THE VERSATILE CAMPER-TOP CABIN

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Measure the inside of each frame, cut a piece of plywood to fit, and screw it down. (Theoretically, you could cut the plywood in advance, but you'll get a much snugger fit if you measure each frame after it's assembled.) Now that you have three rigid wall-panels, find a level spot and start assembling your cabin.

Assembly

Using L-brackets and more screws, arrange the three panels in a U-shape and fasten them together. To keep things square and plumb, use a temporary brace across the open end. If you're adding a drip edge, now's the time to install it with roofing nails.

Place the camper shell on top of the three walls, its back oriented toward the open end, and screw it down. (If you plan to move your cabin often, here you may prefer to substitute carriage bolts and wing nuts with washers.)

Now you're ready to build the front wall, which is at the rear end of what used to be a camper. The design of this front piece depends on your cabin's purpose. The open front-panel in the sketch above shows the design I use for chickens and goat kids.

For chickens, additional interior furnishings include a hanging feeder, a roost, and—if you plan to house laying hens in your cabin—nest boxes. Goat kids need a hay rack, a grain bin, and a feeder for mineral salt and soda. In both cases, I keep the waterer just outside the door where spills won't dampen the interior. If animals will be housed over winter, insulating the roof and running electricity to supply heat keeps them cozy.

If the cabin is for your dog, turn the front panel upside down so the opening is at the bottom. Recess the panel to give Rover a porch for food; add a detached wooden floor to keep him warm and dry.

If you're creating a child's playhouse, deepen the door opening until only a small sill remains at the bottom. To maximize interior wall space, move the door to one side. Add curtains and a set of pint-sized furniture, and you'll have a playhouse no child can resist.

Allan Damerow operates a diversified small farm in middle Tennessee.

Sources:

If square drive-screws aren't yet offered in your local hardware stores, you can find them by contacting:

Falcon Tool and Fastener, 6417 Penn Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423, 800-544-9460.

McFeely's Square Drive Screws, 712 12th Street, PO Box 3, Lynchburg, VA 24505-0003, 800-443-7937.

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