LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

Here I want to share with you a project I built several years ago. Recently, when I saw these pictures, I spontaniously said that I should share them with my LJ's friends.

I made it from scratch, meaning that I started by purchasing 20' long 1-1/2'' X 1-1/2'' angle irons and 2'' square tubings, as well as a used axel and two wheel hubs and a brand new spring kit. Since I had a welding machine (not being a welder though) I thought it would be fun and much more economical to build one myself. The walls and the roof are is made out 3/4'' X 1-1/2'' strips of plywood, filled and stiffened with 1-1/2'' rigid foam. The inside walls are covered with 1/8''-thick wall paneling sheets as well as the ceiling.

The floor is 6-1/2' X 8' while the steel frame is 11' long (from coupler to bumper). The door, the windows and the aluminum siding were purchased from a RV dealer, as well as several small parts. While I built the trailer, my wife made all curtains and upholstery. The table, lowered to the bench height, became a 48'' bed and above you can see a roll-out fabric bed for our two daughters.

Finally, the weight was close to 1000 lbs and it was hauled by my 4 cylinders Mercury Lynx (manual).

It took about a year of my spare time to build but it was well worth it.

I hope you will enjoy seeing it and be inspired by the fact that almost anything can be home made.

Best,

Serge

http://atelierdubricoleur.spaces.live.com

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
201 Posts
Cool project Serge, but I have a couple questions.

How old is it now, do you still have it, and if so how is it standing the test of time?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
256 Posts
Hi Serge,
You never cease to amaze me. Great project, thanks for posting.
Jack
 

· Registered
Joined
·
40 Posts
Definitely not a weekend project. I can imagine the frustration with working in such a small area added to the time it took to build. Great job…...but do you use it?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,241 Posts
Very cool- It is always nice to be able to say "I made that." :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
19,753 Posts
Fantastic job,amazing work.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
9 Posts
Very nice, and very cool.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
195 Posts
Thanks you guys for the comments.

RexMcKinnon - It is 23 years old. When I divorced I left it to my wife and my daughters (as everything else!! - LOL).

SawdustJunley - We used it intensively for five years and we really liked it. She sold it few years later after the divorce. If I had known I would have put an option on it.

Best,

Serge

http://atelierdubricoleur.spaces.live.com
 

· Registered
Joined
·
220 Posts
Very cool.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,432 Posts
What a COOL, FUN project, and-of course-what a fantastic job you did with it !

When I had my Airstream motorhome, I hadn't yet figured out what woodworking was, BUT … I wanted to gut it and remodel the interior.

My brother tried to explain to me HOW you had to approach a project like that-one where there WERE NOT right angles-that trademark Airstream rounded look.

BLECCH ! Couldn't do it. Never did do it.

But I'm really glad to see when others have.

Nicely done :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
102 Posts
That is an awesome job my friend, it just goes to show you that you can do anything you put your mind to.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,242 Posts
Great job and I bet it is very useful
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,114 Posts
Serge, you are amazing no doubt.
That's fantstic, what a challange.
I dream of building a teardrop trailer one day, but I have no place to put it while and once build…
Best thoughts,
Mads
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,241 Posts
Go ahead and build it Mads- you can store it at my place on the river. :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,467 Posts
That is a project I would LOVE to take on… LOML wants a travel trailer. I personally would prefer a 16' x 7' floor space so that I can at least get a Queen bed's worth of space in there to sleep in. I'm a big guy and I tend to toss and turn a lot at night…

From the styling I am guessing you built this sometime in the 1980s?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
195 Posts
@dbhost: You're right, started in 1986 and completed in 1987, just on time for summer vacations. Go for it, it's a real challenge and fun to build. I made it that small because it was hauled by my 1983 Mercury Lynx, straight shift, 4 cylinders!

Best,

Serge

http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2 Posts
You do wonderful work. Any chance of sharing your plans on this camper?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
195 Posts
@slopchops: Sorry, I have no plans. I built it from scratch. The basic are: 1-1/2''X1-1/2'' and 2''X2'' angle irons for the frame and 3/4''X1-1/2'' strips of plywood for the frame. The voids between the 'studs' have been filled with solid insulation foam boardsn for rigidity.

Best,

Serge

http://atelierdubricoleur.wordpress.com
 
Top