hello from the deep south

[claybrook]

My name is Jeremy and I live in Alabama.Been reading alot over the summer to build a teardrop for my winter project.thought I would go ahead and register because I know I'll have Questions.I've built a cedar strip canoe and kayak so wood working is nothing new.I currently own a 12' 58 model camper I restored. What I am planning is too use my own design. I going to start with a 5'x10' trailer with a 4' tounge. I'll make a curve starting out from the front that will give me a 11' camper. Planning on covering it in 1/4" cedar strips to match my canoe . then I'll make four paddles and bolt them to the corners with the blades up drill a 1 1/4 hole in the blade running a oak closet rod through to carry my canoe. should have a foot of clearence from my truck with only two feet of overhang. If anyone detects a problem with my design speak up hope to be through by late winter to make some spring get togethers.

Jeremy

[Podunkfla]

Sounds like a good plan to me Jeremy... That ought to look great with the cedar strips! Keep us posted on your progress... and , of course, we love to see pix.
Welcome to the asylium.

[Mike C.]

Welcome Jeremy,

Sounds like a cool design with paddles up to carry a canoe. Look forward to seeing pictures when you get it done. Anyway, ask questions and have
fun. Be sure and post lots of pictures as it keeps Aunti M's bubble oil level.

[ReggieBell]

Hail and good health from Madison, AL. I am still a lurker here for now, but plan on building a 6 X 10 3 person TT camper type thing. My wife wants a hobbit hole door so I am trying to design around that.

[Roly Nelson]

Jeremy, now that sounds like an original method of hauling your cedarstrippers. When finished, all that see it will never forget it. Lets see, cedar strips all around, paddles bolted to each corner, oak cross members, wow. It might take a bit of engineering to mount the back ones rigidly, with the hatch lid still operable. I'm sure it can be done. Good luck with you build, take pics, post 'em and keep up up dated reagarding your progress........oh yes, welcome to the board.

Roly

[claybrook]

Roly checked out your pic. real nice. as far as making it rigid enough so I dont havea problem with my hatch. I am using 1/2" ply for the wall and were my ply meets I will use a 1x4 on the inside, the hatch will hinge about a foot back from that. I forget the name of the fasteners I will be using, but its a threaded plug that has three spikes of to the side. just drill a hole and drive the threades into the wood and use machine screws. that way I can take the paddles off and on without making a mess out of the sides. I will also make a small door on the side to get into the back.Iknow I'll have to take the canoe off to raise the hatch.

Jeremy

[Miriam C.]

To the playground Jeremy. Sounds like a good plan. The threaded things are T-nuts I think. I used them to hold my TD on the frame.

Enjoy

[Roly Nelson]

Jereme, looks like you have it all planned out. Good for you. I'm anxious to see the end result. Enjoy your build, ask any question you like, we have lots of answers. Check out tears that have been covered or built out of cedar strips, here on the board. Absolutely one of a kind.

Roly

[BrianW]

Welcome Jeremy. Where in Alabama Are you? I live in Alabaster.

I have lurking around in this site and looking at a lot pics of Teardrops I am about to start my first build too. I have asked questions and have great responses. There is a lot of helpful people here.

[rbeemer]

Roly checked out your pic. real nice. as far as making it rigid enough so I dont havea problem with my hatch. I am using 1/2" ply for the wall and were my ply meets I will use a 1x4 on the inside, the hatch will hinge about a foot back from that. I forget the name of the fasteners I will be using, but its a threaded plug that has three spikes of to the side. just drill a hole and drive the threades into the wood and use machine screws. that way I can take the paddles off and on without making a mess out of the sides. I will also make a small door on the side to get into the back.Iknow I'll have to take the canoe off to raise the hatch.
Jeremy

Jeremy,

Build your self some additional plugs that can be screwed into the holes when you remove your paddles. Hate to have water get into the wood using that hole.

[claybrook]

Brianw I know were Alabaster is at. I work in Childersburg, but live a little east of Alexander City.Lets get these things built where we can meet up at a campground.

Jeremy

[BrianW]

We like to camp at Wind Creek. Have not been there in a couple of years. We want to back again sson.
Evertime i get ready to start buying the wood something comes up. I hope very very soon to get started on it.
My exterior is going to be all wood and i am going to fiberglass clear coat it. I am going to experimwent with a small piece of wood first. Sounds like you have experience with making exterior wood water tight. Any suggestion?

[claybrook]

working with fiberglass isn't real hard.I am going to use epoxy resin.It holds up better than polyester resin and tougher. there are plenty allwood teardrops on this board that can tell you the best way to seal it.
Jeremy

[doug hodder]

Jeremy.....welcome to the "dark side" tears, and epoxy....Doug

[Alphacarina]

I . . live a little east of Alexander City

Alexander City?!?!?!

That's not the 'deep south' - You're way too far north of I-10 to be in the deep south

Welcome to the forum - sounds like you're going to have one beautiful tear . . . . and an excellent way to show off your canoe

Don