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04-12-2018, 05:55 PM
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#161
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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Thank you Buggee!
It has been rainey and cold here for a few days so the Varethane I added yesterday is drying slow. I think I will stay out of the interior for another day or so in the hope of not raising a lot of dust that will muff my paint job up. It is supposed to me nice weather for the next couple of days so I think I will move outside to do some more work on the fiberglass. Recall that I moved the front window around to the booth side and glassed in the big hole left over after having removed the original left side fridge vents. Once the gross fiberglass was in and she was watertight, I moved on to other things for a couple of months. There is a little more fiberglass to be added around the joint where the new glass meets old where the vents were removed. Once that is in, it all has to be shaped and sanded and readied for paint. It is pretty ugly right now. It will look alot better when it is smoothed and all one color again.
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04-20-2018, 08:10 PM
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#162
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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I've been working on the kitchen this week. The rerouting of the gas plumbing is done. The grey water drain pipe is well on the way. The kitchen counter is fully attached into the trailer. Yesterday and today, I built this little furring strip assembly on the wall above the counter. The furring strips are attached between a pair a pine trim pieces that are screwed into the bulkheads. This I will glue 1/2" rigid foam insulation to the fiberglass wall between the strips. paneling will be glued and stapled to the furring strips to close it all in.
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04-21-2018, 05:28 AM
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#163
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: Amerigo FG-16
North Carolina
Posts: 313
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Fantastic work you're doing there and an amazing transformation!
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04-21-2018, 06:15 AM
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#164
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: Was A-Liner now 13f Scamp
Missouri
Posts: 3,209
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great job
mike you are truly the master of remodeling what talent and even more so what drive and ambition I would have given up long ago.
I have suggested your work many times to many remodeler wannabes you encourage my heart with what you have done!
bob
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04-21-2018, 08:44 AM
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#165
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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Thanks Guys, As previously mentioned, all work is being done using the 6 ft. rule. Because, I put another coat of Varathane on late yesterday after noon, I am locked out for two days to allow it to dry.
I am heading over to the coast today to do some mowing at an old schoolhouse in an abandoned lumber mill town in a very remote area of the coast. The place is owned by a friend of mine. It is a weekend place for him which he rarely uses. We have an open invite to stay there as often and as long as we like. We will be there in the Casita often during the summer and fall. We have parked our little teardrop trailer in the schoolyard in the past. It's like our own little private campground. I mow for him as a thank you for allowing us to stay there. This hiatus will keep me away from the Casita.
When I get back, I may start tackling the wiring. I plan to separate the light, water pump and 12vdc power circuits. This will involve stringing a couple more runs of wire since the original Casita wiring combines all of the 12vdc. wiring into one circuit. The postman also just delivered a proper junction box to house all ot the 7 way plug connections that can be installed. I also need to finish the fiberglass work on the outside to prepare it for paint. I'll toss a coin to see which project goes first.
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04-21-2018, 10:14 PM
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#166
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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A week ago something happened at my web photo hosting site, postimage.org, which caused it to drop all of my pictures in this thread. They said it was something about a third party web company had dropped unexpectedly them. My old links just disappeared from my text. They gave me a patch which has allowed me to continue posting new pics. All of the photos that you see here now are ones posted after the big fiasco. All of my photos are still at their web hosting site. I was going to go back and edit the lost photos back in but alas, I cannot. It seems the edit function is locked down and no longer available on the older posts. Frustrating
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04-27-2018, 03:02 PM
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#167
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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I have been making steady progress. Since my last post, I added a junction box for the 12 pin connector harness, finished the 110v system. It is nice not to have to bring in extension cords to run tools. Following that, I turned to the wall in my kitchen area. starting with the 12vdc wiring and 110vac. Today Installed 1/2 in.rigid foam insulation into the framework on the wall behind the counter and followed that with 1/8 mahogany plywood for its bendable qualities. It will serve as a base for the white vinyl paneling which is coming next.
The insulation is tight fit between the furring strips so will stay there without glue with the paneling in place. This entire assembly can be removed from the trailer by removing the eight screws once the light fixtures are removed. I also plan to make wood trim of pine around the window. I will do the same on the dining booth window located just opposite of the kitchen. I don't plan to put the over counter cabinet back in. I don't like having the cabinet in front of my view when I am working at the counter. I will make up for the loss of storage space by having shelving in the front closet and by the giant pull-out drawer that will slide in under the bed between the original fiberglass bench seating at the rear of the trailer. To be honest, I would love to have a larger window over the counter. That may be a project for the future. Also, the hole with the wires hanging out of will be some kind of down facing LED lighting fixture which I am still looking for. The hole on the left is just access for the exterior light wiring. It will get a cover plate once the vinyl is applied. The electrical box on the the lower left will have two rocker switches that will operate the exterior light and the previously mentioned kitchen light.
