The weekender

[mikeschn]

That would work if you had a vehicle that could handle the tongue weight!

Mike...

[Spook]

I like the roof top mount. you could still have a vent. You'd have to do somthing for the drainage.

[Cary Winch]

OK Mike, I am here. Your ideas on the A?C unit pretty much nail how we do ours. We use a 5,000BTU window unit. It is set in a drain pan with a large plumbing drain to take the condensation and drain water out. There is a optimal shape to the pan to keep the water from flooding out the front of the AC unit.

The biggest trick is supporting the weight of the AC unit. We use heavy steel brackets attached to the rear bulkead to do this. The top cover is somewhat restrictive, open enough to allow the unit to work though. Believe it or not there are actually three vent areas to our cover. Two ins and one out.

With your unit having a flat roof you would have to stick it up a bit or stick it back into the sloped are like you drew.

We do offer a AC install kit if you are interested. It is $325.98 without the AC unit. Of course we could delete out the top cover for you to save some money since you probably wouldn't be able to use it.

Cary

[RC]

Hey Mike,
Do you think you could rescale your weekender into a 4X8 configuration? I would be looking at having a sleeping space that could handle a 6'3" person. The more I look at your plan, the more I like it, but don't want to go to a 10 ft size.

[RC]

You could also leave a small area open in the galley, kind of like a walk-through, and you could store your bike(s) in the teardrop too, similar to what DANL is doing.

Of course if you lose the strength that you gain from the bulkhead, you'll have to re-inforce your sidewalls another way. Probably with angle brackets, shelf brackets, or angle iron.

Just more ideas for you...


Mike...

Dang!
The more I look, the more questions I seem to have. It looks like the bottom piece has the sides on the outside edge, and the top has the sides going to its inside edges. Is that so? I am missing some key elements on this construction, I think.

[Bigwoods]

This is driving me crazy. I have wanted a traditional shape tear all along. Mike started this design and it actually fits my need more than a tradional design. We do a lot of canoe camping and with a little modification this design would be perfect. The rear hatch would have to be moved back or the hinge could be lowered to allow opening the hatch with my 17 1/2' canoe on the top.

Got me thinking.. This just my be what we need. Even has a box inside to store PFD's.. I would have to insulate to handle camping in the fall, but it sure beats a tent.

[mikeschn]

It looks like the bottom piece has the sides on the outside edge, and the top has the sides going to its inside edges. Is that so? I am missing some key elements on this construction, I think.

It must be an optical illusion... both the bottom and top pieces have its sides going to the inside edges.

I didn't get real fancy with the mockup... all the pieces are 4' wide.

Mike...

[mikeschn]

This is driving me crazy. I have wanted a traditional shape tear all along. Mike started this design and it actually fits my need more than a tradional design. We do a lot of canoe camping and with a little modification this design would be perfect. The rear hatch would have to be moved back or the hinge could be lowered to allow opening the hatch with my 17 1/2' canoe on the top.

So what you are saying is there is something for everyone with the Weekender design! Good to hear that!!! I originally designed it for speed, but I'm building an insulated version for the weight. My wife likes it for the style, and you like it to haul canoes around. I have a feeling there's more to come!!!

Mike...

[mikeschn]

Hey Mike,
Do you think you could rescale your weekender into a 4X8 configuration? I would be looking at having a sleeping space that could handle a 6'3" person. The more I look at your plan, the more I like it, but don't want to go to a 10 ft size.

Hey RC,

You give up a lot when you give up those last 2 feet, or that last 1 1/2 feet. I've stretched the basic weekender to a 4x8 profile. I kept the queen sized bed length, 80" so that you have room to sleep. But in doing so, I have to give up the under counter storage for the galley.

I also had to remove the front and rear radii at the bottom, so that it would still fit on an 8' trailer.

I also managed to add a small cabinet above your feet for cabin storage, plus you still have the inside cabin chest at the front of the teardrop.

Only you can decide if you like that. I prefer to have the extra 1 1/2 feet, and still have it sitting on an 8' trailer.



Mike...

[Carl the Viking]

Mike, I accept your challenge. I will build a weekender.
I have been visiting this sight regularly for about a week now. I love the all the cool designs. I am an avid tent camper whose back just can't hack another night sleeping with a large rock for a mattress and a smaller rock for a pillow. Also my housing situation will not allow me to build anything wider that the 63" that a harbor freight trailer measures from fender to fender. The solution, build a teardrop.
Over the past week of playing with designs built out of cardboard, i have come to the conclusion that the weekender is slightly more space efficient, easier and quicker to build, more cost effective (on my student budget and therefor an easier sell to my wife), and all around very apealing to my type of camping/lifestyle. So i can't wait to start...
... unfortunately... i must wait at least until winter for financing and time to build. But for now, I am very thankful to everyone on this sight for providing me with plenty of ideas, pictures and information on how to proceed.

Thanx,
Crazy Carl the Viking

[mikeschn]

Kwel Karl!

Do you have a digital camera too, so you can take photos of it and keep us informed?

Are you going to build the solid plywood version or the reduced weight version?

And you've checked out the details we are collecting on the Weekender page, right?

Any other questions at this time?

Mike...

P.S. BTW, I've improved the profile slightly, with a 2* top angle and a 20* back angle. I haven't posted the completed side view yet. But I'm pretty sure the detail drawings reflect that!

[Carl the Viking]

Mike,

I will probably build somewhat of a hybred of the two building styles. I wil probably stick with plywood as much as possible, using cut outs as appropriate to lighten things up a bit. weight is not much of a concern since both of my tow vehicles ( a '95 toyota tacoma, and an '80 volvo can handle 3500# and 2000# at the bumper respectively), but lighter is usually nicer. So i will lighten where i can without sacrificing strength, since many of my camping sites are out of the way along moderately difficult 4x4 trails.

I am interested in hearing the best advise on warmth, since colorado can get cold and I like to winter camp in the sky resort parking lots to save on hotels. I have done this in the past both in tents and in a buddy's pop up. which was warm enough, with a heater and the correct sleeping bags. So I am currently working under the assumption that 3/4 plywood sides are emough for someone of my disposition. Anyone slept out in neg 20 or below in a teardrop?

Mike I did see and was impressed by your winter teardrop design but think that this is just a little more complicated than I really want to go for now. Especially since i don't mind cooking out in the snow.

Anyway, i would love to hear any ideas on this subject.

Thanx,

Carl

P.S. i do have a digital, and will share.

[mikeschn]

Heating, yes very important. You want to use a forced air propane furnace. There are two styles... I'll dig up the URL's after dinner.

The best place for a heater is in one of your cabinets above your feet.

I'll have more information for you later... The grill is calling!!!

Mike...

P.S. Those scraps of OSB are in the shed again, and I'm thinking maybe I should mockup the back end of the Winter warrior one of these days. It should only take 1 morning...

[mikeschn]

Okay Carl,

Let's talk about the heater... I think the best way to heat a teardrop is with the Atwood Propane forced air furnace. The toxic fumes are exhausted to the outside, and the clean heat is spread evenly through the inside.

I have one in my Baja Benroy...




And Q has one in his Teardrop too.



Q's method lends itself very well to the weekender. That's what I have planned, even if my other half doesn't know it yet!!!

Mike...

[Guest]

That's a nice looking galley. Where can we see more pics?