My teardrop build

[working on it]

Progress pics:

I like the way you use your tailgate as a worktable...some of my best work is done on mine.In this thread, Construction Tables http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=59191#p1078441 I said I had used tailgates 50% of the time...I suspect that that figure has risen....

[Josh J]

That's what tailgates are for!

[Josh J]

Big update, things are starting to really take shape!

We got the ceiling installed, and the inside of the ceiling primed and painted. This part will all be covered up and should never get wet, but just in case I figured it wouldn't hurt to seal it all up.

I added a divider for the two storage compartments, and a fresh air vent to the front, so I can have the side windows closed and fresh air will draw in or go out through one of the storage compartments.

We also primed and put a coat of paint in the galley, and got most of the electrical cut out, as well as the hole cut for the AC unit.

Next up is the wiring, I have some goodies coming from amazon and etrailer this week.

Pics!

[Josh J]

More progress today, I picked up some foil sided foam and cut it all into the right sizes for the ceiling.

I cut out the vent hole on the inside.

I also ran all of the 12v and 110v wiring, hooked up the 12v fuse panel and re-installed the old work boxes that will house the 110v outlets

next step is to pick up some aluminum composite panels for the exterior sides and roof.. the side panels will go on first, then the inside will be primed/painted and the electrical installed and all tested. I also need to build the hatch, I started cutting the ribs and my jigsaw gave up. I got another one but havent worked on the hatch for a while.

there is plenty of work left, but I think another good weekend or two and I will be pretty close to having a usable camper.

pics:

[Josh J]

Ok, some more progress this week, I picked up the aluminum composite panels and started installing them on the outside of the walls.. these panels are very tough, with a really nice finish on the outside. I decided to be boring and got white panels, mostly because they wouldn't soak up any sun.

Next up is finishing the walls and installing some lights and whatnot.. and building the galley hatch.

Pics:

[Josh J]

This week we got the front finished up and started putting the roof on.. 2 panels so far, the 3rd panel will go on some time this weekend.

The front and rear marker lights are installed and wired in, and the 12v plug-ins are wired on the front dash and ready to be installed.

Also, the frame for the hatch is built, but I forgot to grab some pics of that and the installed lights.. I'll add those on the next update

Pics:

[S. Heisley]

You're doing a good job, Josh.
Sometimes we need to encourage and comment more than we do; but, know that we are here.
If there is any doubt of that, just look at the number of views you've had on your build thread and you'll know.
We're watching!

[Bantam]

Hi Josh,

Like your style and how you have built this. Keep it up.

[rooihaas]

Watching from South Africa, but our officials is a litle full of s... when it comes to people building their own trailers. But this looks good. Loving the "oddness" of the teardrop.

[bdosborn]

Tell us more about the siding. Is it shiny metal under a protective coating or do you paint it? It looks super easy to work with, was it expensive? What sizes does it come it?

Bruce

[noseoil]

I'm looking at this stuff for my build. Here's the spec sheet. http://www.nglantz.com/PDF_DOCs/beBond_Specs.pdf

The 3mm 4x10 panel is about $100 per sheet and should weigh about 66# per sheet(?) if my calcs are correct. Pre-finished white is what I was quoted on.

[Josh J]

the roof is in place now, and ready for the trim to be installed.

the hatch frame is ready to be primed and then the panel will be attached before the interior of the galley is painted.

the big list of things that needs to be done is getting smaller every day

I pulled the protective film off and couldn't resist posting a couple of pics:

[Josh J]

the roof is in place now, and ready for the trim to be installed.

the hatch frame is ready to be primed and then the panel will be attached before the interior of the galley is painted.

the big list of things that needs to be done is getting smaller every day

I pulled the protective film off and couldn't resist posting a couple of pics:

[Josh J]

We have been working pretty hard to get this camper usable, and we've been taking lots of pictures.. so I thought an update was in order.

We are 1 week out from a camping trip to Grand Marais, MN, and I think we're gonna make it.

The interior is all primed, and some is painted

The electrical is all hooked up in the back, battery tender is installed and all of the 110v is wired. We have decided not to install the AC quite yet, although it will not be too much work when we do install it.

All of the interior electrical, lighting, etc are waiting on the paint

The hatch has been built, primed and skinned, and fitted onto the rear. The hurricane hinge was a breeze to install and everything just ended up lining up great. The hatch fits a bit tight, but with some more strategic sanding it should open and close just fine.

I picked up fenders and all of the other materials that we need to get it campable. We got a 5" feather bed from a friend in his garage sale, and we are going to use that with the mattress from the futon that we have in our 2nd bedroom.

The pics tell most of the story:

[Josh J]

Getting close, got all of the painting done today inside and out.. next is a big day of assembly and installation.

The fantastic vent also got installed today, although I still have to cut and install the trim ring.

pics: