Contest: How I would use the Harbor Freight trailer if I win

[del]

Del's entry


Looking through Andrew's design library, I would like to build the Roswell--a trailer that would get looks anywhere it went and yet be easy to pull with my Subaru. The outside would be painted in one of those seventies retro metal flake colors. The windows (round naturally) would be reflective, with decals that look like people sitting inside, but are actually pictures of aliens. What else! This trailer is called the Roswell.

To build the body, I would start with one-eighth inch plywood, then fiberglass inside and out, with ribs fiberglassed in for support. Next, the openings would be cut out and an inside lip added to make a place to add a seal. The entry door would open up (like gull wing doors), held up by struts. The hatch would open too. I am leaning towards two doors that hinge on the sides.

Moving inside, the K.I.S.S.1 principle would be the order of the day. Between the ribs some sprayed on insulation. A couple of shelves and a storage cabinet. Everything painted white to keep it easy to light and clean. The galley would be similar to the inside, two shelves. One shelf for the stove and used as a counter top. The other for the ice chest and storage.

For special effects, a small smoke machine and neon lights underneath the trailer might be fun.

The carport is where I will build this, the garage is full of storage. Not the ideal location, but it works until it gets cold.


The time line is to use the spring, summer, fall to build (When the snow flies I hide inside, if only I could win the lottery and spend my winters in the tropics. ;-)
del

edit 27 jan
When I first researched teardrop trailers I found a web ring that had Andrews (a link to) drawings. I looked at the drawings and was excited about the roswell. Only then did I make my way into this forum. So I have seen Andrews drawings in the design library (thank you Andrew, a lot of work went into these). I have also found mention of the roswell on this cite. (trailer number four)
http://www.teardrops.net/mystery/index.html
A link to what i found so far.
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=13571
Thanks to everyone who added great info to this thread.
del

[grant whipp]

Hi, Y'All!

Thought I'd bring this back up towards the top ... see if we can't generate some more interest. If there aren't many more entries, Mike just might say ta hell with it and cancel (and I wouldn't blame if he did). I'll even withdraw my entry if that'd help ... ... ... 'cause I've already got an HF frame collectin' dust under my workbench ... I was just tryin' ta get the ball rollin' with something a little outside the box!

So, c'mon ... make it worth Mike's (and your) time! And, I know we'd all like to hear/see what's cookin' in those furtive imaginations out there ... ... ...!

CHEERS!

Grant

[Miriam C.]

Hey it takes time to put together a wining production around here. You guys are all so creative.

Teardrop Contest
OUTLINE

4x8 Harbor Freight frame

I plan to paint this the same color as the fenders (see below)
Benroy profile

1/4 Birch outside skin
1/8 inside skin
framed with 1"x2"
insulation = 3/4 polystyrene

Roof = two layers 1/8 Birch
Vent = powered

Traditional galley
Open for storage needs
Counter = tile or laminate in green tone.
Hatch
Inside front shelf or corner shelves
Cabinets over feet. Simple doors with stained trim.

surface
CPES
Petite marine paint
Deep Cream and Dark green trim
Alternative is natural wood with copper trim

Inside surface is natural wood with died trim. A green tone or copper paint.
Mattress from JC Penny’s or Knox foam.

Fenders= Green/copper metal flake



This teardrop will be pulled with a small car and used when I am going a long way from home. I will use it to take my mom to Virginia and Florida to visit her sister and brothers. It will also be used if I am camping alone.

I will add to this as I get it in some kind of order!

All right now the rest of you—take it away from me. (I will retract also if there aren’t at least 5 more. Mike can try again later)


Patience Grasshopper

[doug hodder]

I'll agree with you Grant...hey all you guys/gals out there...here is a great opportunity to pick up a frame to get started...It's a great start for a new builder that is willing to take the giant leap into building a tear...A rolling frame for free!!! perfect for a Cubby, or any other tear for that matter...especially for those of you on tight budgets. All the info and lots of people to help you out with your project are here and that's free too!!...cut your costs and get a free frame!!! he who hesitates is lost!! Doug

[mikeschn]

Grant,

Do you ever find the url to the Vardo you were talking about?

Miriam,

Got a picture of a Benroy that is similar to what you are thinking about?

Del,

Got any more Roswell pictures that you might have found on the web?

Spad,

Got a picture of Coroplast in action?



And all the rest of you that are waiting till the last day to post, don't... we wanna see it, and we wanna see it now. We're a paitent bunch, arn't we?

Mike...

[Ira]

Since we were looking at a Valentine's Day deadline, that's when I was looking to submit mine by. I have a few ideas, but haven't decided 100% on one.

Since I don't work in CAD, I'm gonna do my entry in Photoshop. I really need a few photos of the bare trailer to "build" on, but haven't looked for any yet. If anyone can point me to some, thanks.

[Miriam C.]

What we really need around here are some pictures of the basic models that can be taken into paint. That would allow everyone to test thier paint ideas, not just for contest.

Mike I know you do great things with CAD but something basic would help those with dial-up. I was hoping you would follow through with the speadsheet thing.

[Jst83]

I didn't see the dimensions of the trailer. What kind of floor space am I designing around?

