My New

My New "MaxiTear"

My name is Jerry and I'll be your host throughout this adventure!
Progress From 5/14/01 to 6/8/01

5/14/01 - Many hours have been spent getting to this point... I've searched and searched, surfed through every site that I could find and finally decided that I just had to build what I wanted myself from scratch. Finally today I got the call...the trailer frame is in!!! So I better get to work...this is the first of many nights of "FUN" in the sun of Bakersfield, California!!!

My dog, Delta, says I am nuts...
there's some things she is right about!

Keep on watching this site cuz I'm gonna build a 14' trailer to go behind my Inferno Red PT Cruiser! I'll keep on adding photos as I go along. Also, I want to make this a place where we can learn together. If you have a photo of a vintage trailer or are looking for one, e-mail me and we'll put your posting on the site. That way we can network together, get to know new people and share experiences. Isn't that what life is all about?

These are some of my first rough sketches of my new "MaxiTear"...just you wait and see what it really looks like!!! I'm soooo excited I can hardly stand it!

5/15/01 - It's Here!!! I finally got my trailer frame today!!! I am beside myself with excitement. It was made by Carson Trailers. It is very well built. I can hardly wait to get started on it...spare time is very precious to me, what with work, my wife, and my dog! I am confident that it will get done in the next couple of months...so keep on checking on my progress.

5/17/01 - Finally, the day is here...I have my PT Cruiser and trailer together! Can you see the finished product? I can and I am very excited about the prospects.

5/17/01 - My son, Scott, and I are putting up the "wallpaper" to get the plans on the wall for the frame to be made like I want it.

5/21/01 - I have covered my wall with paper and have chalked blue lines onto it in 12 inch squares. Below is the 1 inch to 1 foot scale drawing that I am working off of to make my trailer. I am hoping to have the drawing on the wall tonight so that I can start making the ribs as soon as possible. I have put myself onto a tight time schedule since I only have four nights this week to work on the trailer. So, I'll be adding photos all week...keep checking back.

5/23/01 - During lunch we finished the scale drawing on the wall! You can see the outlines of the interior walls. There are four round port hole windows (Anyone know of a good place to get some? I'd really like to get some that open.). The left one is at the booth, the next is on the door and the back two are in the bedroom. I'm going to have a closet, kitchen cabinets and, most importantly, a king size bed! My wife says that is the key to her comfort!!!

It's quitting time at work and now I can get going...I went to the lumber yard and bought a bunch of lumber. Tonight I'm gonna rip the wood into strips and hopefully start making my glue lam beams. Whew...all this in 100 degree heat...I don't know if I'm gonna be able to handle all this excitement.

P.S. - Thank you to all of you who have responded to my e-mails today. It is overwhelming the response I have had...I'll respond to as many of you as possible and get the photos on the pages as soon as humanly possible...You all are great!!!

5/25/01 - I've been trying to get to work on this trailer all week...after many trials and tribulations - including too much work, buying a new bandsaw, etc. - I am now ready to get going again...but then I have to leave for the weekend!!! I'll be back at it after work again next week. My dog says it's been a hot, tiring week and she's ready for a trip to the beach!

5/25/01 - Today I've gotten the first of the two sides framed and the beginnings of my glue lam beams to make the shape. It is now coming together. After all the hours of dreaming, designing and planning, I can see the reality of it coming together. I don't know if you can understand it, but it is VERY exciting to me.

5/29/01 - It was a long weekend thinking and planning on how I'm going to continue the building of my MaxiTear. After a day of work, I am now back on it and ready to get going. As you can see, the glue, clamps and nails are out and working great! :)

6/1/01 - Yes, I have been working on the trailer this week...just wanted to make some progress before posting any more photos. I have the one wall almost done. Up to seven layers of 5/16th strip pieces (except on the back of the wall, I used 5/32nds and pieced it in) of 2x douglas fir to make the glue lam beam hold the shape of the wall. As you can see from the photos below, I am now in the progress of using my grinder to even out the surfaces. The picture on the left shows the completed beam before and after grinding. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it! Also, I have changed the framing on the wall from when I started. I decided to frame in the windows. Later today I will be adding a photo of the entire wall totally completed. Remember, this is a work in progress. I don't have any of my plans in concrete. I am creating and changing as I go. So far I am VERY happy with my efforts.

11am 6/1/01 - It's finally off the wall!!!!! AND IT HELD TOGETHER! Boy is it strong! Scott & I turned it around so we could reattach it to the wall and finish the other side. It is hot, but I am having the time of my life!

More Later today!

....Later....Just a preview of things to come!!! First wall is done with the framing!!!!!! Now on to getting the next one done - hopefully done this next week....Also, coming soon, an actual floor plan showing the interior design!

Keep Checking Back For More Updates!!!

6/4/01 - Here's the rough sketch of the interior layout that I promised. On the very left/front is the booth with seating for two. Then we'll have a black & white checkered floor. In the middle of the trailer is a sink and cabinet with an opening on the right side that has a pass through for the television so we can watch TV on either side. There's a closet in the hallway and the entire back of the trailer is the king size bed. Hope this helps to visualize the completed project.

6/6/01 - I have both walls done!!! As you can see, after framing both of them, we stacked them and I ground off the edges to make sure they were exactly the same size.

.....Later.....It's on the frame! Now remember, this isn't the final look, this is a work in progress...I keep changing my mind on how this is all going to work. I get to start working on the frame now! Get out the torches...

6/8/01 - It's the end of the week and we're on our way back home to the beach...I just wish the trailer was ready to go as well. See the portholes? Next week we'll begin remaking the trailer frame...hopefully, we'll get a floor in it. Happy Trails!! :)

Progress from 6/9-7/16/01
Progress from 7/17/01-9/24/01
Progress 9/15/01-11/30/01
Progress 12/1/01-2/13/02
Progress 2/14/02-3/21/02
Progress 3/22/02 to 4/21/02
Progress 4/22/02 to Present

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