RandomAbstract
Adventurer
Decision have been made. Plywood has been cut!
I am headed out on a 3-4 week journey from Minnesota to the Pacific NorthWest (via Yellowstone/Tetons). The trip might be enjoyable with a new-to-us convertible. However, camping out of a convertible seems a little cramped.
I started out thinking about motorcycle type trailer, graduated to putting my Thule roof box on a Harbor Freight trailer, to a custom gear box on a HF trailer (and possibly my Thule box on top of it.
However, after reading many build stories on this forum, several factors arose.
So, I have decided to build a gear box to put on my Dad's utility trailer. It ends up being a little higher than I would like it, but I get a free basement (in the trailer itself) for things like a folding table, chair, wet tent :Wow1:, etc.
I worked out all the dimensions based on measurements over the phone and this is what I designed. Tried using SketchUp but didn't have time to learn. Went back to my tried and true Visio.
Went to Home Depot and had them cut the major panels (they have a panel saw and I don't). I may have to adjust dimensions when I see what they really cut
Since this is a prototype and a learning experience, I will be happy if the box lasts a year or two. By then I will have changed my mind based on a few trips. Therefore, I am building it with 1/2" plywood glued and screwed, painting it with a good primer and some outdoor enamel.
Whatever happens I will learn a lot, I can teach my 9 and 14 year old boys some basic woodworking, and the bears will try to get my food out of a cheap plywood box instead of the convertible.
I am headed out on a 3-4 week journey from Minnesota to the Pacific NorthWest (via Yellowstone/Tetons). The trip might be enjoyable with a new-to-us convertible. However, camping out of a convertible seems a little cramped.
I started out thinking about motorcycle type trailer, graduated to putting my Thule roof box on a Harbor Freight trailer, to a custom gear box on a HF trailer (and possibly my Thule box on top of it.
However, after reading many build stories on this forum, several factors arose.
- I don't know what I really want
- This is really a prototype
- Indecision
- I don't want too many surprises on a 5-6,000 mile trip
- My Dad has a reliable and proven 4' x 5.5' utility trailer
- Indecision
- I only have so much time and money before I leave
- Did I mention indecision? I'm not sure.
So, I have decided to build a gear box to put on my Dad's utility trailer. It ends up being a little higher than I would like it, but I get a free basement (in the trailer itself) for things like a folding table, chair, wet tent :Wow1:, etc.
I worked out all the dimensions based on measurements over the phone and this is what I designed. Tried using SketchUp but didn't have time to learn. Went back to my tried and true Visio.
Went to Home Depot and had them cut the major panels (they have a panel saw and I don't). I may have to adjust dimensions when I see what they really cut
Since this is a prototype and a learning experience, I will be happy if the box lasts a year or two. By then I will have changed my mind based on a few trips. Therefore, I am building it with 1/2" plywood glued and screwed, painting it with a good primer and some outdoor enamel.
Whatever happens I will learn a lot, I can teach my 9 and 14 year old boys some basic woodworking, and the bears will try to get my food out of a cheap plywood box instead of the convertible.