The DIY Travel Trailer Project FINALLY gets an Awning - Part 23

[@deirdreberger1363]

I remember you starting this project a couple of years back. Although, you’ve been using it, you keep on improving. What you have built from scratch is remarkable!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you so much Deirde😊🙏

[@Llamadosalvaje]

Beautiful logo!

[@Klinikburungkenari]

It's amazing ❤

[@cephalopodx7587]

I have watched this from the beginning with admiration and I am struck by the fact that it has been 5 years! Amazing!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks! And I’m glad you’ve seen it fully! I think a lot of people figured I’d be totally done in a year or so and then figured it was complete when I had the first trip. Then about 10 vids later it still lives on🤪

[@NOPP0523]

❤I have watched you work through this project from start to operational and every step of the way you have simplified complex logistic step to make it easier for DIY functionality and fun. By the way the reason I said operational instead of finish, the brain never stops seeing things that can be tweaked. This is very hard when you have skills and not afraid to use them and make “mistakes or improvements” matter of perspective. Great job as always. Your projects never disappoint. Keep up the good work. You are a great husband, father family man and example to follow. Blessings on you and your family.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Sean! I agree with your operational assessment….it’s perfect! I think all of us tinkering types are always figuring and adjusting and seeing how we can tweak our little projects. It’s part of the fun and satisfaction I think And man blessings back to you and your family!😊🙏

[@kevinritchie9227]

The travel trailer build is why I subscribed. Its such a shame that the hail got to it soon after you got it built. I like the thought you put into all your projects.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Kevin! Glad you’ve liked this project so far. It’s probably my favorite build of all…. Other than my house because I enjoy that every day😂. But not to worry, there will be plenty of travel trailer content in the future….mods, trips, etc

[@thepracticaldad]

Love that you left the hail damage. I hate seeing people "restore" the character out of things. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! 👍

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha, yes! I figured it was just part of the character. Plus it’s never leaked so I also don’t want to mess up a water tight job with a refinish that may or may not be🤪

[@MannyFontes1968]

Aha Joe, I was waiting for this video because here comes the aluminum, your favorite metal to use on projects...lol

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha….well, you’re not wrong🤪😂 Thanks for checking it out!

[@MrMichael007mc]

Brother its great to see you uploading a video. I was just thinking the other day I haven’t seen one in awhile. Hope all is well. God Bless!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks for checking it out Michael! I don’t get as many done as I’d like to….but I usually get at least 2 a month. Hopefully I can increase that in the future. But I also need to change the style of my videos to up the production. As these build/project based videos take way more effort than the vlogger kinda videos. And I’m not into those style vids as much as project oriented stuff. But I am going to try to make an effort to work some more simple projects in to get more out in the near future. And God Bless you and your family as well 😊🙏

[@AloneinRemoteAlaska]

Great job Joe! No need for it to be "transformerish" to be cool and we all know you could have eventually made it work like that. But the KISS method sometimes will prevail! Can't wait to see whatever modifications you make on the interior. The trailer project doesn't have to end 😉

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! And I agree….eventually I’d have gotten the arms dialed in. But for now I’ve got a more simple system that is ready to go! And also…. The travel trailer project will never end as I’m too much into tinkering on these sorts of things

[@JB-eg1tb]

Now that's an awning!! I started watching your channel based off your rainwater harvesting, your chicken coop, sunken greenhouse, many years ago when you first started. Congrats on the growth of your subscribers and the number of views on the videos you make.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you JB! And I appreciate you staying with me this long even though my projects tend to ebb and flow from this to that and the other🤪. I’ve been told that I should stick to one specific niche but I figure I just do what I’m interested in and I’ll find folks that have similar multiple interests too!😊🙏

[@JB-eg1tb]

@@homesteadonomics Exactly! That approach sees to have worked as your channel has grown to over 500k now. Looks like you found those who will watch whatever you do. You know your circumstances best, what resources you have and for me, it's how you figure things out that's been interesting such as the swale you created to water your garden, how you carried that tire, your hikes, your travel trailer, your goats, your playhouse, the chicken coop, why you choose to use what you use, how you reuse what you have-- the list goes on and on. What you do to adapt with your home and your environment is in line with your channel's name-- Homesteadonomics, the economics of your homestead. You figured out your brand. Congrats! Appreciate the opportunity to watch and learn from what you decide to work on and what you use for your homestead!