Scott

[toypusher]

Here's a couple of pics to work from (I did not post the pics because I would have had to downsize them for here):

http://www.teardrops.us/userfiles/38/DSCN0983.JPG

http://www.teardrops.us/userfiles/38/DSCN0985.JPG

Good Luck!

[Ira]

It's the 4 by 8 folding HF trailer.

[Jst83]

It's the 4 by 8 folding HF trailer.

Thanks. What does Folding mean?

[Jst83]

It's the 4 by 8 folding HF trailer.

Thanks. What does Folding mean?

Just found my own answer. The tongue folds

[mikeschn]

Okay, you talked me into it...

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 660#177660

Mike...

Mike I know you do great things with CAD but something basic would help those with dial-up. I was hoping you would follow through with the speadsheet thing.

[reiltear]

Hi, everyone!

In the first week of January I was presented with some issues. I guess it's called "life". Most of them will be resolved by February 12. That leaves me two whole days to learn TurboCAD Lite!

If I won the trailer I would build a Northern Lite, modified, of course. I would make it a foot longer and squared off at the bottom in the front to match the frame. I was thinking of making the front profile match the hood of my F-250. The sides would be insulated with 1" and roof and bottom, 1 1/2" foil faced stuff. Also, I would put doors on both sides and make the hatch open up. The paint scheme will match my truck. Fred already has some sketches of this TD in his album, to give you an idea of my starting point.

So, if I win:

I solemnly promise to keep the galley a "slider" to test Fred's concept.

I solemnly swear to take tons of pictures and buy an extra set of rechargeable batteries for my camera and keep them fully charged at all times, so I will have no excuses.

I promise that even if TuboCAD does not submit to my learning attempts, I will post some hand-drawn sketches in my album by the deadline.

The trailer(NL, not just the HF one) shall be in at least towable condition by November 1.

I swear that I will go to at least one gathering and meet some of you in person and thank you for your help face to face.



Ilya







PS I already have a "Passport" potty, a tiny sink(thanks to my neighbor's kitchen remodel), lots of one-by lumber, a reliable source for 1/8" lauan, a bunch of hardwood for the cabinets and a strong desire to change my "title" from "teardrop inspector" back to "teardrop builder".

[Roly Nelson]

If I won the Harbor Freight trailer contest, I would build "The Full Nelson, Teardrop", right here in my triple-car garage, which is complete with all of the woodworking tools that I have always dreamed I would have. Of course I would take construction progress pics and post them as I went along. Perhaps it would be finished by ITG #3 in Minden. Here is what has been bouncing around in my mind:

First of all, it would be a true 'Handicapped Accessible Teardrop', custom built to make teardrop camping easier for my sweet, semi-wheelchair-bound wife of almost 55 years. It would be 5 ft wide, and 8 ft long, and while in tow, would have the normal 4 ft high profile. The basic teardrop shape would be maintained, however obvious design differences would be quite apparent by the unusual angle of windows overlaying the standard doors.

Upon reaching the campsite, a metamorphous would begin. The curved, front section which overlaps the outer walls, would be raised since it is hinged just forward of the galley hinge. When lifted by hand from the inside, it would create an interior large enough to stand in. Within this 6ft 6" long area, would be a crosswise bed, nestled against the rear wall, raised high enough for seating. Naturally the length would be limited by the 5 foot width, however a tip-out section for her feet, would provide a full-length sleeping area. Also on the street side wall, 4 ft from the floor, another 6ft bed, 32" wide would be created lengthwise to the trailer, simply by unfolding a hinged, 36" long platform that would receive a mattress, stored on the lower bed while enroute.

This layout leaves ample room for a fold down, porta-potty seat. On the front wall, a hinged table with seating for 2, could be raised at mealtime, A 12"section of the curbside floor, (6'' of the frame, ahead of the spring attachment) would be indented and covered when not in use or at night. Within this area, a removable stair-step unit would be placed on the ground. This leaves a full-height door opening, since the top of this only door would be a full 6 ft from the ground. Hand rails on both sides would aid her egress and exit. No bending over would be required to enter, just duck the head inside and step up the three, 8" stair steps.

To complete this unusual concept, side windows in the raised portion would provide light and ventilation along side of my bed, and a hinged cover on the curved front window, would allow checking out the view while standing inside. There would be under-bed storage inside and hanging room for clothes on the front wall. This tear would have the standard hatchlid with lower cabinets and a shallower countertop, that would double in size when flipped out during meal preparation on the outside.

I have already built a cereal box cardboard model of this final (and last) "Nelson" series of trailers, and it seems to work just fine. Naturally, all construction will be of the standard "lightweight" version as in the 1/4 and 1/2 Nelson woody. With the overlapping sidewalls, it doesn't appear to have any rain leak concerns, as water runs down hill :-). The area of most concern would be the back-to-back piano hinge set up at the galley and hinged front section. Perhaps Grant could come up with a dual-acting extruded aluminum creation just for this purpose. (Hey Grant, I'll trade you a pair of custom wood-spoked wheel covers) I will endeavor to take some pics of the cardboard 1/12th scale model and post them.

OK, Mike, throw this into the mix and see what turns up............:-)

Roly, the lil' ol' teardrop builder, with one last original project, hopefully!