Teardrop Fast Track

[JimboC-JAY]

Well, I get the garage back this week so in order to take advantage of the remainder of the summer and fall, I've given myself 3 weeks to finish the tear. I ordered the trailer today (HF). How long does it usually take for those to arrive? I'll post more pictures of the compressed build as I have time. Wish me luck.

 

[Joseph-TNT]

I ordered the trailer today (HF). How long does it usually take for those to arrive?

It depends - contact HF. I hate to say this but they were out of stock when I ordered mine and it took a couple of months.

Joseph

 

[mercy-TNT]

I was lucky enough to be 5 minutes away from the closest Harbor Freight. When I went to get the trailer, I saw they were on sale for $299 (yay!), but didn't have any in stock (boo!), so they gave me a rain check for the sale price (YAY!), but then I had to wait until they got them back in stock (boo!)

I was able to pick up the trailer a week and a half ago (YAAAAY!).

All of this back-and-forth took 4 (four!?) weeks.

It sounds like we may be on the same time frame. Since I live in an apartment, I'm going to my parents' place in Indiana to build mine. (looks like I'm leaving Friday) I'm hoping it'll take 2 weeks, but I'm guessing it'll be more like 3.

Good luck.

 

[tdhombre]

I wouldn't like to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, but I logged 270 hours of labor to build my teardrop. Mind you, I didn't work 8-10 hour days. More like 2-4 was my pace so it took almost 6 months from start to finish. But it still took 270 hours of labor.

You could probably shorten this time by making some design decisions like:
1. no insulation in the top or sidewalls,
2. paint the exterior rather than use aluminum skin,
3. no/limited cabinet work in the hatch or interior,
4. no wood finishing in the interior or hatch,
5. and so on -------

It was very surprising to me as to the amount of time it took to do all the detail work required.

Hope this helps and doesn't stop anyone from building a teardrop. I had a great time and continue to enjoy the results.

 

[JimboC-JAY]

I've already decided that this will be a basic TD in order to trim some time off. Going with shelving inside as opposed to cabinets. Also planning on just basic electrical. I just want to get some camping time out of it this year. I plan to start a larger one this fall for a winter project so I will trick it out instead. I will probably give my dad the one we are building now once I have my next one completed.

It seems that once I started this one I came up with all kinds of things I wanted to do differently. Hence, the plan to build version 2.

 

[beverlyt]

Just like Dave, it took us 6 months to finish our trailer. One thing that would help is to get all parts ahead of time. I didn't do that and was constantly in need of something that took time to ship.
By keeping it very basic, I'm sure you can get things done much quicker though.
We insulated the entire trailer, spent enormous amounts of time on inside birch and trim...and a good amount of time getting all the 12v wiring areas done both inside and out. Our hatch wasn't a treat either... hopefully yours will go much smoother and faster!
The small details really slowed us down.
Hope you can get yours done in record time!
Bev

 

[mikeschn]

I've built 2 now, and each one took roughly 5 to 6 months working weekends on it. Could I have done it faster, perhaps, but I would have burned out for sure.

But at a bare minimum, I would figure 10 to 14 full weekends! (Throw a couple 3 or 4 day weekends in there for good measure!!!

Mike...

 

[mercy-TNT]

The goal for me is to get it far enough along to work on the inside cabinets later. I'm focused on sides, roof, doors and wires.

I have a box I keep tripping over in the studio where I've been stashing trailer parts as I get them. Later on today, I get to go pick up *checks list* interior lights, agm battery. after that, all that's left on the list are latches, hinges and windows (which i hope to get shipped to mom and dad's place).

I was going to treat the whole thing like an art project or sculpture and bang away at it, 8 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. (I also have secret weapons: my dad, grandfather, and a childhood friend, two of whom are retired, all of whom are construction nuts, and all three are jumping up and down yelling "can I help? can I help?")

Of course, this could be the most insane project I've ever attempted and I wind up cursing the day I laid eyes on a teardrop. Then again, we went camping over the weekend and that just reinforced the desire to be able to pull in, unhitch, and open up instead of fighting with that tent again. (especially once it started raining. grr.)