[@jimcollins9316]

Like all your projects, extremely well thought out !

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Jim!

[@danielfisch655]

Wow, great job and thank you for sharing.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Daniel!

[@mattchilders3123]

Joe, that trailer project is a "work of art". Absolutely unbelievable quality.

[@One_Crazy_Dog_Mum]

Even though Marley has doubled in height it’s hard to believe it’s been 4-5 years since you started this project, wow Joe. I’ve loved the projects and adventures you’ve taken us on. Thanks a mill mate 👍 🐾 Michelle 🇦🇺 #staypawsitive

[@homesteadonomics]

Oh my how she has grown🤪. And yes it’s crazy that I’ve been working and tinkering on this project for this long. But I love that you’ve seen it though out the entire process!😊🙏

[@dennybe]

Hardtop awning over a fabric one, great choice. I guess I didnt realize that was an option, but now I see it and I think its great.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Denny! Yes the fabric is a great option and most commonly used. But I kinda wanted something a bit different with less coverage…haha…. So this is what I got🤪

[@mariajamison3508]

One of a kind!! We love it! Keep it up!

[@blackberryhideout5793]

The awning is such a great addition to the travel trailer and I know you all are going to get so much use out of it. It will keep the rain at bay and also that hot sun! Nice work.

[@xcalibre222]

That large awning is just begging for some solar panels mounted on it. With a couple batteries and inverter you could have 110 volts available. Sweet! Thanks for the Vid.

[@homesteadonomics]

I’ve got 370 watts on the roof already😉

[@corneliushoward4343]

The videos are always on point!!!!

[@chrisrice4006]

Awesome job! How about a tour video of the inside?

[@vladik6565]

Neat. Great job!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you!

[@_WillCAD_]

Oh, you'll go back and retrofit the brackets eventually. Cut them in half, use some of the same C-channel that you used for the mounting brackets on the trailer end to make hinges, add some locking pegs, and add a couple of holes for cotter pins to secure them in the open position.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha….you know I will! This will be rolling around in my head until I get it dialed in just the way I want it. But for now it’s at least useable 😉

[@dragonslayer7587]

Well done! I think it looks great, and in rain, tilted is better for run off. In fact I wonder if you could collect rain water run off? Great for boondocking!

[@NOPP0523]

He even be able to and a temporary water catchment solution to collect water while out camping. Water can. Be a premium in the outdoors.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks! And yes, I could potentially add a little piece of channel at the end for that. I usually have a bucket at the front corner of the trailer that collects runoff that we use for the campfire. So more is always a good idea!

[@danielblahuta3330]

Joe, your projects are all so well done they are simply amazing! I have followed your trailer build from the start, and I look forward to more videos.

[@davestewart9146]

I found your channel when you started the trailer build, if I remember right your trailer got hail damage and it broke my heart, love your channel and appreciate what you do 👍😁❤️

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks Dave! I’m glad you’ve seen the entire build up to this point! A lot of folks have reported that once they saw the ‘first trip’ video they thought the trailer was complete, only to come back a few months later and realize I was still doing stuff to it🤪

[@ionahomestead]

Awesome job as usual Joe!

[@homofaber1002]

Hello thank you for this video and big big thanks for all your videos. In 2019 years I start to make my own trailer and I take my inspiration from your channel.

[@NelloCambelli]

Your awning is right sized for rain and shade when cooking. Beach chair umbrellas can proved shade around a fire ring to promote conversations and comradrie.

[@NelloCambelli]

Breezes can be attenuated by using springs fastened to the ground - used Husky’s Velcro spring that permitted my awning to flex with the wind. Unfortunately, a Montana September Hail/Snow storm in 2020 bent one arm. Wish you would have meet ups to train the rest of us Old Dogs new tricks - welding, design and materials.

