Many readers have asked me to post photos of the modifications I’m making to my new “covered wagon”. Today’s post is a beginning.
- Fair warning: This edition of my blog won’t be for everyone. There’s barely a photo of a bird or even a feather to be found. Since it’s Saturday, often the slowest day of the week for Feathered Photography, I chose today to respond to the requests.
Blog followers already know that a few weeks ago I bought a new camping trailer for my extended bird photography trips to replace my previous trailer that was 10 years old and well-used. This is it, sitting in my sloped driveway on the day I brought it home last month (I’ve posted this photo before).
Overall I’m very happy with the new trailer, so far at least. And one of the reasons I’m so pleased with it is the quality of much of the workmanship, including the cabinets. In contrast to the cheap pressed wood and veneered cabinetry in many camping trailers these are solid wood and well constructed. This photo shows some of the cabinets over the dinette but the same quality is found in the cabinets throughout the trailer.
But I’m not as happy with their design, partly because most of them are large cavernous cabinets with no interior shelves for more efficient storage. Of course I knew that when I bought it so I’m now in the process of building and installing adjustable shelves.
But a bigger problem is the overall lack of interior storage in the trailer. There just aren’t enough cabinets, even fewer than in my previous, slightly smaller trailer. It’s a common issue with trailers this size, especially for folks like us who are often camping in the wild for a week or more and can’t just run to the grocery or hardware store on a whim. We have to carry a lot of “stuff”.
So the obvious solution is to add a custom cabinet or two but the question then becomes… where do I put them?
Out of necessity and almost by definition camping trailers already have almost every nook and cranny on floors and even walls already filled with things like dinettes, cabinets, appliances, beds and windows so there’s very little space available. And spaces that are available are unique in size and shape so you typically can’t just buy something off the shelf that will fit and look good – it has to be custom-built.
The only practical space available to me to add a cabinet was here – on the floor beneath the window and against the wall. The shape of the cabinet would have to be specific and very precise to fit between the wall and the arm of the sofa in one dimension and between the cabinet behind the arm of the sofa and the drapery screen to the left of the window in another dimension (that drapery is a privacy screen for the queen sized Murphy bed that comes down over top of the sofa).
So then the question becomes where/how will I get a cabinet that will fit that spot and use the space efficiently? And one that won’t junk up my trailer because it’s cheap-looking and doesn’t match the other cabinets?
Normally the answer would be… I’ll build it myself. I’m fully capable of building cabinets and furniture and I’ve done it often in the past. This is an antique pie safe I built some years ago based on a historic design and using many historic materials and techniques. I use it for storing kitchen gadgets because I also love to cook.
But because of a bad back and nerve problems in my feet I just can’t do stuff like that anymore. There isn’t a chance in hell I’d survive all those hours on a cement floor during the building process so I had to swallow my pride and have the cabinet custom-built.
This is it in place and I love it (the last 3 photos are cell phone shots so their crappy quality doesn’t do justice to any of the cabinets and the color looks off).
It fits perfectly between the wall and the sofa and underneath the overhanging cabinet top on the right, so perfectly that I can’t fit a piece of paper between them but they don’t actually touch each other. It also matches the other cabinets perfectly, in color and in the design of the door. I purposely chose a door handle of a different design so it wouldn’t catch on clothes but it’s the same color as those on the other cabinets.
So that’s where I am at the moment but I have much more to get done. Now maybe you understand why I bought a camping trailer at the beginning of winter instead of early spring when I’d be chomping at the bit to get “out there”.
Now that I’ve bored many of my readers to tears with this wordy and non-birdy post I’ll quit but “you” did ask and I like to respond when I can.
Back to birds tomorrow, I promise.
Ron
PS – If any local readers are in the market for custom cabinets I highly recommend Madera Mill Inc. in Murray, Utah. Brandon built my cabinet and I’m very impressed by his workmanship. It’s a long story but I also know him to be honest and fair. If I need more cabinets built for my trailer or my home it will be Brandon who builds them.
For those who may be curious the dimensions of the new cabinet are 27″ wide, 24 3/4″ tall and 10 1/16″ deep. It has one adjustable shelf.
Thank you for the inside tour!
It really wasn’t much of a tour but I’m glad you appreciated it, Arwen.
I admire anyone who has a good sense of space organization. You’ve done a great job so far and I look forward to seeing what’s comes next. Will you be able to use the
Trailer as a blind? Linda
We’ll see how good my “sense” is once I get it all done. I’ll very seldom use the trailer as a blind unless the opportunity presents itself, which it occasionally will. Usually I’m shooting from my pickup and using it as a mobile blind.
Ron, it is good to see you so excited about your new trailer. We’ve moved from tenting to motels but don’t go out in the wilderness like you do.
Just curious, I thought your couch was pullout, but I must be mistaken as it does not look like there is room for that.
Enjoy that trailer and I look forward to more updates.
Alice, the back of the couch folds down but it isn’t used as a bed. Once it’s down the Murphy bed in the front wall comes down and goes on top of the now-flat couch.
Now you and Mia have no excuse not to go to Delta in February to see the snow geese. Go the week before the festival. Visit Gunnison Reservoir and the surrounding fields for the geese. They also like a area south of Hinckley where there are a few small lakes along the Sevier River. You can soak in Baker Hot Springs, it is a bit of a decrepit place but you can get a nice soak. Be careful the cement tubs are slippery. I like to camp at Antelope Springs area. There are camp sites at Antelope Springs but we usually go for Noch Peak Scenic Backway before Dome Canyon Pass. Last winter we swung by Fish Springs but I was disappointed in how few birds we saw. Oh my I need to plan another trip myself now!
