Hi, New Guy

[Big Dave]

Hello, My name is Dave and I'm addicted to T&TTTs. I've been lurking around for a couple of months, just looking at pictures and reading other peoples plans. I'm 35 and from Roanoke, Va. I own my own sign company so I work with aluminum and outdoor durable composites every day, so building my own tear really appeals to me.
My plans so far are to build a 6x10 Benroy with some mods. I am shooting for a dual purpose camping/portable vacation home for myself and my wife Kelly. I will be going a little off-road look to pull behind our Xterra, just for show though.
Here's my fisrt build pic:

This is about as far as I've gotten so far.

[Ira]

WELCOME!

AND THAT LOOKS LIKE ONE DYNAMITE COFFEE MAKER!

[cherokeegeorge]

Its a start welcome

[madjack]

wow Dave, you built that welcome aboard our little board of obsessive/compulsive builders. We look forward to seeing more of your build.........
madjack

[s4son]

Hey Ira, didn't they use one of those on you the other day whe you went to the doctors?

Scott F.

[stjohn]

Run Dave run it only gets more costly from here
My wife bought me a Hobart 140 mig for xmas It's pretty cool to work with
and by the way welcome
Mike

[edevans]

That is a good start and it only gets better. Welcome and good luck. I am pretty new also (about 3 weeks) but everyone here is great and I have found that most of my questions have already been answered.There are some great ideas floating around here so enjoy. Ed

[Chris C]

Welcome to the group, Dave. Great bunch of folks................or you wouldn't have come out of the "lurkers closet"! Roll up your sleeves and join in the fun. Don't let anyone push you on your build. Take your time and learn as much as you can before you start. No sense building something you just wish you'd built differently. So dive in and enjoy the fun.

[jagular7]

Going to take the backend off another X and make that the camper? You'll need that toy to do that. Then you'll need to add in the middle to make it wider for a better fit for a camper.

For an offroad TD, some here have done it, but the Australians have them done pretty good. Take a look at http://www.aussieteardrops.com/. I think they may even be in the forum's albums.

Good luck. Let us know what composites you decide to go with.

[IndyTom]

Dave,
That is exactly how I started . Only my wife convinced me we could only afford the one from HF. http://tinyurl.com/evevg Its a great start and we all look forward to seeing lots more progress. And don't forget Mad Jack, you know HE LOVES DA PICS.

[Steve_Cox]

Hi Dave,

Whatcha gonna build that frame out of, box, angle or channel? Say hi to Kelly for us. Aunti M woulda stopped in to say hello too, but I think she's in forum rehab this weekend.

[Sonetpro]

Welcome Dave,
Just a warning. As soon as you make the first sparks fly, It will turn from a addiction to an obsession, You will live for and think of nothing else. The wife will think you are a crazed man, as you ask her should I do it this way or that and she has no idea what you're talking about.
But towards the end she also will get obsessed and become the expert on how to do the finishing touches.
Nice welder
Good luck on the build and have fun.

[PaulC]

Going to take the backend off another X and make that the camper? You'll need that toy to do that. Then you'll need to add in the middle to make it wider for a better fit for a camper.

For an offroad TD, some here have done it, but the Australians have them done pretty good. Take a look at http://www.aussieteardrops.com/. I think they may even be in the forum's albums.

Good luck. Let us know what composites you decide to go with.

Hi Dave and Welcome. The above link shows Reiner's offroad TD's. If you go into his home built page you will see mine. Plenty of info on both Reiner's site and this Forum to get you headed in the right direction.
Cheers
Paul

[Big Dave]

Paul, your trailer and the baha benroy were the ones that got me thinking along the offroad lines. I won't really be doing any serious off-roading with it, but I think that the style would lend itself better to being behind the Xterra. Also, to me it just seems more appropriate for camping. The Benroy style seems like an easier design to build without the curves on the bottom and more room for storage. The flater top would lend itself to a safari basket and mtn. bike rack. I'm still in the collecting data stages and have a lot of questions about the functionality of the different design ideas.
I'm not sure what materials I will be using for my frame, probably just 2" steel angle as it's about a buck a foot vs 2" aluminum square for $5.50 ft. Plus I'd imagine it would have better road manners with the extra weight down low. Probably simple leaf springs, although air bags and a 4 link has crossed my mind.
Here are some of the meterials I mentioned. We use these at our shop quite a bit.
Dibond:

http://www.alcancompositesusa.com/product_detail.html?uid=gd40c8daac51170
">Flatest panel on the market"
> Won’t bow or oil can
> Approximately one half the weight of aluminum"

Sintra:

http://www.alcancompositesusa.com/product_detail.html?uid=gd40c8c3818a3bf
"Lightweight yet rigid and durable
> Easily formed into just about any shape imaginable using wood and foam board fabrication techniques
> Heat formable and chemical resistant"

Alumalite:

http://www.signboards.com/Panel/alumalite/Index.asp
"Alumalite is strong and lightweight. It’s the same weight as .040 aluminum sheet metal, tipping the scales at just 24 lbs. However, Alumalite is over 50 times stronger for a 4' x 8' sheet."

Plus a bunch of other more normal stuff like aluminum and steel sheets, redwood, cedar, MDO, cabinet grade plywood, etc. A teardrop sems like a good place to store some of the "left over" materials.

Also, if there is anybody around the Roanoke, Va area who needs any aluminum for their skins, just let me know. I'd be glad to hook you up at my cost. We get deliveries twice a week.

Alright enough of my rambling, if I don't post back for a while it's not me being unsociable, were just very, very busy this time of year.

Thanks for the welcomes and the interest in my little project. -Dave

[doug hodder]

Welcome aboard Dave...I've got like 13 years in the sign industry myself...but in sales...I picked up all the welding and paint experience building custom fire trucks...the sign industry is going to really be a big help to you on this project...lots of interesting materials to play with...tools too!! good luck with your project and make sure to keep us all posted...and that means posting pics!!! Doug