O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:31 pm

Well it's about time I start a build tread.

So everyone tells me you have to have a name for the drop. Really wasn't planning on a name but came up with TODD, Trans Off-road Desert Dwelling. But I was informed that we can't use the word "Trans" anymore so plan B is ODD Off-road Desert Dwelling.

The players,
Me - Todd CEO, Supply chain manager, Builder, Designer, Quality Control, Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Janitor (I need to fire this guy, he doesn't do a very good job), Historian, Gofer.
Wife - Meg CFO

Why the Build
We have done all kinds of camping, starting with a tent, getting a pop-up camper when we had kids. Back to tent camping off the motorcycle, and finally tent camping with the Jeep. We have been getting tired of sleeping on the ground even though we have very good sleeping pads. Seems like the last few years camping we have been having more cold nights in the 20's and 30's and that is getting old getting out of the sleeping bag in the morning. We have our camping gear organized but it takes awhile to get packed for a trip. Because of motorcycle camping we camp very minimal. To be able to sleep in a rest areas or Walmart parking lots if needed.

Goal for the Camper
To be able to have all camp gear pack and ready to go. I want to be able to say lets go camping and just grab some clothes and food and be able to be on the road in under 60 minutes.
To be able to go off road with the Jeep. Not rock crawling, forest roads, and easy to intermediate 4X4 trails. Camping in remote areas.
Smallish but not too small.
As narrow as possible.
To not store anything on the bed while traveling.
Buy no wood from Home Depot or Lowes.

Wants and Needs
Off-road capable with lift and wheels and tires to match Jeep.
CFO requires some type of toilet. A port-o-potty in an enclosure (tent) is acceptable.
Water storage
Shower with hot water.
Useable stocked galley, with or without sink.
Some type of outside table to eat at.
Good quality mattress.
Place to store clothes inside.
1" wall insulation.
Shade awing.
12v system with one maybe two batteries, LED lighting, USB charging areas, 12v outlets,
Will probably put in a 120v outlet or two but don't see much need for it.
Heater, This is the tough one because of cost, probably leave room for a Propex to add down the road if needed.
Aluminum skinned.
Keep cost under control, this isn't a budget build, but the CFO is watching the budget.
I'm sure I'm missing something but it's all I can think of now.

Design
This was the easy part. My original idea was to build an expo trailer with a roof top tent. CFO said no way am I climbing down a ladder in the middle of the night. So the expo trailer is out. She said she wanted a more traditional teardrop. We looked at them online and she said that one, so we are building a Grumman. I am using the Wyoming Woody plans and made some modifications to the plans. I started with the sleeping area and sized it to fit a full XL mattress. The XL is extra long for a full at 80" the same as a queen. Everything else was just eyed to the keep the same scale as the Wyoming Woody. I did go higher than 48" and am just under 10'. I did buy the Steve Frederick's book and am using a lot of his methods.

The Build
I know, I know..."Finally we're getting to the good stuff". Not just yet.
The plan was to finish up a few other projects around the house like tile in the master bath, finish the shed (you'll see pictures of that in the background), then start on ODD. Get what I can before it gets to hot to work in the garage. Then start up again in the fall of 2018 and be done in early 2019. CFO's best friend was out for a visit in October and said why wait get it started now so you can use it. Around the middle of November my wife said lets get started. The weather was just getting nice and I would have all winter (nice working weather) to work on it. At least that was the plan.

To be continued.
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby tony.latham » Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:22 pm

It sounds to me that a teardrop would be perfect for you two. Welcome aboard. :beer:

My original idea was to build an expo trailer with a roof top tent. CFO said no way am I climbing down a ladder in the middle of the night.


And who could argue with that? (Certainly not a self-preserving husband.) If I had a rooftop tent, I'd probably be in a wheelchair. :?

Tony
User avatar
tony.latham
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 6880
Images: 17
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: Middle of Idaho on the edge of nowhere

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:47 am

I think I got posting pictures figured out on this forum, so lets get the build going.

