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11-04-2013, 02:52 PM
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#1
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Anyone ever build a camper?
Many moons ago, I got the idea that I was going to build a kayak for my daughter. I didn't like most of the manufactured options and the ones that I did like were prohibitively expensive. So, I found an online guide ( Yostwerks Kayak Building Manuals - Homebuilt kayaks by Thomas Yost), bought some tools, and built a boat out of wood with a cloth covering for her:
I enjoyed it so much and wanted a true sea kayak for myself. Cheapness won and I built a second boat for myself. The second build was fraught with challenges and mistakes, but it was fun none the less.
After that, the garage turned itself back into a garage and stopped being a workshop.
Lately, I've got the hankering that I want to build something again and, of course, I'm thinking of a small camper of some sort...
Has anyone done this? Thoughts? Opinions? Witty commentary?
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-04-2013, 03:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Metro St. Louis Area
Posts: 1,248
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You might like this video....
I have heard of building a tear drop but this is another level. In retrospect....its exactly how ours are built you just never think of it as a DIY project.
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11-04-2013, 03:08 PM
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#3
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Yeah, I've seen that Chad's Project video. Heck of an impressive undertaking- especially to pull it off so elegantly.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-04-2013, 03:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Central New York
Posts: 1,165
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Not sure I would want to tackle a complete build, but I have taken my son to a couple of Tin Can Tourist rallies. I think finding an old canned ham, Airstream or other vintage trailer for a restoration project would be a great project. We have seen some amazing restoration work at the rallies.
Or maybe instead of a true-to-the-original restoration, a resto-mod to steal the concept from the car guys. Keep the vintage exterior and put all the modern amenities inside. With a solid trailer to start with there should be minimal frame and structural work which simplifies things. Still a big project though.
__________________
2022 Columbus 379MBC (Previous 2013 Rockwood Roo 23 IKSS)
2023 F-350 (Previous 2017 F250, 2005 F-150)
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11-04-2013, 04:09 PM
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#5
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
...Has anyone done this? Thoughts? Opinions? Witty commentary?
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Didn't build a trailer, but did build a slide in for an El Camino in 1986 which is still being used.
Forest River Forums - OldCoot's Album: Homemade pop up for an 81 El Camino
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11-04-2013, 04:34 PM
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#6
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Pretty neat, OC. I know you mentioned it before, but didn't think of it now.
Looks like most of what I'm finding online are either folks building Tear Drop or mini-"bugout caravans" (as people seem to call them).
I guess I gotta figure out what I want first.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-08-2013, 03:23 PM
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#7
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Broken Toe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Imperial (St. Louis) MO
Posts: 3,745
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Grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy...
The Wayzalot Exterior Photos Album
Tim
__________________
FROG Member MO-0008-571 Since 20124444444444My Project Blog: https://cowracer.blogspot.com/
"Camper" 2016 Rockwood Signature Ultralite 8329ss
"Casper" 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Diesel
..ProPride 3P Hitch - "Yeah. It's worth it."
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11-16-2013, 08:21 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 38
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I haven't done it, but I'm thinking very seriously about building my next toy hauler out of a 5th wheel utility trailer. I'll need to settle down and find work again before I start, of course.
Since most of the trailers on the market are made out of little more than paper and wishes only to disintegrate and fail, I think I can do much better.
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11-16-2013, 08:47 PM
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#9
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wantahertzdonut
I haven't done it, but I'm thinking very seriously about building my next toy hauler out of a 5th wheel utility trailer. I'll need to settle down and find work again before I start, of course.
Since most of the trailers on the market are made out of little more than paper and wishes only to disintegrate and fail, I think I can do much better.
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From personal experience figure a high cost and then double it. Ask me how I know. 
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11-16-2013, 09:55 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
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I was thinking about it found plans from Glenn-L and bought plans for their ponderosa fifth wheel just never had the time with work and all still have the plans but at my age I think it might be impossible now oh well!
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2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
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11-16-2013, 11:12 PM
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#11
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phat phrog stunt crew
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: bethalto il
Posts: 1,422
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one of my neighbors took a pop up camper, turned it sideways on a gooseneck trailer and uses it when he goes jeeping or atving. cheap toy hauler.
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11-16-2013, 11:20 PM
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#12
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dwaynerz
one of my neighbors took a pop up camper, turned it sideways on a gooseneck trailer and uses it when he goes jeeping or atving. cheap toy hauler.
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Thats actually a pretty good idea, not that id do it, or my wife and kids anywhere near such a thing, but love the ingenuity of it!!
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11-16-2013, 11:53 PM
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#13
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phat phrog stunt crew
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: bethalto il
Posts: 1,422
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it actually turned out pretty good. not factory appearing, but the money saved finances trips to colorado, utah and the hatfield/mccoy trails.
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11-16-2013, 11:56 PM
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#14
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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A buddy of mine claims he wants to take a school bus, hack the back roof off for enough to have an open area for his off-road jeep and then finish the rest of it as a living area. He's generally full of smack, but seems like a good idea for what he wants it for.
*edited: "back" to "hack".
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-17-2013, 12:03 AM
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#15
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
A buddy of mine claims he wants to take a school bus, back the back roof off for enough to have an open area for his off-road jeep and then finish the rest of it as a living area. He's generally full of smack, but seems like a good idea for what he wants it for.
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Wow you got rednecks up there? I though they were supposed to be down this a way 
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11-17-2013, 12:18 AM
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#16
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MillerTime
Wow you got rednecks up there? I though they were supposed to be down this a way |
Oh yes- he's redneck, really redneck! Love him to death in spite of it!
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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