Aluminum Frame RD

[RandyG]

There's so much storage I'm just making areas not knowing what will go in there. I'm sure it will get used.

[aggie79]

Randy,

Looks fantastic! She'll be ready camp in no time.

I would recommend large wheels and tires for the open road though.

Take care,
Tom

[RandyG]

Thanks Tom, every time I show someone a pic I get a look of confusion when they see those dolly wheels. But with that dolly, it takes up less space and is easier to move. Wish I had the money to order the real wheels now but the budget is tight right now. Wifey may start work again soon, she's been off due to carpal tunnel in both wrists.
List of things to do...
Build tongue box
Skin bottom of tongue
Install windows
Build door
Finish cabinets on head board
Order and install all lights
Build galley hatch
Make "roll pan"
Make and install rock guard
And PAINT EVERYTHING
Wow, list is still pretty long, but it's coming together.

[RandyG]

So I was just wondering about my ac issue, I want to put it on drawer rails and pull it out the back of the galley when parked. I put it on an old ammo can and halfway in the galley opening and surrounded it with foam, all vents are free and clear.

I took off the top piece of foam for the pic, but it is sealed.
I ran the ac for a while and the compessor keeps shutting off every 2-3 minutes. I was thinking it might be because the inside only has a small opening and it is cooling the smaller space too fast so I put a fan in front of it to push some cool air out. But it kept cycling.

So... Is it cycling because my opening is to small? Or could it be something else? It worked better when I had it pushed inside the galley cabinet but one vent was totally blocked. If it is the small opening then I will make it bigger as required but don't really want to if that's not the issue. Thanks for the help in advance.

[aggie79]

Randy,

I have a guess as to what is happening. With your A/C set back so far from your bulkhead, I believe a good portion of the supply air is getting "sucked back in" the return air in the tunnel before reaching the inside of the teardrop. This cold return air is telling the thermostat that everything is cooled to desired temperature and cycling off the compressor.

You may want to experiment with some cardboard to duct the return air all the way to your bulkhead to see if this lessens the cycling

Sincerely,
Tom

[RandyG]

Yeah Tom, I figured that could be the problem but how to permanently install a duct if it is? I'll try the temp solution after dinner.


Here is one of three of my under floor storage, this one by the door is my most accessible but will still be a pain to get to without messing the bed so emergency items may go in them. 2'x3'x4" is better than nothing.

[RandyG]

I was debating on whether I should put the axle on or not, there's not much room in my garage so I didn't want it sticking out the side just to bang my shins on, but I went ahead and mounted it. It was such a pain to do solo but a little jacking here and there got it all set up. Then I put some blocks under each spindle to see what my tongue weight was looking like so far, 21lbs! I still need to install a battery up front but I'm not sure if just that will get it to at least 100. Plus a tongue box full of stuff, still not too sure. I may really need to pack some extra items just to weigh it down. Moving the axle back is not an option at all, it's about 40" from the back. Will a longer tongue make it heavier or lighter? Maybe I can adjust that.

[RandyG]

Ok, somebody switched the scale to kilograms and I just noticed, tongue weight comes in at about 50lbs. Makes a big difference huh?

[RandyG]

I made my galley extended table today, worked great, just needs a leg to hold any weight, I have an idea for that.
4 day weekend! And determination to get stuff done, other than tomorrow I'm all free.
Pics of AC unit and table coming soon, stay tuned.

[KCStudly]

Waiting patiently for that update.
Boy it sure does feel good when you get on a roll, doesn't it? I'm looking forward to seeing your wing tables.

I have sort of slowed down at the moment tending to details (again) and applying finishes, but I hope to get real close to putting the front wall on TPCE this weekend.

[RandyG]

Here's the newly mounted ac on 100lb drawer slides, it goes back a little too far so a stop block is needed.

Now I need to make another storage door from where the ac was going to be. But now it cools great with no cycling!

This is my galley countertop with the side table folded up in the stowed position

Notice how the hinge is on a 45* slant

So when it folds out it lands at 90*

Kinda looks like a diving board but no sharp edges. Springs like a diving board to, I plan on anding a leg that folds up too.

[KCStudly]

That's a novel approach on the side table. I'm wondering if you will need to add a rib or some skirting around the edges to stiffen the relatively thin material.

[RandyG]

The table is 1/8 H34, it flexes a little but the leg will help a bunch. If needed I will bend a thin 'hat channel' to run down the middle but it won't, ok, shouldn't ever have that much weight on it. I plan to keep a stove on it but will check for heat transfer before using it around the kids, should not get that hot.
Another thing I noticed was the Ac does stick out from under the table about 4", not a problem but just noticed.

[capnTelescope]

My camping buddies back in SoCal got the same effect with ironing boards. No teardrops, just stand-alone. I like this because you have to clear the counter anyway when you move. Plus you don't have to find room for the ironing board in the back of the TV. Maybe an ironing board-type support?

[RandyG]

Thanks Cap but the iron board support seems a bit too easy for this, I would like to do something a little unorthodox for this part but still make it setup easy. The problem is, when the ac comes out about 6-8", the bottom ledge of galley is blocked. I don't really want to have the support going off to the side, that's too easy also. There is a solution right in front of me, I just gotta keep looking at it. Maybe some trial and error this afternoon.

This weekend kinda irritated me, I didn't get a chance to work on anything I wanted and when I thought I had a chance, something would come up. And the pool opened for the summer, it's just right across the street so my kiddos are asking to go every day, happy to take them, it just takes away build time. Balancing life...