Teardrop 2.0

[fornesto]

Here's the scoop. When I started building our Teardrop, my son was about 1 year old. Now he's seven and has a younger sister and brother. The five of us don't fit (duh). I have begun to transition the TD away from it's original design with the idea that it will need to serve our new family reality of....cargo hauling and tent camping (boooo!). For now, it's going to need to be a hybrid - with Mamma and the baby inside and me and the big kids in the tent. It needs to be a cargo hauler, a bike hauler, and have a modular kitchen that can be relocated to the campsite table area. I've already started by ripping out the original built-in galley. The galley was my first attempt and I never loved it.

Here's my short list:
1. I'm going to re-engineer the bulkhead to be stronger. I'm going to tie it into the galley hatch struts.
2. I'm going to create a basic shelf for inside the TD. My wife like to put he duffle bag up when she's inside.
3. I'd like the TD to carry a 6' folding table.
4. I'm going to sister a Yakima 2" hitch-mount bike rack to the tongue to provide a quasi-permanent place for bikes.
5. I'm going to remove battery and switch to simpler systems. I'm thinking of using a jump-start pack to light the interior light and run the fan.
6. Basic Maintenance all around. Replace banged up fender from flat tire 6 years ago. New tires (currents are sidewall-cracking), etc.

Photos of TD 2.0 to come.

FYI: One day, it will be converted back to a TD for wifey and me.

[mikeschn]

It's a shame you don't have a photo album here... I could look at your pics, and offer suggestions!

At first blush, the 2+2 design comes to mind... Andrew did that one, and it's a beauty! You can see it in the design library! But you've been here a long time, so you already know!!!

How about some pics?

Mike...

[fornesto]

I wish I had pics from the original build. These days, it's sooo much simpler. Look for photos soon.

[Jim T]

Just some ideas,
As far as the galley, I had all of the equipment for cooking from my backpacking days, so the area that would have been the galley I use as storage. I bought some of those plastic coated wire shelves and installed them and I can carry my trailer jacks, a couple of days worth of firewood, and all of my non-perishable gear in the back of my trailer. As far as the table, I use a couple of roll up tables like this http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/aluminum-roll-up-side-table/54598. Either that, or you could build a shallow box and attach it underneath your trailer. That way you could store a regular table under your frame and slide it out when you need it. I agree with Mike. Send us some pictures so we can get the creative juices flowing!
Jim