Finally Started My Build

[mlsa]

Hey Everybody

I introduced myself several months ago and said I was so impressed with all of your teardrops that I wanted to build a reverse teardrop to pull behind my Trike. I didn't want a galley...just a trailer big enough for me to sleep in and to be able to sit up in if I needed to stay inside for a bit. I also said that I wanted to use exotic wood strips for the sides and top to fancy it up a bit...such as I've seen on some of your trailers.

It never fails that suddenly work got in the way. Well....today I actually started my build. I only got as far as getting the sides cut out...no doors or windows yet....I'm thinking my next step is to cut and glue the wood strips to the sides and then cut the doors and windows(which I hope to have by then). Then I will mount the sides to the trailer. It will be much easier to stripe the sides while they are laying down instead of standing up.

I do have a question for you experts....I want the top to be tall enough to sit up in and not bump my head but I don't want a lot of extra head room...just trying to cut down on any extra weight. What I have now for the sides is length = 78" and the top would be 48" high. I'm thinking I could cut the 48" high down to 42" and still have plenty of head room since I'm only 5'7" tall anyway.l What do you experts think?

Here are a few pics:

My trailer as it looks now:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v324/ ... g&newest=1

Laying out the curve"
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v324/ ... g&newest=1

Sides after cutting curves:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v324/ ... g&newest=1

Trike I will be pulling trailer with:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v324/ ... g&newest=1

[mikeschn]

I'm 5'7" also. When I am sitting on top of a mattress, 33" is real close. I find 36" to be quite comfortable.

So my sidewall would be:

floor & subfloor = 2"
mattress = 4"
roof with insulation = 1 3/4"
headroom = 36"
total = 43 3/4"

But you'll have to try with a piece of wood and see what is comfortable for you.

Mike...

[Endo]

I'm thinking I could cut the 48" high down to 42" and still have plenty of head room since I'm only 5'7" tall anyway.l What do you experts think?

My current teardrop has 42" high sidewalls (outside measurement).
The interior height of the teardrop is 38 3/4".
I can sit up in mine just fine and I am 5' 10".
Not a lot of space above my head but I can sit up without hitting the ceiling.
I did keep my mattress thin (4").

[StPatron]

In order to determine a suitable seating height for my build, I went with the "scientific" approach.

I sat against a wall and placed a ruler a few inches above my head, then measured the distance from floor to the "mark". Added mattress thickness and got the total.

[mlsa]

Thanks everybody for your responses. I guess I'm in the ball park then...I was thinking somewhere between 42-44".

I've found a couple of smoke colored windows I think I'll order...they are local so I can pick them up and save shipping.

This is going to be fun...I hope.

Thanks again

David