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RVcircus's avatar
RVcircus
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2016

Our small travel trailer build thread (UPDATED 7/12/2016)

Part 1: Demolition!

So, after our long RV project search we finally found something that would work. We went back and forth over building a trailer from scratch or rebuilding a vintage travel trailer and when a free popup with title became available we jumped on it.

The good news it was free and there are some parts there we can use. We've stripped everything we may use on the new build and have torn it about 1/2 way down. Checkout the below video to see how day one of demolition went.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfSR3mLEs8k

We hope to have the trailer down to its bare frame in the next week or so. In the mean time we're starting to plan the build and everything that goes along with it.

***Links to my updates in this thread***
Demolition Part 2: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28927273/gotomsg/28945549.cfm#28945549

Rust removal and painting frame: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28927273/gotomsg/28955108.cfm#28955108

And a link to our build video playlist if interested:
RV Circus Build Project Video Playlist

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  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Jun 22, 2016
    toedtoes wrote:
    Curious if you have a new layout identified yet or if you'll play it by ear as you go along?

    Will you go hard-sided or keep it a pop-up? And other such "what do you have planned for it" thoughts (if any).


    I literally have it sketched out on a napkin. Now that we're close to an open floor I'll be tweaking the layout and moving it to a proper sheet of paper;) I've also been throwing around the idea of trying Sketchup to layout the build, but that may be too much planning for me.

    What we're thinking right now is a 12' hard sided TT. 6 1/2' of headroom,dinette/bed, kitchen, and bath (all obviously tiny). I'm not sure what I'll be siding it with yet and am open to suggestions. I'm thinking about hand laid fiberglass, but that's a whole lot of sanding.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2016
    RVcircus wrote:
    westend wrote:
    That brings back some memories but.....Mein Gott, there is a lot of trash made in the process.


    2012Coleman wrote:
    Looks like fun - but now you need to take all that trash to the dump!


    Tell me alout it...that little popup made a big trash pile. My wife isn't real thrilled with me, but is she ever?
    I wouldn't sweat it, the little lady will be thrilled when you are on your first trip in the Honeymoon rig.
  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Jun 22, 2016
    westend wrote:
    That brings back some memories but.....Mein Gott, there is a lot of trash made in the process.


    2012Coleman wrote:
    Looks like fun - but now you need to take all that trash to the dump!


    Tell me alout it...that little popup made a big trash pile. My wife isn't real thrilled with me, but is she ever?
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jun 22, 2016
    Curious if you have a new layout identified yet or if you'll play it by ear as you go along?

    Will you go hard-sided or keep it a pop-up? And other such "what do you have planned for it" thoughts (if any).
  • pira114's avatar
    pira114
    Explorer II
    Jun 22, 2016
    Subscribed! Can't wait to follow this to the end. I love DIY projects
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2016
    That brings back some memories but.....Mein Gott, there is a lot of trash made in the process.

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