Slidavan diy build - anyone built one?

SmartinMartin

Hey folks, I'm thinking of taking on this build as a winter project and was just wondering has anyone on here built one.

https://youtu.be/41c36Bbrqsg

https://www.woodenwidget.com/slidagallery.htm

You can't buy these, you can only buy the plans and self build, but it seems straightforward enough.
The simple design and foldability of it suits my requirements, I don't need much luxury. Anyone?

autumnalcore

Looks like a nice project but couple of things I would say. I've seen several esterel folding caravans go during the winter for similar money that you could build that for. The end result is very 'agricultural'. A teardrop trailer is a lot more attractive imo aare you short for space vertically?

CJhaughey

Looks interesting but the big factor with caravans is weather resistance and for my money properly sealed Fibreglass is still the best at resisting the Irish climate.
Freedom Microlites are pretty reasonable to buy, the build costs for a caravan like that won't be that cheap, windows are expensive and the trailer likewise.

SmartinMartin

Thanks for the replies folks. I've been considering 3 different angles: a teardrop, a box trailer conversion, and this. I'm tall and I like to sit with a cuppa and a newspaper, so the teardrop probably wouldn't suit. I haven't fully ruled it out yet, though sourcing the aluminium skin seems to be a problem. I still like the box trailer idea but they're not cheap. It would certainly be the easiest way. As regards the slidavan, I quite like the agricultural edge to it, it gives the most room and I also like the idea of having built from scratch, and also it's uniqueness. I have a couple of possible donor trailers and storage is not a problem, though I'd prefer the height of the teardrop and slidavan. As for costs, I don't mind doing this over a period of time so I'd hope to pick up a lot of used stuff on the likes of adverts cheaply as it arises.

SmartinMartin

I've just had a look there, I like those esterels. Hmmmmm.

SmartinMartin

On second thoughts no, anything available is from the 70s and 80s, or else really expensive. I'll stick with a project, which one though

MattLV

Hi, I've actually just started building a slidavan and was wondering if anyone else had done one too.

SmartinMartin

Haven't even started gathering the materials yet Matt, as usual life got in the way. Hopefully this summer. What part of the country are you in?

galwaytt

We make GRP panels and GRP panelled vehicles, amongst other things - and we use a lot of very high quality, through & through Birch ply.

I'd never put a timber external on a body. We usually laminate GRP onto the ply - it is the only thing that will last. Ply in this climate will swell & split, guaranteed, eventually. I've even made 'Shepherds Huts' and our own Glamping Pods using that method for a variety of customers :




Not looking for work, but just showing what we do: https://quinnrv.com/video/

autumnalcore

I've thought about doing one of these for the kids numerous times but it definitely comes after finishing the new house, finishing the boat, remodelling the camper etc etc. 😜

If you can get clean ply I would taper the front end and stitch and glue a nice aerodynamic roof and laminate it in clear or tinted polyurethane like a dinghy. Stitch and glue allows a lot more freedom of form you can get a lot of stiffness and strength with very little weight and bracing and it wouldn't end up looking like a portacabin/dog box. If you get tired of the clear coat or the plywood darkens too much in the light you can throw a self levelling topside boat paint like Brightside on to get the brand new look back every few years.

MattLV

Hi Martin, I'm actually in UK just north of London. Probably a bit strange for me to come on an Irish chat board but this was literally the only place Google could find where there was a mention of anyone actually building one of these. Maybe there's a reason for that but oh well....in for a penny hahaha.
I've not been at it long, just finished making up the second panel and there's a few more to go but so far the plans have been easy enough to follow for a novice like me.
My deadline is June 23rd. Wish me luck hahaha

SmartinMartin

Good luck. I'd love to see a few photos of the progress if you get a chance.

kadman

I have to agree with galwaytt on this one.
Fibreglass is the only material to use in the irish climate for a self build
caravan type vehicle. Any other material with any other covering just wont
do the business.

autumnalcore

An alternative is cladding with aluminium composite panels as used for road signage etc. I've seen a few teardrops done like that. Bends beautifully in one plane only down to radius of 15 times the thickness of the sheet.

https://www.accessplastics.com/composite-aluminium-sheets/

By the time you've bought seam joint profiles sealants etc grp is probably similar price

AeroNautiCal

MattLV wrote: »

Hi Martin, I'm actually in UK just north of London. Probably a bit strange for me to come on an Irish chat board but this was literally the only place Google could find where there was a mention of anyone actually building one of these. Maybe there's a reason for that but oh well....in for a penny hahaha.
I've not been at it long, just finished making up the second panel and there's a few more to go but so far the plans have been easy enough to follow for a novice like me.
My deadline is June 23rd. Wish me luck hahaha

I'm in London and have been wanting to build myself a Slidavan but encountered some setbacks in the form of my entire set of professional tools being stolen and not being able to find somewhere affordable to build it in near my home!

There's nothing to compare a Slidavan to as it's unique and incredibly lightweight for a caravan and I will get to build my own, hopefully by next year.

The Teardrops n' Tiny Travel Trailers forum likes them and it might also be an idea to post your build on there as it'll get considerable interest.

tntt.com

Thank you for posting about yours, I have always wanted to see one being built by an owner.

MattLV

I'll try and post a few pics once I'm allowed

MattLV

seems I have to have made at least 5 posts. This is #4

MattLV

and this is #5

MattLV

So this is my base trailer. It's nothing like the bare aluminum trailer that's in the plans, but it's the one I had so it's the one I'm using.



