Newbie

[Weerider]

Hello,
My name is Howard Thursby, I live in Gadsden county Florida and am about to start building a Teardrop camper. Have been lurking here for a few weeks and joined June 19. I can't remember how I stumbled upon this site but I have been coming back every day for weeks. I love the idea of teardrop camping and have spent hours searching this site for info. and pix. Before I decided to go ahead with this project I had to satisfy myself, and my wife, that we would be able to build AC into the package. Not sure how I will do it yet but am convinced that it can be done without taking away form the appearance. We plan to use this camper year round and in our part of the country AC is a necessity, not an option.

I will have many questions but I am trying to search the site and gather enough info so that my questions don't appear too stupid.

After viewing many pictures, studying ellipses and drawing for hours, I have made a full size cardboard cutout of a profile that we like. Copied heavily from existing designs but tweaked slightly to suit us. What y'all think? It's 54"H X 120"L.

Howard

[Jst83]

Welcome to the fun house Howard

You'll find there are no stupid questions. I've asked enough myself but always got a pleasant response from many friendly people.

The profile looks good, that's how I did mine a big piece of cardboard tweaked until I found something I liked.

[Juneaudave]

I like alot!!!! Welcome to the insanity!!!!

[martha24]

Howard,
Looks like a nice profile to me.
Welcome to the fun.
Martha

[pauld3]

Welcome. There is no such thing as a stupid question...if you don't know, how else are you going to find out but to ask the question!!!

Everybody here is very helpful and understanding!!! Ask away. And Before Miriam get a chance to tell you, I'll do it. Be ready to post LOTS of pics... We live for pics!!!

Lynn

[Sonetpro]

Welcome Howard,
I like the profile.
You can mount a AC without taking away from the profile.
The vents on the side are my Petcool vent's. Look in my album to see the way I did it.

[Mike C.]

Welcome Howard & wife,

You have just joined a large friendly family.

If you have any build questions, you might check out " sdtripper2's Index"
at the top of each page. Steve has info from A to Z on just about everything involved in building a teardrop.

And if that doesn't work or you can't locate something, just ask. Everyone here is more than willing to help.

[angib]

Nice shape - very 'Grumman-y'.

Andrew

[Weerider]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I look forward to starting my project and tapping the wealth of information available here. I will start a personal album and post pix as I progress.

Andrew, I actually made the top of the profile very much like the Cub and the lower profile similar to the Grumman. I wanted one continuous curve with no flat spots.

Steve, I had gone through your album while researching the AC. Like your profile also.

Juneaudave, I love those fenders on your tear.

Thanks everyone!

Howard

My other passion.

[Esteban]

Howard, Welcome. That's a very nice profile you have started. If you plan to install a roof fan you'll need a flat or almost flat spot on the roof top for the fan.

[Sam I am]

Welcome, Howard! I like your profile. It's similar to mine, but more streamlined. Mine is 105" long x 52" high. Nice bikes, too! Makes me miss my Suzuki VX800 that I sold in 2005!
Sam

[Roly Nelson]

Glad you found us Howard, this is the right place for answers on your build. I have a slightly curved roof on my little 6 ft Stacker and a roof vent fits just fine dispite the minor curve. As far as an AC unit is concerned, you got that right about needing it in Florida.

I mounted my AC unit within the tongue box, and it pumps cool air into a scoop just above my pillow and the cold air is directed toward the ceiling, works great. Check my const'n pics in my Gallery for a shot of the box. I usually haul it in the trunk of the car instead of on the tongue while enroute, since it would make the tongue weight too heavy.

Roly, So Calif Woody man, where AC is nice in the dessert.