Time to start talking

[MCI1969]

Hey all, I just made my first post so I figure I should introduce myself. My actual name is Michael and I live in the NorthWest near Bellingham Wa. Have been in the Truck/Auto aftermarket busniess for 20 years. If it bolts, glues or screws I've probally installed it, or welded it, at one time or another. Just bought a house with a shop (first one ever) so I'm planning my winter project. I've been reading post here for close to a year, comming up with ideas and dreaming. My future wife (on Aug 1) is a wood worker hobbiest so this appeares to be a project we can share together. Were planning on a 5"x8" Benroy with a few of our own touches. Nothing to elaborate as we like to play in the outdoors and beat on our stuff a little but the tent and airmatress combo is slowly fadding from my appeal. Look forward to reading all of your progress (borrowing some of your ideas ) and posting some pics as work begins. I welcome feed back and constructive critism. Until then..... Hello!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Michael, welcome to the best camping trailer message board on the net. If you can get your honey to help on the teardrop build, you are doing better than most of us. Perhaps you can complete your teardrop before the "big day" and celebrate your honeymoon in your brand new, home-built teardrop trailer. Oh you'll get feed back and construction info as the build progresses, just wait and see.

Now, what will the exterior be covered with, surely you plan on 2 doors, and how extensive a galley do you have planned? Take plenty of pics, post em and we'll evaluate all of the things you have done correctly.

Good luck on your build, remember, we are here to help and look forward to sharing a campfire with you and the sweet Mrs. sometime in the future.
Roly

[MCI1969]

Yes, I wish I could start it now, but the yard has priorty at this point. As for the exterior I'll probally end up skinning it with aluminum. I build aluminum canopies from scratch, so I have to see what kind of material I have access to on that end. Hopefully one of my suppliers carries a smooth finish. Most truck canopy aluminum is textured. And yes I thought of welding an entire skeleton out of aluminum but I dont think it would hold up to my driving. I will scratch build the frame, still wondering what size tires/wheels to run so I can figure out my axle (torsion style). The galley lay out and "detail" will be up to the other half. Will be installing a tongue box and a propane tank to run the stove (I need my coffee). I've been in the "Del City" book for the last hour collecting part numbers for electrical parts to piggy back on my next order at work. Collect the parts a little at a time and watch the pile grow.
For now it's mostly talk until the steel shows up in the shop. (Dont tell my other half I have it comming on the next shipment ) . But I will post picks as I go.

[Downunder Dave]

Welcome aboard Micheal to the greatest teardrop forum on the net. Enjoy your project and the pleasure it brings from building it yourself. Looking forward to seeing your pics and hearing about your progress. Remember keep it simple, keep it lite and just enjoy the ride.

Chhes Dave

[dreadcptflint]

Hi Michael. It is always good to seen another person from the Northwest in the forum. I recomend visiting one of the local rallies. At the Spring Fling, there was over 50 trailers with many different flavors. Seeing one in person is what brought my wife fully into the concept of a Teardrop trailer and almost a year later we had one of our own.

Ask questions and have fun.