Update/More Camping: Weekender-for-5

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

Roughed out the bunk bed tonight. Actually, remember that frame of 2x2's that didn't work as a floor frame? Now its a bunk! Will attach it to the floor, then I'm going to work on the side walls next week. Excited about finally getting to the walls, because I know when they go on, it will begin to look like a camper!




Al in Asheville

[Miriam C.]

Someone is gonna be very comfey in there. Keep up the good work...........It will speed up from here on out. That is till you get to the details.

GitRdun

[Alfred]

Hey Gang!

Here is the bunk, attached with the plyboard!






Oh, and by the way, here are the windows I got from Jerome. They are going to go in the doors. The crank-out windows I previously bought for the doors are going to go further back in the body of the camper, for the kids bunk.




Making progress in Asheville!

AL.

[kirkman]

CooooooooooL! I cant wait to see her finished !

[mikeschn]

Did you decide against a sliding bunk? One that slides forward during the day so you can use your galley, and one that slides backwards at night, so that you have room for 3 kids.

Just wondered!

Mike...

[Alfred]

Hey Mike,

The bunk is currently shorter than what we originally drew. My tallest kid is currently only about 50 inches. The bunk currently stops even with the end of the trailer. The galley is going to extend another foot off the end of the trailer, so I am still planning on building a galley area. I am thinking about using a hinged opening at the end of the bunk that can be closed when the galley is in use, dropped-down/opened when they need more leg room. I have not glued the bunk floor to the frame yet. I am going to see what the situation looks like when I get the sides on. The mechanics of making the bunkbed slide easily kind of threw me.

AL.

[mikeschn]

Aw that's too bad. It was simple enough. Glue and screw a 1 1/2" rail to each wall, and slide the top bunk back and forth on that...

Mike...

[Alfred]

Hey Mike,

I haven't entirely ruled it out. Another member of the group who has completed a TD build is coming over tomorrow and I am going to do some consultation with him, too. '

AL.

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

I had a great visit today from Jerry, who is a member of this group, and a chance to take a good look at his teardrop. It is beauty.

He gave me some very good advice regarding following the plans more closely, specifically in framing. So I am back to the drawing board. He was also able to help me understand what I need to do to make the sliding bunk work, as per the original drawing that Steve had drawn out for me.

I removed the bunk mock-up that I had attached to the floor, and I still hope to start the side walls next week. If nothing else, I am learning so much while I build this. Even when I have to stop and do something over, like the floor framing or the bunk, I emerge from the process with a better understanding.

I had a great time consulting with Jerry, and appreciate his taking the time-out on a Saturday to drive over and say "Hi". Here are some pictures from the visit!



Jerry and his Teardrop



My daughter/senior helper was thrilled!



My friend Greg is currently restoring an Airstream Trailer, but wants to build a teardrop.



Is this a great galley, or what?

AL.

[Miriam C.]

You are right, that is a great galley. Glad you got the bunk thing figured out. Sometimes the 2-d to 3-d thing is tricky....



and for Jerry and the teardrop spirit!

[Senior Ninja]

Niiiice lookin' galley.
Keep up the good work.

Steve

[Alfred]

:applause:

Niiiice lookin' galley.
Keep up the good work.

Steve

Actually, that was Jerry's Galley, he brought his TD to show me. I can only hope mine will be 1/10th as good!

AL.

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

Went to the wood shop and cut the walls today. I was happy and excited until I got home and realized I made a dumb mistake.

Because the front only comes out 117", I cut off 3 inches of board, then I still brought the diagonal front cut 12 inches. Net result - The front walls are 3 inches short. Doh!

Now, how to fix it? The plywood was $35/sheet, hate to spend another $70. Any ideas?









Actually, was just thinking the walls are going to be dropped down two inches onto the frame, so maybe it won't be that bad...Any thoughts?

AL in Asheville

[planovet]

Because you have the angle at the front and the rear, if you take about 1 1/2" (+/- depending on the angles) off the entire bottom, it should fit flush. You tear will be a tad shorter but you won't have to buy new ply.

Next time measure 3 times and cut once (I know, I've done it too!)

[mikeschn]

Al,

I had a similar situation on the Giant Teardrop. Because I was designing as I went, I decided to make my walls about 6" longer. So, where the seam was, I pulled it apart, and added 6", and then put it all back together.

You can see where the two joints are hidden in this picture, behind those screwed on cleats.



You could probably do something similar, only instead of two small cleats, just use one big cleat... Maybe a 1x6, which is 5 3/4" wide. But you would still have 4 rows of screws...

Mike...