ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 2, 2017 4:12:52 GMT -8
So I'm hankering to start my build but haven't bought my donor camper yet. I've been kicking around the idea to start building walls for my idea.
Part of the delay is that I have a large piece of shop equipment that prevents me getting a trailer into my building. Once it's gone it opens up lots of floor space. One advantage though is that I can use this equipment as a large work bench for construction and even a mock up of the body.
In theory I could build the complete body on this and even"camp" in it for a bit, but it wouldn't allow me to roll a frame under to make a complete camper.
So besides the oops I ran that pipe into the frame rail kind of mistakes, does anyone think I've gone off the deep end?
Note I do have tools and equipment needed to modify the frame if needed, I most likely will have to move the axle on whatever frame I get.
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 2, 2017 5:58:04 GMT -8
If you already know enough about the size and shape of your camper, I'd say yes. It does seem risky that you need to find a particular size of frame though. Have you considered having the frame fabricated new as well?
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 2, 2017 13:28:53 GMT -8
Yeah I've thought about a custom frame, but i think I'd be better off with a donor or core camper. I figured I'd be able to salvage windows, hvac, fridge, as well as storage tanks, converter etc which would offset the ease of a custom frame.
As stated, moving the axles and a couple cross member is fairly easy.
As far as a "pre build" I wouldn't install the skins or roof. My floor plan includes a couple of bulkheads that the sides could be clamped to. A nice thing about doing it this way is if we decide to move cabinets or walls, it's easy to do at this stage rather than after we take a couple trips and decide oops the fridge should be here not there.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 13, 2017 9:02:16 GMT -8
My personal opinion...
You wouldn't build a house and try to move it onto a foundation later would you?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Sept 13, 2017 9:56:29 GMT -8
"oops I ran that pipe into the frame rail kind of mistakes"
I'd be concerned with the Opps factor being a long list of problems that could be avoided. So I vote for getting the frame first.
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datac
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Post by datac on Sept 13, 2017 11:00:24 GMT -8
Risks far outweigh the advantages, IMO.
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aslmx
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Post by aslmx on Sept 22, 2017 19:52:45 GMT -8
If you are talking a finish build with floor covering and cabinets, you're not going to be able to bolt the stringers to the frame. I'm all about a complete design build but it's gonna have to start from the frame up. I'm with you on the donor frame. It would be a lot cheaper than building one. Keep an eye on Craigslist you will find one. Sometimes I see later model ones cheaper than vintage ones. I think the frame on a newer one would be built better.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 23, 2017 4:24:45 GMT -8
Mobiltecs, never heard of modular homes?
Aslmx, yeah I'm thinking of getting a newer donor, there's quite a few 15-20 year old units in my area for$1500 or so. Most are 24-28 footers so I'll be shortening them down (shooting for 18'). Since I'll be scratch building sides and all that, water damage is inconsequential, as long as it holds together long enough to get home.
Being able to reuse toilet, sinks maybe water heater and furnace etc will save thousands.
As for"building" I'm thinking just the basic shell, a floor 2 sides, the interior divider walls and possibly the ceiling, held together by a couple ratchet straps for trying it out. Got the ratchet idea from here. That way it can be disassembled quickly when I do get a frame to setup on. Then do plumbing electrical water tank etc.
