New from West Virginia

[ragincajun309]

Hello Teardroppers,

My name is Chris and I've been lurking for a good while but finally pulling the trigger. I initially found this site when I planned on converting a cargo trailer I had to a camper, well the cargo been replaced with a HF 4x8 which I hope to build a teardrop on.

It's a Benroy shape, looking to fit a queen bed so little bigger than 5'x10'. I have a 5 year old so in lieu of interior cabinets I plan on putting in a bunk bed. Also going to keep it pretty simple so on electricity will be a 12V system for a vent fan, plan on just carrying an extension cord if I need to plug in at a campground. Also going to keep the kitchen as mostly storage while on the road with a shelf to be used for Coleman stove counter top. I have decided on a wall construction of aluminum exterior, 1/4" plywood, 1x2 skeleton (with foam board insulation) and 1/4" x 4" cedar tongue and groove interior. Also going to buy prefab door and window, I am NOT ready to tackle building my own.

I want to keep the camping feel of being out in the woods, my back just won't allow air mattress sleeping any longer. Also, we take big road trips so making/breaking camp simplicity lends itself to the teardrop life. My big concern is weight because of my TV.

I really appreciate all the advice and tips that have been shared on this board, I am sure I'll draw on everyone's experience as I go along.

Chris

Santa is delivering my new HF trailer next Thursday so I'll be getting started pretty quickly after its arrival, should be a nice winter project.

[Mary C]

Welcome Chris, sounds like you may be interested in a foamie. Light weight and easy to build. I am 65 tears old and built my own. There are some things I would do over if I build another one. Check out the foamie section.

Mary C.

[ragincajun309]

Mary,

Thanks for the response, I did look into a foamie but I'm just not sure that's the way I want to go. My background is more in carpentry so I'd be stepping out of my comfort zone, even more so than building a camper! I can see the advantage of being much lighter. One concern I have is the bunk bed I plan on building, having wooden walls, rather than foam, seem stronger to me. Is that thought correct or am I mistaken?

All advice is appreciated!

[pchast]

Chris,
Welcome
My basis was woodworking too. Foam is just fat wood. with different
strengths. Rafters are still needed but much less framing otherwise...
Luck with your build.

[bc toys]

Chris welcome to the site of info remember we love lots of pics of builds as you are doing your work

[LashleyT]

Chris,
The State of West Virginia doesn't except the certificate of origin from HF's manufacture, the HF store will send the paperwork to their headquarters to prepare the necessary documentation for a WV tittle. This takes some time. I bought a trailer kit in September and still don't have a tittle.

Tom

[ragincajun309]

Lashley,

I have used an entire pad of graph paper making plans. Throwing those plans away in favor of a foamie, those foamies are persistent in pushing their pink, light-weight ideas! I've come back to my original plans, I feel I've gotten all my ducks in a row....and now this news from WVDOT!!

Thanks for the lesson learned, I'll get started on that ASAP. To be clear will the DOT will not certify the trailer (out of the box) or will not certify the trailer after the TD is built?

This TD building is quite the emotional roller coaster, but I'm loving the ride so far!

[ragincajun309]

Mary and pchast,

I spent all day yesterday going through 6o something pages of the Big Pink foamie build and I must say I'm almost convinced because of the advantages of lower weight. I have a couple of questions with regards to foamies:

-the back hatch. Can a foamie still have a galley hatch similar to a standard TD?

-the skin. I should be able to keep my tear inside when not being used but will that painted canvas out skin really stand up?

-the cost. Is the cost saving significant compared to "standard" (I know that term is not really accurate) TD builds?

-windows and doors. As I've stated previously, I have not intention of building windows and doors and plan on buying prefab. Can the prefab doors and windows fit into a foamie? My concern is mounting, I am thinking I can frame in the 3/4" thickness to hold the doors and windows. My other concern is the weight of the doors on the foam walls.

Thanks again for confusing my thoughts and the subsequent help in clarifying those thoughts!!

[LashleyT]

Chris - Did you get your trailer at a store or online? The store would have kept the paperwok to get you a tittle. If you bought it online, I would contact customer support for help. It's my understanding the DMV wont tittle it right of the box. where in WV are you located?

[ragincajun309]

Lashley,

I bought it online from HF, should be delivered on Thursday. I live in Morgantown. I plan on hitting the phones on this issue once I get off work tomorrow.

[pchast]

Chris,

I did not use manufactured doors. Made my own with inset windows. It was easy to route the foam and wood
supports to the thickness for clamping in the windows. I don't see why it would be a problem with engineered
inset wood support.

Cost, I spent too much and bought several things I didn't use in the end. I've factored out several of those costs.
I figure I spent about 2500 on the final project. I can probably reduce the cost even more and finish one for
between 1200 and 1600...

You have to be strict about purchases to make a large difference in cost between the methods of building. IMHO
the major benefit is in the material's weight difference.

[ragincajun309]

Pete,

Thanks for your response. Not that money is no object, me keeping the cost down is more of a personal challenge.

I seems I could save some money by building my own doors and windows, I am just worried about water leakage which from the threads I've read seems to be the biggest demon to tackle.

Weight. Yes foamies keep creepin' into my dreams because they appear so light weight. Not to mention since I plan on a skeleton frame the foam would be similar in build to a solid 3/4" plywood wall in ease of construction. The Big Pink estimated the final weight at around 1000 lbs and I've seen several builds that are not foamies come in between 1000-1500 lbs. My TV has a max tow capacity of 1500 lbs and I want to be a good bit under that because a lot of my driving will be up/down hills.

Are foamies really that much lighter? Is the weight savings that significant? Having a skeleton build with aluminum skin just gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when thinking of being 2000-3000 miles from home, just seems like the outside would be stronger on a long trip.

[LashleyT]

Chris,
Just got my tittle the mail today...! It only took 3 months.

[pchast]

I''m not sure how to answer that ....

I built with 1.5" foam and 10Oz canvas inside and out... I just towed to Ohio and back, 1600 miles, stones and mud and snow, No problems. Hosed it off this morning and no visible damage from the construction areas and bouncing large stones. It dinged the TV in 2 places.

My doors close tightly so far. I did have some water leakage. As far as I can tell it was from a cracked open window and a solar vent sucking the mist into the trailer. That vent will be removed and plugged before the next trip.

My build - page 3 shows a door and the stiffeners as I built it. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54690&start=30