In da Buff!

[Eyedropper]

Greetings all!

My name is Jim, and I have been lurking here for a few months. Drooling and dreaming. I am amazed at the creativity and level of crafts-person ship on display here. Truly these are labors of love and it shows!

SWMBO and I love to hike and explore the outdoors with our two teenagers, but her idea of "roughing it" is...no room service. We stayed in a cabin at a state park recently, and she really enjoyed it! Even if it did mean a 100 yard walk to the loo.

I on the other hand, have 30+ years of backpacking and Boy Scout experience. I think nothing is better than throwing everything on your back and walking off into the woods for days at a time. "Roughing it" to me means that someone forgot to bring the TP!

Hopefully a teardrop can be a nice compromise for the two of us. The kids take after me and will sleep wherever their sleeping bags hit the ground.

I have recently taken ownership of a 4x8 utility trailer, with sides, that is just begging for a little TLC and a new purpose. I have had some crazy ideas that this forum has made me realize may not be so crazy, and I will be picking the collective brain here for hints, ideas and the occasional "Whoa, boy!" Fortunately, I have a broad skill set. I know which end of a hammer is the bangy end and I have a decent selection of basic toys...I mean tools that go whir and buzz and make lots of sawdust. Next step...I wanna learn to weld

[citylights]

Welcome to teardrop central.

Lets see some sketches for your plans. I have seen some sweet teardrops with a rooftop tent that would be great for a family of 4. All you need is a teardrop with a roof rack and add a tent. Here is a link to some of the tents

http://www.cascadiatents.com/

I did a lot of cutting and grinding for my trailer to get it ready for my teardrop, but no welding was required.

[Eyedropper]

But, I've always wanted to learn to weld, so here is my excuse! As far as a tent topped tear, I think we will put the kids on the ground in a tent of their own, besides they will probably be gone, or at least refusing to travel with us before I get finished.

As far as sketches, the only plans so far are between my ears. I am planning to get something on paper this week. Then I will post pictures... If I can figure out how to do it from my iPad.

[TPMcGinty]

But, I've always wanted to learn to weld, so here is my excuse!

You are braver than I. I'm not sure I would like to experiment with welding on my trailer frame. If I did a bad weld, the weld broke, and the trailer decided to part company with my tow vehicle I'd have a hear attack. Also the liability of it possibly hitting someone else after it broke free makes me nervous. The law suits alone would bankrupt me. I would at least take a welding class at a local community college before I would trust myself to weld on a frame.

[Eyedropper]

I don't plan on doing anything critical, just some corner gussets and stabilizer jacks, maybe a rear receiver for bike rack. But the tongue extension I will leave to a pro.

Thoughts of teardrop construction are starting to keep me awake! should I be concerned?

[Greg M]

Thoughts of teardrop construction are starting to keep me awake! should I be concerned?

No, that's normal. It's when you quit work and start building models in your mashed potatoes that you have something to worry about

[Eyedropper]

Oh good, I was starting to question my mental stability. Strangely enough, no one seems to notice any difference!

Has anyone ever tried a pop-up trolley top? I'm thinking a forward facing hinge that lifts the roof up at the front about 12" high, with canvas or nylon sides and screen windows. Enough for ventilation and additional headroom, but drops back down for travel or if the sunshine turns liquid. I will try to get something on paper and post it later.

Otherwise, I find myself really drawn to the lines of the modernistic/cubby, 5'x10', dinette inside, 110v with A/C, and simple galley.

I just bought myself a brand-new pad of graph paper for just such an occasion. Gotta get drawing!

Jim

[citylights]

Oh good, I was starting to question my mental stability. Strangely enough, no one seems to notice any difference! Has anyone ever tried a pop-up trolley top?

Check out the hall of fame with links to build logs. There are a few pop ups in there: the clam shell, squidget, pop-top, convertible...

http://s263.photobucket.com/user/64barr ... t=3&page=1

http://www.thesquidget.com/

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 139&type=3

http://www.mikenchell.com/WWEH_Photo_Album/

[bc toys]

welcome Jim and family hope you can get her into it you and kids will enjoy it so much more if wife is happy

[Junkboy999]

Welcome to the Forums ( madness )

Most people think of a trolley top as running the full length of the area where the extra head room is needed. I have not seen one that runs the full length and closes down at night but that idea has been in and out of my head on a strange contraption I have been playing with.

There are two TD that come to mind that have a small hatch on the top that has mesh netting when the hatch is open. both are just for a place to stand and straighten your legs and look out.

One is the guy in Nebraska that builds one or two a year and sells them.
Marry from “The Blonde coyote” blog had one seen in this video, and another lady on this forum has the same camper as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgqRDKk7e-w

This one, I think the guy builds and sells them as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEMSrFESOfo