling (I have a small 1 car garage to store this in.) Part of he sizing isbased on the fat that I am planning on using 3 baby mattresses for the bed (curious if anybody has tried this) so that we can stack the mattress up and out of the way under the cabinet area. I have a new/used vent window from a new cargo trailer my dad bought, he put a fantastic fan/vent in right away and saved it for me. I have been collecting other bits and pieces that will add to the project. Trying to save the dollars for windows, hinges and door latches.

Tab so far:
*Harbor Freight trailer - Free (given to me by my brother, I originally bought and assembled it a couple years ago for 175 or so)
*Lumber 60 bucks (estimated so far)
*Steel for Tongue extenion (free, it was part of an electric gate for a gated community)
*Fun building and painting with my 6-year old and wife - Priceless

[Roly Nelson]

MrMatt, it looks like you have a great start on a one-of-a-kind camping trailer. Do you intend to have a hatchlid and a galley? I can't tell by looking at the profile. If those are 8 inch wheels and tires, you might want to consider going with 12 inchers, to better handle the weight and wear and tear on those wheel bearings, when screaming down the interstate at 70 mph. HF has them and will fit the same bolt pattern. Continue to post pics, we'll be looking for them.

(Ah yes, Colo Springs, Bijou Street, I remember it well, back in 1956, during my 2 year hitch in Fort Carson..........Ugh. Love the city and the area though.)
Roly

[MrMatt]

MrMatt, it looks like you have a great start on a one-of-a-kind camping trailer.

Thanks, this is a blast! I helped my dad build a house and two school bus campers when I was a teenager so this is bringing back many memories. By the way, Roly Nelson, your build is what convinved me that this cudl be done on the smaller HF trailer, you are quite an artist friend.

Do you intend to have a hatchlid and a galley?

Yes I do,we will probably keep it very simple until we figure out what we want back there though.

If those are 8 inch wheels and tires, you might want to consider going with 12 inchers, to better handle the weight and wear and tear on those wheel bearings, when screaming down the interstate at 70 mph. HF has them and will fit the same bolt pattern.

That is great advise, do you know if they fit under the same fender clearance as the stock ones?

Continue to post pics, we'll be looking for them.

I will indeed. Thanks for the encouragement and help!

[S. Heisley]

Congratulations on starting your build, MrMatt. Looks like you are well on your way and will probably do quite well. Thanks for sharing your build story and pictures now and in the future. It's eye-candy to us!

[MrMatt]

Congratulations on starting your build, MrMatt. Looks like you are well on your way and will probably do quite well. Thanks for sharing your build story and pictures now and in the future. It's eye-candy to us!

Well here is some eye candy then. I mocked up a version of what I hope the trailer looks like when I am done.

[Roly Nelson]

Matthew, I just went out and measured my 12 inch tire, and it is 20 and 1/2 inches across. That means it is 10 1/4 inches from the center of the hub to the outside of the tire. This might help determine if a 12 incher will fit below your fender, but don't forget to take into account, the distance will be closer when the weight of the tear is on the tire and you hit a bump.......... Ouch. Check it out.
Roly, and thanks for the cudos.

[aggie79]

Matthew, congratulations on your start. You have every right to be proud of your start and first posting.

With a little more work you will have caught up to 9-month build (so far.) Actually, I have not stood up my walls yet.

Keep up the good work and don't fret if "teardrop time" thows you a little off course.

Tom

[MrMatt]

Matthew, I just went out and measured my 12 inch tire, and it is 20 and 1/2 inches across. That means it is 10 1/4 inches from the center of the hub to the outside of the tire. This might help determine if a 12 incher will fit below your fender, but don't forget to take into account, the distance will be closer when the weight of the tear is on the tire and you hit a bump.......... Ouch. Check it out.
Roly, and thanks for the cudos.

Thanks for doing that! I will have to get the tape out and see what would fit. I am thinking that it would be nice to upgrade the tires a bit either way.

[mikeschn]

Your eye candy looks good. Keep the photos coming!!!

Mike...

[Dan & Julie CO]

Howdy neighbor, nice deisgn

[S. Heisley]

Nice picture! Good Plan!

[mollyteardrop]

From a neighbor to the south, congrats on your td! Great camping spots in our area!

[Micro469]

MrMatt, it looks like you have a great start on a one-of-a-kind camping trailer. Do you intend to have a hatchlid and a galley? I can't tell by looking at the profile. If those are 8 inch wheels and tires, you might want to consider going with 12 inchers, to better handle the weight and wear and tear on those wheel bearings, when screaming down the interstate at 70 mph. HF has them and will fit the same bolt pattern. Continue to post pics, we'll be looking for them.

(Ah yes, Colo Springs, Bijou Street, I remember it well, back in 1956, during my 2 year hitch in Fort Carson..........Ugh. Love the city and the area though.)
Roly

Easy way to make larger tires fit..... Buy longer spring shackles....
http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=180

[Gerdo]

Looks like a great start. Welcome to the TD insanity. You will have to make it to The Last Gasp.

[MrMatt]

Looks like a great start. Welcome to the TD insanity. You will have to make it to The Last Gasp.

I would love to do that. We will have to see if we can make it. Maybe I will have a campable TD project by then, I would love the chance to see some of you all's tears up and close.

Believe it or not I have never in my life been in a tear drop, I have seen a couple on the road and looked inside one that was parked. You see how contagious TD insanity is?