Metzican's Dream off-road Teardrop Trailer

metzican · Nov 21, 2014

Your dog must love you insulating there house!! Vs those stupid store bought plastic ones.

So today was awesome. I work out of a storage unit so I don't get to talk to a lot of people. A guy there came over and talked to me. He was saying his dad (the guy was in his 30's) built a teardrop when he was younger. And talks about it all the time and his dad is currently backpack camping in Colorado for 2 weeks and he could not go on the trip due to his job. I told him about the trip and he looked at me like I was crazy. He took a few photos and said he will keep an eye out on my progress since his business has 3 storage units there.

So today I flipped and mounted my floor onto the trailer. The thinner spots of tar were drier and the thicker areas were still gooey. Oh well it will help hold it to the trailer.

Using stainless steel hardware I tightened down the floor.

After getting the floor mounted I got to place and glue the sides onto the floor!!

This is the inside edge from the floor to the wall.

This is the outside edge where the floor meets the wall. The side of the floor is black.

I also built these trusses so the walls could be held up right.

I wish I had more clamps like always.

Both sides mounted.

At this point everything was only glued together.

Then once the glue was 50% dried. I started mounting the roof rack.

I used these little peaces to help hold the wood until I glued and clamped and screwed it with SS screws.

Showing clamps and screws.

For the straight areas I spaced them 12" away, for the corner 6" to help hold the curve.

OffRdX · Nov 22, 2014

Coming along man, looking good

metzican · Nov 22, 2014

OffRdX said:
Coming along man, looking good

Thanks man,

So I finished installing all the roof rails besides the very last one where the hinge will be on since that one has to be specific with the kitchen "firewall".

Then I cut one to install the roof vent. The reason for this instead of spacing it out properly is so I know in the future where all the studs are they are 12" apart.

Then I bracketed in the roof vent to ensure stability of the roof and give the vent something to fasten to. You can also see the vent on the floor in the corner.

Then I decided to start mounting the roof panels. I cut them a little wide so I can trim them flush with my router.

Lots of straps and shims to hold it tight.

What it looks like from the inside. The panel is only held on by glue.

brett · Nov 23, 2014

Still enjoying your thread, thanks for the continual effort of photo-documenting. It's getting fun now!

mudchet · Nov 23, 2014

Looks really good. Can't wait to see the interior come to life!

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

brett said:
Still enjoying your thread, thanks for the continual effort of photo-documenting. It's getting fun now!

Thank you, I am enjoying building it to. Also I am documenting it for me too this way I can remember certain details.

mudchet said:
Looks really good. Can't wait to see the interior come to life!

thanks, I am so nervous about the inside. That is where it will either shine or fall.

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

Today I did the second sheet on the roof. With these sheets you can only do one at a time. So with this sheet I had to start with the bend which made it much more difficult to start. I was also happy when I removed the sheets off the previous section that it did not come off.

Showing all the glue squeezing out. I keep running out of this stuff. I need to buy it in stock. I did not think I would be going through this much.

Clamps, straps, rope

I also ended up mounting the license plate bracket and light. I put it on a hinge so thins will not bend as much. I still have a feeling I will end up zip tieing it by the end of the first trip.

Another picture of what it looks like on the inside.

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

I need to buy a bunch of insulation to stuff the ceiling and walls before putting on the next layer.

maillet282 · Nov 23, 2014

How about mounting it directly to the body of the camper ?

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

maillet282 said:
How about mounting it directly to the body of the camper ?

If you are talking about the license plate. I would of mounted it to the body but I did not want to put more holes into the body. I'm trying to limit this as much as possible. Another thing I have to start planning is all the electrical run. I wrote down a list somewhere. But I need to come up with a list and create all the runs as clean as possible with a few extras for just in case of future additions.

brett · Nov 23, 2014

Nice job so far - what are your plans for the inside? I'm sure you've looked at Little Guys, I've seen the standard white interiors plus the birch in the silver shadows. There are probably some very good options for keeping it easy to clean, seems like white would really mark up - camping generally isn't under the cleanest of conditions (especially when rainy where we live). I really liked the birch interior - probably lasts well.

Off topic: An interesting tip I read somewhere was the squared top fenders of some of the Little Guy campers provided a good place to set your camp shoes after entering to keep out mud, etc.

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

The interior will be most likely red oak like the outside. Stained and sealed. Cabinet/storage wise there is a drawing on here somewhere what it will look like.

The top of one fender will be taken by the spare tire and the other by Jerry cans. But I do have a little step in front of the fender for this.

brett · Nov 23, 2014

The red oak outta look nice and should be durable as well. Did you consider using closed cell foam (spray in) for insulation?

I read your response before about a/c. Even if you do reconsider that option later, there are good options for external units - Climate Right makes one - you've probably seen it, you seem to be up on the research. Carry on soldier....

metzican · Nov 23, 2014

I considered the closed cell foam (spray in). I just don't know how I would apply it and keep everything looking good without little plugs everywhere.

metzican · Dec 3, 2014

I get to head in from the rig 4 days early with pay. What does this mean. I get to get paid to work on the trailer and get 4 extra days to help me finish!!!

J Everett · Dec 4, 2014

Sweet.

metzican · Dec 4, 2014

So I got some parts in while I was gone.

This is my water tank!!

Inline water heater!!

Winch mount

Also got my Momentary N.O. switches in for all the cabinets

Along with this I got my inside/outside digital display. Along with my bolt meters.

bottobro · Dec 4, 2014

I am jealous of all these things lol

JayAre · Dec 4, 2014

This is pretty incredible, man. I can't wait to see this thing in person. Bringing it to Went2015?

metzican · Dec 5, 2014

Most likely I will not be at WENT2015. I'm guessing funds will be pretty low after this trip.

