Johns TearDrop for 5

[J.Heyboer]

Got a couple items done these past few weeks. Cut out the center supports and attached the supports for the drop floor. Also started building the floor frame. Slowly but surely.......

[J.Heyboer]

Floor frame completed, used 2x4s ripped down to 2x2s, stainless steel screws pocketed with tightbond III



John

[aggie79]

Looking good John!

Looks real professional.

[bgordon]

Hi John,

Wow, for five none the less! Maybe here is an idea or two to play with. Bunkbeds at the front for two, and the third one 'on top of you', like the 2+2 that Andrew designed.

(Also look at this link:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=37108

[J.Heyboer]

Thanks Barrie,

I was planning on doing something similar to what you suggested.



Up front will be a couch that folds down to a bed for 2, above that will be a bed for 1. In the back will be a dinette that folds down into a bed for 2 (me and the wife).

This WAS my plan anyway, but now you've got me thinking.................

[Chuckles2153]

Very nice job on the frame it looks good but LET'S SEE SOME SAWDUST NOW!!! Just kidding looking forward to see more pics.
Chuck

[J.Heyboer]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Chuckles!

Continued to work on the floor this weekend. Glued 4 pieces of Birch down. Trimmed edges with flush cut router bit. Got motivated on Sunday and cut the hole for the drop floor.



Close-Up of the Drop Floor



Turned out pretty well.

John

[aggie79]

Very nice John. Keep up the good work!

[pete42]

cute kid.......nice work, with a dropped floor I am guessing you aren't
making a tall trailer.

[J.Heyboer]

Finished framing the bottom of the drop floor, glued, screwed.....



Assembled drop floor box, glued and screwed.......





The sides were cut tall on purpose, I will cut those to size later when I have the couch and dinette completed.

Next step................sealing the bottom.

John

[J.Heyboer]

Here is an update of the last couple weeks. Doesn't seem like much, but had to take the family camping in the U.P. for a week.

First I flipped the floor over. My wife helped......miraculously we didn't injure ourselves.



I used SealBest Fibered Roof Coating from Menards.



Next I cut a piece off my 3 bristle brush and wrapped some duct tape around the top to stiffen it up a bit.



I taped around the outside and then started slapping it on. Only had enough goo for 1 coat of the entire floor + 2 coats on the drop floor.





I then let that dry for a week while I was away camping. When I got back I cut up the 1.5" thick insulation put on a second coat of goo to make it stick and then a third coat of goo on the drop floor.





I cant believe that took two full cans of goo, but at least I don't have to worry about any moisture getting in. Thats all for now.................Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day.

John

[J.Heyboer]

About time for another update.

After two weeks of drying time my wife and I flipped the floor back over and placed it on the trailer. The hardest part was getting it back on so all of my predrilled holes lined up.

I then coated the entire floor with spar varnish, sanding between coats. It came out really nice (I think)





I then bolted the floor to the frame using 1/4" SS carriage bolts, washers, lock washers and lock nuts. (46 to be exact)



I was also able to get one complete wall frame glued and screwed together. I used pine 1x4s for the framing and pine 1x10s for the curves. All the curves were cut using my jig saw and smoothed out using a hand sander.



Currently working on the second wall frame. Thats all for now.

John

[starleen2]

That look says it all: Black goo + man = I gotta get this done!

[aggie79]

Looks really nice John! Thank you for posting the progress.

I'm jealous of the finish. I don't have the skills, time or patience to make something look that good.

Tom

[S. Heisley]

Your teardrop looks like it will be roomy. That frame and floor really came out nice. With three kids, you really do need the freedom of the outdoors and camping! They'll love you for it.