Back-country tear project

[Cliffmeister2000]

I looked at the album of your build. It looks like you had a trailer with dry rot but then rebuilt it into quite a nice weekender. Luan as bracing (creative, light and strong in that situation..."Καλόϛ"):applause:. Are you going with a natural finish?

I am planning on painting it red to match my Nissan Frontier tow vehicle.

I also noticed that you have the same door latches that I have purchased. I like them but cannot figure out the best way to install them. If you have wisdom, I would appreciate hearing it.

I cut out a hole for them, all the way through with a notch for the latch mechanism itself. I did not extend the notch through the outside skin, but had to on the inside skin to lever the latch in place. A wood rasp came in handy here. I used 1x6 poplar on that side of the door, 1x4 for the rest of the door, skinned with .125" luan on the inside and .25 arauco on the outside. This gives the door 1.125" thickness, the minimum for the latch. The drawing below attempts to show door from the outside, sans arauco for clarity. The arauco would have the main hole cut, not the notch. I also might put a wood filler plug as the latch is not .75" thick. Then again, it works fine without it.



I may make a .125 bezel for the inside, to pretty it up. If I do, I will match the wood I use for the inside door frame, but I have not determined that wood type yet. The inside will stay natural.

I also liked your SMART car photo. Is it yours? That is a great idea. Those little things are finally making it to the US from Europe. I liked those little things when I lived in UK. I'm happy to see that they're skipping across the pond.

The smart car photo I downloaded as proof that you can do anything with the available resources if you are willing to modify your design and your attitude. Bigger is only better when gas is under $2.00 a gallon.

[greekspeedoman]

You're awesome. Thanks for the help. That was exactly what I needed to inspire me. I like the design and I'll get a rasp.

Cheers

[greekspeedoman]

I have looked for the discussion thread on how to skin the inside ceiling of the tear. I cannot remember where I read it but someone suggested boiling water & towels. I just skinned the inside of the jPod using this technique and it was perfect. No breaking and easy to work with. Thanks to those who suggested it. I couldn't have done it without you.

Here's a quick pic. You can see the process I used on my www .



Thanks to Cliff, my doors are in the process of being built. No photos yet but progress is being made. Thanks Cliff.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Thanks to Cliff, my doors are in the process of being built. No photos yet but progress is being made. Thanks Cliff.

Hey, I'm glad I could help! First time, I think!

[Cliffmeister2000]

I have looked for the discussion thread on how to skin the inside ceiling of the tear. I cannot remember where I read it but someone suggested boiling water & towels. I just skinned the inside of the jPod using this technique and it was perfect. No breaking and easy to work with. Thanks to those who suggested it. I couldn't have done it without you.

Here's a quick pic. You can see the process I used on my www .

I just checked out your latest on the blog. The jPod is coming along very nicely! You work pretty fast!

[greekspeedoman]

Thanks Cliff. I am building fast because I am a teacher who has limited vacation left (2 days) before I report to work. Once work starts, not much else will happen I am afraid.

thanks for checking the blog.

[greekspeedoman]

It has been a while since I've left an update on the forum. I have the roof on and sealed with epoxy. Primer is next (tomorrow?). I am pleased with how things are coming along.

I decided to purchase a Camp Chef Outdoor Oven after seeing one in person and many in some t&ttt. We have cooked on it already (using a cast iron grill). It rocks! What a great purchase. It will do nicely in the jPod. Now I just need to get to the point where I can work on the galley.

Check out my www for more photos and progress.

Our final finish will be Interlux Brightside gray marine paint. I have done some test pieces on scrap and it looks nice. I can't wait to cover the whole jPod.

[greekspeedoman]

My wife has been applying primer to the outside of the jPod. It is looking really nice. I am pleased with Interlux & her work. I have updated pictures on http://jpodbuild.wordpress.com

I just got back from a week long camping trip & got to use my new Camp Chef Outdoor Camp Oven for the first time. A friend & I made cookies & sticky buns in 32 degree weather. There is NOTHING like being cold and then eating a freshly baked cookie. (see below)

[greekspeedoman]

A friend sent me a pic of a teardrop for sale in Coeur d'Alene, ID. I had to see it and photograph it. I put some photos & a video clip of it up on youtube & my website (http://jpodbuild.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/a-little-crying-is-good/)

Work on the jPod has been delayed due to moving. We moved and that messed up my whole operation. However, the new garage is bigger and easier to work in. I was also pleased that pulling the trailer (with the body on it now) was so smooth.

I plan to get back to it and leave some more helpful posts in the future.

[Cliffmeister2000]

It's cute! I did not see the video mentioned?

[greekspeedoman]

The Video is there now. Youtube takes a bit of time to process it.

It is a cute little rig.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Very nice!

What kind of place is this teardrop displayed in? It seems like a museum, with you the only visitor?

[dreadcptflint]

You can find it on their site at: http://shopping.maryjanesfarm.org/s.nl/it.A/id.1863/.f I can't put my finger on it but it looks really familar.

Matt

[greekspeedoman]

Actually, I found this trailer in an upscale mall . The Coeur d'Alene resort is a very nice place (http://www.cdaresort.com/)

Thank-you for the link to Mary Janes Farm. This is a little store in the mall. It was actually after hours at the mall but there was a door was still open. That is why I crossed the rope line, looked at the trailer, and was able to get inside a bit (returning everything to its previous state of course).

$14,425 seems high but that is just because I don't count the cost of my labor when I calculate how much it costs me. I think the reason the Mary Jane Trailer looks familiar is because there is a more famous tear that is almost the same style.

The Sundance Teardrop Trailer (http://www.sundancecatalog.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=2797) $24,000.

It is shocking how similar the MaryJanesFarm & the Sundance are -except their prices of course. In fact, the galley set up is exactly the same.

[dreadcptflint]

I thought I recognized that trailer. It is built by Retrotraveler. Check out: http://retrotraveler.com/TeardropGallery.html. I have seen trailers from this company go on Ebay for much less.