I'm a Newbie

[Bill J]

Hi all
I live in the Pacific Northwest of Canada on an island. I love anything old. My daily drivers are probably the newest things I own and they are 28 years old. I also have a 60 year old truck.
When I was a kid many years back my dad bought a homemade trailer. It was as square as can be but very comfortable. It was built by a cabinet maker and we had a few good years with it. At the time trailer folk were considered gypsies and a lot of people would not let us in the campgrounds. How times have changed. He later bought a new Shasta and then a Golden Falcon.
I hope to build a tear drop to tow behind my truck. I'm sure all I would to know will be on this site.
Thanks
Bill

[mandy]

Welcome Bill

Make sure to post lots of pictures of your build, pictures make us happy.

Have Fun
Mandy

[campingdude]

Welcome Bill can't wait to see the pictures of you build

[mikeschn]

Hey Bill,

Welcome to the forum.

Like they said, be sure to take lots of pictures, and put them in your album!

http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html

Mike...

[Bill J]

Thanks everyone. Please don't hold your breath on the pictures. I am still at the planning/dreaming stage.

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, Bill. All of the above, except it would be kind of nice if you were to build a woody! Enjoy, and come on south when it is finished.
Roly

[Bill J]

Never thought of a woody as such. I thought the only wood in my tear drop to be, would be the plywood panels. But hey that is a heck of an idea!
Looking forward to being on this site. Going to be fun!

[Mike C.]

Hi Bill,


Welcome to the forum. If we can of any help, just ask. Hope you get in and have some fun. And don't forget the pictures.


See you around.

[neal b]

welcome aboard bill you came to right place you will get alot of help here

neal b

[doug hodder]

still at the planning/dreaming stage.

So put up your ideas...I've always heard that the more you voice a dream, the sooner it becomes reality.... Doug

[sdtripper2]

still at the planning/dreaming stage.

So put up your ideas...I've always heard that the more you voice a dream, the sooner it becomes reality.... Doug

Bill ~ Welcome to the forum ~

Doug's advice to post some of your ideas here has merit.
Many people here have made a few trailers as they are afflicted.
Doug is one of our shinning stars of build magic and has made
many of his trailer dreams come true.

So post a few words of your thoughts and get feedback from
some that would carry on their dreams of trailer builds to come.

Enjoy your stay with us Bill.
We will be imagining you way uP North on an Island in
contemplation of a trailer being pulled by your 60 year old truck.

What kind of truck may I ask?

Again Bill ~ Welcome ~

Steve

[Bill J]

Way up north on an island sounds more remote than it is. Perhaps it should have said 'on an island in the Pacific'!
Here is my idea. I am not a welder but can work wood and do mechanical work. I want something that can sleep 2 people. I am well over six foot tall so I have to consider that. I want the lines to look in proportion given the extra length. Right now I have no plans to put in any kind of cooking facilities but I might be swayed on the decision. I figure if I have room for a small cooler it would be great. Finally I need something I can tow without knowing its there. No sway, no drag and as I am probably the world's worst when it comes to backing up a trailer (unlike my late Dad) something that would be easy.
The truck is an almost original 1949 Chevy half ton. Never been restored but mechanically always maintained and upgraded. Could use a paint job but then I would spend time worrying about paint chips, scratches, etc!

[sdtripper2]

1949 Chevrolet Pickup 1/2 Ton
(Representation only ~ not Bills truck)


For those that want to see a representation of the truck Bill has I have
added this picture so you all may visualize ~ add dents and less paint as desired.

So Bill for the folks to help here is your
formulations of thought on what you want.

Here is the beginnings of a list of wishes
to fit your picture of your trailer.

1) I want something that can sleep 2 people.
2) I am well over six foot tall so I have to consider that.
3) I want the lines to look in proportion given the extra length.
4) Right now I have no plans to put in any kind of cooking facilities
but I might be swayed on the decision.
5) I figure if I have room for a small cooler it would be great.
6) Finally I need something I can tow without knowing its there. No sway, no drag.
7) I am probably the world's worst when it comes to backing up a trailer (resolved see below)
******

Bill I will take the easy one here #7.
You will be able to manipulate your new trailer by hand on most surfaces
and so by getting the trailer close as in horseshoes you will be able to
move it into place without much effort. So the backuP issue is resolved !

#6 is almost a given with these small Teardrop trailers. Many can be pulled
with a car and so your truck should, no ~ will not have issues with pulling.

On #4 to have a galley or not. If you have someone that likes to eat in the
other side of the bed maybe their input should be included. Look here for some galley ideas.
Bill many people get stuck on electrical questions as in AC power and 12V
added to their trailers. What are your thoughts on this subject?

Well, Bill you have got the ball in the air now. Lets let some other dreamers
come on down and play the game.

Great start Bill ~

[Bill J]

The person on the other side of the bed does not like cooking and will probably not like travelling so I will probably do it alone. Unless I adopt a dog!
Never thought of the electrical. Can't see myself needing cabin lights as it would only be a place to sleep. Would of course need brake and clearance lights but I figure I can wire up something. I totally rewired my truck using the schematic and a few rolls of wire and some fittings.

[sdtripper2]

Bill:

So if you decide not to have a galley or an open uP hatch as most
Teardrop trailers have and you don't want any electrical other than lights for the road.

Your weight issues are less and less. As well your build won't be as complicated.

I suggest that you look at the Free designs of vintage plans here
and Andrews pages to get a formulated plan for shape and so on.
All questions can be answered better when you decide on a plan.

Vintage plans

Andrew's plans

Think about weight in your build. Weight = bad magic

Second think about power or galley for easy storage of stuff reaching it
from the hatch behind or if not ... then your build will be easier as the roof
will be solid all the way.

Over to you Bill ~