Quote: I just can't figure out how to build it so the wings don't collapse without resorting to a steel skeleton frame.
Simple:
1) keep the "wings" as narrow as possible; just enough to allow jack legs to clear your fleetside (or, dually);
2) the tub floor-to-wing build-up should be step-up (kind of like an inverted pyramid), taking advantage of every square inch of truck bed volume, floor rear of wheel-wells and even extending above wheel-wells all the way to the front of bulkhead (unconventional, however adds immeasurable strength to wing overhang, and lots of extra storage potential, too).
If you are building a camper with rear overhang, the rear wall and front bulkhead wall will support side walls and a wider wing span (and believe it or not, traditionally, the interior cabinetry is part of the structure in an RV!); however the most important item to simulate in a design is the ***load path*** of the sum-total structure/materials you are designing under dynamic and static situations, and, add a factor of safety to this! Don't guess...
Sportsman Matt wrote: Good news is that all the pieces are made smaller than the doorway, even when the floor is assembled with the plywood it's only 4'6" x 7'11" and all the other pieces are either less than 2'x8' or the large piece is 7' wide by 6'1" tall, still small enough to ge out the doorway.
Only snag tonight was the girlfriend saw the pic of the frame, asked why it was in the living room of the apartment.
So I had to explain the 50/50 rule. I am utilizing my 50% of the living room floorspace to build my camper until I can move it to the "larger building facility" within a short (translate to sometime before spring 2011) time period.
(Waiting to see what she say's about that one)
Still having fun, one thing I found was that if you do start this project, be prepared to have at least $4,000 to spend on the essentials, like the roof and siding materials, plus the door, wiring, insulation, jacks, and propane comartment. You can always cut in the windows, vents, cabinets, sink, stove, fridge at a later time (just make sure the open door is wider than the refrigerator's narrowest width)
So far the quote for siding, rubber roof, and door is just over $1500 plus shipping. Propane box with door was just under $110. The Jacks should be about $800 (Manual Atwood corner jacks 2000 lb)
Lumber is cheap, about $1100 depending on which lumber yard I use, and miscellaneous hardware will probably cost me another $200.
Right now I'm picking up parts as I need them, and not going all out buying everything at once, keeping within the budget and my paycheck.
I have found around here that a number of the suppliers have clearance items that you can get with some hunting. My wife just bought a new convection oven for the TC for $5 as they wanted to get rid of them. Another dealer is clearing out jacks, stereos, etc. As you are not in a rush take some time to visit the dealers and see what they have that they are clearing out.
Your project is an inspiration to all of us who want to do the same. I would suggest at least investing in a couple of extra batteries and charger. It would at least double your work time. As for the wings go I would I would recommend an aluminum skeleton of say a 1"x1" box tube or so. PM me and I could probably help u with this. I have a lot of scrap lengths around the shop and would be willing to try what I can. Aluminum,as for now, is extremely low and is rising slow. I have been purchasing lengths at competitive prices to steel.
Appreciate the offer for the aluminum, but I'm sticking with the good ol wood frame system on this one. Easier for me to work on, easier to repair seeing I know where the pieces are and how I put them together.
Lots of folks talk about doing this and get fustrated or feel like they can't due to budgetary issues. Heck we've all been there, living paycheck to paycheck or Unemployment check to bottle and can return money. First, you need to set a budget. I set mine at $50.00 a paycheck to start. I figured $50.00 is about what I would spend over a couple weeks eating out in a fancy restaurant. So by not going out to eat one or two less meals a week (I eat out atleast 6 days a week, sometimes all 7) I can afford to build this without going broke or having less money to spend for emergencies like car repairs or doctor's visits.
I sat down with my cost sheet (list of prices from the local lumber yard)
I figured about $50.00 a paycheck for materials over the winter.
I need to buy about $200.00 worth of stuff to complete the lower box and side wings. My goal is to have these lower sections subassembled and ready by mid January.
So I took a logical approach. Paycheck 23 will allow me to buy...
2 1x10-8' Pine boards to rip into 1x2 stock
1 1/2" sheet of CDX Plywood for the floor inside
1 box of #8x1" Deck Screws
1 tube of Liquid Nails Adhesive
Paycheck 24 will allow me to buy....
1 2x4-8' KD Spruce
1 1/4" sheet of Pressure Treated Plywood for the sacraficial bottom
2 1 1/2" 2'x8' pieces of foam insulation for the floor
1 more tube of Liquid Nails
Paycheck 25 will then pay for...
2 3/8" sheets of CDX plywood for the exterior sidewalls and sidewings of the box
Then after I'm done with the above, Paycheck 26 will buy sheets of interior paneling to seal the sidewalls, and maybe a piece of linoleum for the floor.
