teardrop width

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teardrop width

Postby obgrayone » Sun Sep 05, 2010 12:22 am

ok we know the look we are after but we dont know the size 4x8 or 5x8 i like the 5x8 but i dont know how to make the roof 5ft wide , :thinking:
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Postby Gage » Sun Sep 05, 2010 12:49 am

You run the plywood sheeting crosswise. Just a sugestion but if you need to ask a question like that, maybe you should think about building a 4 x 8 teardrop for your first one.
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Postby b.bodemer » Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:48 am

Turn your plywood sideways. My 1/4" birch bent nicely up front, the rest was easy.

Just trim off what you don't need.

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Postby Shadow Catcher » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:26 am

OR you don't use plywood at all. Filon or...
This is a perennial argument, width, ours is 6' and we would not trade it for even a 5 wide.
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Postby Billy K » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:31 am

Gage, your fangs are showing... :R But, I yaint skeer't :lol:

You could also go with 5' wide Birch, or 5' aluminum, or heat and moisture to bend plywood length wise.

I'm still arguing with myself over the 1/8 Brich or the length wise Luan.

And, from all I've been told and suggested..5 wide is the way to go if; you even 'think' it is appealing. Plenty of posts about 5 vs 4.
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Postby bobhenry » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:43 am

Me neither so I faked it !

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Postby obgrayone » Sun Sep 05, 2010 2:46 pm

i like the 5ft for 2 reasons #1 hey im not as skinny as i was when i was younger, #2 my trailer is 5ft wide so now i need to think of an aium roof, or wood, :twisted: thanx for the help
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Postby Gage » Sun Sep 05, 2010 3:46 pm

Just thought I'd put it out there. Not trying to be a smart ass like one suggested. I recommend aluminum (.040), you can get it in 5' width. Wood needs constant maintenance. ;)
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Postby madjack » Sun Sep 05, 2010 6:09 pm

...build 5' wide...turn ply sidewaze or find 5wide ply...the 3'drops can be used for cabinets and other projects so not much is wasted...AL can be found in 5' widths or get 4x10s and cut in half and turn lapping the pieces to get full coverage...that is what I do, lap 2"s over a spar, add a good quality sealer and SSscrews every couple of inches and you will be good to go....
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Postby Billy K » Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:37 pm

All in fun, Gage. No harm meant.

Since I am still in the learning phase..I'm reading with as much attention as obgrayone...
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Postby Gage » Sun Sep 05, 2010 10:00 pm

Billy K wrote:All in fun, Gage. No harm meant.

Since I am still in the learning phase..I'm reading with as much attention as obgrayone...
No problem. It's just a sore subject with me. :thumbsup:
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Postby Cliffmeister2000 » Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:37 am

Just so ya know...

4x8 were designed using readily available materials. Kind of cramped, but very efficient. You get any bigger in any direction, and your costs will go up significantly. For a 5 wide, you either have to use 5 wide material (more money per sq ft) or waste 3 feet in every section.

Mine is 5 x 10 x 56 inches. It took a lot of material to skin the outside of her.

Not that I think I made a mistake, I just had a rather large pile of cutoffs to find other uses for. :D

If I get to do another, it will be 5 x 10 x 4, with the wheels outside the trailer body.
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Postby 05liberty » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:34 am

Mine is 5x8 because that was the size of the trailer I had! I don't think I would want 4 wide now that I have a 5 wide … I did like what as stated above and turned my plywood side ways & got a 5x10 sheet of aluminum … we love the extra room cause he dog sleeps in side with us
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Postby GPW » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:38 am

I'm with SC... Being " Large Frame" , I really like the 6' wide... so us larger folks can sleep crosswise... sorta' ... My 6'X 12' was very comfortable at 5.5' high ... 54sq. ft. of floor space + a BIG galley out back ...Regular 4' high TD 6"X8" would look pretty Sleek and Pod like .. 8)
Wider the better ... towing NO problem ... :thumbsup:

A friend just offered me a 4'X8' CT (cheap)... said Nope !!! , not enough room for me .. :o A tiny couple (no offense) would be cozy in this ...
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Postby Sam I am » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:31 pm

I went with a 5' wide. That allows a double bed mattress to be used (54" wide). It's very comfy for my wife and me. I used Baltic birch, which comes in 5'x5' sheets for the top with almost zero waste. I recommend it highly.
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