Starting to collect piece parts in SoCal

[MHZinnel]

Bought an axle set from GatorMade on ebay. 3500# axle springs and hubs for $169 delivered. Thought it was a deal. Have plans for a 5X10 Benroy but may adjust to 5X9. Axle is designed for 15" wheels which should make dragging it to some of the camps I go to with Scouts easier to manage. Located lumber stores carrying over sized plywood so that will eliminate having to splice panels. Have a metal dealer just down the street a mile or so, new mig welder came in this week (old one is 25 yo and beyond saving, again). Now if I can get a clear area in the garage to start playing, I'll get this fired up!

[bobhenry]

Garage ???

I built all 4 of mine in the side yard !

[MHZinnel]

It's California, no side yards big enough to play in. I will do a majority of the messy stuff in the back yard but once assembly starts it has to be in the garage or hire a crane.

[bc toys]

Welcome and good luck with your build you got a great start

[ctstaas]

Hey BUd, A new welder, your making me drool. My buddy gave me plans he got in the mail for a Tear Drop. It said it should only cost around $700. I sank $2,00 into my 4 x 8 but its nice. It could be better, I painted latex over spar varnish, and I know better. My frame is 1 1/2 and 3" square tube with a torsion axle setup. So many start with a HF special but if you can it is cost effective to weld your own, IMHO. I have posted some drawings for my next 5x 10 with a drop floor under the drop floor tab under the chassis secret section. Photos of my TD are on page 25 of the "C" s, under members. Welcome and have fun.
Enjoy, Chris

[Roly Nelson]

Hi HMZ, welcome aboard from another So Calif TD designer and home-builder. Looks like you are jumping in with both feet and have purchased stuff to make it happen. If you have not seen a bunch of teardrops or talked to other TD folks, I just want you to know there will be a gathering up in our local Mountains in a couple of weeks. It is probably only an hour and a half from Fullerton. The nearest city is Idlewilde, about a half an hour east of Hemet. If you can break free, come on up and chat with a whole bunch of friendly TD and Vintage folks, walk-ins are always welcome. I know there is plenty of food that we can share on Sat evening at the pot luck, so here's hoping you can attend. Also if you ever want to talk and see teardrops, swing on my my place in Wildomar, off I-15, about an hour from Fullerton. (Oh by the way, I built your post office there about 45 years ago)
PM me if you are interested. Good luck on your build, and remember, we are here to help, all you gotta do is ask.
Roly, the So Cal Woody guy

[Vedette]

Welcome back Roly!

[steveonzakon]

Just so you know... there are some places in So Cal that have side yards big enough for this
I'm in Torrance and don't weld, but if you know of resources that do, it may be cheaper for me to have a trailer built than trying to scrounge a used one around here.

[Jdhiker]

Wait.... The scouts will be in tents, and you in your Teardrop? Lol I'm a scoutmaster and I don't think I could get away with that with them, they would be jealous of my luxury sleeping quarters and probably roll me into the lake ha ha ..... But don't get me wrong, it's been on my mind to use it during the colder months on some camp outs..... It's good to be the King right???