Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am definitely going to build a TD that is 5' wide. I have not decided on whether to build it 8' or 10' long. My wifes cousin has a sign company, so getting the aluminum, diamond plate, in the dimensions I need is not a problem. The problem I foresee is getting the 1/8" oak plywood that I want to line the inside with, in the dimension that I need so there are no seams.
I have had no luck at my local Lowe's in getting finished plywood in 5' X 8' or 5' X 10'.
Any suggestions from anyone that has build a 5' wide Tear?
Thanks,

You are going to have to get it from one of the wholesale lumber distributors.

The problem is that they won't sell to you, so find a small cabinet shop and ask them if they could get you some.

The guys I know around here charge 10 to 15% markup for bringing it in, and they ususally get pretty good prices.

Rest assured the stuff is available, it's just cracking the distribution system.

dave

Bandit, you are not going to find the ply you want at lowes or home depot...
...you will haveta look for an independent lumber yard...preferably an old one or from a cabinet shop that is willing to order it for you along with their regular order...
...I think you may find that many a 5'builder used 4'x8' ply cutoff at 5' and put in "sideways" and used some trimto hide the seam or were able to hide the seam behind a cabinet or shelf...
madjack

Bandit,

I know you said that you don't want seams, but if done right, the seams can be vertually invisible. Birch is available in 5'x5' sheets that seamed correctly would give you a 10' x 5' piece! Just get a couple of sheets that the grain matches closely and then put them together and use a straight edge and a router to cut them both at the same time and they will fit together like a glove. The seam should be all but invisible. You can glue a 3" or 4" strip on the back side to hold them together.

I guess if I can design it to hide the seams, then I am probably better to buy the standard sizes. Even with the scrap, the overall price will probably be cheaper.

The guys that have build 5' wide TD's, did they also do 5' high sides or did they stick with 4'.

Has anyone used a diamond plate aluminum to help hide any future dents?
Thanks,

I used 4x8 1/8" thick bending birch plywood from Boulter Plywood

If you can't get your hands on 5-foot wide plywood, you have several options for hiding the the seams. I have two plywood seams in the inside of my tear. I hid the first seam with a thin strip of maple.



The second seam is inside a cabinet where nobody will ever see it.

Bandit wrote: Has anyone used a diamond plate aluminum to help hide any future dents?
Thanks,

I am wanting to put diamond plate (the 0.024) on my front lower half. Have tried to contact a fellow on EBAY THREE times about picking some up (he is in CO, where I live) and also about a piece 101 inches instead of 96" (they say they will cut to size), but no answer. Been looking around for others but no luck.
Was thinking this stuff might be just a touch tougher than the aluminum and take rocks better, since I already know that my 325-60 R18 tires throw stuff.
Anyone looking for lightweight sheathing...Here may be the place to look. Not sure how much it would cost, but that titanium is light!!

This is my present trailer I use when I camp in the mountains in Somerset County, Pa. I plan on using a 6x10 Cargo Trailer and converting it into a camper but still plan on building a tear as well. I am making payments on the cargo first. Won't get it until July.

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What do you think?

Hey Bandit,I live just outside of Nashville.You might wanna try Norvell & Wallace Lumber Co.,near the Sounds stadium. I am a Newbie here,myself.Been a lurker for a while and decided to join up with these folks.From what I have discovered,a pretty good group of people helping out those of us who need edjumacated like myself.

Another Lurker sneaking in the backdoor after midnight!!!

Hi Nightmoves,

Welcome to the School of TearDrops and Flatulence Jokes.

Steve

Thanks Steve 'Preciate the Welcome! I got interested in these Teardrops about 6/8 months ago,& their awesome!So the 22'er is goin up for sale & a 10' project is on the way. Anyway,I need all the schoolin I can get.I aint sure about the flatulening,but if it means what I think it does ,we just plain ole fart here in the hills of Tenn. "Pardon my manners,I have'nt any" . I have discovered alot of info from the experinced or "old hands" at this,which is much appreciated. So y'all "holler if ya need anything...holler if you don't" See ya! ---Moe---

nightmoves44 wrote:Hey Bandit,I live just outside of Nashville.You might wanna try Norvell & Wallace Lumber Co.,near the Sounds stadium. I am a Newbie here,myself.Been a lurker for a while and decided to join up with these folks.From what I have discovered,a pretty good group of people helping out those of us who need edjumacated like myself.

Hey Moe,

Welcome to the forum... We'd be glad to help any way we can... just start asking the questions...

Are you planning on a fully loaded tear, or just a bare bones one?

Mike...

[quote="southpennrailroad"]This is my present trailer I use when I camp in the mountains in Somerset County, Pa. I plan on using a 6x10 Cargo Trailer and converting it into a camper but still plan on building a tear as well.

I have a 6 by 12 trailer that I have been using for work (I work in constrution) and have repeatedly thought of some sort of a conversion, but since I don't want to dedicate the trailer to just one thing, it would have to convert back and forth.

My trailer weighs 1670 dry, so it is a fairly heavy start. And, since I own a 22' travel trailer, the box conversion is too close, and a tear would be a lot more useful to me. Still, I like the idea. It sure is a fun design project.


dave

Hey Ya Mike As far as my Teardrop goes,I got ahold of Kuffle Creek plan & doin the 10'er ,but on a 5' wide base. I will be doing the construstuction myself (welding,fabricating,& majority of the wood working) Just gonna try to take my time and do it right Thanks Yall

Dwgriff

"

I have a 6 by 12 trailer that I have been using for work (I work in constrution) and have repeatedly thought of some sort of a conversion, but since I don't want to dedicate the trailer to just one thing, it would have to convert back and forth.

My trailer weighs 1670 dry, so it is a fairly heavy start. And, since I own a 22' travel trailer, the box conversion is too close, and a tear would be a lot more useful to me. Still, I like the idea. It sure is a fun design project.

"

I have no intenion of traveling with this trailer expansion up & down the Pennsylvania Turnpike highway or even keeping it this way in storage. I plan on using it to help store my personal valuble papers as well as other duties. The expansion comes apart in 15 min. I do have a tendency to plan things out way in advance. I know I will feel better sleeping in this cargo trailer then I do now in a 4' high trailer. The money I save in hotel cost will go into fuel. Also I have private property owners who have invited me to camp at no cost on their property so savings will be in my favor.

The tear is going to be built to replace this bulky box I built four years back before I ever heard of tiny tears. It will be used more for show as well as some summer camping use. I don't want to get up and out of the tear in the winter. I just have the need to when I get up in the AM. to get into the standing position as soon as possile and that can't happen in the winter months here in Pa.