Just Dandy - a modified Jim Dandy design

[Dewi]

Mike, they are amazing!!! Gobsmacked yet again!!!

I'm going into overdrive now with designs... sat here drawing sketches like mad... really like that raising roof at the rear... look at the space in there!!!!!

Blimey... my mates are going to think I've gone nuts, but I just want to get on with it and build it... obviously going to have to learn some new skills... seriously doubt I can just build something like that straight away, but like I say, deadline is there and I want to be sure that 3 Delica's turn up on that hill with TDs towed behind them.

With the designs you've shown there Mike... what are they skinned with? What I mean is, are they covered in aluminium or are they painted wood?

Cheers, Dewi

[jackdaw]

Dewi your Design looks fine and dandy fella

You've got your work cut out to get it done before May

Have fun with your build , and take loads of photos

If you get chance to pick up a scrap caravan, it could save you a wad.
Theres so much stuff you can recycle.


There's another Deli + teardrop combo already so you could be the fourth, and theres another Deli owner in the planning stages too, so that would be five
This is Dougs trailer, the one that set me off:lol:

[mikeschn]

Those designs are painted wood... epoxy boat paint... Uniflex 255 to be exact.

Can you imagine if it was aluminum. can you imagine all the edges you'd have to cover with bent angle iron (aluminum)?

Mike...

[mikeschn]

Did you catch the photos in this album?

http://www.mikenchell.com/WWEH_Photo_Album/index12.html

Be sure to look at all 14 pages!

Mike...

[Dewi]

I love a challenge... especially one that gives us our first holiday. Ashamed to admit it, but me and my wife had our honeymoon at a trade show... we had a nice hotel, but every day we were working With the TD and the Delica we should be able to get away and enjoy a nice break away from it all.

Got to find out sheet material prices, but I like the idea of skinning it in aluminium or something similar... ideal would be wrapping it with a printed design, have lots of ideas for that side of it... I wrap things with vinyl for a living, so it'll be good to wrap something for myself for once.

If its okay, I'll work on some measurements and probably ask for a few tips on building techniques, but I feel ready for the sawdust stage... really want to get my teeth into this and get it built. I have a date up on the Buxton hills and I don't want to miss it.

Cheers, Dewi

Edit: Mike, thats the album I was looking over before... it's a really cool trailer... and I noticed you in there with a drink in your hand!

[WarPony]

Dewi, here is my Jim Dandy.........

Pass through for your coffee/tea/beer.......


Removable hitch.....aka "The Shin Saver"


Space above the feet area.....



On my JD build, I didn't make a flip up or flip down front on the lower part of the galley because I thought it would be a "belly buster/shin breaker". Instead, I went with opening tops inside the galley. It's also one less door to leak water into.........

Jeff

[doug hodder]

This is Dougs trailer, the one that set me off:lol:

Jackdaw...is this the one? Doug

[jackdaw]

This is Dougs trailer, the one that set me off:lol:

Jackdaw...is this the one? Doug

Doug, you can take credit for number 2 . The one above was the first tear I'd seen anywhere

[kennyrayandersen]

You may have a problem with weight and CG. Use the balance sheet in the design library. I think you may find with the heavy galley up front that the doors and the wheels might want to co-locate, since the wheel will have to move forward to balance more weight in the front -- just a thought.

With Mikes design having the rear entry, it eliminates that conflict. though it don't quite 'tear' at the rear.

[Dewi]

Thats one of my concerns... the whole weight thing... I mean I know I have to build it in light materials and not pile too much weight to one section of it... but its the whole balancing thing thats doing my noodle in a bit.

I've noticed quite a few TDs have battery boxes, presumably charged by the tow vehicle? Do I have to have them, or can I run without them... it'd lose a fair amount of weight.

If I can do the drop down section at the rear, I should still be able to achieve a nice TD shape... still reworking the design to see whats possible shape wise... would love to have it with that drop down step at the back though.

With it being my first build, I s'pose I should keep it as simple as possible, but I just can't resist all the pop up bits... I'm like a kid in a sweet shop on here!

Cheers, Dewi

[Dewi]

Jeff, really like your Dandy... looks the business!

I know what you been with the belly/shin busting... but my theory behind the pop up counter is that I can cut a hole to fit a little gas burning hob, drop it in when I'm out camping and still have the room at the back of the hob for food prep, plates and maybe the odd bottle of beer

Could I ask, do you have an sort of cool box or refridgerator in your Dandy? If so, where have you put it? And with the serving hatch, do you find cooking smells fill the cabin... I mean I can burn water when I'm cooking, so I'm just wondering whether the serving hatch is a good idea or not???

Cheers, Dewi

[Arne]

I'm not sure exactly what the design purpose is. I would be hard pressed to put an opening in the front... when towing in the rain, you will have water hitting the joints at 60 miles per hour.

I'm 6-2 and have no problem with my hatch in the back. I suppose in the front you can squeeze another shelf in and bit more storage, but that is poor payback for the potential problems you might have.

first pic on page 6 of the link.... and on this one, the hatch is so light I can easily lift it with a couple of fingers... couple more on pg. 13.

[Dewi]

I just like the way it looks... imagining it to be more practical (not having used one though, could be really wrong) and since Mike posted the pictures up of the using the hatch at the back in a pop up kind of way, sort of have this vision of parking up near a lake, popping up the back and sitting in the back of my newly built TD looking out over the lake... probably a bit silly I know, but I just have this vision of what it will be like.

If it's plagued with problems, I think the worst that can happen is I have to start all over again... but I like problem solving, so I figure if there is a way of doing it, I'll find it by hook or crook.

Shown my wife the design, she's very positive... just worried that it'll be like my cheap tent and leak all over us during the night

Cheers, Dewi

Edit: Btw... really like yours... some clever ideas in there!

[grant whipp]

Hey, Dewi!

Cool looking build-to-be! If you are seriously considering the retractable/removable tongue feature, I'd strongly suggest that you check with your UK and Euro vehicle codes for trailers! Seems I remember something somewhere about a required configuration & equipment, no variations allowed, unless it was original equipment on a previously-code-approved setup on a mfgd. caravan ... ...?

I've always liked the Jim Dandy design, and if properly engineered & built, you shouldn't have any problems keeping the thing sealed & water tight going down the highway in the rain! Good Luck! And as always ...

CHEERS!

Grant

[Mini Renegade]

Dewi have you seen the Kampmaster? the whole roof hinges up and canvas is poppered to the sides.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=27394


Just a thought though about removable tongues, I am pretty sure its legally a big no no over here.