It's about time!

[jakie]

After lurking for a LONG time...the dead sea was just sick.....I have finally saved enough, read enough, and screwed up enough courage to build my first tear drop. I want to go light weight, roomy, cause I am a big boy of 6'2" and 300 pounds. I was originally looking at the weekender, but decided that I wanted to insulate, and liked the generic benroy lines instead. As a matter of planning, I have the following ideas. PLEASE comment on the ideas, cause I would rather change now, rather than have to adjust later.

I was going to use a hybrid chassis like the one for the ultralight, but with two modifications. I was going to use 2" X 1/8 tubing in an A formation, attaching to 2 X 2 X 1/8 angle which would be on the edge of the 5 x 8 floor. The floor would be either 1/8 or 1/4 baltic birch, with 1 1/2 foam, and lumber, and 1/8 or 1/4 baltic birch on the bottom. The bottom and sides would be epoxied, and fiberglassed. Would the 1/8 be strong enough with the fiberglass? Is the angle iron enough, or is it overkill?

I plan on using a torsion axle, for the dampening factor.

The walls would be 1/8 baltic birch, frame and foam, and 1/8 baltic birch. The outside would be fiberglassed as well. The roof, is also 1/8 bb, foam and spar, and 1/8 bb. The top will be fiberglassed. I also plan on painting the outside of the tear, with some form of marine paint.

I live in Edmonton Alberta, and I know I can get 5 x 5 baltic birch from Russia, and marine grade 4 x 8 in 1/8. With the 5 x 8 tear, I think I would have less waste with the 5 x 5 baltic, even though it is almost the same price as the marine ply. ($23 for 5 x 5 BB, and $48 for 4 x 8 marine ply)

Sorry to be so long winded. Hope this is clear. Glad for this FABULOUS resource!

John

[john curtis]

Hey jakie.
Nice to see somebody else from Edmonton. Can't help you with many of your questions on the wood,epoxy and fiberglass but your frame sounds good to me. I used 2x2x3/16 for my frame and 2x2x1/4 for the tounge.A bit of over kill on the frame but all I was able to get was the 3/16. As for the tounge I wanted it a little bit heavier and longer for a tounge box. Good luck on your build. Any questions send me a PM.
John

[jakie]

Thanks, John. I am looking forward to checking out your build in person, and I will PM you with questions.

[john curtis]

Sounds good anytime you want to take a look your quite welcome.

[BillandMarijo]

Jakie,
Sounds all good. We need some pics of the build as it progresses.
Enjoy the build,
Bill and Marijo

[jakie]

got the camera....ready to start this weekend. Building a fence today, to free up the time.


John

[Carter]

Welcome John
I've been kicking around a frame idea like yours for a few weeks. It would be very similar to the Carry on/TSC construction. The frame I have drawn up uses the same size steel you mention. I was thinking about 1/2" plywood on the top, nothing on the bottom. You could still use the 1-1/2" foam glued into the wood framework underneath with the black roofing gunk. I've seen it done on the forums, don't know if either way is preferred. Some here build without the angle perimeter steel with great success. Not sure if I'd trust my glue joints to hold together, would prefer the peace of mind the 40 pounds of extra steel provide.

Enjoy your build
Jim

[jakie]

Thanks Jim! Your diagram is one of the ones that lead me to believe that this would work. I understand that it does not push the envelope at all, like some of the ultralight frames do, but when it comes to things I build, I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy. I work in Protective Services, so liability is second nature

[mikeschn]

Sounds like you've thought it through pretty good! If you go with a frame like Carter showed, I think you won't have to worry about liability.

And if you go with something curved, like the Generic Benroy, it'll look good too! You're on the right track!

Mike...

[jakie]

Thanks. Mike. Its because of the information that y'all have provided, that we can make informed decisions, and not worry about the results. Between you, Madjack, Andrew, Jim, just to name 4 of the literally dozens of people who are here to help, the way is much smoother than if I just wanted to wing it.

Again, Thanks to all of you

John