DIY Network

Building the Doghouse Camper From "Barkitecture" episode DBAR-112

Today is the big day for Oreo and Casey. They are leaving the animal shelter and going to their new home. It’s time for Kenny to build the new doghouse camper!

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Building the Doghouse Camper

1. To start, cut 1/2" inch plywood into the pieces you’ll need for the floor and walls of the house (figure A). The sub-floor will be a piece that is 42" x 26" and the two walls will be cut to 42" x 24". Next, rip a 42" piece of 2x4 in half on the table saw (figure B) to be used as the cleats for the sub-floor. Attach the cleats to the long sides of the sub-floor with 2" wood screws (figure C). An additional piece of plywood will need to be cut for the removable floor...it needs to be 24 x 54 so that it hangs off the front of the house and creates a porch for the pooches.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

2. To attach the aluminum sheeting to the walls, apply contact cement onto the aluminum as well as the plywood. Evenly coat both pieces and let them sit for about five minutes until the color of the cement turns from clear to a milky white (figure D), also the cement will be tacky to the touch. Flip the aluminum onto the wood and push it firmly into place (figure E). The bond is instantaneous and permanent. Make sure to leave a 3/4" overlap in the aluminum at the base of the wall. The aluminum’s dimensions should be 24-3/4" x 42". The floor of the house is sheeted with the aluminum the same way.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

3. Shape a template for the walls out of hardboard or cardboard (figure F). For this you may use any shape desired. Place the template onto the glued aluminum and wood wall and mark the shape using a scribe or utility knife (figure G). Use a jigsaw to cut it out (figure H). After the wall is cut, use a belt-sander to smooth out all of the edges (figure I).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

4. Now, on to the window of the camper. You can use any size or shape for the window. For example, we used an 8x10" aluminum store bought picture frame (figure J). After you scribe the shape into the wall at your desired location, use a drill with a 3/4" paddle bit to make holes in two corners enabling the jigsaw to cut out the window opening (figure K). After cutting the hole, set your frame into place and seal it in place using silver colored silicone adhesive (figure L).

Figure J

Figure K

Figure L

5. To attach the walls, first mark a hole pattern 1-3/4" from the bottom of the wall along its length (figure M). This will allow it to clear the sub-floor and screw into the center of the ripped 2 x 4. Pre-drill through the marks with a 1/8" drill bit to make holes to use for attaching the walls with 2" wood screws to the sub-floor cleats. Repeat for both side walls (figure N).

6. Rip 2 x 4 crossbars to 24" long to fit in between the walls to act as supports. Line them up at the top of the walls with the pre-drilled holes and attach (figure O).

Figure M

Figure N

Figure O

7. Going back to the aluminum overhang at the bottom of the walls, using a hammer, gently hit the overhanging aluminum to lightly bend it underneath the floor to add more security and seal in the bottom (figure P).

8. The roof is made from a piece of the aluminum sheeting that is approximately 1-1/2" wider than the house itself. To attach the roof, flip the structure upside down and attach one end of the aluminum roof to the sub-floor. After it is attached, flip the entire structure back over and attach the aluminum to the top of the house using aluminum screws...make sure there are no gaps between the walls and the roof (figure Q). Lastly, hammer the overhang down over the wall just like you did to the bottom of the walls (figure R).

Figure P

Figure Q

Figure R

9. To add the wheels, measure from one end of the trailer to the center of the trailer and go up 3/4" from the bottom to clear the sub-floor. Drill a 3/4" hole with a paddle bit on both sides of the trailer. Insert a bar all-thread axle through the holes on both sides (figure S) and attach the wheels to the axle using washers and nuts (figure T).

10. Using drop sheets of aluminum, cut out pieces to attach over the wheels as fenders for the real camper look (figure U). The fenders are attached using the aluminum screws and can be shaped as desired.

Figure S

Figure T

Figure U

11. The trailer hitch assembly is built using a ripped 2x4 structure and a store bought hitch (figure V). Rip a 2x4 in half and create a "Y" shape from the pieces – the two pieces that come in from the sides need miter cuts at 45 degrees on the ends that connect to the center piece. The assembly is attached to the trailer with 2" wood screws. (This hitch is for show ONLY do not pull this trailer any faster than a really slow crawl, and never with a pet inside) (figure W)

12. The final step is to add a corrugated tin awning over the entrance to the house (figure X). Cut a piece of tin with tin snips to 24" x 24". Attach it to the house using aluminum screws and support it with some metal dowels that attach to the floor and awning.

13. Be sure to round corners and smooth edges so your dogs won’t get scratched.

Figure V

Figure W

Figure X

RESOURCES :

Young-Williams Animal Center
Website: www.knoxpets.org

The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Website: www.aspca.org

Petfinder.com
Website: www.petfinder.com