One thing I left out for what we wanted in a camper was lightweight. Well that ship has long sailed. :oops: You have to constantly be in the mindset of building lightweight. I really haven't had to think like that with anything I've built in the past. The other thing is Baltic Birch is heavy compared to other woods or plywoods, but it is strong and stable. I'll still be well within towing limits of the TV. But it will be no lightweight. :cry:

So like I said in the last post it was the middle of Nov when I got the okay to start the build, we had the basic idea that we wanted a Wyoming Woody http://teardropbuilder.com/plans-design-documents/wyoming-woody-teardrop-plans look and it was time to get some wood. I'm going with all Baltic Birch plywood. First load was 1/2" for my work table and and 1/4" for the patterns.

Image

I first build a table workbench that will be 5' X 10' with a 1/2" top. I used left over 2X4's for the scaffold I built to do the stucco on the shed that is in the background (that I need to finish :roll:) The wood was kind of bad from being outside in the sun but I had it and made it work with a lot of shims.

Image

Next was making patterns. I used some 1/4" BB for that. two pieces with a half lap joint to a 5X10ish size. I made two patterns so I didn't have to cut the first one down. My wives best friend also wants a teardrop so there may be a V2.0 at some point. And I'll have the patterns.

Image

Started some layout grids and then kind of eyed it up from there. A disc sander with 50 grit makes a great eraser. :lol:

Image

After a few tries we got a profile we liked. The green tape is the mattress, blue tape are the cabinets.

Image

That's it for today, thanks for following along.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby tony.latham » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:47 am

The bench should be a prerequisite for building a tear. I don't know how I'd build one without. :thumbsup:

Image

Mine's a 4x8' split down the middle, but it's still fine for a 4 x 10' side. One of these days, I'll build another using Ron Paulk's concept. (Youtube his bench.)

Tony
User avatar
tony.latham
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 6880
Images: 17
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: Middle of Idaho on the edge of nowhere
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby HarleyCamper » Wed Feb 07, 2018 12:44 am

Looks like a great build
HarleyCamper
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 75
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:34 pm
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:53 am

I went to do the next update and can't find a bunch of pictures. :cry: I thought I uploaded them but are not there. I noticed I'm missing a memory card and will look for it today. :worship: If not I'll just continue with out them.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby wysedav » Wed Feb 07, 2018 7:17 pm

Great Start, jealous that you can work outside. Are you making the sides 1/2" think?
wysedav
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:42 pm
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Thu Feb 08, 2018 12:07 am

Okay so it looks like a bunch of pictures are MIA. I'll just continue with what I have.

More half laps joints in 1/4" BB for the sides.

Image

Laying out the headliner at 1 5/8" on the pattern.

Image

Image

I built the inner wall using the skeleton method, the missing pictures are of building the skeleton. Here it is finished.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
I used the jig saw and cut close to the line then cleaned up with the belt sander right to the line.

Image

Then I copied the pattern to the skeleton. I didn't want to use the 1/8" router bit like it says in the manual. I don't think it's safe using a RotoZip adapter in a regular router and I was routing 1" material.I could only find 1/8" bits in 1/2" length. I uses the jig saw and cut the center of the two lines. I figured I can clean up to the line with the belt sander again when I have to install the cut offs between the spars.

Image

Image

Then I used the router with a flush trim bit to match the pattern to the skeleton.

Image

I cut the other skeleton the same way and then used the first skeleton at a pattern to train the second.

Image

For my inner wall I used what is called 1" Baltic Birch. I say called because all BB will come in metric sizes and I was told it was 25mm thick but it was just under 24mm if I recall. So that meant the rigid foam all had to be sanded. Not hard to do just more time. But it was easy to work with just cutting a bunch of 3.5" wide pieces out of a 4X8. But BB is heavy (so much for lightweight) but it is stable and strong.

Image

Image

Image

Once I had the skeletons walls done I cut all the foam to fit, easy to do before the outer skin goes on. I still need to finish the rough in for the door. I did that after the outer skin was put on.

Image

Most of this so far was just working weekends and evenings. I have been having problems with my feet and made an appt to see the foot doctor the next week which would be the week of Thanksgiving. Figured get a few Cortisone shots and be good for a few months. I need to find a doc the will hook me up to a Cortisone IV every couple on months. :thinking: That sure would help with the pains. I'm not sure how much I'll be getting done after work because I am getting into the busy time at work. People try to get their surgeries in by the end of the year which make it busy for me. Thais is another reason I need to get my feet looked at. Four day weekend next week for Thanksgiving so am hoping to get a lot done.