[@homesteadonomics]

@@NelloCambelli now that spring idea is a good one! And sorry to hear about your Montana incident on yours😬 As for meetups, I’ve traditionally abstained from them due to my wife’s concerns. But that mainly was related to doing a workshop at my place. However, I am going to start a locals (think patreon) community where I’ll be posting extra content and also would be open to coordinating meetup events through that. And if I ever get to doing the Arizona Trail then I’d be seeking to see if anyone would want to do a meetup on the trail to bring me water😂

[@alanesterline2310]

Another GREAT project! Not that I have a problem with the original KISS but I have changed it as I think the most elegant solution to a problem is the simplest. Therefore I use Keep It Super Simple.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha…yes that works and might actually be the original form. But I think I heard this from a coach or something like that and it stuck like that😂

[@beckyjohnson3153]

Nice work.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Becky!

[@rentedmule4274]

Great job. I always learn from your videos. The braces for the awning will scratch the panel finish with just a touch; you might want to put at least a good rounding to avoid this (if not a plastic end-cap). Thanks for all the great ideas.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! And yes, they will take the paint off pretty easily if not careful. And I’ll look into the plastic caps🙏😊

[@MrBobisadog]

Been subscribed for a long time. great projects! More goats!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much! And yes, will certainly have more goat stuff in the future😉👍

[@warwickbourke]

I remember watching the first part. Crazy to think it’s been 5 years 😮

[@BruceS42]

Once again, nice work! It's hard to believe this project has been going on so long. Our fifth wheel has two awnings, of a fairly typical style, with motors that roll up the material and articulated arms that follow it in or out. It has way more possible points of failure than your design, and doesn't *really* save that much time. I don't know what they weigh though. In the wind, typical awnings like ours blow all over the place, while yours appears to be pretty solid.

[@fredmax2541]

Looks Nice.

[@gregpajasons]

Great job ❤

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you!

[@malcom604]

great job bud

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you!

[@wesKEVQJ]

That is way easier to mess with than the spring loaded kind. Plus you don't have to worry about rolling it up wet and causing mold.

[@kenknight4560]

Great job. Looks like you have room on that fold out for another solar panel/

[@joeyhazlett]

That's pretty cool. The way you built those frames basically looks like the way rigid solar panels are built. I wonder if it'd be feasible to replace it with a couple of 300W panels hinged exactly the same way and get a ton more power for off-grid camping. 🤔

[@naomihalliday-cox6614]

I really like your videos and your demeaner. Thanks for them. Also, if you could talk about your solar panels that would be great. It seams there is room for one more.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you very much Naomi! I’ve got a couple videos where I go over the solar panels and the battery box wiring for this trailer. Just go back in my videos tab or click on the travel trailer playlist and you should be able to find them😊🙏

[@naomihalliday-cox6614]

@@homesteadonomics Thanks, I will check them out.

[@wdinternational]

You could put some solar panels on the awning too since it's not fabric.

[@homesteadonomics]

I’ve got two panels on the roof that total 370 watts. So unless I get more batteries I won’t need anymore panels 😉

[@waylonhartwell]

We have trailers that weigh do advertising with and the marquee signs right on top of the trailer on the highway and yes they are terrible for catching wind on the highway we have had a few of them get caught and pull right to depends and end up tearing themselves off the roof of the trailer then become airborne so now we use ratchet straps to hold them down along with we have removed the signage on the leading Edge so now it is just the frame and we use a Snap-On marquee sign up there now

[@homesteadonomics]

Yeah I can imagine that would affect driving quite a bit for one of those. The snap on is smart…. And actually was one of my thoughts for this. A snap on tarp. But then I sold myself on the aluminum….haha But for this, I do plan to add a piece of angle on the leading edge to keep wind from flowing through that void space and potentially flexing it out.

[@pablorr1977]

Saludos desde Argentina amigo

[@homesteadonomics]

Great to hear from Argentina👍😊

[@markb.1259]

That's what they taught us in the Navy... K.I.S.S. it!!! 🙂

[@steveasher9239]

You always do a great job of fabrication. But be careful with a wind from your left or be sure to balance the trailer. Did you think about using aluminum honeycomb? like used in aircraft construction? Very stiff, would need less reinforcement, and would be considerably lighter. Just a thought.

[@homesteadonomics]

Yeah the wind is something that I’ll monitor closely. If it’s kinda gusty I’d probably opt to just not put it up. As for the honeycomb, I have not worked with it. But I have seen small scraps of it at my local metal store. Very interesting stuff and would make for a very rigid core of a panel.