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04-29-2018, 02:01 PM
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#168
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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The vinyl panel went in today. It brighten things up inside pretty nicely.
There is a horizontal furring strip on the upper and lower side of the round holes. It will make adding a shelf across the panel just above the window pretty easy. I will probably add a small 4-6 inch wide shelf with a 3" high facing there to break up the panel a little bit and add a handy place to keep stuff while parked. The center hole is for an over the counter light. the hole to the left is simply an access hole so that I can get to the wiring to the outside light if I need to. I will make a cover that fits over it.
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04-30-2018, 03:37 PM
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#169
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Senior Member
Name: Eric
Trailer: 1987 Casita 16
Illinois
Posts: 503
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That is really a nice clean look, and will be easy to keep clean when cooking and prepping food. The insulation is a great idea. What little you lose in space is more than made up in comfort.
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04-30-2018, 06:13 PM
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#170
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricAllyn
The insulation is a great idea.
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Absolutely. Quieter, warmer in winter, cooler in summer. I'd imagine that when completed the difference in comfort level between yours and a stock one will be noticable.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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04-30-2018, 08:24 PM
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#171
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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I don't know if that little 4ft. X 4ft. patch of half inch insulation will make that much difference. It mostly boils down to is that I didn't have enough decent carpet to put back on the wall so something had to give. This is what I came up with. The easy cleaning part is a bonus.
Today I got the sink ready to go back in, buttoned up some wiring loose ends, and will probably continue wiring tomorrow. After that it is back up to the front to work on the bathroom / closet partitions and then focus on the bed in the back. I have a little more fiberglass finishing work on the outside to do still before it will be ready to paint.
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04-30-2018, 10:21 PM
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#172
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nor Cal Mike
I don't know if that little 4ft. X 4ft. patch of half inch insulation will make that much difference. It mostly boils down to is that I didn't have enough decent carpet to put back on the wall so something had to give. This is what I came up with. The easy cleaning part is a bonus.
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Ah! Now I get it. I was under the impression that you were insulating the whole thing. You're right, no difference with just that area insulated, but it will sure look nice.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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05-01-2018, 09:52 AM
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#173
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Senior Member
Trailer: 13 ft Boler
Posts: 1,174
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nor Cal Mike
A week ago something happened at my web photo hosting site, postimage.org, which caused it to drop all of my pictures in this thread. They said it was something about a third party web company had dropped unexpectedly them. My old links just disappeared from my text. They gave me a patch which has allowed me to continue posting new pics. All of the photos that you see here now are ones posted after the big fiasco. All of my photos are still at their web hosting site. I was going to go back and edit the lost photos back in but alas, I cannot. It seems the edit function is locked down and no longer available on the older posts. Frustrating
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YA,, ME TOO!!
First photobucket then postimg, guess that will teach me to send them straight here instead of an online host.
On the upside very much enjoying your build, and many thanks for taking the effort to post pics!
Fred
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05-01-2018, 04:55 PM
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#174
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FRED SMAILES
YA,, ME TOO!!
First photobucket then postimg, guess that will teach me to send them straight here instead of an online host.
On the upside very much enjoying your build, and many thanks for taking the effort to post pics!
Fred
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Ya I got the photobucket ransom demand too. That's how I wound up on postimage. Maybe I should look into establishing a photo album here.
Today I sorted through the old wiring and carried my new wiring to the void space under the dinette floor where it will connect into the control panel at the top of my column that carries the table while doubling as my wire chase. The control panel will house a 12v outlet, USB ports, a volt meter, and two switches that will operate lights over the dinette. Since my wires are there now, I figured I had better get the panel built. Here is what I came up with.
I used a piece of aluminum from an old sign that I have had laying around forever. The pushbutton right above the volt meter is a momentary switch for checking battery charge. I did that to eliminate any extra power usage the meter might use if it were on all of the time.
Since I lost the photos in the early part of my thread, here are a couple of pics of the column which is houses the wiring, plumbing while it provides a firm location to attach the cantilevered table.
And a pic of the table installed.
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05-07-2018, 09:39 AM
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#175
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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I am off tomorrow for an unplanned trip to help a relative. It means I won't get back to my Casita project for a week. Time is getting down to the wire as I would like to start using the trailer in whatever finished state it is by the 2nd week of June. Here is where the state of finish is at today.
After sorting and modification to accommodate the new kitchen arrangement, the interior lighting is back up and running. I now have two circuits powering the interior rather than one as this trailer originally had. One circuit controls only the wiring and USB ports, while the other powers only the 12v. power sockets. I will add a third circuit to power my 12v. water pump when it is installed. The 110vac. wiring was completed a week and a half ago.
