A new challenge...

[trccc]

Greetings! My wife and I are life long campers. We both grew up in camping families here in Lancaster County, PA. Now married for nearly 20 years, our 2 boys are often either not along or on their own. So I discovered this website in a quest to find something more appropriate for our needs than the pop up campers that we've been using. I don't know that I am quite at the Teardrop stage yet, but I really like the idea of a small hardside. Sleeping for 2, fixed bed, fixed galley, fixed dinette, compact size but room to stand. But none of the weight or complications of on board plumbing. I just don't want to deal with it!

So, judging from the wealth of information, photos, plans, and build threads, I came to the same LOGICAL conclusion that so many others have - I'll build my own! And now here I am. Gathering ideas, info, tips, and techniques from those that have gone before. So thanks in advance!

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome to the forum. You are where we all have been. It starts slow and all of a sudden your making sawdust. Have fun with your build and ask as many questions as you need to. Plus we like pictures!!!

Steve

[Wolfgang92025]

Welcome to the fun.....

[Mary C]

Welcome!! you will find a wealth of information on here. It is a great association of builders and campers. I too am tired of the tent, enjoy your new adventure !!

Mary C.

[adamhusband]

Welcome to the group! Might I suggest you view the Cargo Conversion thread on here. That is what I intend to do first. Then I may start from the frame up on the 2nd build. Also there is a good program of planning your build in 3D model on here as well. And as stated before ask as many questions as you'd like and as a newer member I love the pictures along with good descriptive step by step instructions.

Adam

[trccc]

Well, I've already picked up an older Coleman popup for the frame. $150 and I towed it home. The frame is 6'6" wide and 10'10" long. Full length 2x3 members with angle cross braces. What I have in mind is a Canned Ham copy so the frame should be sized about right. Another target is an outside height under 8' but inside height of at least 6'. And I really don't want to drop the floor because of the extra effort on a first build. What might get tricky is keeping the weight under about 1500 since the popup has no brakes. My current popup is about 1300 loaded without brakes and tows great...

I have access to and am familiar with Rhino 3d so I have some ideas started in that cad program. I like the Canned Hams because the rounded ends add interior length without adding overall trailer length.

I've already started tearing the Coleman down. I should be to the frame very soon. Once I see some real progress I'll start a build thread & get some pictures going. Maybe even some quick & dirty renders from Rhino. I have found local suppliers for 1/4 plywood & lauan. I also found a tractor trailer place for 103" wide aluminum for the exterior. (.040 up to 53' rolls.) But so far I'm having trouble finding a good source of 1/8 real wood paneling. Plenty of places have the mdf stuff, just not 4x8 sheets of real wood.

But I'm already struggling with wall construction - stick build, plywood sandwich, or foam core. The walls will be on the order of 7' tall at the peak and 12' long. I'm leaning toward 5/8 tongue & groove plywood to get a continuous core that I can cookie cut for framing. Then fill the voids with 1/2" insulation and skin outside with 1/4 and inside with 1/8. Seems like a good compromise of weight, strength, & lack of wall thickness taking up interior room. And since we're 3 season campers in PA moving from a popup, any insulation is better than we had!