As I need to build more I'm staying with the $50.00 a paycheck and not overbuying. If I need to I can always wait a couple weeks to get the extra $$$ to make that larger purchase or only purchase part of my list one week and 2 weeks later get the rest of the parts I didn't get 2 weeks earlier. Not impossible, but takes time. And by taking my time, I'm bound not to make mistakes in my cuts or rush something and mess it up. One nice part is that by doing this I can work on it as I have time, and by taking 2 weeks a secton, I can take time to look at each part and if I need to change something I can do it now rather than when it's time to assemble the sub assemblies.
Will have more pics up later next week as I get rolling along with more stuff.
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
Good for you for building your camper yourself. I've tossed around the idea of building my own and will probably get around to doing it one of these days.
Don't let anyone get you discouraged about your tools. I used the same Ryobi setup plus a couple plug-in sanders to build this a couple years back:
Just curious as to your progress...
I noted the possibilty of linoleum-Not knowing what the plans call out-just mentioning on ours & most Ive seen 'cept one old coach we had, all of the floor surfaces / wing tops were covered in linoleum before cabinets and interior/stub walls were installed. Makes it nice all the cabinets have a covered floor instead of raw wood and/or not having to piece it in? That and allowing in your purchasing sequence.
Was hoping to see more camper walls on your floor!
Very much delayed at last check. Been having some medical problems which resulted in several trips to the ER and Doctor's Office. Plus having to pay excessive fees just to see a doctor has sort of depleted the camper budget until next pay check.
Plus I'm probably going to go back to the PM non cabover layout, instead of the Glen L due to the fact that (insert loud grunting from pain) I have to look into a TT as the kids are getting bigger and my father is considering taking more "family camping trips" to spend more time with the grandkids.
Our first experience with a TC was a buddy of hubby's had a friend who wanted to get his TC out of a field and if we could get it out then we could have it. We went and looked at it (it had been sitting for years) and it didn't look in bad shape. Hubby is pretty handy so we brought it home. Of course by the time we drove the hour and a half it had pretty much disinegrated from rot. After really checking it out in the driveway hubby decided it was way beyond repair so we too it to the dump. Then we started looking. We didn't want to buy a new one because we didn't want to pay so much for something that we would be obligated to use it all the time so we set our limit at 5K. We scoured Craigslist and dealerships for months and months. I emailed every dealership in a 2 hour radius and asked them to contact me if they got a decent trade in. I got a call from one of the dealerships and they had exactly what we were looking for. They had gotten a trade in and if we wanted it we had best come look at it because there had been several inquiries. Hubby took off work and wrote the check the same day. It is a 93 Elkhorn side door (which is perfect for pulling our boat). It has everything (stove,oven, fridge, full bath (even the toilet is separate from the shower), heat, A/C and sleeps 5). You could tell it had not been used much. The interior and exterior is immaculate. We love it and we couldn't be happier. We don't have payments on it so we are not obligated to use it but we find ourselves camping most weekends. Since building our own was not an option we looked until we found "our" camper. We are in the midwest so for some reason TC's are not as popular here so they are harder to find. Good luck on whatever way you decide to go. Just go and relax and have fun and when you do have questions this forum is one of the best places for advice. We have learned tons from the ppl on here. It is a great forum!
Sportsman Matt wrote: Very much delayed at last check. Been having some medical problems which resulted in several trips to the ER and Doctor's Office. Plus having to pay excessive fees just to see a doctor has sort of depleted the camper budget until next pay check.
Plus I'm probably going to go back to the PM non cabover layout, instead of the Glen L due to the fact that (insert loud grunting from pain) I have to look into a TT as the kids are getting bigger and my father is considering taking more "family camping trips" to spend more time with the grandkids.
Will post more later...
Wow sorry to hear bout the med stuff...I just retired 5 weeks ago with all these gradious plans..within a week I wrenched my back to the point I spent 2 weeks in the chair...next 2, though Im getting around, being overly cautious. Took a few days to complete a half day drawer project. Makes you realize how fragile it all is...anyway starting the pantry mod but Ill be saving most of 'me' for our next outing...things change.
Taking on a long term project like building your own verses buying one priorties/needs or wants can change before you get finished. Hope fully you can utilize the stuff youve started?? (or build a TT -.
Who makes the PM plans? as you said not a Glen-L.
wp6529 wrote: You might consider using pocket hole screw joints with good glue. The Kregg pocket hole jigs make for fast, solid connections.
Framed up this custom driveway built TC with a Kregg jig using 1 x2’s, light paneling, treated ply and salvaged mechanicals from a Viking pop-up….. It’s a do-able task……. Matt, carry on and best of fortune with the project.
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