Building a Second Teardrop

[Georgeandpat]

Hello all, It's been a few years since I built my first "Cubby" teardrop trailer and spent a lot of time on this forum. My son is home for the summer from college and I suggested that we build and sell a teardrop instead of him getting a conventional summer job. It will be very tough to finish it by the end of the summer but I'm thinking that we can come close since I have the experience and he has the time. This next Cubby won't have as many "bells and whistles" as the first one but a couple of questions for the members here:
1. For those of you who have built more than one does it get significantly easier or faster the second time around?
2. Should I consider putting 1 door in instead of 2 to save time and costs.
3. Any other time/cost saving suggestions?
4. Looks like the Cubby now utilizes a 1720# HF trailer instead of the 1840# one. Anyone had any problems with this change?
Thanks, G.

[Miriam C.]

Don't forget the it is good advertising too. As for the doors---every poll I have seen here says 2 doors for all the reasons we are all familiar. Even as big as mine is I wish I had two! Good luck!

[planovet]

2 doors

+1

[starleen2]

1. For those of you who have built more than one does it get significantly easier or faster the second time around?
2. Should I consider putting 1 door in instead of 2 to save time and costs.
Thanks, G.

That usually happens aound build # 3

[Arne]

no. 1 was like a test bed for no. 2.... no. 2 went a bit faster because I didn't go through all of the learning curve, but I also made it a bit more complicated with the curve in the front walls..

I did feel a lot more confident about doing it. More busy work than thinking.

The trailers look the same to me. the 1800 was built in russia/ukraine, whatever.. the 1740 in china... different mfgrs, no difference in trailers I can see.

no. 2 is 99% perfect. I don't need a no. 3....

[Georgeandpat]

Thanks for the responses. Definitely some useful input here. We picked up the HF 1720# (made in China) last night. It looks almost identical to the Ukranian 1840# one that I bought 7 years ago. One thing that seems a bit different, however, are the wheels- they don't look quite as well made. They also have labels on them that say something like "Do not exceed 55 mph" which I don't recall seeing on my last HF trailer wheels. The tires themselves have a speed rating of "M" (about 80 mph). Perhaps the 55 mph limit is to prevent damage to the bearings? G.

[michaelwpayton]

Below is a link to a discussion of such "limits:"

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=35635

[Georgeandpat]

Thanks Michael, I had a feeling that this had been discussed somewhere on this forum. G.