Brand spank'in new Bantam T3 build

[DividingCreek]

I'm in a boating town and used to pay big money for starboard for projects. A friend who is a boatwright told me to stop using starboard and to go to 84 Lumber and buy Azek instead. Both are pvc board. Azek comes in 4x8 sheets very reasonably (around $160 a sheet). Thought I'd share if you haven't already spent big money on Starboard.

[McZippie]

I'm in a boating town and used to pay big money for starboard for projects. A friend who is a boatwright told me to stop using starboard and to go to 84 Lumber and buy Azek instead. Both are pvc board. Azek comes in 4x8 sheets very reasonably (around $160 a sheet). Thought I'd share if you haven't already spent big money on Starboard.

Yes thanks... many of the parts for the Trailer flip top are from boat parts suppliers.
Used the term Starboard which is Marine-Grade Polymer Building Sheets or Lumber, but purchased the cheaper generic stuff locally. It looks exactly the same as King Starboard.
Paid $144.00 for 4x8, 3/8" sheet.
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Nice stuff to work with in place of wood, except it can't be glued. Plastic welding and mechanical fasteners are used.
Here's a picture of a Starboard counter top in our Shuttle Bus conversion.
The front side wall can be removed when used for food prep.

[McZippie]

Started to piece together the Starboard Flip Lid.
There will be two pieces of Starboard, a large piece (4'x6') will open and a small piece (6"x6') that will be anchored to one side of trailer with conduit pipe hangers that clamp between the pipe on the bed rail and the top. The large and small pieces of starboard will be hinged together with a gasket between the joint.
The third picture shows the mock up of the conduit pipe hanger and the stainless steel hinges with removable pins. The large piece can be removed by pulling the 4 hinge pins and used as a table top.
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The top will be held down with a long bungee cord that utilizes the trailer's 10 rope hooks. Really like this way to attach the top, kind of a retro-look, like the ropes used to attach a tarp.
The bungee cords hold the top down very tight and easily unhooks in a few seconds without much effort.
On the pictures below the top looks kind of brown, but it's really matte black.
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[hesterj]

Very nice build so far. I really like your idea to keep from drilling the frame and tub.
I look forward to the future updates. Thanks

[Borrego60]

Same here.

Very nice build so far. I really like your idea to keep from drilling the frame and tub.
I look forward to the future updates. Thanks

[McZippie]

Very nice build so far. I really like your idea to keep from drilling the frame and tub.
I look forward to the future updates. Thanks

Guess any 'real' resale value for the trailer will be to sell it to a World War II restorer. With that in mind, I'll be keeping my eye open for a 'deal' on complete Bantam T3 or Willy's MB-T with a rusted out tub and frame. Could of got one a few years ago for nothing, it's gone now.
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The bed rails aren't perfect and each piece of conduit pipe clamp used to anchor the small section will have to be custom fitted.
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Also kicking around ideas for building Starboad dividers inside the trailer. Problem is, I'm a 'Throw the Gear in Type' and fixed dividers would mean I'd actually have to organize all my camping crap to fit in a defined space.
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(Below) The plastic ground away on the bottom of the fitting was a practice fit. The finished plastic fitting will be flush with the extruded aluminum.
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[Dirtytires]

These little trailers are all about being organized. Your progressing very well.

[Woods]

Really enjoying this build Great design work and execution.

[grizzlybear38]

Any more pics? Can you show more of the lid build? Thanks

[McZippie]

I'll try to post some more pictures tomorrow.