Father-Daughter Build 2013-14

[be_a_jayhawk]

Keep up the good work Lauren!

[lfrazer98]

Thank you!!!

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Is it SPRING break yet....??!
Hi, Lauren How's it going?

[bc toys]

Ya we need up date on this fine build haven't heard from you in a long time

[KCStudly]

Hello. Anybody in there?

Surely Lauren and Father must be working away on the build and are just saving up pics to wow us all with the latest progress report. Probably 80 or 90/ct done by now?

...or Pop could be snow birding down south still?

[lfrazer98]

I am all alone up in NY as my father is snow birding it in Florida still. However, it is the start of spring break and I am placing all my orders this week for my hardware, windows, seals, etc. I am sure I will be emailing Grant back and forth trying to figure how much of everything I need. Wishful thinking, KC! We will be working on the trailer the whole month of May as I already booked my first camping trip in the Adirondacks in June. Nothing motivates more than a deadline! A few more weeks and there will be a lot to post! Thanks for your support, everyone!!

[The Teardrop Nanny]

She's back..............and on Spring Break. I was at a D.O.G. yesterday with some of my former colleagues (who are not yet retired) who were all discussing how much they were looking forward to their break NEXT week. And I remember how much busier it gets AFTER break, so hang on for the ride, girlfriend!
(I'm assuming you are on the traditional school year calendar rather than year round)

Lauren, Have a productive week, and be sure to slip in some well-deserved R&R.
NY vs Florida...yeah, I'll say that is a BIG change for your Dad, who is probably planning away on the build for his return, hopefully while watching a lovely sunset and sipping on a daquiri.
TDN
Joanie

[finleycraft]

Just found your build, so far so good!

Grant is super helpful and has had most of what I have needed. I went to frank bear for everything else.

I myself am nearing completion of my build and can't wait. Its been 2 years in the making and I am ready to camp in it! I already have my summer planned out with a cross country trip halfway through to a family reunion in Oregon. So this year will get some serious use.

It seems you are well underway and have done tons of great planning, something I wish I would have spent more time on.

I look forward to seeing the progress you will make!

[lfrazer98]

Hello, Everyone!
I got almost everything ordered from Grant and Frank last night. Paid the invoices today. Both were extremely helpful and got a chance to chat with Frank over break about how I am going to make my galley hatch meet my side wall. Super friendly people all around!

Joanie, I would love to say that my father is busy planning while in Florida, but he is on grandchildren duty and relaxing. On the other hand, I have spent numerous hours over break calculating everything to the last 1/8" so I could have all the materials here when he arrives home in 2 weeks. Yes, to the standard school year. No year round schooling for me!

I did accomplish a couple things in his absence... Got all my cabinet and drawer fronts stained, poly-ed, and ready to assemble. Drawer slides arrived (McMaster Carr). Got an Aspen wood panel that I cut down to use as a slide out cutting board/counter top extension, I picked up some fenders from TSC after school today (9W x 30L X 10H) and ordered all my interior and exterior lights, aluminum molding, windows, seals, trim, door/galley handles and locks, and CPES-ed my ply floor and edges. I also bought my hinges, fantastic vent (4000R), shower/changing tent, various camping things (I went a little crazy one day walking through Walmart in the camping aisle), collapsible water jug, backpack, clothes line...

I have only two pictures to share, but at least it is something.

The floor after I coated it with CPES


18x3/4 x 30 Aspen Panel that I am going to use as a cutting board/extra counter space. It will only extend out 24" as it would be unbalanced if I extended it out farther without support.

That's all, Folks!

[KCStudly]

Now we're talking! It will be cool to see it all come together.

[lfrazer98]

Ok, Everyone! Dad is on his way home (bringing his bike back up to NY for the summer from Florida), so that means I have about 3 days to finalize my plans. I am still sketchy on my electrical, but plan on consulting an electrician, so that will come a little later. For now, just a few questions.

1. What size spars did you all use (if applicable to my build) and in which direction? I was thinking 1 x 2 the flat (wide) way, but then the ceiling panel would only be 1" thick including the interior and exterior skins. Not sure if I can even mount my fantastic fan to that thin of a roof. Or did you arrange your spars with the .75" side (tall way) to the outside to create a thicker roof?

2. What are roll pans and do I need them in the front and rear of my tear? From what I have read they are aluminum skins under the front and rear of the trailer. I know it probably depends on my design, but I also want to make sure I seal up the edges correctly. This brings me to my next question.

3. What did you use to seal the bottoms of the side walls if you mounted your sides on the outside of your trailer frame? I have CPES and asphalt emulsion. I also have an aluminum trim, but it is for decoration only and won't go around the bottom corner to the underside.

4. This is a finishing question, but thought I would ask now anyway. Did you guys and gals use butyl tape under all your aluminum trim, vent/window flanges, hinges, etc? Did you use silicone caulk? putty tape? tape then caulk in the screw holes? I have read lots of different things and I trust your opinions on here.

Thanks, everyone! This party is getting started!!

[lfrazer98]

Now we're talking! It will be cool to is all come together.

So, KC, am I finally starting to sound like I know what I am talking about?! I might just become a teardrop builder yet!

[RandyG]

Most people put the 1x2 spars upward to make the roof 1.5" thick, for strength, more insulation and for the fan.
A roll pan is optional, kinda hard to explain but it is like a bumper that curves into the bottom of the body or frame. I know there are a lot of examples here on the forum.
For the bottom strip of exposed wall, I plan on using an L-angle for trim and to cover that edge. I have heard that some worry about water getting stuck in there but with plenty of sealant and screws, I think it will be fine.
Looking forward to what you and pops come up with!

[Gunguy05]

Most people put the 1x2 spars upward to make the roof 1.5" thick, for strength, more insulation and for the fan.
A roll pan is optional, kinda hard to explain but it is like a bumper that curves into the bottom of the body or frame. I know there are a lot of examples here on the forum.
For the bottom strip of exposed wall, I plan on using an L-angle for trim and to cover that edge. I have heard that some worry about water getting stuck in there but with plenty of sealant and screws, I think it will be fine.
Looking forward to what you and pops come up with!

Here is the link to the roll pan thread. It helped be to finally wrap my brain around it so that I could get my profile and floor length finalized.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=58311

Sounds like you have a plan, and a lot of work ahead of you! Keep it up!

[KCStudly]

Now we're talking! It will be cool to (see it) all come together.

So, KC, am I finally starting to sound like I know what I am talking about?! I might just become a teardrop builder yet!

Absolutely! It's all about research. Seeing what others have done and deciding what works for you.

On TD's (and cars, etc.) where the side profile continues below the top of the floor, roll pans continue the profile down under the front wall and across the back of the galley under the hatch. Essentially it is an extension of the shape that wraps under.

I have fewer spars than most typical builds because I am relying on the cabinets as well. I am using 2x2 cedar at the roof vent and 2x2 red oak on either side of the hatch hinge. I'll have one more spar between the fan and front cabinet; either 2x2 or 1x2 on edge. Two layers of 3/4 inch foam.

From what I have read stay away from silicone. It does not take paint and is very difficult to remove if it requires repair, etc. (I saw silicone caulk in the hardware store that said it was paintable, but I am skeptical.)

Here is a link to what I believe to be the definitive answer to sealing up your stuff. The first is advice from bdosborn and the second is two posts down where Grant Whipp clarifies the difference between butyl and RV putty tape.