First time teardrop builder - project on 4x8 HF

[txcamper]

We're with ya on that one KC. There will be a future solution there, but for now, I like the idea of camping for a while.

Made some simple hatch prop connectors out of a 2x2 piece of ply and four 1.5" machine screws. It's attached to the galley wall at top and bottom and then the spar slides over it and the nut goes outside of the spar. Not the prettiest, but minimal set up, easy to make out of stuff I had and should be secure in the wind.





Wired the hatch and license plate and all tested out successfully.




Installed the hatch lower trim and the hold downs



Trimmed out the windows sealing and attaching those to the door.



Did a quick safety check and went for a test drive, tows straight and steady up to 60, haven't tested beyond yet.




That's all for now - hopefully my next post will be a successful maiden voyage story!

[aggie79]

Very nice! I love the design and the paint scheme. You should be very proud of your work.

[parnold]

We really want to find a solution for this that matches the trailer lines better, but I already owned this toolbox so the cost to the project ($0) was too attractive to pass up for now.

Take your time and build something that is worthy of your teardrop. No need to rush since you have your needs fulfilled, but your tear really deserves something that matches! You have an awesome looking tear there!

[KCStudly]

Very nice! I love the design and the paint scheme. You should be very proud of your work.

+1. It really has turned out quite nicely. The long shot of it behind your tow really shows how right you got that graphic. Nice paint job!

[Corwin C]

Beautiful ... The paint scheme reminds me of one of my favorite aircraft ...

[Forrest747]

I should look up any of Jimmy Doolittle paint schemes and see if I can modify mine to match

[PcHistorian]

love it. :-)

[txcamper]

First, I want to say thanks to all of you for the kind comments and to this site for the wealth of information on building these.

Second, I want to say that our maiden voyage in the teardrop was all that we wanted and more. Great camping experience and everything worked as planned!

Before we left, I welded up a quick telescoping roof rack of sorts for the changing room and we made up the bed for the trip!






We left for an 8 hour round trip to our campsite, the trailer towed great at 60-65 the entire way and made it across probably 20 acres of rough trail into the campsite. Was pleased that all of the build held together perfectly through this rough terrain. We set up camp and had a great weekend. We ran the fan at least 20 hours, hatch lights any time it was dark and we were awake, and interior lights off and on periodically for our little one as needed and the battery level after Friday night to Sunday night was still at about 50%. We also ran the stereo anytime someone was awake and a small portable dvd player for about 45 minutes and the second battery was still at 70% when we got home on Sunday. The storage worked out well and was laid out perfectly for our needs, the changing room was worth the rush before we left and I'm now going to do some clean up and completion on my welds, paint and find a way to mount this securely for travel (it rode in the bed of the truck on the way this time).

We had a great trip, Thanks again to all!

[KCStudly]

Everything from here on out is a modification. Ship it! That one's done!

Where's that "Hall of Fame" button? There it is up there on the top menu.

[txcamper]

Many thanks KC!

[oyunageldim]

Been very useful, congratulations

[Rob & Mel]

Hey TX,

Glad to see your first trip went great! Here's to many, many more...

-Rob

[KCStudly]

If my wife sees your bedding I know what the inside of TPCE will look like. Mind sharing where you got that super duper bedding set?

I understand if you don't want me to duplicate it, artistic license, signature style, and whatnot.

Thanks.

[txcamper]

you are welcome to duplicate, my wife found that at a little boutique shop... Wal-Mart. She snuck it into the bottom of the basket on me.

This is probably well known on this board but we got the queen sheets but only a full size comforter and it worked out perfectly.

[woodsman83]

Very Nice!