Baby Steps...One giant leap at a time
So after 20 years of being "back on the grid" the family is getting old enough to start the overland life. It was something that I had done with the guys for many years before; then life happened...
After lurking here for weeks looking at all the great examples my son (11) and I dove in this weekend to put together our Chuck Box. It was based on just a few criteria: 1) contain the essentials ++, 2) enable the entire family to enjoy the adventure, 3) please the wife (most important - to water the sprout that had germinated) - So thank you to all that have posted pictures/builds, made coments on the builds and wished and dreamed - this is our culmination of all of those things.
The base - a 4x8 utility trailer used for all things urban/suburban/camping to include bikes, a tent, chairs
The purpose - no reason not to be prepared for the planned or last minute camping trip but more important - ensure that the CEO, CFO, Cruise Director and All Things Family was happy ( a little water, a little fertilizer and some sun...).
Dims - 48"Wx24"Hx20"D
Key tools - Kreg pocket screw kit. There is no substitue, I have tried them. Table saw & chop saw
Timber - 1"x3", 3/8" plywood, that's it
Skill level - Average/Normal/Regular - No specific claim to wood working skills other than some usual projects, normal repairs, bathroom remodel and highschool shop 27 years ago.
Here is the skeleton built out of 1"x3" 's
I chose the "exo skelton" approach for interior utilization (from the back)
From the side
The left side area will be drawers to the top, the middle has a half shelf so taller items can be included. The top right will be a drawer and the bottom right was made specifically for the dual fuel Coleman. The upper left will be two drawers side by side.
This is a better shot of the half shelf in the middle.
One last full frontal.
I will keep you up to date on the progress over the next few days. The front/work surface and all the hardware is yet to come.
Please let me know if I have made any rookie mistakes, other than size - it's a whopper! By the way, I'm not considering legs. It will be perched on the end of the picknic table that comes standard with all sights in the NW (State, BLM, Fed, County) campgrounds.
Something I learned again. If you plant a seed - water it, give it some light, talk to it once in a while & fertilized it ("manure" works!) it will germinate. What you do from there is on you!