Newbie from N. Carolina

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Newbie from N. Carolina

Postby LesterS » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:30 am

Hello everyone!

After lurking about for about 3 or 4 months now, I have succumbed to ‘the bug’.

The build begins. No formalized plan. All design parameters subject to change at the builder’s discretion.

My original avatar show’s me (Lester) and the wife, camping of course. (For reference, the one in yellow is Barbara – she’s the one encouraging this indulgence.)

My current informal plan forward is simple; buy the 1740lb HF trailer, stretch the frame length an additional foot or more, and build a tiny travel trailer.

We want simple; sleeps 2, indoor facilities, indoor kitchen area (only for use in emergencies), and like everyone, the illusive ‘light weight’.
Current design inspirations include Scotties, Shastas, The Widget, and the Puffin.

Light weight? The tow vehicle is rated at 2000lbs but I’d like to keep the TTT at or under 1000 if at all possible; gear is going to bring it all up another 500lbs.

I only get one chance here to make a first impression, so I start out here humbly. Other’s craftsmanship here I hold in awe.

One other note: My other passion for years was sailing, and like many a sailor I day-dreamed about cruising. (Think full time camping, only with water under you). Lin and Larry Pardee (the consummate cruising couple) had a very simple premise to their adventures: Go simple – Go small - Go Now. Do not delay your travels until you have the last end-all be-all gadget, upgrade, or toy. Hopefully I can stick to this philosophy in this build, and get on the road – sooner.

And so it begins...

Image
Lester
Bristol, TN
------------------------
Still buildin' on teardrop time.
Build thread started here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=19404&highlight
And continued here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=41005
Gallery: http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/album.php?album_id=1371
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Postby Bill Fernandez » Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:51 am

welcome Lesters
you got it all togather go head on If you need some help there is plenty here .
have a great day.

Bill :applause: :lol: 8)
Wild Bill The Shoe Man
If The Shoe Fits, Fix it!

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Postby neal b » Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:19 am

hello and welcome aboard enjoy your build and take alot of :pictures:

neal b :D
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Postby Mike C. » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:54 pm

Hello Lester and Barbara,

Welcome to the forum. :applause:

Hope you enjoy yourselves, ask lots of questions, and as the build progresses, post lots of pictures. :thumbsup:
Uncle M ( Mike )
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Thanks for the welcome(s) everyone!

Postby LesterS » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:50 am

Got the frame started -- and stretched -- springs reversed -- axle sub frame is built and positioned -- but need to calculate real location before I start drilling holes.

Image

Now I'm agonizing over a profile -- jeeze talk about cliche'
Lester
Bristol, TN
------------------------
Still buildin' on teardrop time.
Build thread started here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=19404&highlight
And continued here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=41005
Gallery: http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/album.php?album_id=1371
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Re: Newbie from N. Carolina

Postby rbeemer » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:27 pm

LesterS wrote:Hello everyone!

Light weight? The tow vehicle is rated at 2000lbs but I’d like to keep the TTT at or under 1000 if at all possible; gear is going to bring it all up another 500lbs.



500 lbs of gear!!!!!!! What are you bringing your house kitchen??? That is a lot of gear
Rick

If ducks had scales, would fish quack?
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Re: Newbie from N. Carolina

Postby rbeemer » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:29 pm

LesterS wrote:Hello everyone!

Light weight? The tow vehicle is rated at 2000lbs but I’d like to keep the TTT at or under 1000 if at all possible; gear is going to bring it all up another 500lbs.



500 lbs of gear!!!!!!! What are you bringing your house kitchen??? That is a lot of gear
You should be able to make the 1000lb goal for your trailer
Rick

If ducks had scales, would fish quack?
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Postby Miriam C. » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:00 pm

Image to the playground Lester and Barbara. You can make it as light as you want just keep a running list of what you put in it. Use light weight materials and keep it simple.

Enjoy and remember the :pictures: :pictures: :pictures:
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Postby Ira » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:23 pm

You're putting another cross member there, right? And the one way in the rear isn't attached permanently yet, correct?
Here we go again!
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500lbs of gear

Postby LesterS » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:18 pm

So maybe I have a tendency to exagerate - slighlty. :whistle:
Maybe 300 lbs of gear if you include bikes and provisions.

As far as crossmembers go, there will be others that will be added from the sub floor, but I wasn't planning on adding any more steel. The frame's been doubled up where it's been 'stretched'. (And any gaps will be filled with angle to match.)

Right now, I'm struggling with just how far back to place the axle - I'm leaning to 42% to 45% from the rear. My reasoning is the finished trailer will not have a rear kitchen, but a interior kitchen area (much smaller), plus there will be a pottty area. The whole back is going to be a bed.

I've kinda scoped out some other designs trying to see the axle placement, but there's less to go on here for a TTT. Most of the info on axle placement is for a rear-kitchened teardrop.

So I forward this question: Just how far back does the axle need to be on a canned ham,widget, midget, or puffin? (Thanks for the inspiration Steve).

Oh and one more comment;
And the one way in the rear isn't attached permanently yet, correct?

Is anything EVER truly permanent at this phase of the process? :-D
Lester
Bristol, TN
------------------------
Still buildin' on teardrop time.
Build thread started here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=19404&highlight
And continued here: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=41005
Gallery: http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/album.php?album_id=1371
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Postby ARKPAT » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:45 pm

Lester
Welcome! :thumbsup:
You might check with Andrew about the balance he has a program on the site to calculate tongue weight and you might play with it to placement of your axel.It realy depends on what you put ( gear cabinets walls material used ) in the trailer and where it is placed in the trailer with respect to the axel placement. :thinking:

I like you idea of the stretch as long as you make framing to tie-into the frame to strenghen and support the rolling frame itself. ;)

Pat
Life is to short always eat dessert first.
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