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Post by danrhodes on Sept 23, 2017 6:05:45 GMT -8
Mobiltecs, never heard of modular homes? Aslmx, yeah I'm thinking of getting a newer donor, there's quite a few 15-20 year old units in my area for$1500 or so. Most are 24-28 footers so I'll be shortening them down (shooting for 18'). Since I'll be scratch building sides and all that, water damage is inconsequential, as long as it holds together long enough to get home. Being able to reuse toilet, sinks maybe water heater and furnace etc will save thousands. As for"building" I'm thinking just the basic shell, a floor 2 sides, the interior divider walls and possibly the ceiling, held together by a couple ratchet straps for trying it out. Got the ratchet idea from here. That way it can be disassembled quickly when I do get a frame to setup on. Then do plumbing electrical water tank etc. If the donors exist, why not buy now? When rebuilding my existing camper, I went back and forth between frame and walls hundreds of times, checking and comparing. The two are so intertwined, I can't even imagine doing one without having the other to compare unless you are able to fully modify/scratch build your frame to match any possible body.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 23, 2017 7:18:55 GMT -8
Mobiltecs, never heard of modular homes? Yes. A modular pre-fab home is designed and built to be moved and assembled on a pre-existing slab that was designed and built for that particular home. But the entire house is not built and then set on top of the slab. The walls are raised and set, and then the roof is built on top of the walls. Hmmm. Sounds just like a trailer. But again, the entire house is not pre-built and then set on the slab. So your analogy is moot. By the way I've been in construction most of my adult life. I know how a trailer is built and why all the pieces go where they do. For someone to just dive in with no knowledge on how trailers were designed and what all the pieces are for to try to do this, I think would be wasting a lot of time and effort and I doubt it would work out properly. I teach all this in my classes, "Anatomy Of A Vintage Trailer". After attending my classes, my students would understand why your idea is not really a great one. The walls are attached to the sides of the chassis did you know that? It's going to have to be a perfect fit for one thing. The way the wrap is attached at the front and rear is going to be very hard to accomplish. The walls are also attached to the the cabinets from the outside. Not the inside. This is for structural integrity and the ceiling is attached to the top of the cabinets from the outside. How are you going to accomplish that when the same cabinet must be attached to the floor. All I'm saying is I doubt it's going to work out for you very well. These trailers are built from the inside out for many reasons, the most important of which is structural integrity.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Sept 23, 2017 8:30:16 GMT -8
Sometimes I watch youtube and seen assembly line videos of trailers, as well as cars. The primary difference is for automobiles, the body is built and fitted out, then lowered on a frame (except unibodies), and trailers start with the frame/axle, then they assemble the floor, floor covering, interior walls, exterior side walls, end walls, roof assembly, then skin. Never seen any production line where they assembled a complete trailer body and bolted it to a frame. I'm not saying that you can't build certain pieces ahead of time, but you will be time ahead if you already have a frame to assemble on.
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ruderunner
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Post by ruderunner on Sept 23, 2017 15:06:21 GMT -8
I see plenty of old hands at this. And I've seen plenty of old hands at other things. I get plenty of odd looks at work because I do things differently than the old hands. Guess what the results are? I faster and better because I do things differently at work.
Will that be true here? I don't know. But don't discount it because it not the way you've always done it. Open your mind and think "if I wanted to build from scratch, would I follow a previous plan?" If you did you would have a clone, not something new...
Dan, I don't have space right now for a frame. I can build floor and sides and lean them against the shop wall.
Larry, not all have the sides attached to a sill. Some sit squarly on the floor. I'm perfectly aware that the cabinets play a structural role in the body. Never said otherwise, why do you think that?
As for modular homes, perhaps it's a difference in terms or maybe a regional thing but modular homes on full basement are common here. Not just slabs but actual 8-10 course block walls.
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Sept 23, 2017 20:43:45 GMT -8
I have thought of building a camper without a trailer. Buying a utility trailer then measuring the camper to set on it. After it is finished, then just dropping it on the utility trailer, fastening it down and go. When the camping season is done then lift the trailer off and drive out from under the camper. It would take a lifting device and probably a carport type of a building for the lift system. The trailer could then be used for other purposes. Of course there would be no plumbing involved as far as toilets and holding tanks, but with some planning I think they could be installed and accesible for draining while the camper is setting on the trailer.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 23, 2017 20:46:36 GMT -8
The Oasis trailers are built on top of the floor. I've seen a couple of other off brands built the same way. It's not the norm though... I won't try to change your mind. Most of us are into restoring the old classics. Not building new ones so this is kind of out of the ordinary for most of us. If you ask for our opinions then this is what you get. Just go ahead and do it and we'll watch...
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mrmarty51
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Post by mrmarty51 on Sept 23, 2017 20:52:23 GMT -8
The Oasis trailers are built on top of the floor. I've seen a couple of other off brands built the same way. It's not the norm though... I won't try to change your mind. Most of us are into restoring the old classics. Not building new ones so this is kind of out of the ordinary for most of us. If you ask for our opinions then this is what you get. Just go ahead and do it and we'll watch... Yeah, I too would rather be restoring an old one, problem being there is just none available, that I could afford in this area. If I ever were to go about building one that bucked down onto a utility trailer, it would be vintage from the looks, other than the trailer it would be setting on. LOL I even saved templates from My home made camper for a pattern. LOL
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