At Last

[TheDuke]

Hello. I’ve been called The Duke since I can remember, and I live up in the NorthWest corner of the NorthWest U.S. I’ve been through about 4 different careers, and at the moment, I’m retired from mechanical engineering. I’m almost as old as rocks, but I’m determined to build a teardrop, or something similar.

I’m glad to finally be on the forum. I’ve been waiting until I had some kind of a decent idea before making the jump. My interest in TD’s goes back about 5 years, but I only started seriously designing something this year. I bought Kuffel Creek’s manual, and learned a lot from that, but it was just too small, especially since my wife’s got to have indoor plumbing that can be used in the middle of the night (actually, me, too). And it has to be towed by my vehicle, which is a CR-V (tows 1500#). Looking at all the different designs on the forum, I thought a Benroy might be expandable to hold a potty, and spent a lot of time on it, and even ran it by Mike S. He gave me some good advice: “what looks big enough on paper probably isn’t”, and showed me why. He wished me luck redesigning and suggested the Forum. So here I am, having been through a 1)Cubby, 2)inflated Benroy, 3)something that looked like a horse trailer and finally 4) something that’s not a teardrop at all, but it is still tiny, sort of. It’s bigger than I started with, but it’s still cramped.

Basically what it is, is a miniature Grasshopper shape with the basic teardrop stuff crammed in, plus the potty. I had to move up to a 5x10 frame. I’ve gotten a lot of the details designed, but I’ve only put the basics up in my album. Take a look, and everyone that cares to can tear it apart. Critics are what I need, right now. We used to call them “design reviews”. Have at it.

I didn’t want to call it a Grasshopper, but I had to call it something, so currently it’s called “Skeet’r”. You can even tear THAT up, if you want.

Have fun!

[PaulC]

Hi Ol' Timer and welcome to the mayhem. You've come to the right place for all the info you need. Have fun while your here and keep Miriam happy by posting heaps of pics

Cheers
Paul

[Mike C.]

Welcome, TheDuke,

One of my favorite actors. Hope you enjoy the forum.

When you start your build, be sure and post lots of photos.

[Miriam C.]

To the playground/adult day care Duke. Pictures keep the bubble oil level so thanks for contributing.

The design looks good. Don't know about the loo. Something I prefer at the foot of the bed. There are also side tent options if needed. We have room for a loo in ours but it may be too wide (6'4") for your needs. Looks just like a benroy.

Enjoy and feel free to join in a give us lots of pointers.

[SteveH]

Welcome, Duke. Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the sickness! I've been looking at your design, and I really like the idea, but have a problem with the drawings. Nothing about the design, but they are too small to really see...can you make them bigger so an old guy can actually see them? I'm sure you can understand.

[GregB]

Duke,

Nice design, I'm working on something similar. My concern is about the nose of the Skeet'r. Specifically, the beltline created by the projecting nose. While the angle looks nice, I'd be concerned that the beltline is too low to provide additional arm swing room while in the bathroom. A slightly higher beltline might make the space feel more comfortable and roomy while seated. I would even consider measuring the height of your elbow while positioned as you would be in the tear, and putting your crease there. It will probably not be nearly as aesthetic from the outside as your drawing, but might be more practical.

Greg B

[NightCap]

Duke,

Nice design, I'm working on something similar. My concern is about the nose of the Skeet'r. Specifically, the beltline created by the projecting nose. While the angle looks nice, I'd be concerned that the beltline is too low to provide additional arm swing room while in the bathroom. A slightly higher beltline might make the space feel more comfortable and roomy while seated. I would even consider measuring the height of your elbow while positioned as you would be in the tear, and putting your crease there. It will probably not be nearly as aesthetic from the outside as your drawing, but might be more practical.

Greg B

I was trying to figure out how to say sort of the same thing but Greg said it so eloquently it saved me some post time. I was going to speak to being able to lean a bit. Anywhooo.. welcome to the forum and glad your in the great northwest. We will see ya around.

Kevin

[TheDuke]

GregB & NightCap:
You guys are right. This has bothered me, too, but I've been too eaten up with the "right" shape. I'll try some of those things.

SteveH:
I'm just using "print screen" from the keyboard, and dumping it into Paint. That's what I end up with. How do you guys get those nice sharp images? I don't like the fuzzy drawings, either.

Miriam C:
Thanks for the encouragement. I've looked at your pics, and I'm not sure where the loo would go if you put it by your feet. That would be in the kitchen, wouldn't it? I had a shape awhile back (the horsetrailer) with the loo in the back, but there wasn't enough room left to cook. Can you give me an idea of what you meant?

[TheDuke]

Nightcap: Yup, the leaning is important.

[NightCap]

Nightcap: Yup, the leaning is important.

You can say that again. As I get older I find what is important seems to change.

Can't wait to see your build progress.

[Miriam C.]

Miriam C:
Thanks for the encouragement. I've looked at your pics, and I'm not sure where the loo would go if you put it by your feet. That would be in the kitchen, wouldn't it? I had a shape awhile back (the horsetrailer) with the loo in the back, but there wasn't enough room left to cook. Can you give me an idea of what you meant?

Well really it is in the TV room.... Originally I was going to wall off the loo but I got in the swing of things and they were working great and I measured for spars and vents and forgot about the wall. Now the wall would hit the vent and the window... We are sleeping with our heads at the door cause my head is skeert of the window...

I have a curtain for privacy~~~such as it is.

This is one of those "if I could do it over moments." I'll get a picture

[Sam I am]

Duke, could you move the bed closer to the front and put the potty at your feet next to the galley? You would lose some cabinet space, but you could still have a triangular shaped "closet" in the very front of the trailer. Just a thought.
Sam

[Juneaudave]

Welcome Duke...you are after the "Holy Grail"...a 5x10,light enough to be towed by a CRV, with a porta potty. The Skeet’r is a good starting plan, IMHO.

I really can't give you any advice on the technical build details (seeings how I can seem to get things done myself)....but I do know that if you could get to a gathering, size and scale might come a bit more in focus. Best wishes...I'm going to watch your build with interest!!!

[BillyLandry]

Welcome Duke and good luck.

[jdarkoregon]

Nice to have ya around Duke, I hope you find all the help you need. Your design looks workable to me, encluding the Fan by the potty!

John