Newbie from Seattle

[MarkfromSeattle]

Hello! My lady and I have been planning a teardrop building project for the last year or so and excited to start building this fall. Looking forward to learning more here on the forum.

Stats so far (commentary welcome, snide remarks extra credit):

5x8 trailer bed (just picked up from local dealer)
Uninsulated 1/2" Russian/Baltic birch floor (with recesses into frame cavity for storage)
Insulated walls of aluminum skin, 1/4" ply, 1/2"-3/4" rigid polyiso, 1/8" bamboo ply interior
Interior cabinetry of 1/4" & 1/2" bamboo ply
Water tank beneath frame over the axle, with small water pump to galley
Removable cooler, stansport 3-burner stove on pull-out drawer, and 12" bar sink in galley
4" foam mattress over flex/slats
Etc., etc., etc.

Looking forward to sharing progress pics.
Mark

[Racquetman]

Welcome Neighbor, I live in Woodinville, Wa. Your Build sounds nice, Galley sounds like a great set-up, and the use of Bamboo sounds interesting, I'm looking forward to seeing pics. or maybe I'll run into you some time down the road! Good Luck!

[MarkfromSeattle]

Right on Racquetman! Regarding the bamboo ply, I was initially looking to do the cabinetry and interior of the walls in a walnut veneer (we're looking for something a little warmer and cozier - not fans of maple) but there was going to be sh#tload of edge banding that route (or with any veneer for that matter.) The carbonized bamboo ply looks great with the edges just sanded and finished. And the stuff is super strong and lightweight. It's a bit more expensive though, but the time saved in edge banding is worth it to us.

[Racquetman]

Sounds like you did your home work, that extra money will be well spent, and weight is real important in a TD build, I'm excited to see what your progress looks like!

[Vedette]

Welcome Mark
We would love to have you as a member of the PNW Tear Jerkers also. I am the PNW Chapter Director, so PM me if you wish to be added to our roster.
Now for my suggestions on your build.
Most Teardrop campers we have met to date would eliminate the sink in your galley. The added counter space is much more valuable, and the necessity for a water tank, grey water tank, pump, plumbing, and facet is all eliminated reducing weight and cost.
A simple plastic wash tub that doubles as a storage bin while travelling is the way to go.
Also go as large of wheel as you can. The tire size (width) is up to you, but wider tires are not necessarily better.
I prefer 165 to 195 radials myself and like the way the trailer has with narrower tires.
165 x15's on Miss Piggy have been great for over 30,000 miles now with hardly any wear.
She came over Hwy 242 in Oregon yesterday faster than most motorcycles could make it!!!
Anyway, Good Luck with your build and keep us posted.
Maybe you can join us for the 2nd Annual Fall Crawl in 2016.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Vesselhead]

Hi Mark,

I'm also in Seattle and about to embark on a teardrop trailer build. Can I ask what dealer you use for the trailer? I'm planning to cut my sides with a cad cutter to save time. We have a new baby so time isn't on our side.

Becky

Hello! My lady and I have been planning a teardrop building project for the last year or so and excited to start building this fall. Looking forward to learning more here on the forum.

Stats so far (commentary welcome, snide remarks extra credit):

5x8 trailer bed (just picked up from local dealer)
Uninsulated 1/2" Russian/Baltic birch floor (with recesses into frame cavity for storage)
Insulated walls of aluminum skin, 1/4" ply, 1/2"-3/4" rigid polyiso, 1/8" bamboo ply interior
Interior cabinetry of 1/4" & 1/2" bamboo ply
Water tank beneath frame over the axle, with small water pump to galley
Removable cooler, stansport 3-burner stove on pull-out drawer, and 12" bar sink in galley
4" foam mattress over flex/slats
Etc., etc., etc.

Looking forward to sharing progress pics.
Mark

[Vedette]

Hi Mark,

I'm also in Seattle and about to embark on a teardrop trailer build. Can I ask what dealer you use for the trailer? I'm planning to cut my sides with a cad cutter to save time. We have a new baby so time isn't on our side.

Becky

[/quote]
Welcome Becky
If the Tear Jerkers can be of any help to you, Please let me know!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Vesselhead]

Hi Brian,

Right now I'm in design/planning mode.

Still trying to figure out if my small garage is going to work for this project.

I see you are in BC. Is the Tear Jerkers a club?

My Saturday morning routine has turned into reading everyone's build stories. I already went through the story of miss piggy. Your skills are amazing.

Becky

[Vedette]

Thanks Becky
Yes, the Tear Jerkers are an International Teardrop & Tiny Trailer friendly club formed in 1997 that now has 19,000 members world wide.
They have there own Forum, which has exactly the same format as the TnTTT and they link to each other at the top of this page.
You can also go directly to their Forum by clicking on the Chapter Logo at the bottom of this post.
Even though we are in B.C. and I am the Chapter Director for the B.C. Chapter, I took on the Directorship for the PNW to get the ball rolling in the PNW and promote Teardrop oriented events.
We also have an official Roster that we share with our registered members.
If you register for the TJ Forum you will automatically be placed in the PNW Chapter, but will not be on my official list until you contact me for inclusion.
There are a good number of "Active" TJ Members close to you if you have questions or would like to compare notes during your build.
We look forward to following your build if you choose to start a build journal here on the TnTTT.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi