Newbie from Indy

[kludge]

Hi All, been looking for a week and decided to post up.

My name is Andy, and I'm an electrical engineer, married with five kids, and I'm a Scoutmaster.

So what am I doing in a T&TTT forum with 5 kids?

Well there's no way I'm paying $10-20K for a HiLo or similar trailer that will fit in my garage and sleep seven. I can rent a whole lot of KOA Kamping Kabins (or even hotel rooms) for that kind of coin.

Fortunately for me a few of them are still small, and I think I've got a shot.

Being an engineer I can't put the paper down until all my ideas are sketched out... last night I was drawing up a 4x6 based tiny tear for two, ans still have >6-1/2 feet of legroom for sleeping.

So anyway here are the goals:
1. Must fit in standard garage bay (~80" max height, ~18ft tongue to tail)
2. Sleep 6+1 (one kid will fit with us on a queen size bed)
3. Queen bed (i'm tall, 7' width would work great)
4. Build on current utility trailer (think 7x8 snowmobile/landscape flatbed with 14" diamond plate aluminum sides and an expanded metal ramp, home built on a small boat trailer)
5. Keep it as light as possible (I don't think higher rated tires will fit without hitting the frame)
6. Camper top removeable to still be able to use the trailer as a utility - alternative is to use "barn doors" on the back and remove the stuff inside to be able to fit lawn tractor sized cargo (i.e. beds and bunks set on trailer rails or fold up on the walls).
7. Hitch-up and go, no/very little setup for nights when I have to get out on a Friday night with the Scouts or the family.
8. CHEAP!

Tow vehicle is a Ford E-150 van or a Jeep Cherokee (weight is not an issue here, the axle/tire rating is the only issue). axle and tires will be replaced if I can't get the weight on the current

Sleeping quarters has priority over all other creature comforts. A convertible bed/dining table would be nice. Galley not needed, potty not needed, gear/cooler storage would be nice, but THE VAN can hold all of that stuff.

Stand-up not needed/would be impossible to put a 6.5 foot interior height (did I mention I'm tall?) trailer into the garage.

If I need more weight capacity I will get a new axle and and 21.5" tires, but right now overal height is my main concern.

No, I don't want a pop-up camper - too much setup time, too much maintenace, too expensive.

If the above descrition of the trailer isn't good enough, just let me know and I put up a picture. overhanging the front and rear by a foot or foot and a half would probably be OK.

Last night I was sketching up a clamshell idea, to get a high bunk (would also free up some makeshift galley space).

I'm a four season tent camper and weather/cold/rain/snow doesn't bother me, I just don't like the setup takedown time that tent camping requires.

(wow, that was a long first post!)

[BillandMarijo]

Welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you know exactly what you want. Now the fun begins. I cant tell you how many different sketches we made before we dicided on the final one.
Enjoy the build,
Bill and Marijo

[Alfred]

Hey! Welcome to the group!

I'm building a modified Weekender for a family of five, so we have similar goals!

Keep us posted to your progress!

AL in Asheville

[rebapuck]

Bunk beds!! Stack twin beds and sleep two kids per.

[prohandyman]

Andy
Welcome from a fellow hoosier. I am in Greenwood. This is definately the place to be for teardrop info. I also sent you a pm

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Andy, welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have everything laid out for the teardrop.
We have a gathering coming up in May 2010. You can follow the conversations of the "Midwest section" of the T&TTT forum
http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=1 or on the
Tearjerkers tforum under "Hoosier Chapter"
http://www.tearjerkers.net/forums/viewf ... 9cc5724718

You should plan to come to the gathering (May 2010) even if it's just for a day trip to get ideas and tips on building your teardrop.

Stay tuned for more ideas and forum conversation.