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.