Building a boondocker: Can you buy an egg sans holes?

[Ben Kadas]

After apporximately 300 hours, I feel like I have fixed enough leaks and problems in my Scamp to have come to one grand conclusion: I don't like holes drilled/cut into a camper!

So, my idea is to buy a new egg and see if the mfg will let me do all of the appliance and cabinets install, including cutting the glass. The only factory installs would be the windows, door, and maybe the roof vent. This way I can choose my own sealant, my own fasteners, and do a proper job of cutting holes (straight and square). I may even glass in all of my supports so I can avoid the "Scamp rivet fest".

I will be building a boondocker, so no AC, maybe a portable/removeable AC roll around unit, dual gas and dual battery, ice box, indoor/outdoor stove, no furnace, fantastic fan, awning, sink with a small removeable water tank under the cabinet

Any thoughts or suggestions on the build?

I was thinking Casita or Trillium for new, but if they won't work with me, maybe I'd try to find a used minimalist patriot and go from there... sorry, but Scamp quality is just not good enough for me at this point.

Would you go as far as to tell the factory, assuming they'll agree, to forgo wall covering so I can do my own? I hate rat fur, collects dog fur like they're cousins or something, though of doing a vinyl headliner for insulation and sound.

[CindyL]

Sounds like you should look at a Burro or UHaul. They don't have rat fur. The appliances are molded into the interior walls.

CindyL

[Raya]

Another idea, if you don't go new, is to get a Boler (or even an older Scamp) and simply do the glass mods yourself. Any opening can be fiberglassed closed, cabinets can be tabbed in with glass fairly easily, and then you can do a nice paint job to make it all look spiffy.

The reason I suggest a Boler or older Scamp is that they have Ensolite walls and not "fur" or carpet. These are vinyl type walls that you can scrub, clean, or even paint (but you don't need to paint them). They have Ensolite closed-cell foam bonded to the back of the vinyl type surface.

An original Trillium also has Ensolite walls, and the cabinetry is already bonded in with fiberglass tabbing. They do have a rivet issue with the belly band, but again, that can be taken care of.

I agree with you in that I'm also not a fan or carpet or fur (some people love them though), and that I'm also not a fan of holes or leaks. But fiberglassing is easy, and a properly bedded window or etc. should be good for a loooong time.

It will be interesting to hear if any of the current mfgrs. would sell you a camper shell - I hope you will post back.

Raya

[Frederick L. Simson]

So, my idea is to buy a new egg and see if the mfg will let me do all of the appliance and cabinets install, including cutting the glass. The only factory installs would be the windows, door, and maybe the roof vent.

Have you checked out http://eggcamper.com/? Several members have bought them in "kit" form. They are double hulled, with the "furniture" molded into the interior hull, eliminating the need for fasteners, and eliminating "rat fur". Smooth fiberglass inside and out.

[Ray N]

Unfortunately, unless things have changed (again), eggcamper no longer sells kits.

[Donna D.]

I know you specifically mentioned you weren't interested in a Scamp, but I do know they sell "blank slates." Only holes are the door and a closet across from the door way... that's to hold the roof up. You can make the interior whatever you wish and add vents or windows... or not. Prior to the hack of 2005 we had a member that had purchased a blank slate (used from a contractor) and he was modifying the interior, cut the hull for windows, etc. Too bad we lost all the pictures! Other than that, have you considered a fiberglass cargo trailer?

On Edit: We had a member back in 2007 that her father helped her convert a cargo trailer... totally cool. Here's the topic and there's a link to her off-site album... be sure to click the one further down in the topic, the first one is broken: introducing myself - Cathy Mutch