Building a Squaredrop camper
Discussion
missing the VR6 said:
Impressively quick work there, how much longer do you think it'll take?
I'm thinking a few more weeks, I really only have time to work on it on my weekends but as you can see it's not huge.poo at Paul's said:
How much taller would it need to be to stand up in…assuming one is not a midget wrestler?
It would need to be probably a couple of feet taller for your average person to be able to stand in it, but it's really only designed to be a sleeping space. There would be room to sit though, and I have seen some with seating/table arrangements in them but that's pushing it a bit for me. The beauty of this is that it's (mostly) designed around a single full-size sheet of plywood, so it's simple to make and uses little in the way of material and with little waste.Scrump said:
That is going together really quickly.
I am sure it will look better with some lining etc, but the pictures reminded me of this:
Hah. I'm just lining it with the plywood you see there and will just be varnishing it, but with lights, cupboards and some soft furnishings it should look a little nicer.I am sure it will look better with some lining etc, but the pictures reminded me of this:
I've got a trip planned at the end of august with my dad who I've not seen since a couple of years before COVID started, and I want to be able to use it this summer and possibly rent it out to pay some of the expenses off - hence me cracking on with this and just getting it done. I don't want it to drag out if I can help it
) are in.Well I had the welding done on the frame. Axle moved back 16” (60/40 is the ideal placement with 40% of the bed behind the axle) and added a 2” hitch receiver to the back.
Once I had it back I tore the whole thing apart and got the floor mounted to the frame. Lots of big bolts (I think about ten) holding floor to frame and it should be staying put.
Trial fitted my bike rack, because why not.
Once I had it back I tore the whole thing apart and got the floor mounted to the frame. Lots of big bolts (I think about ten) holding floor to frame and it should be staying put.
Trial fitted my bike rack, because why not.
missing the VR6 said:
The big questions is, will it be ready for bike park season?
Haha, Whistler opened a week or so ago so no, but hopefully I can catch some of the season, though honestly bike park isn’t my thing. I prefer big pedally rides and loamy/techy descents. Fast bike park trails scare me - things can go wrong way too quickly and in a much bigger way.s6boy said:
Interesting thread Sam and good to see your progress so far. Are you planning on some proper waterproofing, specifically underneath?
I sealed the bottom with polyurethane. The rest will be fibreglassed and then painted with angle mouldings on all the edges - any exterior fittings will be double sealed with butyl tape and RV sealant.I’m not too worried about the underneath because while I’ll likely drive it in the rain, it will dry and isn’t likely to stay constantly wet as the top is (it rains a lot here on the west coast of BC)
Edited by samj2014 on Friday 3rd June 03:09
Photo dump - body built on frame. Ran electrics. Most of interior panels fitted. Much filling on exterior required.
The little blue box is my power station with 12v DC, built in inverter for 120v, built in solar charge controller, usb, lighter socket outputs etc. this will be the power source for the whole trailer and saves me a ton of time and energy building a ‘proper’ setup.
The little blue box is my power station with 12v DC, built in inverter for 120v, built in solar charge controller, usb, lighter socket outputs etc. this will be the power source for the whole trailer and saves me a ton of time and energy building a ‘proper’ setup.
Chicken Chaser said:
Brilliant project, watching with interest. I know you've said you want this to be a basic build for 3 seasons but the diesel heater aforementioned will make a big difference to comfort either side of summer.
There are alternatives to diesel heaters that don't use power. https://youtu.be/6ZnayOUQN28
The cheap Chinese ones can be quite temperamental.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
There are alternatives to diesel heaters that don't use power.
https://youtu.be/6ZnayOUQN28
The cheap Chinese ones can be quite temperamental.
That’s a very cool video.https://youtu.be/6ZnayOUQN28
The cheap Chinese ones can be quite temperamental.
Having already done a van build with a diesel heater I know that for me the main issue is power - I don’t have any plan to hook the camper up to the alternator on my vehicle and the flow plug on a diesel heater would kill my battery. If I were to install a heater it would be propane powered, but the idea of this isn’t to have a caravan, it’s comfortable camping one step up from a tent. So right now I’m not going to worry about it. If I want to install one later on it won’t be too hard to saw something holes in the side and plumb one in.
sebdangerfield said:
What a lovely project and neat work.
I’m interested in the makeup of the walls. Did you use a vapour barrier with the insulation or is it sandwiched between the ply?
Thanks, no vapour barrier. I have done this in the past with vans but wasn't as concerned with this build since the outer skin won't attract condensation like the outer skin of a van.I’m interested in the makeup of the walls. Did you use a vapour barrier with the insulation or is it sandwiched between the ply?
sebdangerfield said:
Ah ok, so because it’s wood it’s not needed?
What level of fit out are you going for?
From what I understand the main need for the vapour barrier in the van is because of the condensation on the metal which causes it to rust, so yeah my assumption is that because the camper is made of wood it’s not an issue. It’s not something I’ve really read about anywhere in the context of teardrop trailers (and there’s a LOT of info out there).What level of fit out are you going for?
I’m going for basic but a high level of finish. Hopefully. Or as high level of finish as I can produce with my amateur skills.
Edited by samj2014 on Tuesday 7th June 08:25
R56Cooper said:
That little power station looks like an awesome bit of kit too.
Yeah I’m actually really excited about that. Things have really come on in that department the last few years. I’ve been using it a little the last few days and it’s still showing as full. It’ll be really great for regular tent camping too.I've spent the last little bit just filling holes and body fillering bits to make it all as square as possible in prep for fibreglass.
Today I built the galley hatch door and got pretty much most of the filling/sanding done and hopefully will start fibreglass tomorrow.
Once that's done it'll be a layer of truck bed liner I think then I can fit the door, window, roof vent etc. and get the galley hatch fitted, though I'm still waiting for some seals etc. for that.
Small photo of progress, might take more tomorrow.
I did also cut the hole for the lock in that door.
Today I built the galley hatch door and got pretty much most of the filling/sanding done and hopefully will start fibreglass tomorrow.
Once that's done it'll be a layer of truck bed liner I think then I can fit the door, window, roof vent etc. and get the galley hatch fitted, though I'm still waiting for some seals etc. for that.
Small photo of progress, might take more tomorrow.
I did also cut the hole for the lock in that door.
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