I'm going to build another one!!!

[KingMick217]

Hello all,

I'm not exactly new to the TearDrop lifestyle, I built one while in college. I had a lot of fun building it, and almost as much fun enjoying it. But alas, after college came marriage and two kids. I hate to admit it, but I actually tore my tear drop down into a flatbed utility trailer.

I sure miss the times that the girlfreind (now my wife) and I spent enjoying the experiences and wonders of the tiny travel trailers. The coziness of it all, how you can just hook up and take-off on short notice... After spending this last Memorial Day weekend in a 36' 5th-wheel I realized that I preferred the teardrop lifestyle hand's down.

So I've decided to build another TearDrop, but now I have a 5yo and a 2yo. I'm thinking about the 2+2 style, or coming up with something unique all together. Regardless with what I decide it will be designed to go behind my wife's 2000 Wrangler. I'm excited about starting the whole research and design bit again. That's how I stumbled upon your site. I look forword to many good bits of advice, suggestions, and tech.

BTW I'm a bit of an AutoCad Guru to boot.... So if I can help you out there, just ask.

[jsternitzky]

I am looking at doing the same but I am not an autocad guru. If you draw up some plans I would be interested in seeing them. I am looking at using a 5x8 trailer. What were you thinking?

[mandy]

Welcome K M. It's good to have another Auto Cad Guru on the board. If you have any questions just ask and some one here will always answer. Have Fun and make sure to take lots and lots of pictures.

Mandy

[teardrop_focus]

Welcome! I enjoyed reading your post about your memories of teardropping...

As for your 2 by 2 idea, I haven't seen anything other than a canvas sling bunk built for small children in an enlarged teardrop.

I know nothing about AutoCad, but a friend wants to get me started w/ Solid Works. Is that close? Or is it just a different brand of software?

If the classic (and the "cutest") tears are within a 4 X 4 X 8 proportion and you need the room for a bunk for the kids, why not see what a classic tear shape looks when morphed out to a 5 X 5 X 10. I've seen that done to what's called the Cub and it seems to work, although if I recall correctly, it was a 5-wide, 4-high, 10-long arrangement.

Anyway, I'd love to see any and all ideas you might have! My plans are for a tear for two within a 4 X 4 X 9... or 4.5-wide... I need to get one drawn up soon. I only have a profile so far and even that needs tweaking to my satisfaction before I carve out the sidewalls.

Again, Welcome and let's see some AutoCad art!

[magilla]

This might be a bit bigger than what your after but here is an idea of Angib's
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear47.htm

[jsternitzky]

Has anyone dept of a design where there would be a "pop-out" for the child's bunk to give an extra 1-2 feet of foot room for the bunk. Here is a rough idea of what I was thinking of last night in bed.

<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Zfc9dPXw_gk/SiBWnGmOIyI/AAAAAAAABAw/iL0DaZaFF78/s800/2plus2popout.JPG" />

[KingMick217]

Wow thanks for the welcome guys. My wife and I have been discussing it over, and right now we've decided on going with a more angular external frame style. We're both set on having atleast a full size bed in it for us. At 235lbs. I take up some room. It'll have a door on each side, an external kitchen, and be off-road ready. I've got some ideas rolling around in the old noggin right now.... I'll keep you all in the loop with pictures when I "break Ground."

As far as Solidworks it is one of many CAD programs available out there, and one of the better ones at that. I have a full seat of 2006 at home that I've yet to try out. I'm more of the AutoCad by AutoDesk kind of guy myself. I have a full seat of 2005 at home that I don't ever use. For those that know how expensive those programs are, yes I feel guilty about not using them.

I like the slide-out ideas... I'm going to give that some serious thought on how a guy can make that work on a TearDrop whether I go that route or not. my biggest worry on that is weight distribtion once slid out... We can make that work.

[Miriam C.]

to the playground KM. Sounds like you have the skills needed to do this well.

While you are tweeking you might look at Coke-a-cola's slide out in the Hall of fame.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... ser_id=472

And dploch's Castaways
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ide#304185

There are lots of others so we will love seeing what you come up with. Oh and do you know what I mean by keeping the bubble oil level?

[KingMick217]

No. I do not know what you are talking about... Unless it is some kind of obscure reference to the cost of crude oil, and thereby the phrase is meant in reference to keeping a light footprint on Mother Earth...

Well if that's the case I endorse the tread lightly agenda, but NOT the close down all trails and and off-road enthusiast sites to everyone but bicyclists and tree-huggers plan.

I see that you are very obsessed with keeping the bubble oil level, and it's driving me crazy as to what it is. I've already spent two-hours searching for an explanation, but it always just comes back to your posts to newbies. So, oh great, wise, mystic purveyor of knowledge... What exactly does keeping the bubble oil level mean?

[Dagny]

I'm not a builder, I purchased my 5x10 Silver Shadow/Lil Traveler (basically same model, 2 brand names). It has a queen sized bed (mattress actually 81" long). It is plenty room for 3 small children and myself. It is very cramped for 2 adults and 3 kids, but I am planning a canvas sling bunk to get the largest child up above our feet. Just wanted to chime in on what a 5x10 could offer your family.

[Mary K]

No. I do not know what you are talking about... Unless it is some kind of obscure reference to the cost of crude oil, and thereby the phrase is meant in reference to keeping a light footprint on Mother Earth...

Well if that's the case I endorse the tread lightly agenda, but NOT the close down all trails and and off-road enthusiast sites to everyone but bicyclists and tree-huggers plan.

I see that you are very obsessed with keeping the bubble oil level, and it's driving me crazy as to what it is. I've already spent two-hours searching for an explanation, but it always just comes back to your posts to newbies. So, oh great, wise, mystic purveyor of knowledge... What exactly does keeping the bubble oil level mean?

Good luck with the build and the Bubble Oil.

[mikeschn]

Welcome to the forum King,

We can always use another CAD guru. The most important thing is to save your cad files, and also print them as a pdf, so the rest of the world can view them.

The 2+2 sounds like a good place to start!

Mike...

[doug hodder]

KingMick...don't worry....when the bubble oil is level, you will be at one with it and will know harmony. Doug