I'll leave off here. Thanks for following.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Thu Feb 08, 2018 12:20 am

wysedav wrote:Great Start, jealous that you can work outside. Are you making the sides 1/2" think?


Thanks, Yes it is nice now but come May I'll have 100 degrees in the garage after work. And it will stay like that till September. Except for June and July when it will be 120. :lol: Then I get up at 5:00 and try to get a few hours in before work. The walls will be close to 1 3/8" thick. 1/4" outer, 1" middle, 1/8" inner.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:57 am

A little more tonight.

It's starting to look like the teardrop.

Image

I'm marking the outer skin where to put glue for the skeleton. Everything was labeled with colored markers to help eliminate mistakes when glueing. In this case the other side of the skeleton is marked in red "passenger outside". Same colors get glued to each other, never different colors.

Image

Some brackets were added to help aline the skeleton once glue is applied.

Image

Image

Cutting the outer skin door out.

Image

Once the skin was glues on I reinstalled the foam glueing it in place. and then sanding it flush with a disc sander with 50 grit paper. I also used the poly water tubing in 1/2" OD for raceways for electric wiring. Also wood blocks were added for screws to hold on the switch plate and the outdoor light above the door. Sorry for the bad pictures.

Image

Image

Image

Image

If you look close in this picture you can see smoke, I routed the groove in the wood and a shavings were hot enough to melt the foam, I'm glad I noticed it and didn't go in to eat or be done for the night. :frightened:

Image

A few coats of epoxy on the outer skins.

Image

Image

So this brings me to around Dec 1st. I had the doctor appt and it didn't go as planned. I was hoping for a few Cortisone shots and be on my way, but he said the pain is not just plantar fasciitis this time and to get an MRI. The MRI showed what we knew was going to happen sooner or later, tarsal tunnel syndrome. I set up surgery for 12/10. :NC This is not going to sit well with work but I needed to get it done. I had 10 days to come up with a plan. That plan was to build the floor and get the walls up that way when I could get back on my feet I might have some easy stuff to do like varnish walls. I got the floor done but no pictures and work was real busy 10-16 hour days. The weekend before surgery I figured I wasn't going to get the walls up so I took some measurements and cleaned everything up for the next 6-8 week off.

I had two week like this, I was told toes above nose. Then two weeks with a boot and crutches (I was sick almost the full two weeks which was a good thing because it keep me off my foot longer to better heal). Then I had three weeks going from the boot to wearing shoes for a hour or two around the house to just shoes over the three weeks.

Image

Thats it for tonight, thanks for following along.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:45 am

Another setback. :lol: My wife texted me this, :oops: She came home to get something and I didn't even know she was home. So I'm cut off from the garage until I get an okay from the doctor.

Image

This was about three weeks ago, so I am getting close to where I am at now.

More to come soon.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby working on it » Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:06 am

KTM_Guy wrote:Well it's about time I start a build thread.

So everyone tells me you have to have a name for the drop. Really wasn't planning on a name but came up with TODD, Trans Off-road Desert Dwelling. But I was informed that we can't use the word "Trans" anymore so plan B is ODD Off-road Desert Dwelling....
  • Oh crap, do you mean the idiocy of political correctness has pervaded (or perverted ?) our society to the point that we can't name our own creations whatever we think is appropriate , because it might offend some snowflake? It is what it is, and should be so named. I guess that the Pontiac Trans-Ams will all have to be re-named, and any person, creature, place, or thing named "trans". or "pan" (another version of trans) will be socially offensive. Lots of companies will be changing their names, and eventually everyday items items will lose the descriptor that accurately defines the item; it will be replaced with some other muddled , non-offensive label in fashion at the time.
  • Sooner or later, all language will be compromised, and all communication will be slowed down, while we mull over proper adjectives and descriptors in our minds before we say anything, lest it offend. And, following the same reasoning? applied to our language, will numbers offend someone? https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/09/130913-friday-luck-lucky-superstition-13/ and then gestures? https://www.huffingtonpost.com/smartertravel/10-innocent-hand-gestures_b_5022230.html and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/Rude-hand-gestures-of-the-world/. Where will it all end? I believe in using our rich language to the full extent, calling a spade a spade, and letting the chips fall as they may, regardless of the delicate sensitivities of others (perhaps due to a faulty self-realization?). Once again, I iterate, it is what it is.
  • By the way, nice build in progress! I agree with not using Roto-zip adapters in a router
    KTM_Guy wrote:I didn't want to use the 1/8" router bit like it says in the manual. I don't think it's safe using a RotoZip adapter in a regular router
    ... It's better to use a router for some things, and a Roto-zip for others. I used my Roto-zip for everything (my friend's router tried to kill me, so I had no alternative), in lieu of router, holesaw, jigsaw, Dremel, etc. I cut out my door and window openings, and holes for my vents and A/C window unit, as well. I had to sand the edges of tose openings, because the Rotozip bits I used were not intended to cut thru 3'4" plywood, but it was my best tool at the time. I have since bought a hand-held router that would've worked better than the Roto-zip, but I've never had occasion to cut on my trailer again, just needing a drill, for subsequent modifications.
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs
  • *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
  • *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
  • *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
  • *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
  • *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof
173193172890148599
User avatar
working on it
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2171
Images: 457
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:05 pm
Location: DFW Texas
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:13 pm

