1 Bored Clerk's Garage Built Camper

Got back on the camper today! Finally!


Routed the drawer openings.


Routes more stuff that needed the rounding treatment.


Here's where I've made a change in design: the edge seen here is where a hinge was going to go for the access hatches from inside the camper. It dawned on me that a hinge is unnecessary. It's more complication, more time, more money, and every screw hole is another place for moisture to get into the wood. So, not doing that. The hatches will sit, fully supported, on a perimeter and will be held in place by two southco round push to close latches. Much easier and serves the purpose just as well...maybe even better.


So, I glued in another rail on each side.

I've been finding that I'm steadily moving toward simple. More simple everywhere. I had this thing complicated up one side and down the other. I just want to go camping comfortably in all weather and be prepared for most possible 'circumstances'. Don't need more complication!

 

It's coming along nicely!!

I also want to go camping in comfort and make set up/ take down simple.

 

It's a worthy goal to be sure!

 

Just saw this thread of yours pop up.. Cool project you have going..

I like the sewing table too, I see your industrial machine back there. Walking foot, CONSEW maybe JUKI?
Btw there is a sewing thread, I haven't looked at in a while tho. Here's the link.. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sewing-show-tell-thread.428166/

 

Been doing some fillet work the last few nights. Might start laying a bit of fiberglass tonight. But that's not news. The real news is this: I just ordered my wall and roof panels from Carbon Core today!!

Here's what I got:

20mm honeycomb Core
18oz composite skins
Sanded both sides (make my life easy when applying glass reinforcements to corners)
4'x10' sheets

Should take 4 weeks to build and then truck freight to me.

So, I have four weeks to dial in my camper mounts.

 

Did a test layup today. Good to test the process and get a feel for everything. I did two layers and then laid a third layer across the top so I could see how the step down works.


It should be all cured up tomorrow morning. I'll get after some actual glassing on the camper tomorrow!

 

Any thoughts about laying in some kevlar into key areas around the slides? makes a noticeable improvement with stiffness.

 

Thought about more exotic composites but I don't think it'll be necessary. It's all a big experiment so i may have to go back in there and fix all kinds of stufff after my first off road excursion cracks the hell out of everything! Haha.

 

Been working on the camper a bit.


Laid some glass. With the input and help from some forum members I think I'm doing better work.


Picked up a roll of 4oz cloth.


Then I flipped the camper over and prepped it for glass tomorrow!



Picked these up today too! They are the mounts for the bulb seals for my drawers. Maybe a little overkill but they'll look sweet!...with the drawers open. Haha. I'll get them anodized before final install so they won't corrode.

 

Glassin'




The entire bottom and wrapping the sides and ends a few inches s all one piece. That's a big piece of fabric for a noob like me to handle. Hard to get it in place and then flattened out. I got it though...after much wrestling and smoothing. Hoping to get the end and one or both sides tomorrow. That would be all of the big glassing done in one weekend. We'll see!

 

Did this whole stair step side in one piece of glass. That sucked! It took me a good while to work it flat, into position, and into all of the corners. I got it done but I'll probably do the other side in 2-3 pieces for my sanity. We'll see.

 

Finished all of the big glassing on the bottom of the camper. Some clean up to do but I'm excited to be past this part!

 

Are you making the top separate from the bottom? How will you attach the two?

 

Can't wait to see the final outcome

 

I'm starting with the bottom then I'll build the walls on top of it. The walls will be epoxied in place then all of the seams will be glass taped.

 

Me too! I've given myself until July 1 to get it done. I had better get busy! I think I still have 2-3 weeks before my wall panels arrive. I would really like to have the base box and camper mounts done so I can jump right into the walls. The camper mounts are CRITICAL to get done now since the camper box is fairly easily movable right now.

 

Worked on the camper this evening. Started figuring out the drawer seal plate.


Taped it in place.



Traced everything and marked all the mounting holes so that it's easy to put back later. I also traced an offset line 1/2" bigger than the overall shape. This is where I want a second piece of plywood to stop. This will help make the drawer faces flush with the back of the camper. Hopefully. Haha



All traced and ready for drilling and other work. The clamp on bulb seal I bought is meant for 1/8" thick material but it sure doesn't seem happy on this 1/8" thick aluminum. I'll probably have this plate redone in slightly thinner material. It wasn't too expensive but it's still a bummer. This is the time to do it right though! I might open up the drawer openings in the aluminum a tiny bit too...just to make sure the drawer slides will make it past the bulb seals.

 

Any updates?

 

Been literally buried in work for weeks. Didn't see it coming. I was pulled into a project I didn't expect to be on. Still trying to get my camper mounts done and out for cut/Bend. I did receive my honeycomb/composite panels though! As soon as the the camper mounts are done, it should move quickly to something that at least looks like a camper...even if it's not DONE.

 

FINALLY got the camper mount files out for cut/Bend. I don't know what took so long. It took me 1.5 hours this morning to finish it up. Been busy with work but I still wasted a few weeks. I'll call it a 'break'. Should be about a week or so to get my parts back. I think I stallled out a little because the camper mount system has to work and be in place before I start putting walls up.