Thanks for the suggestion, April. And the tips. I’ve usually been disappointed by the lack of birds at Fish Springs in early spring too.
Thanks for this post! I am looking for a trailer to live in so I can go all over to bird. I am debating between getting one I can pull or a Winnebago type and pulling a jeep. Your cabinet is wonderful!
You have some big decisions to make, Beth Ann. I wish you luck with them.
Exciting times ahead. Your trailer (and the addition) look most excellent. And how wonderful to find a firm whose services you can recommend.
Sigh on the physical issues which stopped you doing it yourself, and hooray for an acceptable second best. And looking at the pie safe you built they ARE second best.
I’m glad you like the pie safe, EC. I love it and it’s also been very functional for me.
Non-birdy? Maybe. Wordy? Never! 😃 I like learning about the behind-the-scenes stuff that enables you to get out there and take your wonderful photographs. I’m waiting for the before and after video walkthrough of your home away from home once you get it all decked out. Of course, it won’t be fully complete until after that first (or 2nd…or 5th) trip out and a few “dammit we should haves”. 😉 Looking forward to those adventures.
““dammit we should haves”
They come with the territory in camping life, Marty. The trick is to keep them at a bare minimum.
Video. What’s video? 🙂
Found the link to your original post about the Rockwood with the link to the other gentleman’s video. https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2018/11/09/destinations-part-ii/
I like the pictures even if they are done with a cell phone. Brings back memories when we started camping as a family. Moved from tent to pop-up, to pick-up camper to trailer. It all came down to being able to leave the site without taking your camper with you.
Love the additions, and I agree not enough space, but than again photographers away from home for any length of time need additional space! We sure did!!
Thanks for the review.
“It all came down to being able to leave the site without taking your camper with you”
Exactly, exactly, exactly, Dick!!! I could never go back to a single unit camping rig.
Very nice Ron..You’ve given me some nice ideas for when my wife and I retire..(I’m partially retired, but Jan has another few years of teaching left to go) I’m sure there are many enjoyable days to look forward to as you prepare your new “cabin”. I know I’m looking forward to your blogs and photos from your trips in the new trailer. Thanks for sharing the progress as you work on it to make it “Ron’s trailer”…..
Yes, personalizing a camping unit, no matter the type, is always a big job that takes a lot of thought. And even work. Hopefully “Ron’s trailer” will be the eventual result.
I think this is a great post! Jeremy and I have had many conversations about what our next “birding vehicle” should be. I’ve spent many an hour searching the internet for cool trailer or van solutions. Haven’t found the right one yet, but I know that when we do, there will be much need for customization.
Thanks, Sharon. When I first started this kind of camping I had a camper on the back of my pickup. BUT with my bird photography that method (or any method such as a large camping van or motor home that doesn’t detach the camping unit from my vehicle) just won’t work for me. Large single unit camping vehicles won’t allow me to get to the out of the way places I prefer while photographing birds.
It’s SO NICE just to unhook and be on my way! I wish you luck with your decision.
Despite always having preferred a tent, I enjoyed your article about the ins and outs of your new trailer–and the detail of just how you want things. Trailers are soooo space efficient–and now yours is even more so.
Nancy, this old fart gave up tent camping years ago. Makes my bones ache just to think of it… 🙂
Sometimes the best cure for cabin fever is a new cabin! Looking forward to seeing the results of many wonderful birding adventures with your new wheels!
Thanks, Diane. Your first sentence made me smile.
Looks like you’re making fine progress. It’s a joy when things work out so well. Love your pie safe and the great owl hanging over it. There is a time for everything and ours is, let the experts do it. We’ve earned it.
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. Yes, it’s a luxury to have the “experts do it” but it’s expensive and to be honest I miss the process of building.
NICE! Brandon REALLY did a good job on the cabinet which certainly is a “custom” item needing to be precise. 🙂 Also good to know craftsmen like that are still “out there”. One more piece of the puzzle for your new “toy” 😉 What’s next?
“Also good to know craftsmen like that are still “out there””
That’s right, Judy. My dad built cabinets for clients during the later years in their lives when both parents lived with me and I’ve built them myself so I’m pretty picky about quality and workmanship.
What’s next? Mostly little things like a wall or interior cabinet-mounted spice rack, a small shelf near one of the beds for alarm clocks and “stuff”, working on more adjustable shelves and modifying some shelves that already exist. But as I get into it I’m sure more things will come up.
Well, Ron _ I wasn’t bored at all!! I remember your sharing a photo of the new trailer, which looks great!! I love the piece that you had built!! It looks great & I have to admit , I had no idea what you could do with that space – well it’s terrific & you’d never know it wasn’t part of the original trailer!! You & Mia will have a wonderful time with it!! I am sorry about your back & feet making it a “no go” for doing the carpentry yourself. Really glad you’ve found a carpenter who’s work meets your standards!! Keep us updated on your next innovation!! You’ll have many years of enjoyment with your new camping trailer – are you going to name it??
“you’d never know it wasn’t part of the original trailer”
That’s what Mia and I keep saying, Jo Ann. It looks like it came with the trailer as part of the original cabinetry.
I don’t know yet about naming it, if I do so at all. Any name will have to depend at least in part on how well I like it once I get it on the road and in the field. Thank you.
Good morning Ron. Nice trailer and enjoy the story behind it. And love that cabinet you made. At least you got some feathered photography into the post by showing the owl picture. 🙂 Best wishes for many happy and outstanding photo days with it.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. Yes, that owl print was the “squeaker” that qualified this post as one of my usual fare… 🙂