As I get further into the planning stages of building this caravan I am realizing that using my old pop-up camper frame may not be the best idea. For one, the tires on the pop-up are small and I don't think they will be able to carry the weight of the finished caravan...I would feel much more comfortable with full-size tires! Also, as I look around I am finding flatbed trailers that are cheap ($600), with full-size tires that would be a lot easier to work with. It's not that I am turned off by the work it would take to strip down the old trailer and get it usable again, it's that I don't want to go to all of that trouble to then discover that the frame doesn't work for what I want to make.
It will be well worth the $600 to start with a stripped down flatbed trailer to build this caravan. Maybe I can sell the camper for $600!! Being able to just start building immediately will totally add to the excitement and reality of this project.
More later!!
Jon's Gypsy Caravan Adventures
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Life Mission Statement
Building this caravan is just one step in a process that I started around Christmas time last year, in which out of necessity, I took on the difficult task of changing every aspect of my life (spirituality, health, work, diet, etc.) In the process it was suggested to me that I write a mission statement to help guide my way through this journey. I am certain that it will change over time as I change over time, but this is what I have so far...
It is my intent to live my life
in a constant state of creativity, abundance and perfect health;
always striving to better myself and to heal all relationships,
surrounded by love, peace and happiness
that I share with all.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Purchased Plans
Quick note to say I purchased some plans on-line from the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/products/vardo/ for $30.00 because I was curious as to how they brace homemade caravans...I mean you're driving down the road at 60 - 70 mph, that's like a tornado hitting your house...they must use some sort of hurricane bracing or something? Unfortunately, I got the plans and there was nothing about bracing or extra reinforcement of any kind. I guess I will have to develop my own bracing system to assure that my caravan doesn't blow away!
More later
More later
Thursday, June 7, 2012
"OH YEAH!!"
So I'm talking to my son the other day and he says, "Are you making some sort of list, so that you can stay focused and on track?" Man...Talk about a slap in the head. "Of course!" I told him...but that was just crap. He must have sensed that I was spinning out of control with all of my thoughts and ideas…and he was absolutely correct!
I have ADHD pretty bad and if I don’t have a means to stay focused, I’m often off chasing squirrels and riding bikes before I’m even finished with an idea. I often do make lists at work or when I am trying to organize an art project, but I guess the excitement of doing this project was too great and I totally sputzed out and forgot.
Thanks to the miraculous perception of my Son, I was able to sit down and develop what I believe to be a fairly accurate and sequential “To Do” list…and it looks like this:
Not a bad start!! This should keep me busy and off the streets for a while…don’t you think??
If anyone see’s anything that I have overlooked please let me know...Thanks!!
I have ADHD pretty bad and if I don’t have a means to stay focused, I’m often off chasing squirrels and riding bikes before I’m even finished with an idea. I often do make lists at work or when I am trying to organize an art project, but I guess the excitement of doing this project was too great and I totally sputzed out and forgot.
Thanks to the miraculous perception of my Son, I was able to sit down and develop what I believe to be a fairly accurate and sequential “To Do” list…and it looks like this:
TO DO
1. Get trailer road worthy
2. Tow trailer to my brother’s pole barn
3. Disassemble trailer down to frame
4. Create recycle, reuse and discard piles from trailer parts
5. Have trailer sandblasted and powder coated
6. Purchase portable generator (5500 watts) from pawn shop or Craigslist
7. Finalize construction plans
8. Install new wiring and braking systems for trailer
9. Begin purchasing wood and materials – also gather together found materials
10. Assemble floor, walls, roof, ceiling, windows and doors
11. Work on interior and exterior finish/trim work
12. Install wood stove and piping
13. Paint exterior and add decorations and final finishing touches
14. Have caravan weighed
15. Get camper licensed
Not a bad start!! This should keep me busy and off the streets for a while…don’t you think??
If anyone see’s anything that I have overlooked please let me know...Thanks!!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Brief Statement of Gratitude
Before this project moves any further forward, I just wanted to take this moment to say how grateful I am that I have an incredible support group of family and friends who not only love the idea but are willing to help me in any way possible to see this dream become a reality. To all of you I say…Thank You and I Love You All!!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
"So what's a Gypsy Caravan?"
Yesterday I had multiple people ask me..."What is a gypsy caravan?" When I ask people if they remember the Wizard of Oz scene where Dorothy runs away and meets “Professor Marvel” who is sitting outside of his gypsy caravan making dinner, I am instantly met with heads shaking no, funny faces and blank stares…it seems nobody remembers what happened to Dorothy before she went to Oz.
Well anyway…I thought I would show a picture of a horse drawn gypsy caravan so everyone can understand what I am trying to create...only not horse drawn. (Sorry the picture is in black and white…well really sepia tone.)
These wagons are usually highly decorated with elaborate colors and even gold leaf. They are fully functional as a home away from home, with beautiful wooden floors and interiors, a small kitchen area, large bed, pull out table and a small wood stove. Notice also the cloister roof...this allows for light to enter no matter what time of day and it also acts as an extension of the roof for more head room.
To sum it up...these vehicles are beautiful, livable works of art!
Well anyway…I thought I would show a picture of a horse drawn gypsy caravan so everyone can understand what I am trying to create...only not horse drawn. (Sorry the picture is in black and white…well really sepia tone.)
These wagons are usually highly decorated with elaborate colors and even gold leaf. They are fully functional as a home away from home, with beautiful wooden floors and interiors, a small kitchen area, large bed, pull out table and a small wood stove. Notice also the cloister roof...this allows for light to enter no matter what time of day and it also acts as an extension of the roof for more head room.
To sum it up...these vehicles are beautiful, livable works of art!
Monday, June 4, 2012
It all starts with imagination
"Imagination is everything. It is the preview
of life's coming attractions." - Albert Einstein
"Imagination is everything. It is the preview
of life's coming attractions." - Albert Einstein
Every great idea starts with imagination. It is the spark that ignites the infinite power of creation, and this gypsy caravan adventure is a fine example of the power of imagination...as it is currently only in my imagination!!
Before my father died he gave my wife and I an old 1970's Apache hard shell pop-up camper... (Just like the one pictured below...Real photo to come soon)
Before my father died he gave my wife and I an old 1970's Apache hard shell pop-up camper... (Just like the one pictured below...Real photo to come soon)
Last year my stepmother called to ask me when I was going to move the camper off of her property. At the time I was not thinking about creating a caravan and so I basically told her I didn’t want it and that she could junk it. It wasn't until this year when I started to re-create my life and look at things I had always wanted to do and hadn't done that I realized I needed the camper to create the caravan. I called her up out of the blue about a month ago and told her I wanted to come and get the camper. She laughed and told me that she had just made arrangements that week to have the thing towed to the junk yard...Talk about serendipity-doo!!
I haven't been up there to get it yet because the ground has been wet and the camper is parked out in her apple orchard...but I will be getting it very soon, and my brother has graciously agreed to allow me to park it in his pole barn to work on it.
Remember...all things start with imagination...More to come!!
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