Okay I've been cleared to spend up to 60 minutes on my foot at a time with out the boot on, then rest it for a few hours. Over the next few weeks i'll be working up to a normal work day so I can get back to work.

So before the surgery I took some measurements for the cabinets and started getting some wood cut. I don't have a good way to crosscut long panels, so I made a jig to cut them with a flush trim bit in a router. My inside width on my walls is 55 3/16" (or something close to that). that is what the jig is set for. Every horizontal board will get cut this way for the cabinets.

It's just 1/4" BB with a stop on the end.

Image

Image

I do a rough cut with what ever saw is handy which is usually the jig saw.

Image

Image

Then use a router with flush trim bit.

Image

I also got the inner 1/8" skin on one of the walls but no pictures. I'm finding I'm getting less pictures now.

I cut the rally hatch lid out on one of the sides.

Image

Image

And what do you know it's starting to look like a teardrop.

Image

More to come.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:25 pm

Started to work on the cabinets.

Galley cabinets.

Image

Image

Aft cabin cabinets. Not complet in this pic.

Image

Fore cabin cabinets.

Image

Getting installed.

Image

Image

Moving to the Galley and aft cabinets,

Image

Image

Image

Galley.

Image

Up next is to skin the inner wall of the drivers side and seal. Then get that put up.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Re: O.D.D. Version 1.0 An off-road teardrop build.

Postby KTM_Guy » Tue Feb 20, 2018 11:39 pm

I got the drivers side skinned and ready to put op like the other side. I attached the walls using 3" screws and 1/2" oak dowel rods to help register the holes predrilled for the screws. From the photo you can see the inner wall on the top, middle wall where the holes are drilled and the outer wall on the bottom. It covers over the side of the floor so I can glue to to side of the floor and the top of the floor. Lots of surface area. I was just going to use the dowels to line up the holes but got thinking why not add more and make the rods 4-5" long. I used epoxy to glue the walls and the dowels.

Image

Here is the floor, with the holes drilled.

Image

Up next was to make the head liner, I placed the seams to fall inside a cabinet. I spaced the two sheets of 1/8" BB 1/4" apart and clamped a straight edge so my router with 3/8" straight bit would just hit both side and give me a great fitting head liner.

Image

Got the wax paper down.

Image

Clamped with a board the had a bit of warp in the middle.

Image

The plan was to next get the head liner varnished and then installed but the weather was not going to corporate. So I did some other stuff until the weather broke. Got the spars cut and holes drilled for wiring.

Image

I finely got the head liner installed and some insulation cut (just what I had left over from the walls). This is about up to where I am right now in the build. I am back to work now so will have maybe an hour at at night and the weekends to work on it now. My plan is to have the spars and some insolation done by the weekend, then I'll start pulling some wire. My electric will be minimal compared to some builds on here. Most of the wire will home run to the tongue box. Nothing to crazy. Also working on cabinet doors, lots of sanding and varnish.

Todd
User avatar
KTM_Guy
500 Club
 
Posts: 571
Images: 193
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:50 am
Location: Mesa, AZ near Usery
Top

Next

Return to Build Journals

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests