For those who are familiar with the plight of Burning Man. You know that one of the biggest threat on the desert is wind. This led me on the hunt for an easy set up and stay put solution. Roof top tents seemed like one way to go. If your structure is bolted to a 4000lb vehicle, that's a good way to stake down your tent, right? At the end, I decided that having to climb up and down the roof of our SUV was not going to work for our family. Especially in the middle of the night during bathroom runs.....(I was thinking beyond Burning Man)
I came across a lot of complicated DIY tent trailers, tear drop trailers and everything in between. And if you read the About Me page, you understand I am not at all handy. Then I stumbled upon Compact Camping Concepts. This site contained plans to exactly what I wanted.
After several emails and a few phone calls to Scott Chaney at Compact Camping, who was incredibly patient and helpful. I went for it.
Here's the frame I put together (it is only 4' x 4' excluding the tongue):
Here's the floor made with marine grade plywood:
Here's the wall panels I ordered from Dinoot Trailers (wood floor is a different color because I applied several coats of weather sealant)
As with all things in life, things that you think will be easy end up being difficult and vice versa. I was so nervous about fiberglassing on the fenders to the side panels. That turned out to be one of the easier steps.
Added L beams on the tongue to support a marine battery.
Here's the completed Mobile Condo
The tent flips open 180° like a clam shell to sleeps 3 (kind of)
Plenty of room for gear underneath the tent.
I painted a "bedliner" epoxy on the interior to weather proof the raw fiberglass.
Her name is "Rosebud" - a homage to "Citizen Kane." If you haven't seen the movie, I promise it is worth your while (don't Google the answer!) Here is the opening scene to whet your appetite.
It took me approximately 75 hrs to complete. The hardest part was cutting the fiberglass to fit around my tires and fenders. I hated it as much as math class in 7th grade. The panels were expensive and I had limited opportunities to get it right.
It took me approximately 75 hrs to complete. The hardest part was cutting the fiberglass to fit around my tires and fenders. I hated it as much as math class in 7th grade. The panels were expensive and I had limited opportunities to get it right.
And can we talk about wiring the tail lights? The thing is, electrical wiring is a different set of skills than carpentry. And it came at the very end....when you think you're almost done. "It's just two LED lights, how hard can it be?" Hard, because sloppy wiring is the shits. I spent 4+ hours on wiring alone.
On the evening I completed Rosebud, my neighbors Mark and Kelly brought over a celebratory cocktail. How cute is this??!! Note the umbrella - straw combo and the cherry, lime and pineapple garnish. Neighbors that bring you alcohol are the best.
Be sure to check back in September to see how my rig held up at Burning Man.
A reminder that the products and vendors I mention on my blog are not paid sponsors.
Happy Trails,
RB
