Fiberglass M416/M100 Military-style Trailer Tub Kit
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
I'm removing/disassembling the chuck wagon this morning so I can take the side panels downstairs into the workshop to install the cargo hatches. Unlatch the cover and it slides off the lift-off hinges, and then can be lifted off. The cover is plenty strong enough to supprt me walking on it or a roof-top tent, but being fiberglass it's light enough for me to easily handle.
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Great work. I especially like your lid. Can't find anybody that sells them like that. Never worked with fiberglass, but I think I'm going to have to try to figure out how to make one like it.
Great work. I especially like your lid. Can't find anybody that sells them like that. Never worked with fiberglass, but I think I'm going to have to try to figure out how to make one like it.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I'm removing/disassembling the chuck wagon this morning so I can take the side panels downstairs into the workshop to install the cargo hatches. Unlatch the cover and it slides off the lift-off hinges, and then can be lifted off. The cover is plenty strong enough to supprt me walking on it or a roof-top tent, but being fiberglass it's light enough for me to easily handle.
Great work. I especially like your lid. Can't find anybody that sells them like that. Never worked with fiberglass, but I think I'm going to have to try to figure out how to make one like it.
Earlier in this thread I showed how I made the mold for the cover and how I molded the cover in that mold. I may not have shown every detailed step of the fiberglass process, but you can learn that from one of the many books on fiberglass that have been published in the last 50 years, some are probably in your local library. Here's one I recommend: Fiberglass and Other Composite Materials, by Forbes Aird. (http://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Composite-Materials-Forbes-Aird/dp/1557882398).
I do still have the mold for the cover, maybe some day some company will be interested in bringing these covers to market.
takesiteasy
Adventurer
I love your projects- nicely thought out and presented. It may have been covered in the thread already and I missed it but I'm wondering what provision you made for water-proofing the joint between the top and the case. Is there a gasket of some kind?
piratexpress1369a
Explorer
Looks awesome
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Yes, there's a 1.5" wide x 1/4" thick EPDM rubber gasket around the bottom of the chuck wagon sides and around the bottom of the lid. It's similar to the weatherstrip that might be used to seal a pickup cap to a pickup.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I've installed the hatches hinge-down, so when they're open they can serve as work surfaces. I haven't installed stay cables yet, so I've got some temporary wires holding the hatches level for the photos.
And I haven't installed a prop for the liftgate yet either.
What's next is building the modular compartments for the inside; they'll be removable so the trailer can be configured for multiple uses and so the chuck wagon can be disassembled for storage.
Before I start the compartments though, I'll probably throw the roof top tent on just to see what the whole thing looks like.
And I haven't installed a prop for the liftgate yet either.
What's next is building the modular compartments for the inside; they'll be removable so the trailer can be configured for multiple uses and so the chuck wagon can be disassembled for storage.
Before I start the compartments though, I'll probably throw the roof top tent on just to see what the whole thing looks like.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
The hatches are a nice height for me when they're opened up as work surfaces. A bit small to be a primary kitchen work surface, but I think they'd be very useful at this height.
I've got a different idea for a primary work surface I'll mock up and post photos of in a few days.
I've got a different idea for a primary work surface I'll mock up and post photos of in a few days.
jscherb
Expedition Leader
A view of the inside of the chuck wagon shell:
And here's a concept drawing of what the chuck wagon compartments might look like.
The rear two compartments are boxes that attach to the inside walls. They'd have shelves in them, and perhaps an elastic cargo net, to keep things in the shelves. They could possible also have a Molle grid on the back to hang pouches and other Molle items. More concept views to come of what the inside of the boxes might look like.
The depth of the boxes would probably be the same as the depth of the part of the tub that angles out; or put another way, the back of the boxes would be vertically in line with the side of the tub at it's narrow part.
The front compartment is a shelf that runs all the way across. There's a wall on the rear side of the shelf to keep things from falling off; the shelf runs all the way to the front wall of the chuck wagon shell.
All of these interior parts would be removable, so the chuck wagon could be used as just a large covered cap for the trailer if large items need to be hauled; also having them removable allows the chuck wagon to be disassembled into smaller pieces for storage when it's off the trailer.
Comments and suggestions on the compartment design are very welcome, I haven't completely finalized the design yet.
And here's a concept drawing of what the chuck wagon compartments might look like.
The rear two compartments are boxes that attach to the inside walls. They'd have shelves in them, and perhaps an elastic cargo net, to keep things in the shelves. They could possible also have a Molle grid on the back to hang pouches and other Molle items. More concept views to come of what the inside of the boxes might look like.
The depth of the boxes would probably be the same as the depth of the part of the tub that angles out; or put another way, the back of the boxes would be vertically in line with the side of the tub at it's narrow part.
The front compartment is a shelf that runs all the way across. There's a wall on the rear side of the shelf to keep things from falling off; the shelf runs all the way to the front wall of the chuck wagon shell.
All of these interior parts would be removable, so the chuck wagon could be used as just a large covered cap for the trailer if large items need to be hauled; also having them removable allows the chuck wagon to be disassembled into smaller pieces for storage when it's off the trailer.
Comments and suggestions on the compartment design are very welcome, I haven't completely finalized the design yet.
piratexpress1369a
Explorer
That's cool
piratexpress1369a
Explorer
I like that