1 Step Forward 2 Steps Back!

With the floor framed and laid out on the trailer frame, I noticed that the outside crossmembers on the trailer  were not allowing the floor to sit completely flat. Between work and poor weather, plus going to the property on the weekend, and the outer crossmembers sitting high, I haven't progressed to where I'd like to be. So with bad weather coming I decided to stand the floor sections up on end and tarp them. This allowed me to put relief cuts on all the outriggers so that they can sit level. After the floor is bolted down, the outriggers will be welded at that time(level).

I also cut out a bunch of crossmembers at the rear of the trailer. They used to hold the grey and black water tanks. I relocated them so that they are at 16"OC and added a couple more so that the floor will be better supported at the rear. I had my dad weld them in. Then it started to rain, so I didn't get to paint them.

This is where I ended up. This weekend I will glue screw and bolt the floor to the frame. Insulate and vapor barrier. Then put on my 5/8" top sheets to complete the floor. Then hopefully I can start on the walls before the snow comes.

Floor Construction

I worked on the floor for a few hours on Sunday. A couple more hours today. Thunderstorms held me up a little, but it's going fairly smoothly. On day one of floor construction, I assembled my first section (12'x8'). But because my outer edges are doubled up, and the fact that my phone kept ringing, I managed to get the 16" OC screwed up. I didn't find out until the plywood went on and didn't line up. I had to unscrew everything and redo it. Minor setback I call LEARNING. It was raining this morning, but I decided to go and work on it anyway. Just as I started to work the sun came out. Perfect. So I managed to get the framing complete in a couple hours today.

The floor is built in 3 sections 12'x8',8'x8',6'x8'. It will all be screwed, glued and bolted together and to the trailer frame.

The floor will have 1/2" ply underside painted with Grey gloss marine enamel #15 tarpaper, framing and insulation, vapor barrier and 5/8 ply for the topsheet. I am happy with how it's turning out so far, to plan.

I have also been messing with Google Sketchup and have numerous designs and layouts. Here is one I slapped together in a couple hours to see if it would theoretically work.

As you can see, I plan on building another trailer hopefully to use as an add on in the future. But for now I'll just concentrate on the one trailer. This is a rough sketch and could change slightly from the finished product.
The plans will be for an apartment sized or rv range. A large rv fridge and double sink. Composting toilet. Possibly hot water on demand?? RV water tanks, rv furnace, woodstove, solar lighting a full bathroom with rv washer dryer and hopefully a 4' plus tall loft that will be 13' in length. It's actually a little large, but what the hey? Right? A mcmansion on wheels...

How It All Came About

I have a small piece of treed recreational property in the mountains. It has no power or water. I have wanted to build a small cabin, but permits are a problem(long story). After a lot of research and looking at different ways to live, I decided that a cabin/house on a trailer would be ideal for my needs and my situation. I get to build my cabin and slip under the radar.
I do not have any construction experience or many tools for construction. But I have done my research.
The first order of business was to find a trailer. Searching Craigslist, I found out deck trailers are expensive. I had read about people RECYCLING old rotten travel trailer frames, to build their house on. Great idea, and so my search began. First one I found advertised was for $350 so I went and had a look. The frame was good(but 26' long). I was planning on a 20-22' max, but plans change.The trailer was completely rotten. I offered the guy $300 and off I went. It's a 1979 Komfort 26'er.
Once I got it home I began the process of demolition. Here it is, Aug 7,2010

Demolition was a lot of work with a sledge hammer and sawzall. It took me several days by myself. Not for the faint hearted.

All that was salvaged was the range and hood, and a like new hot water heater. The trailer also came with 15 Gallons of unused various paints, stains and primers that will be used later. I separated everything and disposed of it properly Insulation, aluminum, wood. I spent $88 to dump everything. I also had to buy a new sawzall, as I didn't have one, and the sledge hammer was slow going and messy. Bosch Sawzall $98.

That was a lot of work. But, it saved me atleast $1000 and a trailer was recycled. Now time to remove the old tanks and grind off the rust.

My father is a fabricator. He had some steel to donate to the project. We decided to to add some heavy crossmembers to beef up the somewhat flimsy rv frame. He hooked up the little arc welder and away he went. I also removed the wheels and checked the brakes and bearings. Everything was like new even the tires. It seems that this trailer was bought and parked its whole life, because everything is factory original 1979 even the tires.
Here it is all welded painted and tuned up.

Just need to re wire it and my foundation will be complete. $40 on paint and bearing grease was free.

I bought some materials to start building the floor. It will all be framed 2x4 16" OC. I bought 7 sheets 1/2" ply $120, for a base for the floor framing. Remember the free paints, well, I used a can of wood primer for the 7 base sheets. I then used a battleship grey gloss marine enamel(2 coats) on the 7 base sheets. Nothing will penetrate this for atleast 20yrs. Brushes, tray and rollers free with trailer. I bought 50,2x4x8's and 4 2x4x12's =$112, #15 tarpaper and some screws $40.

Here is the primered plywood. I hope to start framing the floor this weekend. Until then I have no more pics.