The trailer was somewhat lacking in cross members so I added some hefty reinforcement. I'm not too worried about making this thing super light or anything.

SmartinMartin

Not seeing anything. Go to a hosting site like photo bucket and upload them there. Click on the 'hotlink for forums' tag and then just paste them here.

MattLV

Gluing inner battens on the floor...

MattLV

Battens and insulation foam for floor panel

MattLV

Floor complete. Does anyone have a messier workshop than me?

MattLV

Lower side panel

MattLV

Made up the first of 5 room beams

MattLV

Applying glue for one of the lower end panels



that's all for now folks!

MattLV

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Not seeing anything. Go to a hosting site like photo bucket and upload them there. Click on the 'hotlink for forums' tag and then just paste them here.

Hopefully those pics are visible now Martin?

SmartinMartin

What thickness and type of ply are you using? (sorry, yes they're there now)

MattLV

SmartinMartin wrote: »

What thickness and type of ply are you using? (sorry, yes they're there now)

3.5mm thick. Plans state 3mm but 3.5 was the thinnest I could get.
Sheet sizes are imperial so 1220x2440mm

kadman

MattLV wrote: »

Made up the first of 5 room beams

AS you have no former to clamp to, how do you know each beam will be identical??

MattLV

kadman wrote: »

AS you have no former to clamp to, how do you know each beam will be identical??

That's actually a jig that the strip wood is clamped to while being glued together, so the beams should come out the same give or take.


The second one is getting un-clamped today so I'll do a comparison and let you know.



In other news....I've never owned so many clamps!

kadman

MattLV wrote: »

That's actually a jig that the strip wood is clamped to while being glued together, so the beams should come out the same give or take.


The second one is getting un-clamped today so I'll do a comparison and let you know.



In other news....I've never owned so many clamps!

Sorry , didn't notice the jig. Whats it made from??

kadman

Jig is the blocks screwed to a panel?:)

MattLV

kadman wrote: »

Jig is the blocks screwed to a panel?:)

yup. It's a piece of MDF cut to the width of the top section, with blocks screwed to it.

kadman

MattLV wrote: »

yup. It's a piece of MDF cut to the width of the top section, with blocks screwed to it.

Nice one, what adhesive are you using??

kadman

I see you are clamping one at a time. You could have clamped one in the former,
then put a brace holding the two ends together, and then released it from the clamp.

And then clamp the next one, rinse repeat

MattLV

I'm using Everbuild 502 wood adhesive, but I think any waterproof PVA would do the trick.

I see what you mean about clamping the ends, but as I have to wait at least 24hrs for the glue to dry on each of the panels I've got time in hand to do the beams the slower way and guarantee good adhesion.

kadman

MattLV wrote: »

I'm using Everbuild 502 wood adhesive, but I think any waterproof PVA would do the trick.

I see what you mean about clamping the ends, but as I have to wait at least 24hrs for the glue to dry on each of the panels I've got time in hand to do the beams the slower way and guarantee good adhesion.

It wont make any difference to the setting time, its just that the beam is removed, and ends held together at the required distance with a cross tie,

Leaving your former free for the next beam,

Rather like an archery bow, the bow being the beam, and the string being the tie.
In fact you could use a piece of string:)

autumnalcore

If you don't fancy waiting 24 hours you could consider a PU adhesive, sticks like **** to a blanket takes up gaps and sets in a fraction of the time. Not for visible joints though.

Lots of builders providers have the everbuild PU adhesive in the handy mastic tube format.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everbuild-5MINPU3-LumberIrwin-Polyure-Adhesive/dp/B00132EEME

MattLV

The last of the panels under construction.

Next is painting and mounting the floor panel to the trailer....then assembly begins.

MattLV

Painting of the underside begins...

SmartinMartin

Any particular type of paint Matt (pardon the pun)?

MattLV

aha ...good one.
I took advice from Woodenwidget who recommended several coats of a good exterior oil based paint.
After some investigation I decided to use Fossa PrimeOut Oil-based Primer Sealer first, and will follow with Sikkens Rubbol XD Gloss.

MattLV

Blimey, that paint takes a fair old while to dry at these temperatures. But now it is, it's time to think about attaching the floor panel to the trailer frame.

First applied some neoprene tape to the top of the frame to even out irregularities and provide a bit of isolation from vibrations.



Then got the panel on, lined it up, and drilled / bolted / screwed it down to end up with a nice level surface



Next step will be to start attaching the sides.

MattLV

First test fit of the lower section panels

MattLV

Looks like it's time to get some new wheels/tyres ordered



I've just got to work out if theses are a 4" PCD or a 100mm PCD

Does anyone have an opinion on the virtues of radial or crossply tyres for a trailer like this?

MattLV

MattLV wrote: »

I've just got to work out if theses are a 4" PCD or a 100mm PCD

I figured out these are classic Mini wheels.

SmartinMartin

A pair of mini lites would look great.

MattLV

SmartinMartin wrote: »

A pair of mini lites would look great.

You're not wrong Martin, but I went for standard steelies this time



...and finally started the interior construction

wingnut

MattLV wrote: »

You're not wrong Martin, but I went for standard steelies this time



...and finally started the interior construction

Did you keep going in this, love to see progress?

wingnut

MattLV wrote: »

You're not wrong Martin, but I went for standard steelies this time



...and finally started the interior construction

Did you finish the build?