Newbie from Nebraska

[stu_stumble]

Hello everyone. My name is Ian. I am from Nebraska. I am 32 years old. I am a Navy veteran. Was a Machinist Mate and served on two Submarine Tenders. Been to the Persian Gulf and glad I don't have to ever go back. Hope all of our brothers and sisters in the armed forces stay safe and return home to their families. I am currently a mental health community support worker. I am married and have one beautiful daughter who will be two in February.

I have been interested in teardrops and tiny trailers for a few years now. I am finally going to be building a tiny travel trailer. I am planning on building a trailer using a 4x8 Harbor Freight Trailer. I am planning on keeping it simple. Since this will be my first one ever.

I don't think I am going to make a galley hatch on this first one. I am simply just going to build floor to ceiling cabinets in the back at the foot of the mattress area. Top cabinets will be traditional looking and then I plan on a middle set below the top cabinets with a shelf in the middle to put a portable DVD player on. Have not figured out the bottom part yet. I may leave this as a small recessed area for a place to put shoes when in the camper. Plan on having some shelf space above the head of the mattress to put eye glasses on and what not. Plan on making a fold up table attached to rear of camper to use as a cooking table for my Coleman stove or Trangia Stove. Figure I can make a storage box on front of trailer to stow gear in while underway. Not sure on whether to run a simple 12 volt system yet or not. I figure I could use LED stick up lights and then just get a small battery powered camp fan to move air through the cabin when inside. However, I really like the look and function of the Fan Tastic Fans.

Basically, I joined this forum to learn how to build these things from the people that know how. Looking forward to meeting a lot of nice folks who love camping and hoping I can gain some knowledge from you all. See in the forum.

[Kevin & Sandy]

Welcome to the forum, Ian !!! I'm in South Central Nebraska, hope we can meet up at a gathering sometime.

One of my good friends was in the Navy and served as a Machinist mate, if what he could build/make/fabricate is any indicator, you should have NO trouble building a TD !!!

A couple of things... Sounds like you plan to keep it simple, that always helps, but if you are planning on cooking at the rear of your trailer, a galley and hatch would be handy to keep cookware, food etc in. Although some people use a chuckbox and get by quite well.

The shelf inside you are talking about sounds handy, you'll love it. A place to keep glasses, flashlight, keys, wallet........

I have a Fantastic Fan in mine, I went with the one with a thermostat. That way it runs when it is a little warm in the TD, but later at night when it cools down, it only kicks on occasionally. You won't have to listen to it as much plus less battery drain.

Good luck on the trailer !!!

Kevin

[stu_stumble]

Thanks Kevin and Sandy. You are the first to say greetings to me. I appreciate it. I understand the need for a hatch and a galley. I really would like one but sealing the hatch just makes me nervous. I am sure if I talk to enough people on the forum I can get it figured out. I see that you are in Loomis NE. I am in Pierce NE and work in Norfolk. Hopefully one day when i get my TD finished I will be able to meet you at one of the gatherings in Minden NE. Again thanks for the welcome.

[stu_stumble]

Really would have thought there were more folks n this forum from Nebraska seeings that they have a huge Teardrop gather in Minden NE each year.

So to any fellow Huskers out there. I say HELLO.

[stu_stumble]

Think Ive changed my mind about the whole galley thing after talking to a few forum members.

Also I am going to be building on a 5x8 Northern Tool trailer instead of a 4x8 HF and will be building a mini hopper design that will be 5x8.

Think I like the galley idea as I was a Sailor and that,s where we ate. Well i mean I am a Sailor. Once a Sailor always a Sailor. Think I am gonna stick with a Navy theme and paint the tear Haze Gray and then put my Machinist Mate Insignia on the body and also paint on the ribbons and medals that I earned while serving. Think that would be kind cool.

Think I'll name her "The Sea Chest" or something Nautical. Also, I think instead of putting USS- Whatever maybe I'll put TTT-13 for her call numbers plastered on the starboard and port bow.

Any other Sailors out there? I'll pipe you aboard. Permission to cross the quarterdeck granted. AYE. See ya round shipmates.

[Alfred]

Hey Stu,

Welcome to the T&TTT group. My old man was a sailor during the 50's, I was never military. However, I am a licensed mental health counselor and I built my "Weekender for 5" on a 5x8 Northern Tool trailer!

Welcome aboard, and keep us posted regarding your progress!

AL

[The Teardrop Nanny]

I see you and Buckshot found each other, stu_s.
That's good.....You've made some solid plans for your TD, Ian. Also consider about that beautiful 2 yr. old of yours. Will she be camping with you and your spouse? If so, you might consider a way to add an extension in your plan to accommodate a growing girl. I've seen some pretty ingenious TD that have room for a family to grow up in.

Your nautical theme, paint And TTT (sure you want 13 as your # ) color/choice, etc. sound like you'll have a unique look.

I support the people who serve in our military. My father, who just turned 89 on Sat., is a WWII Navy veteran who was stationed aboard the USS Blackhawk. My older brother served in the Navy during the Vietnam years on the USS America. My class of kids always "adopts" a group of service men/women and we correspond with them . I was the " Den Mother" for a group of CPOs (great guys and good memories) in the USVI with the USS Thomas Gates. Touring that vessel was AWESOME! I have only been on two submarines, but loved being on both of those ' Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea' excursions. Your experiences will serve you well in creating your TD
So... I say "GO, Navy!" for your teardrop is an excellent reflection of your character and what is important or close to your heart in your life. Enjoy your plans, plan your dream. Have fun,

Joanie

[stu_stumble]

Thanks Al and thanks Joanie. I'll post pics of my build once I get started.

The # 13 is special to me as it is the date of my wife and mines anniversary. For most it is unlucky but for me it is lucky.

Go Navy indeed. Go Armed Forces. Go America.

[Kevin & Sandy]

Really would have thought there were more folks n this forum from Nebraska seeings that they have a huge Teardrop gather in Minden NE each year.

So to any fellow Huskers out there. I say HELLO.

There were quite a few Nebraskans in Minden this year, from all parts of the state too. Darrel from Omaha said we should get together more than just at the ITG's, that is a great idea !

Sounds like you have a plan, the nautical theme sounds cool, keep us posted!

[CarlLaFong]

When I joined the Navy, I told the recruiter that I wanted to be a Machinists Mate. At some point, a medical service corps officer grabbed me and told me that I didn't want to be some greaseball stuck below deck and that a smart kid like me should consider being a Hospital Corpsman. Great duty at some far flung, foreign based, hospital or aboard ship. Lot's of hot nurses begging for my......errr.....services. I, being a dumb, feckless kid, sez, "Sure, sign me up." Corps School, duty at a few stateside hospitals, one year in the jungle with a Marine Corps grunt rifle company, complete with bullets, blood, body bags, skeeters, leaches, jungle rot. No ships, I never diddled a nurse and got far dirtier and smelly than I ever would have below deck. I have a lathe/mill in my shop and wish I had a better idea of how to use it effectively. I rarely find myself needing to treat a sucking chest wound or applying a tournequet, but I wish I knew more about cutting speeds, cutters, how to operate my dividing head, etc.