First Trip.

[Gerdo]

Well she's not done (after 60 days of construction) but she is weather tight and road ready. I took her on the maiden voyage. We went from Denver to Ouray and back, camped 3 days, and climbed Mt Sneffels (14,150 feet). This was my 22nd 14er summit.


After 700 miles and only a little washing, she is like the day we left.

Only days before the trip I took it for a quick shakedown drive around the city and down the highway. I did pull out one leaf from both sides of my suspension leaf packs to help smooth out the ride (she was bouncing pretty big on some bumps) and then I changed out the ST205/75D15 trailer tires for some passenger tires 205/70R15 and run 30 psi. The passenger tires did great. Not as stiff, not as bouncy, and still plenty of capacity. They ran cool and held the road great. I was able to cruse along at 70-75 mph and she tracked right behind.

We have also named her "The Leafy Bug"

Now for the finish work. (cabinets and trim, mostly interior work)

[SteveH]

Congradulations! Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

Beautiful sight from the top of the mountain. I love the Colorado Rockies.

We were in Ouray last summer on the way to the rod run in Pueblo. We go every year and spend a couple of days riding the mountains and sight seeing.

[The R/C Man]

Gerdo,

It looks great!

Since I took over a month and half off I hope to be in the same position for an upcoming camping trip on the 23rd....

[RKH]

Local paper did a travel story on Ouray a few weeks ago.
Click here. Beautiful area.

[Gerdo]

It sure is a beautiful area.

[xe1ufo]

Hey Gerdo:

Your Teardrop looks great! My mom is originally from Loveland, Colorado, though she and my dad also live here in Mexico. We get up there every few years.

Excuse my many questions: I am just beginning the drawings for our Teardrop. I would rather ask too many question now, then have to fix or change something later.

1. How much does your Teardrop weigh?

2. What is the little door on the front of your Tear for?

3. Since you used leaf springs, did you also add shock absorbers?

4. What covers your exterior walls?

Thanks in advance!

[Gerdo]

1. How much does your Teardrop weigh? I haven't weighed it yet and I still need to put on my cabinet doors but I'm guessing it is about 1000 lbs

2. What is the little door on the front of your Tear for? I have a slide out A/C unit (it has been the biggest pain it engineer) (I cut the door 3 times and the hole 2 times)

3. Since you used leaf springs, did you also add shock absorbers? No not yet nor do I think that I will.

4. What covers your exterior walls? I built the flat walls with truck FRP (Fiberglass reinforced plywood)

See my album

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... ser_id=888
for more.
For the curves (roof and hatch) I studded the roof with 1x2 Maple (strong, straight, stable, flexable) then sheeted it with a 3/16 waterproof luan plywood and then glued on Filon (FRP)

[s4son]

Gerdo,
I am very intrigued by your slide out air conditioner. I have looked over the pics in your album. Do you have any of the unit pulled out as it would be while camping?

Scott F.

[Gerdo]

It is still in the works. Basically it is on mounted to a shelf that is on drawer slides (Backwards). I need to put some blocking and weatherstriping around it and 2 latches, one to keep it from beating on the door when I drive down the road and one when it is out. The door flips out hinged on the top (huracane hinge) and acts as some rain protection. This is probaly the next thing to finish. I'm to the point that I can move slower and finish these "little" projects.

[Gerdo]

So you made me go out and work on my A/C. Here is what I did. The last seven pictures in my Gallery show how I did it.
http://tnttt.com/album_personal.php
I had to have a lip on the inside that the blocking and weatherstriping seal against. I also put a seal on the bottom of the shelf to seal. I needed to install the shelf then the seal under the shelf. Then the A/C with the seal goes in from inside the teardrop and the aluminum angle traps the feet on the front of the unit while the angle brackets hold the outside. Finally the last picture shows the A/C in the out/running position.

The last things to do is trim the inside and the two latches mentioned earler. Inside I am going to build a door that is louvered and seperates the cool air and the return air. But that is another day and another project.

[toypusher]

Gerdo,

You might want to use this link to your photos.
http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/album_personal.php?user_id=888&sort_method=pic_time&sort_order=ASC&start=24

The one in the post above will only go to whoever's personal gallery that is clicking on the link!

Kerry

[doug hodder]

Thanks Gerdo...I needed a Colo. fix....Moved to No. Cal 4 years ago and I sure miss camping up there...I used to go up to Twin Lakes, near Leadville all the time....congrats on your tear too....I need to plan a trip out there to hook up with some of you next summer at one of your get togethers....Doug

[Gerdo]

Toypusher,
Sorry I thought that the link that had on my post was the way to go. How do you set up that link? I'm always willing to learn. Also do you know how to do a "Click Here" to get to a website?

Thanks

[Gerdo]

Doug,

Come on out. Twin Lakes is a great area. I've been there alot to climb 14ers. I think there are about 6 or 8 in the area of Twin Lakes.

[doug hodder]

Gerdo...it brings tears to my eyes now...but I needed the dough at the time...I sold off 2 lots overlooking Twin Lakes, unobstructed view of the lake....Doug