Newbie from (just West of) Phoenix, AZ

[Cliffmeister2000]

Hello, Teardrop enthusiusts!

My name is Cliff, and I live in Avondale, AZ, near Phoenix. I have a lovely wife, Gina, a chihuahua/terrier mix named Joey, and a papillon named Jamie. Together, we camp in a 4-1/2 foot by 8 ft teardrop. Below is my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I bought a teardrop about 2 years ago. My brother found it for me in Washington State. He called me, emailed me pictures, and I told him to buy it for me. He even drove it 1/2 way to me. I met him in San Ramon, CA. and brought it the rest of the way. 1st night of camping was in Bishop, CA. Very windy that night, but the teardrop was snug as could be!

I got what I thought was a screaming deal. Good thing, too. Nothing like owning one to really know what you like and don't like about the one you got.

What I like:
It's cute. It draws a lot of attention. The galley is BEAUTIFUL! It tracks well behind my CR/V.

What I don't like:

I'm 6'4". The inside length of this thing is 6'5". Okay for sleeping, but don't try to move.

There is a shelf over my feet (the galley) and another over my head. I like to read before Igo to sleep. Hard to do in the teardrop.

That beautiful galley? Not functional at all. No space deep enough for a campstove, wash tub, anything. Very poor design.

Dryrot. Not something I had thought about (being from Arizona). But the trailer is from Washington, and it has SEVERE dryrot.

I'm trying to decide if I should sell it (I would have to, of course, disclose the dryrot. Not that the guy I bought it from mentioned it.) or tear the skin off and try to fix it. Any suggestions?

I am trying to attach some pictures, but not having any luck. If I figure out how, you will see them.

Oh, heck, here's a link to the pictures. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cliffneff/TeardropShots


Cliff

[MOKI SEAKER]

I think I would strip it down to the frame and turn it into a benroy, the plans are on this forum. I live in Buckeye south of the river.. Jim G

[Miriam C.]

To the playground Cliff. Looks pretty bad on the ply and there isn't much you can do with that. The galley is sparce and that seems to be something you want to change...

I would pickout a profile I liked, make it at least 9' long and make my own. Now you can sell the one you have or strip it down and save as much of the cabinetry as you can or want..

Most of all have fun.

Pictures: http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html
URL's work too cause we just love the pictures. Thanks for posting them.

If your photo space can do it. Make the smaller (for forum posting) and copy from there. I think this page will help. Not sure because I can't see your home page.
http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html

[Mike C.]

Hi Cliff,

Welcome to the forum. Have fun and I'll probably see you around.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Well, I guess I'm going to pull off the skinb on the driver's side, and take a look. Maybe my first build will be a "rebuild".

[asianflava]

Don't worry about the galley, All mine does is store the stove. I don't like to cook in the galley for a couple reasons. Something about exposed flame and all that wood. I have an aluminum side table that I put next to the trailer, I do my prep in the galley and cook outside on the side table.

We have a front bulkhead blanket chest. It gives us a shelf to put keys, wallet, change on when we go to bed but it also gives us a place to lean on when sitting up to watch a DVD or to read. Probably not an option for you since space is limited already but it is something to think about.

[steve wolverton]

I don't like to cook in the galley for a couple reasons. Something about exposed flame and all that wood.

I don't have a galley and I'm nervous about a stove on my table connected to my camper.

[doug hodder]

Is it true dryrot? or did the ply delaminate? If it's dryrot, you should be able to push a probe really easily into the funky wood and dig it out in soft chunks. It appears that the edges on the ply weren't sealed at all. Depending on it's age and how much is damaged, it could be repaired a lot easier than a rebuild (maybe inject a bunch of rot Dr. and clamp it up with some backer boards to make the ply flat and sealed up)...what about the lower edges of the ply (underneath)...are they exposed to road spray and do they have the same issues? Hey, just an idea...but as for making the interior longer...I don't have a stretcher for that. It sounds like you're not really going to be happy with it in the long run. I'd say move it and buy or build what you want. Doug

[Cliffmeister2000]

doug hodder says:

Is it true dryrot? or did the ply delaminate? If it's dryrot, you should be able to push a probe really easily into the funky wood and dig it out in soft chunks. It appears that the edges on the ply weren't sealed at all. Depending on it's age and how much is damaged, it could be repaired a lot easier than a rebuild (maybe inject a bunch of rot Dr. and clamp it up with some backer boards to make the ply flat and sealed up)...what about the lower edges of the ply (underneath)...are they exposed to road spray and do they have the same issues?

I think you are right, doug. I have actually considered building a jig that would let me flip the whole thing on its back while remaining suspended, and pouring Dr. Rot's most suitable compound down between the laminations and clamping it. No, I cannot find any place where it is mushy.

I wonder if the teardrop would support its own weight if I flipped it over carefully in the back yard on the grass? While I had it upside down, I could do some maintenance on the underbelly. At the very least, I could sell it with a clear conscience.

[49er Teardrop]

Greetings from Washington State! Your photos inspired me to put another coat of weatherseal on the bottom of my trailer! (Just in case) Good luck with your rebuild... you'll be able to make it into exactly what you want! All the best! --Vic

[Cliffmeister2000]

Greetings from Washington State! Your photos inspired me to put another coat of weatherseal on the bottom of my trailer! (Just in case) Good luck with your rebuild... you'll be able to make it into exactly what you want! All the best! --Vic

I'm glad somebody is benefiting from this. I'm starting to get excited now about trying to "Relaminate" the plys in the side. I'm going to finish the design on my "Flip Jig". When I finish, I'll upload the design for comments and suggestions!

Cliff

[Cliffmeister2000]

Okay, I have a basic design for a jig to flip my rig! I uploaded it to my album, but at 640 x 480, it isn't great. You can also follow my link for a better look.

Please let me know if you see any problems with this thing. The theory is, it will stay rigid on the 2x4 I will attach under the trailer, until it gets to 90 degrees, then the 2x4 will pivot on the joint with the steel square tubing until the trailer is horizonal again, but upside down.

http://picasaweb.google.com/cliffneff/TeardropShots

[angib]

Cliff,

Promise me you will have someone video the first time you use this flipper! I keep thinking that you'll get halfway over and the trailer will flip you across the yard. that might hurt, but it would be a popular video......

More seriously, I don't see how you are going to tip up the first 90 degrees - to start with the trailer will be sitting on its wheels, but fairly quickly the back of the body will hit and drag along the ground.

You will also need some way of pinning the arm so that it stays at 90 deg to the frame for the second half of the flip, otherwise you'll also drag the hatch along the ground.

I've rolled over several yacht hulls and I think the easiest way to flip your trailer would be to make a pair of C-shaped frames that slightly extend your sidewalls (so that lights and handles don't get hit on the ground) and just roll the trailer over resting on the ground all the while - just as Roly does with the 1/4-Nelson.

Andrew

[Cliffmeister2000]

Andrew says:

I've rolled over several yacht hulls and I think the easiest way to flip your trailer would be to make a pair of C-shaped frames that slightly extend your sidewalls (so that lights and handles don't get hit on the ground) and just roll the trailer over resting on the ground all the while - just as Roly does with the 1/4-Nelson.

Interesting! Too simple not to work! Let me play with that a while!

Thanks!

Cliff

[Cliffmeister2000]

Andrew, this is how I interpreted your comments. It looks amazingly simple, and therefore quite superior. What do you think?

Cliff