New to the site and TD.

[shadowhaus]

Hello everyone I just joined but have been gathering info from the site for awhile. I am in the planning stages of building a TD and I have drawn several versions. I think I have it down to a simple 5x8 that is going to be used for going into the Sierras to camp and fish.

A friend of mine has already built one but it sits much lower than I would like. My plan is to use the same tires and rims as my Jeep 12.50x33. I also have bought a Torflex #9 45 degree down axle for a little more ground clearance. I'm tired of sleeping on the ground and freezing whenever we go and listening to my buddy tell me how well he slept.

So here are some snap shots of my drawings so far. Anyone see a problem so far that I should change?

[Eddielbs]

I would prolly make my doors open the other way as to not have them hit my fenders and so that I could open them back flush to the tear to get them out of the way when left open... I would also double check how far your setting your axle back with two boxes on the tongue it could make your hitch weight pretty high with stuff in those boxes.

[Sam I am]

Welcome, Shadowhaus! Your design looks good. I have just a couple suggestions: When those tongue boxes are loaded it might make the tear a bit nose heavy. You might want to move the axle a little forward. Also, I would reverse the suicide doors. Besides the chance of blowing open in transit, they look like they will hit the fenders when opened more than 90 degrees. They could open 180 deg. if hinged on the front edge.
Sam
Oops! Eddie beat me to the post!

[Eddielbs]

Oops! Eddie beat me to the post!

Not by much Sam!

Oh yeah I forgot to say WELCOME to the Forum Shadowhaus!! its always nice to meet a fellow Jeep owner thats into TDs too..

[shadowhaus]

Thanks guys. I moved the tire forward and switched the swing on the door. The 2 boxes up front were just ideas. I reduced the size of the larger box...which is going to carry tools for trail repairs and other odds and ends. I thought about having the smaller box hold the batteries. Now I might just use a corner in the large box for a battery area.

Mitch


New shots....

[Eddielbs]

Mitch, I used this to help figure out my axle placement maybe it will help you a little... Click Here

[shadowhaus]

Mitch, I used this to help figure out my axle placement maybe it will help you a little... Click Here

Hey thats great....thanks.

It looks like it is sitting just about where it needs to be. Again thanks.

[alffink]

Mitch,
I know it's probably a bit early but remember to double up the spar where your hatch hinge will mount, and use a good hard wood for that one.
I didn't see it and that would be easy one to miss until it may be too late.

[mikeschn]

Mitch,

Your new shots look pretty decent. I'd raise the top of the door a bit, to within 3" of the roof line.

You might want to swap out those concrete blocks for feather pillows too!

Mike...

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Mitch. You have a wonderful start on the best camping around. Now just ditch the concrete blocks and get some wheels on the other side....

Enjoy and thank you for sharing your design and letting us have a bit of fun.

[shadowhaus]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure I'll be searching the site and asking A LOT of questions.

Concrete blocks

First question........what is spar?

[del]

Thanks everyone. I'm sure I'll be searching the site and asking A LOT of questions.

Concrete blocks

First question........what is spar?

The wood that ties the sides together at the top, that you end up skinning over. The frame work.

Hey welcome and have fun, del.