[@steveasher9239]

@@homesteadonomics When I was referring to the wind, I was referring to towing more than being stationary (although you are of course correct about that too). Not that it's time to "re-do" anything, but I think with something like the honeycomb Or any appropriate rigid material (like fiberglass which you could paint) you could brace it more lightly and on the outside of the awning instead of the underside, and thereby eliminate almost all drag and any chance of it being effected while driving (even though your latch system looks pretty bullet proof). I think you have every right to be pleased with your achievement.

[@homesteadonomics]

@@steveasher9239 ahhh, yes! I read it wrong….for sure the wind while traveling is a concern. And an option that I also thought of was to put a wind break in thr form of a piece of aluminum angle that would seal out that gap on the front side so as to not let that funnel air through it

[@recepsahin5293]

Teşekkürler emeğinize sağlık 🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@LeverActionLarry]

Nice work!!! I originally found you years ago watching your greenhouse vids. Curious as to how the greenhouse is going, or if you still have it. Cheers!

[@badereddin]

Thank you for the videos You did an amazing job Can you share the drowings of the build please

[@thomlindgren6253]

Great update and video. Really like the awning… just a couple of questions, will you need to put any kind of colored tape on the support poles to keep folks from walking into the… I did 20 years in the Navy, everything had caution marking on them? Where is the rain gutter on the awning, how are you going to collect water for the hot tub… isn’t that the next upgrade? Do you have many small pieces of the drive in movie frame… I’ve been seeing a lot of small rocket stoves being made lately? Thanks for sharing and have a great summer.

[@homesteadonomics]

Oh boy….rain gutters, rocket stoves and a hot tub! All ideas rolling around in my head! I’ve loved the idea of doing a copper coil heated ‘trough’ hot tub. As for the bright cautionary tape….that’s a good idea. I guess I’ll soon find out if it becomes an issue or not🤪 But interesting note….if you look at the hitch lock on the front of the trailer you might notice that I added yellow stripes over the red paint. Well, apparently red doesn’t show up well on a dark mountain night and I banged my shin/knee pretty good and as soon as I got home I put the yellow stripes on to give it a bit more ‘warning’ 😉

[@thomlindgren6253]

@@homesteadonomics I know this is dumb but sometimes I love your responses almost as much as your video!

[@fryreartechnology7611]

I remember when this was just a frame. Doesn't feel like that long now😅

[@Asomesauc]

I definitely see you revisiting this project later on. I can tell you're not happy with that awning, You put a lot of work in thought in it, but unfortunately It did not hit the mark, definitely would have went with a pre manufactured role out awning, Sometimes it's best just to let the. Professionals handle it.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha….yep, you might be right😉👍

[@wolfpreist]

This thing turned out nice. Are you able to insure it?

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks! As far as insurance…. Replacement value is covered under homeowners insurance and liability is covered under my auto plan while traveling.

[@master-electric]

gran video. Que tipo de maquina de soldar usas para el aluminio ? saludos

[@mixyom1]

Hai... Nice bro i love it

[@rickcassell9613]

Another great addition 👍, I was watching your bat box build 2 years ago . Just checking any luck in your bats making it a home ?

[@davidb9708]

I want monsoon videos.😀

[@homesteadonomics]

Well, due to the Mustang project we have postponed our normal summer camping which is in the middle of monsoons. So I’ll have more opportunity to get some footage😉👍

[@chaosplan]

Wait, you have a spool gun and can weld aluminum? I’m gonna have to dig back and find more episodes of that.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha…yep. I’m not great by any means, but I’ve done a few projects with it. On this trailer project the aluminum battery box was a video project that I used the spool gun on. Also the bumper on the back and my truck bed ladder. And if you search you can also see my aluminum conrhole board build.😊👍

[@chaosplan]

@@homesteadonomics thanks for the tips, I’ll check them out!

[@lestergrayson3049]

When did you put the solar panels on the trailer 😮

[@homesteadonomics]

It was right before the first trip video. Which I think was around 2019 or so. It’s got a dedicated video if you scroll back in the videos tab.

[@sergioagu5091]

Donde está la rueda de auxilio ??

[@terryrobinson1416]

That little mistake? You can't see it from my house!

[@pureblood2020]

Definitely over engineered, the hail marks just add patina.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha….yes and yes!😊🙏

[@wdwtx2.0]

Hey, you've GOT to pace yourself.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha…I’ll try!