Hello From Biloxi Ms

[afmedic]

Wow is all I have to say...this has to be one of the best forums about sharing information I have ever seen. Kudos to all the members! I am a active duty Air Force guy stationed in Biloxi MS. This coming may will be my third year in a row to go camping at Talladega for the spring race. Its the one thing I go do every year without the family. I have tent camped in previous years. Id like to build a teardrop to tow up there to sleep in this year. I think a northern tool platform is what Ill start with. Im just curious if its feasible to have one built in that time frame?

[KennethW]

First I salute you for your service!I think a teardrop will make a fun tailgating camper.
I don't see a problem in getting a simple 4" wide with 3/4 plywood sides,a roof fan, two doors and a simple galley (bar?)shelf done in a few weekends.
Of coarse the more you add the more time it will take. As you have probably read on a HD trailer repack the bearings.
Here is some pic for ideals

Bar , bacon wrapped pork on a stick and shopping bag storage
click on pic to enlarge
Tail gate ready?
cooler
stove or grill
12v TV on side for pre-game (19 from wallmart is a 12v with a wall wart)
shelf for bar
bed after the bar
easy take down in the morning

[afmedic]

sweet, Do you have a build list for something like you have pictured?

[KennethW]

Sorry I don't have a build list. I did not even have a plan to go by. I just winged it as I went. I had not even seen a teardrop in person.
All I have is a few build pictures
gallery/search.php?user_id=18277&display=popup.
I did use this as a starting point then did it my way.
https://sites.google.com/site/buildingateardroptrailer/
I used a framed wall for the insulation value (I live in Minnesota)
I laid down 1/2 insulation on the trailer then bolted the floor down 1/2 plywood on top. The plywood had a 1x4 glued and screw from the bottom to latter mount the walls (no 2x2 frame floor frame).
With a framed wall I laid the ceiling on top of the wall with the outside skin extending long
then can the 1x2 roof supports and insulation.
then the roof skin with the screws at the very edge.
then I used a saw and 1/4 shim to cut the out side skin to the wall.( I used polyurethane caulk to water proof and make a nice wall roof bead.
Then I sawed the hatch off and doors out. This was a low cost build so a did not buy doors and by sawing the hatch off it made the hatch building easy.
for the hatch hinge I folded a piece of aluminum flashing bent into a upside down w shape. Put the V of the w in the crack of the hatch and glue down with poly caulk and I used strap hinges.
For easy of building I just when with surface wiring with most of the wires running in the wall ceiling corner. It works good if you don't have everything planed out.
That is all different then most people build. (I did not have a plan to go by)
Build a teardrop is not as hard as it may seem.
PS: a ceiling vent fan is very important. 14" by 14" is the standard rough opening.

[bc toys]

Thanks for your services and if you get busy you can get it camp able buy May concentrate on the outside first and leave a area in galley that you can slide material in after you get back from your trip in May to finish your trailer.

[pjsauls]

What bc toys said - is reasonable for the time frame.

Glad to hear that there is another planned teardrop in Mississippi. When you have a chance register at http://www.tearjerkers.net (TD Friendly Websites - top of page) and check out the Magnolia (Mississippi) Chapter. We would love to see you at a gathering next year.

I went with a "weekender" design in 2009 (Check Member Designs section) and my wife and I have enjoyed using it. My only afterthought would be to further seal the corners against moisture penetration.

Good luck with the build!
John Sauls

[backstrap bandit]

Ad medic u still want some plans