Howdy y'all

[JeremyL]

Well I figured I'd go ahead & say hello.

I'm Jeremy, and currently I'm in central FL, but I call northeast Texas home. I've had a fascination with teardrops for a long time, but just recently started looking into them again and was quite surprised by the following that they have. Though I've had my fair share of hot rods and classic cars through the years, my current plan is to build one to pull behind my 86 Daytona Turbo Z C/S.

I'm sure I'll have several questions when I begin my build, but I have experience in drafting & design and fabrication from my years of working on cars with my father. My original plan was to build a tear based on the Kenskill profile, but for starters I may change that and build something based more along the lines of a Benroy as it seems a little more simple since a standard 4 x 8 sheet will do the sides. No matter which I decide on I'm sure I'll modify the design to suit my needs.

On another note, while I was in college I basically lived out of an old 16 foot travel trailer next to my shop, so I'm no stranger to cramped conditions. Sadly I don't have any pictures of that rig, nor do I remember what brand it was, but it was OLD.

And drifting further off topic, my plan once I make it back to Texas permanently is to rebuild my family homestead and modify it for the 21st century. I plan on making it as self sustaining as possible by adding solar panels, a well and/or cisterns for water, and maybe even a low speed diesel generator and wind turbine so I'll have power no matter what. I want to keep it off grid totally if possible. I'm even kicking around the idea of wiring a bunch of the house for 12 volt LED lighting so I don't have to rectify a bunch of DC current to AC to run every little thing.

Any ways, I look forward to lurking around here and I'm sure I'll be asking a few questions when I get around to starting my project.

[doug hodder]

Hey guy...welcome aboard. There is tons of info available here as well as different designs and profiles. I'm a big fan of having fun on your build, and get creative...nothing is set in stone...just do what you want! Oh...and we really appreciate the pictures.... Doug

[JeremyL]

Thanks for the welcome, and I'll be sure to take pictures of the project when I get started.

[sHoootR]

Welcome to the Madness...........

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Jeremy. Look forward to seeing what you come up with. Now--pictures are for keeping the bubble oil level so Oh and the MadOnes happy.

[Dean_A]

Welcome Jeremy! Don't give up on the Kenskill profile just because it's a little harder. It's my personal favorite! Check out my album for my modified Kenskill profile. I used a 2 pieces of ply and seamed it at the hinge side of the door. The walls stay plenty rigid once you add the framing, insulation, spars, etc.
--Dean

[Mike C.]

Hi Jeremy,

Welcome to the forum.....er, playground. Be creative and whatever you decide to build, make it your own. We appreciate pictures, so we can keep up with your build progess, but most of all, get in and ask questions and have fun.

See you around.

[PERKIN211]

Welcome Jeremy--sounds like you've got a lot of skills for this project you're starting.

I see lots of trailer adventures in store for you in Texas! ..and all over Good Luck,
Monte

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Jeremy, good to have you join us in our venture into building a trailer that is a vision of your own mind. Let those creative juices flow and be sure to take pics as you go along, you only have one chance to do that.

Your Texas project seems a bit more complicated, although I'm with you, it certainly would be nice to be off of the grid. Good luck on your build, and do try to attend a gathering in your neck of the woods or get in contact with other Florida builders that are also on this board.

Roly, remembering a sign while crossing the everglades that said, "Florida continental divide"...........elevation THREE feet.

[JeremyL]

Welcome Jeremy! Don't give up on the Kenskill profile just because it's a little harder. It's my personal favorite! Check out my album for my modified Kenskill profile. I used a 2 pieces of ply and seamed it at the hinge side of the door. The walls stay plenty rigid once you add the framing, insulation, spars, etc.
--Dean

I'm having a lot of trouble deciding what exactly I should build. I really love the Kenskill, Kit, and Modernistic profiles. Maybe I'll sit down and sketch something up that incorporates a little bit of all three. I've got drafting & design experience, but I'm a bit rusty at it since I rarely use it. I wish I had a good ole drafting table & a couple sheets of paper instead of trying to whip something up in AutoCAD.

Welcome Jeremy--sounds like you've got a lot of skills for this project you're starting.

I see lots of trailer adventures in store for you in Texas! ..and all over Good Luck,
Monte

Oh I've had plenty of trailer adventures in Texas, just not with a teardrop. I used to scavenge cars & parts from all over north Texas & south Oklahoma back in my car building days. I've got a lot of skills, but I'm probably rusty as hell since I don't get to tinker with much at the moment.

Hi Jeremy, good to have you join us in our venture into building a trailer that is a vision of your own mind. Let those creative juices flow and be sure to take pics as you go along, you only have one chance to do that.

Your Texas project seems a bit more complicated, although I'm with you, it certainly would be nice to be off of the grid. Good luck on your build, and do try to attend a gathering in your neck of the woods or get in contact with other Florida builders that are also on this board.

Roly, remembering a sign while crossing the everglades that said, "Florida continental divide"...........elevation THREE feet.

The Texas homestead project is definitely going to be a challenge. There's property and a house there already, but unfortunately time & bad weather have taken a toll on what's left. It'd probably be easier to tear it all down & start fresh, but I want to save as much as I can since my father built it and he's no longer around. I figure it'll be a fitting memorial for him as we used to talk about doing the things that I'm planning now.

[chorizon]

Welcome, it sounds like you have several irons in the fire. Out where my parents live in West Texas most everyone lives "off the grid". More out of practicality than choice. Rio Grande Electric coop will get you power--for $10,000/mile the last I heard. I good solar system goes for around $15K; do the math. The new wind systems look very promising, I'm actually going to build a wind generator for the teardrop! There are plans all over the WWW for building a 200W generator pretty easily. More than enough to charge the battery while I'm out doing whatever.

Oh yeah, by catching rainfall (minimal in West Texas) off the roof, Mom's "garden watering" tank usually has at least a couple thousand gallons in it. NE TX would have that 5000 gallon tank overflowing in no time! Good luck.