 

[Chip-TNT]

just another slow poke here,,seems like the details just eat up ya time,,,even the small stuff kills ya,,,I spent most of monday on the galley and only got it roughed in good,,still got a cay or more to finish up,,,but with four people building, if ya got a plan then you are looking at a couple of weeks to get a nice unit put together,,,that is if ya give the glue time to dry,,,

approaching 3 to 4 months time and struggling,,,,another month or so and Ill be out of the shop anyway

chip

 

[JimboC-JAY]

Well, due to more problems with my Dad's truck and delays on parts, I am still without garage. In order to trim some more time off the build, I am changing my design... I was looking on angib's website and he had a design for a square TT called the Mark 2 http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear38.htm that eliminates the curves and thus much of the longer build delays. So, here's the current plan of attack, this weekend, I'm picking up more plywood for the new design and cutting out the sides, attaching them and the roof ribs. I may try to run my electric also. I am sitting here with TD parts up to my *** and nothing to use them for. I'm planning on getting as much done as possible before I get the garage back to finish it off. A couple of other time savers that I am going to do is cover the inside in gluedown carpet and go with shelves insead of cabinets. The good thing is the walls I have constructed can be used for shelving. Well, I'll post an update after I get a little done and post some pics of the new design.

My HF trailer shipped on 7/7, how long should I expect for delivery?

 

[engled]

It only took me 3 months of weekends, I took a couple off to save my sanity. You can see what I got done each weekend on my web site. I belive it could be done in alot less time if you plan ahead. The best thing about having a set of plans is the materials list. There were a lot of time I was at Home Depot buying stuff that I had know idea where it all went and had very little left over when I was done.

 

[Rondacker-FRF]

I have six months in my woody. A lot of dumb staring...(research) is in that time too. I worked a couple of hours evenings during the week, a solid day on Saturdays, a couple of hours on Sundays. I used a lot of time, about a month, in stripping the roof and 'glassing, something not required in a "traditionally built" teardrop.
Whatever the time taken, enjoy the process!
P.S. Courtney, I'm 40 miles NW of Albany. If coming through, stop by!

 

[campadk-TNT]

P.S. Courtney, I'm 40 miles NW of Albany. If coming through, stop by!

Hey Steve... how far are you from Old Forge? We'll be down there between July 7th and 11th to check out the area.

 

[Rondacker-FRF]

Dave, Did you really mean July?
I live about 2 hours south of Tupper Lake/Fish Creek area.
Still planning to go to Fish Creek Pond on Oct 9-11 weekend?

 

[campadk-TNT]

Hi Steve,

Oops! Yup I meant Aug 7-11th (staying at Fish Creek, going to Old Forge for 1 day). Same thing Aug 18-21 with a day trip to Old Forge.

Yup still look at going Oct 9-11 weekend. We are also probably going to book Labour Day weekend Sep 3-6th... will know this week.

Weather was a 'bit' unpleasant the last few weeks, but we managed 8 days/2 trips at Fish Creek. Visited the Adirondack Cottage Show in Lake Placid. Saw some nice canoes and guide boats! Canoeing in pouring rain and thunderstorm too. Oh well we'll be back lots more this summer/fall for some better weather.

 

[Rondacker-FRF]

UhOh Dave! You have me thinking! Maybe a couple of trips to Fish Creek for me?
I don't think it will be too hard to convince Phyllis, She had a great time out this past weekend(our first trip with the tear).

 

[campadk-TNT]

Lots of sites available for Labour day weekend!

Actually this past weekend we winged it and went with no reservations. We had to move once which is no biggie with a tear.

Let me know if you can make any of the dates I listed! Would be great to meet you and Phyllis. She does look like she is comfy in your Avatar photo.

Cheers

 

[mercy-TNT]

i'm here in indiana, at the end of day one of building (start date got pushed back a week due to a funeral). deck is done. asphalt emulsion goes on tomorrow*. cut and sand sides tomorrow.

papa handed over his contracting tools. dad took the truck out of the garage and turned me loose. parts are lined up along the wall. i feel good. nervous as all get out, but really good.

even if i fail miserably, it'll make a *really* good story someday.

and yes, i do want to get out and see other folks in the northeast!

*question to follow in another section

 

[tdthinker]

good luck Mercy!!!