Self build micro caravan

[winchman]

No problem, if we all help each other its easy.
Wait untill you see my removable pod kitchen thats going in mine.
Some one local to me made one years ago from a Robin, he just threw the engine and front wheel etc away and put a blow up bed it, he sold it to some one who used to tow it behind an old fire engine, but not seen it for a few years now.

[winchman]

Have you joined the tcgb forum?
Have a look at this
http://tcgb.org/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=697

[petenbex]

Have you joined the tcgb forum?
Have a look at this
http://tcgb.org/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=697

Cheers for the heads up, Joined that forum today and there is loads of great info from someone who has already done the same as I want to do. Even better through the Reliant forum I went over to Edinburgh today to see one in the flesh. The guy had done almost exactly what I am going to do and he was really helpful letting me take measurements and photos etc.

[winchman]

So hows it going?
My welding is all done, just one brake light and the number plate lights to connect up.
I then have to make a bed and kitchen, the bed will be via a cat flap in the ply wood end as the trailers too short, the Vosa spec is vague as it just says full length bed I think, so I will make it 6ft 2", with a kitchen then it shouldnt need SVA.

[petenbex]

Mines going slow!
Time just slips away when you have something you want to get on with.
cheers

[windywatson]

Hi,

I also wanted to build my own teardrop. Purchaced a CD containing stacks of plans from a trader on e-bay which was great and from recollection was only a few pounds. However couldn't find a good donor chassis & couldn't find the time to build one. So bid on a nice one on e-bay that just happened to be a great match for the van I have. Had the winning bid & now have a great combination unit.
Good luck with your build, hope you can get it done in time to enjoy whatever summer we get.



Cheers

[petenbex]

Well I started my little Reliant project in January and we have just had our first outing with it this weekend at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (a round trip of about 300 miles). We have a Ford freda which is a four berth but I have a family of five so we needed an extra berth for my eldest as he always complains about being made to sleep in the awning

At first I toyed with the Idea of building a tear drop but I am unconvinced of my carpentry skills so got thinking about the alternatives. I have always wanted a Reliant and because of their light weight and compactness I started searching. I could only find Sheila's Wheels and one other picture of a camper van conversion online so wasn't too sure of the viability of this idea. Well I bought a broken Robin on 31st January and trailered it home, put it in the garden then set about with the dismantling. I posted my plan on the Reliant forum and got a couple of PM's almost immediately one from a chap who wanted the engine and another from someone local who had already done a trailer from a Rialto. I wanted my Robin to look like a Robin and when I went to see the Rialto I was pleased to see he had kept it complete (not chopped the nose off for weight saving) so now I knew it could be done and what to expect the finished nose weight to be.

I stripped the inside of my Robin, took the shell off the chassis and removed the front wheel, I redid all the back suspension and added a towing bar. Then put the shell back on and left it for a while.

I had a deadline of 2nd August and it started looming so needed to pull out my finger. Between me and the boy we came up with a layout and set to work. Single bed, pull out kitchen. Basic but comfortable. The wife set to work painting it to match the Freda, of course after the weeks of sun it started to rain so out came the old tent. With days to go I dragged it for the first time, nervously at first then with a bit more speed. It towed beautifully :prty I set about lining the interior with insulation and fabric then in a rush managed to mess up the curtain sizes

We had a great weekend and got some great feedback, some people even took photos as we drove past!! More to do but I feel it's a great start on the road to a tiny addition to our travelling family. We have called it Baby Bucket as the Freda is called Sparkle Bucket which was named after the 1975 Toyota Hi ace we used to have which was called Spangle Bucket..... don't ask!!






More photos to follow.....

[notlob]

I like it - that looks great, can't wait to see your other photos!

Dave

[winchman]

You are mad just what I like to see.
I have spotted an old robin in a local garden I wonder if it would fit in the garage????
We need more pictures

[petenbex]

More photos..

[Jim the Box]

Saw you at bella, we were camped about 50 yards away, I even took a picture or your van and trailer, looks good.

[GreenBongo]

Whats the nose weight like on that? the wheels are a long way back.