Offroad Teardrop - SawTooth XL

[stomperxj]

A lot of camper manufacturers here use zips and velcro to add/extend awnings. What about a sail track section along the edge of the trailer roof so that you could slip an awning with a "rope sewn" edge into it if needed? Then you'd just need some poles at the outside edge. I'm thinking you would want something low profile to keep the nice lines of the trailer. This could be limited to the side only with a joiner for another piece to cover the rear if the weather is that bad.

I forgot about the rope sewn/sail track stuff. That style of connection would be pretty slick and easy to set up... Good idea Brad

I'm glad I didn't have to say it. :snorkel:


Anyway, does the back hatch to the kitchen area act as a small shelter from the elements? I use my XJ hatch as such, so I was thinking you were doing the same with the trailer hatch. However I like the idea of a slip on/rollup cover using basic awning poles that would roll up in the awning material and stow away nice and tidy.

keep up the GREAT work :costumed-smiley-007

The hatch does provide some cover but I think later on if I'm going to be camping in the fall/spring at all, I'll have to come up with some kind of awning for the side and rears... indiedog got me thinking about sail track stuff.

I'll just have to use the easy up for now though. It should work ok and I already have it...

Thanks guys

 

[Titanpat57]

Here's a link for the track that gets fastend on the side. Having just gone through an awning build on my trailer I probably would have opted for this with some lighter weight awning material.

I love your build and really enjoy the updates and progress shots. There are some great commercial coatings available so take your time, read up on them, it'll look fantastic and give you many years of protection.

http://www.perfectfit.com/154244/products/Aluminum-Awning-Rail----8-feet.html

Best to you, Pat

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Not trying to be a jerk but you guys can start your own plywood thread if you want... This one is about my trailer.

Wow. Thanks for your help.

 

[stomperxj]

I guess I never answered your questions myself... Sorry about that

I have some questions for you, because you're doing such a nice job here. I'm going to be incorporating some wood into my trailer. I have a Maggiolina tent on top of the trailer that will be where my wife and I sleep. The kids will have a space in the body of the tent. There will be a side panel on on the side of the trailer made out of steel that will lift, and get propped up. This will give us a "porch" before enterring the Mag.

Now, most of the trailer is steel, but the kids area will be finished inside with plywood. After lifting up the steel overdoor, it will reveal a wooden exterior wall for the kids space. The wall will have a hatch, and a window in it. The wooden wall will be protected by the steel panel anytime we're travelling, and I'm hoping it will keep the weather off it.

What type of plywood should I be using? Can I use a furniture grade plywood with a nice finished surface? My father thinks this type of plywood can't hold up when it will be outside. The glue will let go, etc.

Are you planning on using RV windows? I was wondering if I could do something out of clear acrylic. Since it's a wooden wall, I could probably save some money by building something up from scratch. But, I need them to open for ventilation.

Thoughts?

I used Baltic Birch and Fir ACX plywood for my build. Its a good idea to coat everything with CPES to make sure its waterproof and I use Titebond III glue on all my joints. Its the best wood glue out there....

I do have RV windows for this build. There are pictures of them earlier in the thread. I'm sure you could make your own windows out of anything as long as its UV resistant. I have seen guys make them out of clothes washer port hole windows before too.

Good luck with your build and post pictures when you get the chance.

Jess

 

[stomperxj]

More updates!

The inside skin is nearly done and I've been working on the curb side door jamb/seal surface a lot the last few days. That side is almost buttoned up and then its on to the road side. The pic with all the clamps was when I did the wall skin on that side. The big piece of angle iron is to try to straighten the wall out some. It developed a slight warp. The pic with the hole in the inside skin was a big oops when i was putting it in. I shoved a bracing stick right thru it...

The original seal rings I made were not deep enough so I added a layer of 5.2mm ply to them and then used a top bearing edge trim router bit to set the depth of the door jamb:

 

[stomperxj]

................Started on the striker plates. Routed out for the plate. Then in typical Jess fashion, I had to make a tool to complete a job. I made an "Adjustable Striker Plate Insert Nut Pilot Hole Jig". Yeah Lowe's doesn't carry them for some odd reason. I'm just glad dad has a mill. Making tools and jigs is a lot easier with that thing...

I had to throw some windows in and take an overall shot just to see...

There's the latest. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the inside skin on this weekend and maybe the other door and door jamb done too. Then its on to some wiring and insulating the roof...

Jess

 

[indiedog]

70's Psychadelic Lights Man!!

Looking great. The lights are interesting! Maybe consider some 70's era psychadelic wallpaper on the inside? Was the warp in the side wall from the roof load making it flex? I thought the walls were pretty thick with a frame plus inner and outer skins. You wouldn't have thought it would move. Would a stiffener on the inside be a good idea? It looks like you could run a vertical 1 1/2 by 3/4 on edge between the door and the fender. This would stiffen the side up a fair bit.

Bummer about the hole! But something had to happen somewhere. And you need a job! Making an "adjustable striker plate......doodad...thing-a-majig" surely indicates that! And I do like the quality of the hardware you are using.

 

[sseaman]

looks like some more good progress, probably thinking to far ahead, but will you have something to cover the front window when in tow?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Looking good. I'm using the same hinges you used on your door. Can you please give me the particular on that door latch you're using? I need something like that on my inner wooden kid's door.

 

[stomperxj]

Looking good. I'm using the same hinges you used on your door. Can you please give me the particular on that door latch you're using? I need something like that on my inner wooden kid's door.

Rob-
I got my handles from this seller on eBay:

Door Handles

They are pretty good quality and have a keyed handle and deadbolt. You can choose from black, white or chrome. Plus if you order more than 1 they will key them the same and you can get extra keys too...

Hope that helps

Jess

 

[stomperxj]

More progress... The other door/door jamb is done, roof insulation done, all inside skin is done and the first piece of exterior skin is done. You can see in the pics how i had to plug the old hinge holes from the other hinges I made. Luckily I only drilled one side so I only had to fill 4 holes. I also posted a better pic of how I routed the door jams out. If you look closely you can see the exterior 3/4" wall, 2 layers of 5.2mm and the inside 3/4" door jamb/seal ring. I'm actually routing thru the 5.2mm into the 3/4" ring to only leave about 1/4 to 3/8" of ring. I also posted how I went about fixing my oops from the other day at the top front corner. Seems to be holding but i have a lot of filling to do on the inside.

More later this week hopefully...

Jess

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Amazing build

 

[jerdog53]

How much do you think this is going to weight by the time its finished?

 

[stomperxj]

Amazing build

Thanks

How much do you think this is going to weight by the time its finished?

My guesstimate is around 750 lbs or so.

 

[stomperxj]

Small update... Outside skin is done except for the hatch. I also worked on my tail light boxes yesterday and today...

The next big step is to buy some CPES and start sealing. I'm gonna have to wait for that for a bit while I save up some money...

More soon hopefully

Jess