First Teardrop

[ukuleleblues]

I am going to build my first teardrop. I've been looking through the forum for the last hour, a lot of great information here.

I really like the Kuffle Creek Comet

http://www.kuffelcreek.com/cubbycometcompare.htm

I have a couple of questions maybe someone can give me advice on. I am a little over 6'2" and 265 lbs. (I camp with my wife of 5 ')

So the length of the Cubby seems too small. I know I can extend it a few inches but don't want to take too much away from the gallery. I was also concerned about the 4' width. So what I was thinking about doing was building a comet on a 5 x 10 frame. The only thing that has me concerned is the frame. If I could step out and buy a 5x8 frame I would not be concerned.

I used to weld some but that was 25 years ago when I was heavy equipment mechanic.


Right now I camp in the back of my truck with an aluminum camper shell in a 8 foot bed with a small tent end on it. Its' 10 foot long by 4 foot wide between the wheel wells. See pics

https://picasaweb.google.com/114208724970218454913/CamperBack?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Am I overdoing to by wanting to use a 5 x 10 frame? Is there anywhere I can buy a 5 x 10 frame? I am overly concerned about the 4' width?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Lgboro]

I am building a 4' teardrop but I camp alone and tow with a compact car. If I regularly camped with a partner I would probably opt for a 5' wide tear as the added cost is minimal and the extra space would be really useful. Five wide trailers are readily available in the US and you should be able to find one in your area. I used a commercial trailer for my build but I would have a welder custom build if I was building again. By the time I changed the trailer to suit my needs I could have had a custom built.

[Woodbutcher]

Yea , don't even consider a 4' wide Teardrop. You might be camping alone in no time.

[Kevin & Sandy]

I am about your size, the 5' X 10' is a must. I also started out with the Kuffel Creek plans. I used them as a guideline, but varied on many things here and there. I used the profile of the Comet. I also went a little shorter in the galley to give me more room to stretch out. I have a queen size mattress but my feet hang over quite a ways !!

I also had not welded for several years, but took my time and dusted off the old welder, did some practice pieces until I had "the touch" back and went to work. I have thousands of miles on the trailer with no trouble. Keep everything square, watch out so welds don't get you out of square, use lots of tack welds to get started and check, check, check dimensions.

If you are not ready to weld up the whole thing, I think Tractor Supply may have 5 X 10's ready to go, but I bet they will take some cutting and welding, like relocating the axle and removing that top angle iron frame rail, to work for your custom frame anyway.

Here's another tip. When I initially located my axle, I welded enough to keep everything together, but not so much that the welds can't be easily ground off. I wound up putting the A/C and battery on the tongue and had to move my axle a considerable distance. Every great once in a while I actually think ahead !! (Okay, this was the only time....)

Best of luck with your project !!!



Kevin

[halfdome, Danny]

Here's another tip. When I initially located my axle, I welded enough to keep everything together, but not so much that the welds can't be easily ground off. I wound up putting the A/C and battery on the tongue and had to move my axle a considerable distance. Every great once in a while I actually think ahead !! (Okay, this was the only time....)

I think if you apply the 60% to 40% rule you won't need to move the axle. Somewhere on the forum it was discussed. Danny

[ukuleleblues]

I appreciate the input. What is a decent cheap welder I can buy. What do you all use?

[Deryk the Pirate]

Of course you could stretch a Harbour freight trailer to almost 10 feet and buy a wider axle and build around the tires... My current lil vardo is gonna be 6x10

deryk

[jlreyburn]

We started out with a 4x8 Little Guy Retro for my husband and I bothof average weight and height 5'8". Within a year we purchased a Silver Shadow, amazing how that little bit of space seems so massive!

[gregp136]

WE have a little 4x8 build on the kuffel creek plans, with additions and changes from this forum. I am 6' tall and we have no problems. We like the 4x8 because it is small. We are about to leave for camping again, and are looking forward to cuddling up in our little tin can. It is all a matter of preferance.

Greg(and Laurie)

[SonofT@B]

I had a 4' x 8' last year and enjoyed it by myself. However, camping with two dogs and the wife it was just TOO SMALL! So I ended up selling it.

We still have our T@B but if I build a teardrop I will definitely go to at least 5' wide and probably 10" long even if I don't put a galley in.

[Wolffarmer]

If you and the wife are not "wide bodies" like I am you might make a 4x8 work. If either one is a wider person it would be hard, if both are then forget it and go 5 wide. If you do decide on a 4 wide 2 doors would probably be a very good idea for you. Any thing wider than a 4 wide for a tear drop 2 doors is nearly a must. Length, make it what ever you need. If you don't cook a lot then probably shorting up the galley is ok. If you do cook a bunch then you would probably want to go longer than 8 foot. But do you really need to go 10 foot? Maybe 9 foot will be just fine. Save some weight.

Randy

[ukuleleblues]

I really appreciate the input. I belong to a ukulele forum and I was kind of concerned that I would post the same stuff that others had posted in the past (IE what is the best uke) so I looked around first. Your input is much appreciated.

I think I am going to go with the 5 foot wide but now have to decide on the length 9 or 10 so I think I will order the plans, start by laying down to get measured looking at sleeping pads and measuring, measuring stoves, coolers, etc. and modifying the plan for me. (uke holders, surf fishing rod racks, lots of cubby holes... I was laying in bed last night trying to visulize it all.

I think I am going to weld up the trailer myself. I use to weld buckets and teeth on excavators when I was a mechanic with large gasoline powered Lincoln welders on trailers, that was 25 years ago, I bet the new welders are smoother that those old Lincolns.

What do you all use to weld with? Can I get by with one of the Harbour Freight $100 specials?

What I think is so cool about what you all do is, you do what you want.... I need a shelf here, a table to pull out, a screened roof, paint it like a watermelon, etc. It's like that spirit has been lost in our society, creativity and ingenuity.

When I was a heavy equipment mechanic my mentor used to complain that all mechanics were now "parts replacers". If he didn't like it out came the torch, sledge and welder.

Thanks all!!

Check out our Uke band if you get a chance: http://www.charlestonhotshots.com I want to take it on the road with a teardrop with the name on the side!!!

[suckerpunched]

The only way to fit two in a four foot wide is to stack them

[Wolffarmer]

Hey Uku fellow

For my welder I have an old Forney. I really like it even though it only does AC stick but that is fine by me. I have heard some people don't like the Harbor Freight ones. I have never used one. I know I do not like small Lincoln welders, I gave the one I had away and felt guilty. I would look in craigslist for a Forney or some thing like that. The best AC stick welder I have ever used was made in the 30's and weighed a ton ( or so ). Can't remember the name but is not longer around. It put the weld up there like butter, it was amazing.

I feel that if the welder uses a fan to keep itself cool it is not the best. But it might do the job for you.

In June I got one of those Harbor Freight self darkening welding helmets. Those are wonderful. But I would close my eyes the split second before striking the arc just to be a bit safer.

Randy

[asianflava]

the 5 wide and 4 wide thing has been discussed so many times its a wore out subject.

Slowcowboy.

Oh believe me, it was wore out long before you opened you account here.

Mine is 5X10, that's how I wanted it, so that's how I built it, no regrets.

There is a surprising amount of room because you can sleep right up on the walls, there is no fear of falling out of bed. We have a King at home and the Queen in the trailer feels like it has just as much room. I can see how folks with a Queen at home can go with a 4ft or 4 1/2ft wide trailer.