Looking for a tear with tandem axles

[ERV]

I am starting to put together my build. I have seen a tear on hear that has tandem axles. I have tried the search but have not come up with it. Any help would be great.
Thanks, Erv

[eatatjoz]

jdarkoregon built one that's just amazing.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=1473

Take pictures! I want to see it.

[ERV]

Thanks, that's the one I was thinking about. Very nice tear. Hope mine is half that nice.
Erv

[afreegreek]

if you're going so big you need a tandem why not just make a standee??

[ERV]

I guess I just fell in love with the looks of the tears shape. And I like the fact that is lower for better gas mileage. We are planing on going across the country, to see some family out west. Just would be nice to have just a little more room inside on the rainy days. And be able to take a few more things with us. Going to try and lay it out to be roomy, but also go as lite as I can. Was looking into an aluminum frame to get started off on the right foot. Right now it is just a bunch of ideas on scrap paper, but I hope to get it all together this summer and get started by fall.
Erv

[afreegreek]

I guess I just fell in love with the looks of the tears shape. And I like the fact that is lower for better gas mileage. We are planing on going across the country, to see some family out west. Just would be nice to have just a little more room inside on the rainy days. And be able to take a few more things with us. Going to try and lay it out to be roomy, but also go as lite as I can. Was looking into an aluminum frame to get started off on the right foot. Right now it is just a bunch of ideas on scrap paper, but I hope to get it all together this summer and get started by fall.
Erv

gotta agree there, they do look very cool.

[Shadow Catcher]

Other than coolness factor, why tandem? Additional weight higher toll in drag and gas consumption and on turnpikes toll is often per axle.

[High Desert]

there was another fellow that built a tandem I saw somewhere here. It was a standie, but retained the tear shape. Also a cool rig. I think he is one of the NorCal gang but not positve. Was pulling it with a classic Chevy pickup as I recall.

[doug hodder]

I think the thing here is that Jdarkoregon built what he wanted to build. It is what it is, and having seen it and met him...it's outstanding! Outside of the bridges in the bay area, we typically don't have any toll roads out west. He takes the kids skiing and does some winter camping in it. Is a tandem necessary....nope....is it cool? I think so. I really appreciate seeing someone do something that hasn't been done, necessary or not and execute it to the degree that he has. I'd trade off fuel mileage for coolness. I can't remember for certain...but I think he had the frame from the get go. Doug

[Shadow Catcher]

ERV however is in Medina Ohio and the Ohio Turnpike very definitely does charge per axle as do the surrounding states. The turnpike was supposed to be free once it was paid for, like any self perpetuating bureaucracy is going to let that happen.
One aspect to this however is that there is a better than 130 degree difference in temperature possible between summer and winter that is hard on pavement.

[ERV]

I have had to pull a trailer up to Ann Arbor two times a year to get the son to school and back. It is a 6.5 x 14 it is a tandem. Loaded going up and empty coming home, not to much of a difference on the price. Dont know if they go by weight too or not. will have to watch next time.
But I just think with two axles with brakes is worth it in the long run, I am still planning on using my Toyota to pull. I can get the tear we have up hills pretty good. But some times when we get cut-off by someone it is a white knuckler sometimes getting everything stopped. And I am a magnet for people that don't know how to drive.
I don't think I will be adding to much more to the weight of it tho. Just more room, most of it for storage for the long haul. Want to keep it simple, just like what we have now. We are very happy with the one we have now. We will probably keep it for around here, and let the sons use it.
Erv

[Shadow Catcher]

Our first MM did not have brakes and at 1150 lbs was controllable but not comfortable. the new MM has brakes and will give that extra comfort. Between Medina and Toledo you will not notice much difference, but there is one and if you journey far it becomes more noticeable.
Ohio TP border to border 11.75 3 axle 24.50 4 axle
Indiana 11.75 3 axle 24.50 4 axle
Pennsylvania the base line is 45.10 add 7.75 for 3 axle and 11.60 for 4 axle

If you are not already a member you may want to join the buckeye TearJerkers and come to the gatherings. This gives you a chance to see what folks have and find out what they do and do not like and lessons learned. We live west of I23 and you would be welcome to see our Tear (once we have it).

[ERV]

I know it can get pricey if you go all the way across the state. Jan and I are members of the TearJerkers. But have only been to a few camp-outs. A few here in Ohio and a few in Indiana. Work the last few years has pulled the rug out from under me. It has gone through 3 management changes. The ones running it right now are finally treating me better. I have been there for 25 years. I am now back to the pay I was getting back in 2002. But they say I am going to get back to there I was by the end of this year. That will be nice. It has been a few tight years with 2 boys trying to go to school and everything else going up.
One of my friends does clean ups for people and he has given me a lot of wood and metal over the years. Yard looks pretty bad sometimes till I get it cleaned up. But I have saved a lot of it to do the new build. Just have to get to it. This summer will be the time I hope.
We are planning on going over to Indiana for their spring get-together if every thing goes to plan.
Erv

[bobhenry]

I missed out on a tiny little 4 or 5 by 9 foot tandum frame a couple of years ago and I still kick myself.

Tell them the best part of a tandum is you can tow it with a flat if necessary to get to where you can get it fixed