A Question for Dutchman/Thor T@B Owners!

[grant whipp]

We've been asked by a prospective client (and friend) to do some serious re-modeling of their 2005 T@B ... but we have absolutely no idea what kind of framing is inside the walls and/or where it is located ... ...! We pretty much know how they are made, and what materials were used, but until we know what & where the framing is, we really can't say if there is sufficient structure to support the proposed mods. (It's a standard model, BTW, not the Clamshell)

Do any of you have any pics of the open framework that you could share with us? D/T doesn't seem willing to share anything (I get the feeling they'd just as soon everyone forgot they ever made the T@B ... ...!). Thanks!

(And, please! ... let's keep the responses focused on the question, and not let this topic go off track, O.K. ...?)

CHEERS!

[aggie79]

Grant,

This video show a T@B being constructed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbFV-b0drXA (in Germany. I don't know if it has the same construction method as D-T.) It looks like the floor, walls, and roof are "sandwich" construction. The floors appear to have plywood top and bottom. (I can't tell but it appears to have framing.) The walls appear to have plywood framing with aluminum exterior and FRP interior skins. The roof appears to be the same construction as the floor, but you can see a shot of poplar spars as the roof is being lifted in place (before the aluminum is applied.).

Take care,
Tom

[grant whipp]

Hey, Tom ...

... Thanks! I remember seeing that many years ago, now ... ...!

Due to the licensing agreement with T@B Germany, I'm pretty sure Stateside construction at D/T was pretty similar. I'm going to have to go back over a couple sections of that video several times to be sure, but it sure doesn't look like there is much in the way of framing in the walls! And, as I feared, nearly all of the cabinetry is self-supporting, resting mainly on the floor, and only tied to the walls & ceiling to add stability to the rest of the structure.

I almost wish I had one I could destroy, just to see how they are built ... but I just realized ... maybe I could find one in a salvage yard that has been totaled and go take a look ... ...!

Thanks, again, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[grant whipp]

Well, folks ...

... thanks to Kathryn, fellow TearJerkers Member and a T@B owner and participant on their Forum, we have what we need, info-wise (now, we just have to muster up the courage ... ...!) ... ...!

Thank You! Kathryn ... it is so very much appreciated ... ...! As always ...

CHEERS!

[JuneBug]

Can you share the nature of the mods requested?

[grant whipp]

Can you share the nature of the mods requested?

Right now, it looks like they want more of a vintage trailer layout ... permanent bed in the rear, kitchenette opposite the door, and narrow 2-person dinette across the front ... but, we'll see what they finally decide on once we actually get out hands on the trailer. When we get started, we'll probably document the whole thing on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/teardrops.net

CHEERS!