Out of the garage and into the wild.

It's unbelievable, but I've managed to keep on building on my little trailer.  Here's a shot showcasing the fenders, porch lights, and black trim.

It's my escape pod.  Escape from what you may ask?  Whatever.  Ex-girlfriends, zombies, a life stuck in the Office space dimension, whatever.  You never know when you might need some escape which is why this particular pod will be equipped with everything I need to get away.  Solar panels, water tanks, rifles, beer, beer, beer, etc.

For some reason, I thought it necessary to show how I wired the taillights.  Yep, heat shrink and professionalism just like everywhere else in the trailer.

I just finished wiring up the trailer runnin lights, and got a hitch installed on the truck.  Couldn't resist taking it for a whirl around the block to make sure it didn't fall apart.  Pay no mind that there is no rear hatch installed, that will come later.

All lit up.

The trailer resists - Or how I managed to break my nose building the rear hatch

 Time for another trailer status update.  The   project is coming along pretty well.  The last bit that needs installed is the rear hatch.  To say the least - it's been a bitch.

I built the first rear hatch and was unsatisfied with its fit and flimsiness, so I tore it apart in a beer fueled rage on Friday evening.  I started the hatch you see to your left that same night.

This time, I decided not to screw around.  Side supports are 3/4" plywood.  The support spars are 2.5" wide instead of 1.5" like the previous piece of crap hatch.

Additionally, I found that the biggest problem with the last hatch was that it didn't support the skins well.  So this time, I placed 3" for the sole purpose of gluing the hatch skins to.

Awesome, huh?  Looks like I learned something.

The trailer Gods must have been unpleased with my latest attempt however......

 At right is a picture of my nose after the trailer gods decided to reward  me with a 1x3 launched out of the table saw at mach speed.

It fracking hurt.  I took this picture after I managed to stop the bleeding and get a good look at it.  There's some pretty good swelling right now, and I still have a headache, but I had plenty of beer in the fridge to soothe my suffering.

An inch higher and I would probably would have lost an eyeball.  Just sayin'.

 Like the Honey Badger, I didn't give a F*** about the nose and continued working through the evening.  I kept some paper napkins and a greasy old towel nearby to prevent me from ruining the finish of the trailer with my bleeding nose.  I finished the frame for the hatch and test fit it.

It was a beautiful site.

Once again - My Pandora station of choice is Ozzy Osbourne.  I think Pantera was raging about something when the table saw when all intercontinental ballistic missile on me.

Here's another shot of the rear hatch frame.  Judging by all of the pictures, I must be proud of it or something.

 Here's a shot of me skinning the hatch with some tempered board.  There is probably a full tube of adhesive holding that thing down.  While the glue sets, it is mostly kept in place with brads from the brad nailer.  The c-claps were used to help some areas that wanted to come up.

Beer can for scale.

Here's a shot of the hatch with lights and trim installed.  Ready for install.  Didn't get to put the aluminum on the front side since everyone was closed for the Memorial Day weekend.  You are looking at the interior side of the hatch, which sports a light maple hue for you folks keeping score at home.

And the doormouse said......

Here's the door cutout.  These things are solid, and are 1.25" thick.

The doors have proven to be the biggest pain in the neck so far on the trailer, and have to be cut just right to fit without looking like Van Gogh's interpretation of a trailer door.

 Here's the finished door, ready for installation.



Here's the inside of the trailer with the handle and window installed.  Starting to look downright homey in there.

Door prior to installation.

Door after installation with handle.

How are you? I'm FAN-tastic.

 Here's the hole I cut in the top of the trailer for the Fan-tastic fan that I bought.  This thing is totally sweet.

Blows air both ways, has three speeds, and was designed for a much larger RV.

This thing puts out a serious column of air.

Why did you cut a hole in the top of your trailer?

Oh, that's why.

 Close up of the fan.  This thing could probably lift the whole trailer off of the ground if I put it on setting 3.

More fan action.  Does this shot remind anybody of that scene in Willy Wonka where they drink the fizzy lifting drinks?

Get the Reynolds Wrap out, time to wrap it up

 Time to put the aluminum on the roof.  I glued some 1/8" wonderboard looking stuff that was supposed to be waterproof to the top.  The straps are holding it down while the glue dries.

Front of trailer with lid glued down and straps holding it down.  Notice the sweet dirt bike looming in front of the trailer.

First sheets of aluminum on the trailer.  Using tape to hold down the aluminum to he body before I got the trim ready.  Used an 1/8" Router bit to cut the aluminum to shape.  Word to the wise:  Wear a long sleeve shirt when you do this job.  If you don't you'll wind up looking like a small pox patient like I did because I wore a short sleeve shirt.

Trimming the inside of the door to keep the aluminum in place.

The trailer is covered in crap right now, but its pretty easy to clean up with some white vinegar and a little elbow grease.  The trim takes on a nice shine with very fine steel wool.

Here's a picture of the trailer covered in aluminum, and sporting some cabinets.

More fun in the galley

Time to figure out where to stick the pots and pans.  Decided to build a cabinet that would store a propane camping stove and my big pot, a pan, and some plates and other stuff neccesary to cook without using sticks and rocks.  The test fit is below.

Here's the frame going together.  Sometimes is sort of looks like I have an idea on what I am doing, I assure you this is not the case.

 

 Check out the mostly completed kitchen.  Looks like I have to find somewhere to glue that horny toad to.

Notice that the miniature cubby hole cabinet doors are installed, along with my stove holder and pot and pan holder.

Ultimate sweetstyle.