It has been 4 months and the amount of progress made has me realizing a blog update is long overdue!!

 Dennis completed the metal work mid-April. As I shared in the last update, he mended and replaced the metal that rust had taken its toll upon. He also did some custom fabrication with the pop-out serving windows and  the frames for shelves on both sides of the trailer.

 Before sending it to Escalera, Chris did a few a touch-up odds and ends, then took the trip across town to drop trailer for the next phase: sandblast, primer and powder.

Escalera completed their portion of the project in about a week. Once back home, Chris got right to work: putting trim pieces back on that would not impact vinyl-wrapping to come, installing all new door latches with locks and installing hardware for brake lights

Next up: installing subfloor then laminate flooring and building out shelves around the metal frames Dennis fabricated.

Now that flooring was done, Chris was able to maneuver around inside the trailer much easier – and safer!!! Chris also installed the electrical panel where the battery will go and all wiring will centrally terminate to. He installed lock-latches and hardware on the inside portion of the pop-out windows. These will also have air shocks installed which will keep them open once unlatched.

It was finally time to get the vinyl wrapping done. We went through Coker Precision Graphics who had come recommended by several people. We described and discussed the small touches of yellow to have some color POP on the trailer: the roof, the fenders and across the front…. Coker absolutely delivered!

Now that the vinyl was all set, we got to work on riveting the remaining trim pieces back on. After a couple hiccups, several drill bits, one busted rivet gun, a lot of sweat and a few curse words later…the trim pieces were back on! And then with the diamond plate riveted on top of the fenders, The Hive really looked polished and started to feel much closer to the finished project!

Also the inside shelves were installed. These are neat with a small 6-inch bracket that collapses down for more movability inside when they aren’t needed!

Next Steps will be: complete the inside: backsplashes, counters, air shocks on the windows, and wiring/setting electrical. Then add some logo decals to the outside.

Final Step – roll out to a local event near you!!