Tear Drop Plans

[mkhrcfly]

Well I leaning towards buliding my TD from Kuffel Creek 8" I looked at a ton of ideas from the Hall of Fame but my first one I feel more comfortable with complete set of instructions and plans, I know I would learn more this summer seeing other TD and looking at hands on methods of building, My only concern is with the Kuffel is metal finish I work well with metal but I'm thinking cost and I'm still a wood guy, Well first project is to take back my Garage from Wife Kids !! Any input on my direction of plans please jump in !! K I'm on my way !

[S. Heisley]

Welcome to the playground, mkhrcfly!

You don't have to encase your trailer in metal. You can use a couple coats of epoxy (of course, filling holes & cracks to prevent leakage problems) and add a boat-type of paint or clear finish on top of that. As far as a chassis goes, you can get a bolt-together kit and, with proper care and maintenance, it’ll do the job. Have you looked at the Generic Benroy Plans at the top of this screen? If not, you might consider that, too.

The best thing to do is to spend some time reading everything you can here. If you have a question, use the search engine to find as much information as possible.

Good luck on your build and have fun!

[High Desert]

Deciding what to build can be tough the longer you hang around here lol. There are so many great ideas and beautiful builds, its like being a kid in a candy store. I've decided to go with a simple, straight forward design for my first attempt. And yes, thats part of it for me. Admitting out loud there will be more....its liberating in its own way. You can have more than one. Even by selling the first to help finance the second. And so on, and so on...

Making it yours is much of what its all about. Good luck

[halfdome, Danny]

From my experience the Kuffel Creek plans has flaws in it.
I gave my copy away.

Try http://www.steve-frederick.com/shopman05.html I like his building methods much better.
This forum is your best resource. Danny

[alffink]

mkhrcfly

As Sharon said look over the Generic Benroy plans go through the builds, many great ideas.

I felt much as you and used the Cubby plans, nothing wrong persay, but technology wise, getting to be a bit dated.

Kevin is a cabinet maker and had some very good techniques, but the basic cabinet design, base cabinets in particular, don't give enough depth for long cooking utensils and such, modify at this point at least and use the round profile to better use, of the inches available.....maybe a slanted face frame or pyrimid stack the drawer boxes, longer ones on the bottom.

Make it your own, it's your build, plans are made tobe to be changed, remember they are just someone elses ideas and of course lots of photo's along the way.

[S. Heisley]

I've skimmed/read Kevin's, Steve's and the Generic Benroy's plans and each has its plus and minus features. You just have to read a lot and pick what works best for you and your personal circumstances. The most important thing is to take the time to make the right choices so that you'll have fewer mistakes in the long run. (And, when you make mistakes, you'll know how to fix them or have an alternative at the ready.)

[halfdome, Danny]

Have you looked in the BUILD JOURNALS yet? Lots of great ideas from other forum members. Danny

[Sparksalot]

My only concern is with the Kuffel is metal finish I work well with metal but I'm thinking cost and I'm still a wood guy, Well first project is to take back my Garage from Wife Kids !! Any input on my direction of plans please jump in !! K I'm on my way !

I used a combination of Kuffel Creek Comet, Generic Benroy and stuff found on the forum plans. Turned out pretty well, and I have a one-off.

Read a lot first, see what you like, then dive in. I was inspired by Doug Hodder, so built a woody to boot.

[toypusher]

The Kuffle Creek plans are good, but may have some minor errors (If anyone knows of them for sure they should let Kevin know and he will fix them) but you should be able to work past them easily. Just ask here when/if you get stumped by something.

As far as the AL vs Wood, I have found that price wise they are about the same. That is assuming that you do the woody version right and not skimp on things that will haunt you a few years down the road.

Just my opinion here!

[halfdome, Danny]

It's not plans (yet) but Grant Whipp's Profile Tracing Service is excellent .
You get a full sized profile of your pick of several teardrop profiles for a nominal fee. Danny

[gregp136]

I have been dreaming of a teardrop for a few years, and we decided to buy the Kuffel Creek plans. We are making adjustments to them, thanks to this forum, but I felt the way you did that I needed some basic plans to start with. I have also downloaded some of the plans from here, adjusted cabinet size, am widening to 5 feet, and adding the outside table. For me, I feel secure in this becuse of the base plans for kuffel creek.

Of course, I am just half way through my model at this point. Still a long way to go before I camp in my teardrop.

Greg (and Laurie)

[mkhrcfly]

Thanks guys for all your imput it is very helpfull I wish I could see one in person I've been looking into metal to finish my TD as a option, here is my question I can find the sheet metal all sizes and colors but thier has to be a trim channel that can curve for the roof and sides to meet ? I've looked on this site but I'm sure I'm missing something is there a site with detailed pictures on metal finish ? Again thanks for your help

Mike

[Endo]

..... but thier has to be a trim channel that can curve for the roof and sides to meet ? I've looked on this site but I'm sure I'm missing something is there a site with detailed pictures on metal finish ? Again thanks for your help

Are you referring to roof edge molding?

Here are 3 sources for roof edge molding.
http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net/parts.html
http://www.teardropparts.com/sub-pages/ ... ldings.htm
OR CLICK HERE...EBAY LISTING FOR MOLDING

[bobhenry]

Thanks guys for all your imput it is very helpfull I wish I could see one in person I've been looking into metal to finish my TD as a option, here is my question I can find the sheet metal all sizes and colors but thier has to be a trim channel that can curve for the roof and sides to meet ? I've looked on this site but I'm sure I'm missing something is there a site with detailed pictures on metal finish ? Again thanks for your help

Mike

Go to any camper sales and take a peek at how they do it. It will give you a good idea. There are a few different profiles but they are basically doing the same job.

[mkhrcfly]

I did not think there were so many options out thier !! Thanks for all your guys help I went with and ordered the Big Woody CD today, Im sure that I over thought this process I've been a home owner for over 30 years
(same house) do all my own work from addititions to all plumbing, electrical, widows, all that goes with redoing a 125 year old Victoria Home, I'm looking forward to getting this summer project going and looking for any help I can get,

Thanks