JayAre · Dec 5, 2014

Oh yeah that's right. That'll be an epic trip. I'll see it at some point I'm sure.

metzican · Dec 5, 2014

So today was a slow start since I've been off for almost 2 weeks. Made a trip to home depot and started cutting and placing all the insulation. Along with this I added the last sheet to the roof.

I added a second stud to where the hinge will fasten to help reinforce it and make it stronger.

Then I finished adding the roof panel. I will have to finish trimming it later.

I started adding insulation to the whole thing. I added those little little wood peaces to help hold some of them in place until the glue dries.

metzican · Dec 6, 2014

Made some templates for the internal panels.

So I got one of the internal panels cut out and glued on. Had to get creative with the clamps

Also cut out the next panel for the opposite side.

Also filled in some gaps in the panel for the roof. This one gap was horrible.

metzican · Dec 6, 2014

Did I forget to mention that my storage unit is getting a little small with all the spare wood laying around. I need to stop acquiring stuff until I have more room.

metzican · Dec 7, 2014

I did not get a lot done on the trailer done today. I glued on a few more pieces to the inside as you can see.

I mounted the opposite side inside panel then yesterday. I got smart today. I put the panel up and all the clamps then cut the door way with the router. Then glued it in place.

Just a few clamps.

As you can tell when I put the roof panels on I left a overhang so I could trim it clean later.

After trimming the roof panel.

I decided to use a couple of smaller pieces of plywood to do the rest of the inside. I have a lot of "scraps that are large and buying more sheets is quite expensive.

I also cut a couple groves in the ceiling for electrical wires. For the Fan and DVD player. Tomorrow I will cut them for the reading light once all the clamps are removed.

Just some extra pictures.

J Everett · Dec 7, 2014

Man, I can't wait to see this thing finished. It's looking really nice.

brett · Dec 7, 2014

With the main structure coming together, this build is really getting exciting!

metzican · Dec 8, 2014

J Everett said:
Man, I can't wait to see this thing finished. It's looking really nice.

You are going to have to come and see it, unless I do a road trip and visit that blue beast again. Might be a good break in voyage.

brett said:
With the main structure coming together, this build is really getting exciting!

I know it is starting to take shape and seems so close but so far away. It is hard to take my time and put it together right.

metzican · Dec 8, 2014

I got the last two interior side panels glued in place the clamps where a ***** on this one.

J Everett · Dec 8, 2014

metzican said:
You are going to have to come and see it, unless I do a road trip and visit that blue beast again. Might be a good break in voyage.

I think we might be due for a trip out that way...

metzican · Dec 8, 2014

So I got my reading light in today. This thing is tiny. But that is great so it does not get in the way.

I also got my battery switch in. This will be great so I can run down one battery at a time so I can predict how much time I have left till I need to recharge them.

Timrich · Dec 9, 2014

Man this thing looks awesome!

J Everett · Dec 9, 2014

metzican said:
So I got my reading light in today. This thing is tiny. But that is great so it does not get in the way.

That reading light sure does look like a pair of shackles!

metzican · Dec 9, 2014

Yeah that is what happens when you update two threads and once.

metzican · Dec 9, 2014

So I started cutting more groves for electrical wires. This is a pain in the ass and getting covered by sawdust everyday is getting old.

I made pockets to pack the wires into so I don't have to leave them really short.

I decided this is where I'm mounting my DVD play. The player is going to be backwards so it can flex enough to be seen when laying down. I installed the plywood there for something solid to screw into. Still left one layer of insulation under it.

I also cut open the area for the roof vent. It helped with some sunlight also.

Just some results from the filler. I sanded it down but forgot to take pictures that will be tomorrow.

Some fun pictures walking back from the bathroom. Yes this storage unit area has a nice restroom only issue is the light does not work anymore. Camping lantern to the rescue. The roof vent/fan is not in place it will sit lower

So today I asked on FB if it matters which way I wire up this reading light since it is LCD. Everyone said yes. And to test it on my car battery. So I did. Hmm it worked both ways. So can someone explain this?

What it looks like with the wires kinda ran. Labeled and cut to length. I picked up some wire staples today and will use them tomorrow to fasten them all into place.
The vac is hanging by a wire so I can use it on the router and it moves and does not tip over

brett · Dec 9, 2014

The exterior photos are really neat, it's coming together for sure. I'm waiting for the construction of the hatch.

metzican · Dec 9, 2014

So you are waiting for the construction of the one of the two things I'm dreading.

1. Cabinets
2. Hatch

metzican · Dec 10, 2014

So yesterday I showed some pictures of what the wood filler looked like. Today I remembered to take a picture of it after I sanded some of it. I need to do some more sanding though on some of the areas.

I got one of the interior panels mounted up today. So 2-3 more days until all the panels are up.

I got all the electrical wires buttoned up nicer. This way when I put up the wood panels I know where to pull the wires through from and they don't get in the way of the panels mounting flat.

Timrich · Dec 10, 2014

Man this is moving along now! Nice work!

metzican · Dec 11, 2014

I got another panel mounted on the inside. I can only do one at a time since it takes so many clamps and I don't feel like spending over $200 more dollars on more clamps.
This one was a pain in the ass ass it started on a curve and bent sharp. Took me way to long to get it clamped up even though I planned more for this one then any of the others I previously did.

A look at most of the clamps just for this one panel.

Just a look at how I cook my food everyday at my storage unit. I would go out to eat but I would rather spend the money on this project and trip.

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