What Worked/Didn't/First Trip REport

[JohnF]

I took my 8-ft Cubby out for its maiden voyage. 2,650-miles and 9 nights in the camper. Some things that didn't work out were:

1. Fenders were from Northern Tool; galvanized steel. Painted with spray can paint. Didn't hold up to minor bits and pieces thrown up from the Jeep Wrangler tow vehicle. Will strip them and try epoxy paint.

2. Interior cupboards - some "wasted" volume..will add another shelf.

3. Some minor, but important water entered via one door...can't be positive how, but have added more weatherstripping and will test it with a garden hose. The other door, made the same way was water tight in VERY heavy rain.

4. Met one other teardropper who convinced me that the hatch "hurricane" hinge should be revered. Have already done that.

5. Need a slightly better mattress. The one I used was not uncomfortable, but not comfortable enough.

6. Took too much 'stuff' with me.

7. Coleman stove worked fine, but was always in the way when I wanted (needed) to open a door. Will get a Coleman folding stove stand.

8. Broke a wine glass and a Pyrox coffee pot cover due to things moving about over rough roads.

9. Spent almost exactly $400 for gasoline in the 4-liter Wrangler, but it pulled the Cubby effortlessly.

10. Easily a 100 or more people came up to me to inspect the Cubby, take photos, look inside, and just talk. It was a definite 'hit.'

11. A highway patrolman in Nebraska stopped me to look at the teardrop.

I guess I had fun !

John

[Nitetimes]

11. A highway patrolman in Nebraska stopped me to look at the teardrop.
John

I had one in Virginia stop me and look at mine too... of course he also wanted my autograph on a $135 speeding ticket.

Glad to hear you are getting the bugs worked out.

[BILLYL]

John-

That was great info. We too made similiar findings and the best way to see what works and what doesn't is to take the TD out and see. The "Moose" had similiar experiences.

You mentioned that there was postive stuff - like what?

Bill

[jagular7]

John, glad to see that things are positive on the first ride. Figuring out what to take, where to put it, how to store it, always comes into play. This info will definately help others in the design and layout of the kitchen.

When you talk about a shelf, is this more of a flat board that can be used once parked and not moving? That way the items will stay where you put them?
For the water situation, is your cabin vented? The water could be from the wind and pressure variance on the cabin. A lot of cabins are 'tight' and don't tend to 'breathe' the pressure out/in.
Configuring the amount of stuff you need is never an easy task. When you find that you need what you don't have, that's a problem. Was it food? I tend to do that when I camp.
For the stove, have you thought of the swing table? There are a couple of versions where a flat board is turned ontop of another with a under support. Or how about a table to stabilizes itself with a single post and the side of the TD?

Thanks.