Chas in Albuquerque says hi

[ChasCABQ]

I'm enjoying reading the posts from all you creative builders. I've been inspired to start my own build.

I'm tired of sleeping out of the back of my vehicle to go camping. My parents rented popup campers when I was young and I got my first VW camper van almost 40 years ago (long gone now).

I plan to make a 5x8 teardrop-style trailer using straight pieces of plywood to simulate a curve instead of the 1/8" plywood over spars to fit my basic woodworking skills. Need to keep the weight under 1000 lbs so my Subaru Outback can easily haul it to the mountains. I plan on camping with my wife, 4-year old grandson, and solo.

My friend who was an airplane mechanic will help and with all the great info and advice from you folks we'll make it happen this winter. Will post pix of my build as it happens.

Chas

[John W]

Welcome Charles! Two of your criteria were a huge part of my build also. My tow vehicle is a Nissan Cube, so trailer had to be light, and the construction angular to be commensurate with my carpentry skills. I completed my tear in May of this year and have been out about 5 times now. Each time I go, I make modifications. Trailer weighed in at 645# empty and loaded is about 745#. I have to turn off the A/C and shift to 5th gear on some of the hills, but other than that, I have trouble keeping it below 70mph. This post was a wealth of info for me, can I know it can be for you also. I plan to include NM in my travels eventually. The Davis Mountains in West Texas will be my first big trip next spring. Welcome aboard and happy trails!

[captbobh2o2004]

Good PM Chas, What part of Albuquerque are you in?? We are on the SE side, I have built 3 Tears so far. Feel free to ctc me. We just came back from a 1600 mile trip. Got washed out in Texas so we went north to Co. in Great weather. We have a flat screen TV, DVD, CD player and a full Ham Station plus 5000 BTU AC and a "Hot Dog" 28 lbs. Hope to talk to you soon 505 323 3659 Capt. Bob, Peg and "Red" the wonder dog.

[ChasCABQ]

Capt. Bob, I will definitely check with you for tips.

I live in the NE heights near Tramway and Menaul. It's 5'x8' plan, 4' high. Materials: 3/4" CDX for floor, 3/4" birch plywood for walls, 1/2" birch plywood (see next paragraph) for roof and hatch. I'm shooting for very light weight, about 750 # unloaded. Sketch has sidewall and tailgate removed for clarity.

I'm debating whether to (1) use all 1/2" plywood chamfered along the outline as shown, or (2) skin it with 1/8" in and out sandwiched over spars and foam. The first is easily within my skill set if I use internal cleats to join walls to roof panels and then fiberglass epoxy all outside joints. That leaves no exposed fasteners outside and I'm not dependent on glue.

What techniques have you used for roofing?

Also, I've been told to check with Stock Lumber for 5x5 birch cabinet grade plywood (will drop by there tomorrow). Any other good sources you can recommend?

It's too late to call so I'll check in with you tomorrow.
Thanks, Chas

[captbobh2o2004]

We live about 3 miles from you. I have been using "Wacky Wood" for my tops. One with Glass and One without. Our rig goes at about 650lbs. We will be out and about Mon. But call me on my cel 505 323 3659. Capt Bob

[Steve_Cox]

Hello Charles,

Just another old teardropper in ABQ here to say hello, we live over by UNM. I built my 1st trailer (in the picture) 9 years ago, things have changed a lot in a short time. Build it light, this one wasn't

[ChasCABQ]

Thank you to all the local tear droppers who've posted here. My plan is to build a woody, no paint or aluminum. It will be covered when not in use.

I met Capt. Bob who is quite a guy! After seeing his teardrop and talking with him I've revised my design (great thing about paper and computers it's easy to erase and start over). I now plan to build on a 5x8 Northern Tool trailer, 1/2" marine plywood floor, 1/2" birch or marine plywood walls and part of the front, 1/8" birch plywood roof and hatch over poplar spars. I will fiberglass and epoxy all exposed joints then epoxy the exterior so no outside fasteners. These are all doable with my basic woodworking skills; first project I ever built was a wood bodyboard made of plywood and surfboard epoxy when I was about 14 years old (43 years ago). Expected weight bare should be just under 600 lbs., easily towable by my Subaru Outback.

Bob convinced me to use epoxy (or to "glass" it) for exterior based on his decades of marine experience. I can get it at the local boat store (Taylor Marine) since it's commonly used in boat building. Most everything else is available down the street at Hunter-Bowen lumber. They deliver at no extra charge and carry cabinet grade. I am not going to scrimp on materials.

Screen Shot 2014-10-04 at 7.25.36 PM.png (224.08 KiB) Viewed 501 times

[bc toys]

Welcome Chas sounds like you know what you want and that a great start. I will be following this build so you might want to
go down to build section and start a page down there for your own build.