Although not yet complete, I have added an over counter 1X8 kitchen shelf suspended between the bulkheads. It will double as a mounting point for the kitchen counter light which will point down from the underside of the shelf. I have yet to add a 1X4 face that will suspend about a half inch below the shelf with the remainder extending upwards to stiffen the shelf and help keep things from sliding off.
I decided to jettison the two original fiberglass benches at the rear of the trailer. I did so because this will now be a dedicated bed so the benches aren't needed and because the benches didn't line up with the the new kitchen and side dinette. The dimensional miss match simply wasted too much valuable space. Two 3/4"X 2' wood makes up the pony walls now replace the fiberglass. They are set up to align with the kitchen/ dinette. Now with a straight pull available, a 30"w X 48"d X 11.5h drawer mounted on small wheels will be added between the two pony walls. The rear set of wheels will roll on the raised floor. The front wheels will roll on the main galley floor. The drawer will roll between the galley dinette/ counter fixtures to provide a large amount of easily accessible storage. The rear outside areas of pony walls will be accessible too for additional storage and for access to the fresh water tanks and plumbing system.
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05-07-2018, 12:04 PM
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#176
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Senior Member
Name: Eric
Trailer: 1987 Casita 16
Illinois
Posts: 503
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That looks like a lot of good storage. Going with the side dinette makes a lot of things work better. I like the way that you have set up for the drawer, that will make it handy.
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05-07-2018, 02:38 PM
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#177
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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Thanks Eric. The side dinette works if your occupancy rate is two or less.
I failed to mention that the pony walls will be sheathed with 1/8" mahogany plywood because, a) I have half a sheet left over from the upper kitchen wall. b) it is cheap, and 3) it is lightweight. I think I will pick up another sheet of that Chinese 3/4" pine plywood from Home Depot for the bed. It will be broken into three pieces with the breaks over the pony walls. The center piece will be screwed down since I will have access via the drawer under it. The to sides will remain lift out for access to the storage and water tanks at the right & left sides.
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05-16-2018, 07:10 PM
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#178
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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After being away for a week, I got back to the trailer yesterday. I completed the bed platform. I count it as a major success for the week given my absence.
The right and left sides raise to gain access to the sides.
The center section is fixed and will house the 27"w X 48"d X 11"H drawer that will roll on fixed caster wheels running on a track on the upper level and the main galley floors. The 1.25" PVC conduit is actually my grey water line which drains the sink. the black cable is the 110vdc wire to the galley counter. The face of the drawer will run nearly to the floor and will cover all of that from sight. The lower level caster wheels supporting the front of the drawer will likely be mounted to the backside of that drawer face.
With the platform in place, the through the bulkhead cubbies come into focus.
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05-16-2018, 08:34 PM
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#179
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Senior Member
Name: Eric
Trailer: 1987 Casita 16
Illinois
Posts: 503
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Your bed and storage setup is looking really good. Will you have a microwave in the kitchen? I noticed that you kept the two middle pieces in the back window when you took out the A/C. Did that work okay? I took mine out, mostly because the window had so much caulk and glue, it was easiest to just go all the way, and I think I also had several bad places where the middle pieces didn't sit right with the top.
Looking really good!
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05-16-2018, 09:53 PM
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#180
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Casita 16ft.
California
Posts: 338
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No We don't plan to use a microwave. We barely use the one we have in our house. We will likely be boondocking much of the time so I will gear the trailer towards that. That cancels out most shore power using accessories and means the AC went out too. We camp on the coast or up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains mostly so coupled with the lack of shore power most of the time, AC isn't important. I do have a cheap little portable swamp cooler that I plan to look into converting to 12vdc by changing out the H20 pump and fan motor for if and when we decide to travel in hot country. I did wire for 110vac but only included 3 plugs for utility purposes mostly. I did mount a hardwire trickle charger to maintain the battery while it the trailer parked at home or has shore power access. I hope to add solar panels in the coming year. I will not put in any 110v lights and will rely on 12v LEDs.
The old AC was in the center section of the rear window. I kept the two side pieces. The hole in the center section left by removing the AC, is covered temporarily by a piece of paneling. I bought an extruded rubber window gasket to do a permanent job but haven't bought the lexan yet. The rubber is set up for a 1/4 inch panel. I may install a painted piece of 1/4 inch Masonite in the rubber gasket for now.
Next up is to install doors for the bathroom and front closet openings, the doors on cabinet under the counter top and the big drawer under the bed. I also have some more fiberglass finishing on the outside before it is ready for paint. I am hoping to take her out in the second week of June.
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