two-rock
Cape Cod, MA
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Joined: 10/27/2009
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Glad to read you are taking this on, BUT...you need better tools. I have LOTS of money in tools and the most expensive tools I own are the ones I have to re-buy trying to 'save' a few bucks.
Also consider farming out some of the cutting. Plywood to a cabinet shop, perfectly sized and square in all directions. Have a millwork shop quote the 2x stock, knot free, but finger jointed as needed.
If you are trying to one-up the mass produced junk out there, this would be a good start - as this is how even the lowest quality builders do it.
I'd also treat all wood with CPES from Dr. Rot.
I have built kitchens to custom furniture, but a camper is not somethingI can do cost effectively. I do wish you luck, and will enjoy following along.
1999 Ford F350, 7.3, SRW, Hellwig, DIY Stable Loads, no air bags ..
2003 Lance 821
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Joined: 04/09/2004
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I agree... Matt needs better tools, but sometimes you just gotta make do with what you have and deal with the consequences if/when they come along... He's all done with the major cutting now so it really is a moot point.
I'm curious about how the wings are supported on the Glen-L camper. This is a project I want to tackle myself, but I'm going with a complete custom design of my own... I just can't figure out how to build it so the wings don't collapse without resorting to a steel skeleton frame.
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two-rock
Cape Cod, MA
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Without pictures, none of this really happened.  
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Sportsman Matt
Blackstone, MA
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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I will gladly accept new tools, feel free to bring them over. Cash is also appeciated.
As for a picture...
Here's the floor layout, not glued or doweled yet.
Tomorrow is a doweling jig day, then Saturday if time permits I'll have the frame glued and ready for the plywood.
So far I'm about on schedule, I planned to make one sub assembly section every other weekend over the winter (corresponding with bi-weekly payday), and then in the spring I can assemble the sub assemblies over a weekend or two and get it sealed up and weatherproof by mid summer.
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
2010 KZ Sportsman Classic 19BH Travel Trailer
Fishing and Hunting New England and eventually the world
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AnEv942
CA
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Joined: 10/10/2003
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Wow-building a camper in your living room! my kind guy. Its begun..
cool
Mark
01 Ford 250 4X4 DRW Diesel, 01 Elkhorn 9U
Our camper projects page
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Alschott
Connecticut
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Joined: 02/09/2006
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Matt, what can be done with the Glen-L designs is to employ more of the bed area of the truck, just like they do in Europe.
I have to admire you for this project. Keep going, and insulate like mad.
Al
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wp6529
TX
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Joined: 08/26/2006
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Remember to make sure you will be able to fit the section out the door before you glue it up...
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george48
Madison Wisconsin
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Joined: 09/20/2009
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I had tried building my own TC figuring that I could build one for less then cost of a new one. Well spend 3 month getting it framed up and then it sat ( waiting for more funding). Also the big ticket items. Well decided to scrap the whole thing once the cost realization set in that it would be another 5-6 grand before it would be ready for the road. Good thing I was only 1200 buck into it.
If you decide to build one for yourself, have fun with it. it will be a good learning experience. And the is no better feeling knowing that you yourself built it.
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Sportsman Matt
Blackstone, MA
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Good news is that all the pieces are made smaller than the doorway, even when the floor is assembled with the plywood it's only 4'6" x 7'11" and all the other pieces are either less than 2'x8' or the large piece is 7' wide by 6'1" tall, still small enough to ge out the doorway.
Only snag tonight was the girlfriend saw the pic of the frame, asked why it was in the living room of the apartment.
So I had to explain the 50/50 rule. I am utilizing my 50% of the living room floorspace to build my camper until I can move it to the "larger building facility" within a short (translate to sometime before spring 2011) time period.
(Waiting to see what she say's about that one)
Still having fun, one thing I found was that if you do start this project, be prepared to have at least $4,000 to spend on the essentials, like the roof and siding materials, plus the door, wiring, insulation, jacks, and propane comartment. You can always cut in the windows, vents, cabinets, sink, stove, fridge at a later time (just make sure the open door is wider than the refrigerator's narrowest width)
So far the quote for siding, rubber roof, and door is just over $1500 plus shipping. Propane box with door was just under $110. The Jacks should be about $800 (Manual Atwood corner jacks 2000 lb)
Lumber is cheap, about $1100 depending on which lumber yard I use, and miscellaneous hardware will probably cost me another $200.
Right now I'm picking up parts as I need them, and not going all out buying everything at once, keeping within the budget and my paycheck.
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JoeChiOhki
Sauvie Island, OR
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Joined: 11/20/2003
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There's an end all solution to tablesaw + apartment and that = Contractors folding table saw + 100ft orange extension cord. Remove the screen from one window and run the cord out and down to the ground for power, plug into outlet in apartment.
Contractors table saw is smaller, and folds down so you can tuck it in a small closet when not in use. Just remember, while you have an apartment to work in and to keep yer tools, I have a truck to keep it all in till I can afford to finance a 6x10 cargo trailer to convert into a moving garage.
That Club-Cab on my truck has no place for passengers  .
Follow along with me at The Journey of the Redneck Express
CB Channel 17 Redneck Express
'1992 Dodge W-250 Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed V8 5.9L 4spd H.D Auto 4x4 4.10 Gears
'1974 KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in
'1987 Pullman Mini Camper
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