Round Vs. Square

[Wild Bill]

I am currently working on another chassis and thinking about what I might be able to build on it. I like the classic looks of the rounded ends but not being a wood worker I am intimadated by building a round hatch that will seal everything out and cutting out the side itself. With the Squared design you have more interior space and easier to build. I have a large salvage hatch from Bontrangers to use. I have read many posts over the years on here and am still torn on which way to go. I actually may be able to find the time to get this thing built. I have tons of stuff to build with stored in my garage, I just need to get modivated and make the time to get it done. Any thoughts from the crowd? I was modivated to get out in the 25 degree weather this morning for a couple of hours to move it forward. Work gets in the way of working on it. I only camp 3 seasons for the most part so I am only thinking of insulation in the roof, Use 3/4 inch ply and rough saw oak that I have salvaged from large crates and then just stain and polyurathane the interior. I would love the hit it hard and make the Indiana event in July. Bill

[bobhenry]

Is this the one you are working on ????

or have you started another ?????

[grant whipp]

There is absolutely no reason to be intimidated by the curved fronts of teardrops,especially when considering using simple plywood for the walls. And, after building your first one, the curved rear hatches aren't all that bad ... ...!

That being said, why not incorporate both the round front and a sloping flat rear hatch like the Serro-Scotty teardrops had ... ...? There's always more than one way to skin these turkeys ...

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[Miriam C.]

Most people seem to be afraid of the curves. I know I was and it worked out fine! Just takes some slowing down! Now if you already have a hatch you like.....

[Wild Bill]

That is the standee that is stored in a barn for the winter. Oh no, I have another frame that is 6 x 12 and have enough junque that I have started a 2nd build before the 1st one is done!! Cannot find my camera of I would have a couple of pictures in the album. It is just a chassis now. I ran conduit and gas line on Tuesday and welded square tubing on the corners for accessories, Now I have to wire lights and the brakes, bolt down the floor and I will have another platform to build on. I want to build something that I can lower the tongue to the ground and roll into my garage to store and work on it. Most of the camping I do is just myself or my son and I going to car shows and steam shows. I was hoping to put this one together to use this summer while I whittle away at the standee so my wife can go along.

Bill

[NathanL]

Look at wooden boats built now that are 20' and larger with double planked plywood hulls with one layer being 3/8" or 1/2" thick plywood and they do compound curves. A simple curve is easy compared to that.

My first I built with no curves only for the reason that I had an abundant quantity on hand already of 1/2" MDO that I really didn't want to try to bend. If you are buying new materials it's easy to get stuff that will bend. 1/8" ply is cheap and stiffer when bent that when straight.

[gregp136]

I was scared to death of the curves....But I loved the look of the classic tear so much I decided to give it a try. I was biten last year and spend many cold nights working in the garage. It was worth it. Had a wonderful summer and fall of camping last year and the tear made good camping trips GREAT!


Waiting for the Merrimac Ferry, Wisconsin.

Greg (and Laurie)

[Kevin & Sandy]

Since lots of things I haul are squared off (Totes, Coleman stoves, boxes) I thought about building a square unit. I finally decided the looks of the curves overshadowed my need for the square storage and had to make my sense of practicality take a backseat.

Looking back, I would not have done my first one any other way. To each his own!!!
I am restoring a roadster, and someday my current TD will look great behind it! I am NO woodworker, but this is something I really wanted and I MADE myself do it. When I had questions about the curves, I went to this T&TTT and read up until I figured it out !

Incorporate what you want into it to fit your needs and sense of style!!

[Rlowell]

Hello,
I am just finishing a "Weekender" that Mike designed. I love the look of it and it fits my purposes. With hind sight however, curves are easier to build
because of the angles for the framing. I did the full insulation on the walls and the roof because of the heat in Florida. I love the look of it but, the second will be a "Teardrop" shape. See photos in album is understand what I am talking about

Good luck.

Rod

[Woodbutcher]

Bill, I will ask what some others may be thinking. If you already have one project well underway why not finish that one first so you can get to the Crossroads gathering. Just get it closed up and camp able. There you will see a hundred different designs and help you make up your mind on #2. With all the home builts that will be there all your fears of curves should be put to rest. My guess is you would rather have the curves or you would not be asking. Just go for it. See ya in July!

[2bits]

I second and third everyone and you too... I was scared of "The Curve" and "The Hatch" and when I got into it, I was like, oh... you just cut it out. It was not problem at all. The only trick is messing with the angle at the bottom, but you could still let the bottom be square and have curves otherwise. Good luck to ya!

[urban5]

I wasn't scared of the curve in fact I can stand beside it all day, and never flinch.

That being said I have the square, with no galley. My entrance is through the back hatch. My trailer is 4x8, and my bed is in the floor stretched long ways from back hatch to within 2 feet of the front. One of my sons has a bed that is in the very front on the floor stretching side to side. Tat area is in a bunk bed configuration, so one of his brothers sleeps over the top of him. It sleeps us nice and cozy.

It took me less the 72 hours to build, and cost right at $900 with the cost of the trailer. Plus I wanted to be different and have the square, if the front was curved I would have had no room for the bunk.