teardrop body shape

[Gladius]

hey folks...

i want to know where i could look to find out how to create the rounded shape for a teardrop. i notice the curves on different td's vary in size, but what would i need to do in order to create the curve for the front and back end of the walls?

i suppose i could draw it by hand on a paper template, but it probably wouldn't be a nice uniform shape.

i'm probably a few months away from actually starting my teardrop construction, but i want to get some workable templates ready. i'm tall (6'3") so i would like to have a 6' ceiling height at the highest point. also, my trailer size is going to be a 5x12 (figure i might have to custom build a trailer or modify a purchased one).

any suggestions?
bryan

[madjack]

...top of this page..."Design Library" or the "Generic Benroy Plans"...............................

[doug hodder]

Bryan....Jack brings up the best place for it, but you might want to think about how you camp. Just what I do, but I build on the "trailer for 2 profile as the galley portion is more open and inviting, in my opinion, and slideouts are easier to work with, without a tight curve on the hatch.

However, please note, that there are a large number of profiles that you can build on and there is no right or wrong about it...It pretty much is what you want, check the galley archives and pick and choose what you might want to include, it seems that the galley can determine a good percentage of what the overall profile will look like...but most importantly..have fun with it...Doug

[Jst83]

Welcome Bryan, just my thoughts

hey folks...

I suppose i could draw it by hand on a paper template, but it probably wouldn't be a nice uniform shape.

any suggestions?
bryan

That's the way I went taped some cardboard together and just hand drew what I thought would look good I erased a couple times before I was satisfied with it. Now I very happy with the look.
As Doug said there is no right or wrong it's what ever makes you happy.

So grab a big piece of paper and sketch you may be surprised what you come up with.

[Arne]

I used graph paper, 1inch = 1 foot, each square = 2 inches. I put in the bed length, space for the dog, then the front curve, then added the galley length, which was determined by depth of counter, microwave, pet cool storage space, etc.

I penciled in the curve and changed it about 4 times.. then used a magic marker... then I started using white-out and made some very minor changes to the rear slope..

I put in rough outlines of people lying, sitting, etc.... it worked really well.. I left it sitting beside my computer for over a month and would look at it once in a while and made minor adjustments....

Not rushing a design decision, especially on your first tear, while allow you to wind up with a much more acceptable final product.

[Roly Nelson]

Bryan, if you contact Grant Whipp, he has a full-sized paper profile template that he will mail to you. Here is his website:

[email protected]
Good luck on your build, take lot of pics, we love 'em, you know.

Roly, a believer that practicing shapes on a full-size cardboard profile is cheaper than altering expensive plywood.

[Miriam C.]

Perhaps this could give you some idea's.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=14108
Makes a good starting place. Do you know how to use CAD? We have links to free programs in:
http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=36

Drawing helps---just doodle.