another newbie from Texas

[ice_maiden]

Hi all,
Thanks for letting me in.

I've been lurking around the forum for awhile, seemed time to make my presence known. I am not very good at intros but here goes. I live in Northeast Texas not far outside Texarkana. I've camped most of my life in one form or another. And since I was in my late 20's I've owned my own home, so I had to know how to be handy with tools. I've built my own storage sheds and additions to the house. I was also raised with my Uncles who happened to be only a few year older than I, so I also had to learn auto mechanics and more guy things than girl. The point is for a girl I am pretty handy at building things and fabrication. Athough I have never built a teardrop, so I may still have some skill sets to learn.

After my son joined the Army and then married while there. I decided to downsize out of the 1700 sq foot house, since he was not returning. I now camp all of the time in a way. I own a 36ft 5th wheel on 1.5 acres. But realistically I don't think I can pull the 5er with my Toyota 4runner ~grin~ (joke). Beside I really prefer not to camp in an RV mansion. So I would like to build my own teardrop. Although to be perfectly honest I won't be doing it all on my own the first time. I have a friend who worked building TT at Fleetwood for 25 years. With his experience and my "out of the box" thinking. Hopefully all will go ok.

I have been researching this for a while now. I have to say I got excited when I learned about the foamies... I have always loved the concept of the Japanese Foam Dome homes http://pinktentacle.com/2008/08/styrofoam-dome-homes/. This idea seems to move that concept to a small travel trailer..excellent.

If all goes as planned I hope to start the build in July (hottest time I know). I guess that gives you the basic info about me.

[pchast]

Welcome!

Sounds like you have the skills to produce
a nice TD.

[Roly Nelson]

Hello, Ice Maiden, welcome aboard. I checked your fome-dome link, and it seems if you were to incorperate that shape and style, your teardrop would be 6 feet long and 6 feet wide, give or take a foot or two. Doors, windows and the always-needed hatch lid, might pose a problem as well. I sure would like to see some sketches of what your final product will look like. I encourage you to follow your dream, no matter what, that rig will be a one of a kind........My favorites. Good luck, And post some sketches please.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif woody guy

[ice_maiden]

Thanks for the welcome all

Oh Roly... I did not mean to incorporate that design in a TD.... what I meant was that until I stumbled upon this site... I had never thought of using rigid foam as a base for TD construction, I saw those houses long ago and loved the idea of building a house out of foam. I never thought to transfer the idea of using foam to something that would travel 70mph down the road. But from reading here I see it can and has been done.

My first time out I think I better stick with tried and true design shapes, but I do have some construction ideas that may differ a bit. But even with all of my reading I need to get on the foamie board and ask some questions of those that have been before me.

[Roly Nelson]

Good thinking, I support you 100 percent. Keep in mind, that you can't build just one! I was told that during my build, and so far the count is 5 so far, but I think that is enough. Do research the foam builds, they seem like the way to go in your case. Good luck.
Roly

[Woodyperk6]

Welcome from the DFW area. Check out the South Central section. A bunch of us will be in Beavers Bend SP near Idabel OK in April. Come on up and camp with us or come by and visit if you want to see some Teardrops in person.