Hello from NY!

[lfrazer98]

Mike,
I just started a build journal and posted a link in my signature. I, too, liked the Grumman 2 design. I basically outlined my plan on there, but have yet to post design pics. I do like the look of a woody sided tear with an aluminum top. Still early in our plan, but I will post any new pics and designs as soon as we create them! I am meeting up with my father tomorrow to start! More to come.

[Vedette]

Hi Lauren
Give some thought to under floor storage for you clothing and laundry on long trips.
We bought "under bed storage" totes from our local walmart and made our compartments to handle two (accessible from each side).
Compartments are only 8" deep and have lightweight aluminum entry lids. The totes are sealed and light an ideal for packing you clothes in the house before you leave and taking to the laundry while on camping trips.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS
No matter what you may hear you will love AC power for your TD!
It is a must!!!

[lfrazer98]

Hi Brian and Sandi!

My father wants under floor storage for a rifle or fishing pole, but I was leaning in the opposite direction for 2 reasons.

1. I figure that if there is under floor compartments then you can't insulate the floor. If you can still insulate the floor, then I assume that the floor will be rather deep which will take away from the internal head clearance. We only have 48" side walls that will be attached to the outside of the frame.

2. I don't camp for extended periods of time and would probably not need the extra storage room. I use my car/trunk for a lot of that.

However, I do appreciate the suggestion! And yes, we will be putting in AC outlets. It has been decided this weekend

Again, send comments as you think of them and have a great week! More photos to come once we start tearing down the frame.

[mezmo]

Hi Lauren,

You could do "Under Floor", or rather, Under Chassis storage by either exterior
access storage drawers mounted below the chassis/frame/floor-plane or use
one or two full TD width large diameter ~ 6in or 8in - PVCpipes [with removable end-caps]
mounted below the chassis/frame. Just mount them close to the wheels, either in front or
behind the wheels, to avoid any ground clearance problems. Just use common
sense and reason, of course, when you size/dimension them. [Don't forget to
seal the drawer fronts to the face-frame of the drawer enclosure box, if you
use drawers, to water and dust proof it.]

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[lfrazer98]

Thanks for the suggestion! We will look into that!

[Vedette]

Hi Lauren
Not only is the under floor storage valuable, it creates an air space (usually filled with stuff) which "is" the insulation you are looking for.
Do you plan to cold weather camp?
For the record we have 38" of clearance from the top of bed to the ceiling. So far this has been more than adequate.
We will follow your build with interest.
Good Rods
Brian & Sandi

[lfrazer98]

Brian and Sandi- I doubt I will cold weather camp, but I could see my father doing so. I just don't think we would use the space. Do you have a solid mattress or one that is split in 2 or thirds? I am planning on having a 6" thick whole queen mattress (still foam) that might be hard to get under. I will look into the different ways to design/build under floor storage though as you have "been there, done that" and know what you are talking about. Thanks for the suggestions! Any ideas on galley design? I just posted my initial sketch of what I want. Any "must haves" for galleys?
Thanks again for your suggestions!

[Vedette]

Our Queen sized mattress is divided into tree pieces. One piece under our galley (that stays in place ) and two pieces hinged in the middle from end to end, allowing them to be raised from each side with the be d made, to access the two similarly hinged doors that cover the storage area.
Underneath storage contains two large totes (36" x 18" x 7") that we store "all" of our clothes, towels, rain gear, etc that we travel with. As clothes get soiled they move from one to, and then that tote can be removed and taken directly to the Laundramat while on the road.
Best area I created for our tear....Sandi loves it!
I also like the small "tool box" are under the floor in the galley, and the lower storage are in the headboard (where we keep things we use related to night time)
Plan, plan, plan!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[matthewp]

Hey "NY," greetings back at you from NY! I've also built "basement storage" and am insulating that! Just because you have a basement doesn't mean it can't be insulated.

[mary and bob]

We are also in NY, half hour below Albany on the east side of the river. I didn't thoroughly read all the posts, so may have missed something, but it appears that your trailer has the side rails that are above the bed, and it has been discussed previously somewhere that removing them weakens the frame, that they contribute to the structural strength. Something to consider. I've seen at least one teardrop that was built to slide into that type trailer without cutting off the rails. They are inconvenient in the door area, but it can be done.

[lfrazer98]

We are also in NY, half hour below Albany on the east side of the river. I didn't thoroughly read all the posts, so may have missed something, but it appears that your trailer has the side rails that are above the bed, and it has been discussed previously somewhere that removing them weakens the frame, that they contribute to the structural strength. Something to consider. I've seen at least one teardrop that was built to slide into that type trailer without cutting off the rails. They are inconvenient in the door area, but it can be done.

Hmmm, I haven't read that, but didn't even think about that either. We have already cut off the side rails. Should we be doing something to reinforce it? I will mention it to my father. Can another angle iron be placed inside the existing "L" shaped frame and bolted to the floor and side walls? I will do some research on this and thanks for mentioning it! My Aunt and Uncle live in Troy, so I am familiar with the area you are in. Hop, skip and a jump to NYC! I was just in Poughkeepsie this summer for a stream ecology workshop and enjoyed the drive North to Albany.

Thanks, Mary and Bob for the welcome and advice!

[mary and bob]

Frame reinforcement may not be necessary, but won't hurt. Your father can decide. If you traveled the Taconic Parkway you went right by our house. That road took part of my family's farm, and brought all the city people here to inflate property prices and increase taxes. The parkway previously ended at Poughkeepsie, until being extended in the late 50's, completed in 1963.

[lfrazer98]

I did take the Taconic pkwy. I jumped on right at Poughkeepsie. It was an older road, but the scenery was great! Isn't that the way with urbanization? It stinks for the rural folks like us that like our space and would like to afford it, too. I will double check with my father about reinforcement and will do some research about cutting off the side rails. I hope that with everything fastened together that it will be real solid. Did you two build a tear? If so, how did it go?

[mary and bob]

depending on your sidewall construction material, that will add strength to the frame. We restored an original 1946 Modernistic teardrop, so I can't give any advice on building one. A comment I've seen a few times is that the final build weighs a lot more than expected. Ours is all aluminum except for the frame, no interior, no cabinets, no appliances, weight is 650 lb. Be careful on that parkway, cars hit deer almost weekly, and speed limit is 55. Couple miles before the Thruway connection is a favorite police radar spot.