Greetings from Colorado...

[Weirdnerd]

I think at one point I logged in here, copied a bunch of pictures, and forgot how to come back in...I made my teardrop last year, ( winged it) no plans, just the urge to have it for springtime, my wife thought I was crazy swinging the scroll saw and the router and splashin' glue all over the place at unholy hours of the night, well, I think I made it ( except the ughhhharghh spring back on the back hatch skin, will have to make a new one later...)

six months later...tadaaa...the Pihuicho 1 ( a pihuicho is a small parrot from the Amazon, green, fun and... quite a pest..hehehe)

here are some pics of my " baby"

It started with some demolition....





ended up like this:











and here I am, drinking my first percolated coffee, at the Colorado sand dunes....



I made it with lots of recycled wood, Luan Plywood, Birch plywood, recycled plywood, exterior polyurethane varnish, Sherwin Wlliams marine paint, titebond III glue, 1.5 inch insulation foam, recycled Aluminium, recycled 3/8" aviation grade plexiglass, Aircraft parts, Auto zone gas struts, a camper stove bought on craigslist, and 55 gallons of elbow grease. Many thanks to Wally Martinez for their sale on coolers last year...

[bc toys]

Welcome back and hope you stick around this time and enjoy our site. You have done a great job on your build there and glad to see you are enjoying it.

[CAJUN LADY]

Sweet! Is is a 5' or 6' wide? Your galley looks cool especially the rv stove. The bunk was a good idea too.

Post more pics of the inside please.

[Alleged User]

Welcome back, 'Nerd. Your galley is nicer than those in some of the apartments I've lived in...not even kidding. I like it.

Neat build. I love to see recycled pieces come together for a new lease on life.

[Weirdnerd]

Sweet! Is is a 5' or 6' wide? Your galley looks cool especially the rv stove. The bunk was a good idea too.

Post more pics of the inside please.

Its a huge 6x10, I needed the space for three, the bunk is also a storage space, took me several nights of mental imagery ( sort of " brain CAD") to picture the partial assemblies, but it turned out nice, I used to build composite airplanes and wood is somewhat the original composite...here are some more pics:

[CAJUN LADY]

Oh man, what a nice job you did! And the light switch cover tops it off!
Ok, you know that you are now going to be getting orders for that cover you made!!!

And the storage idea was great. As much storage room as you have under that bunk I think I would have made outside access too.

Mine was a 5'x10' but I would have welcomed that extra foot of space.

By the way, where did you get the swivel airplane light?

Before I forget, welcome to the forum! Lovely people, great advice and just a nice place to hang out with fellow campers.

[Weirdnerd]

I used to work for a company doing structural modifications of experimental carbon fiber jets, ( I am not allowed to name it, their lawyers are all over the place) , they short circuited one of the planes, putting the batteries backwards, doing about half a million in damages, we removed most of the electrical stuff and replaced it, I asked my supervisor if I could take the burn out lights, he said no problem, took them home, made some brain surgery on them, and fixed them ( of course voided any warranty left on the burn out circuit board) and used them for the camper.

[CAJUN LADY]

It's cool to see what others repurpose for their campers. Really enjoyed the pictures...thanks!

[CliffinGA]

Welcome and enjoyed going thru your build. IT gave me some ideas as it will others and expect lots of questions.

Cliff

[Weirdnerd]

I will be happy to answer, once I got into the building part, I had a lot of "Aha" moments, as well as moments of " what the heck am I doing?...hehehe...wisdom comes from making mistakes,

[mezmo]

Hi Wierdnerd,

First off welcome to the forum.

Congrats on a totally successful build. I'm one of those
still planning. Results like your's are really inspiring for
those of us yet to build. The neat TD switch plate, shows
you've got all the details covered.

I'd suggest you put your posting's pics into your album if you
have the time. It's really easier to access them that way for
everyone, and that way they won't be missed either.

I like the proportions of the profile. It has an original '50s
"vibe" yet is not a copy of any previous design.

The donor frame gives it a real fender skirted look that just
begs for a late 40s - early 50s step-down Hudson as a TV!!!
Got any prospects for one? Ha!

mezmo/Norm

[Weirdnerd]

I would love that, but in terms of reliability, and fuel economy, I would not use anything made before the early 90's, unless it's a Hawker Sea Fury, or a p47d....

I got inspired on the C-47 to make mine:

[expeditionist]

I totally get it! Your wife thinks you are crazy 'slingin glue' and whatnot . I love the Sand Dunes and my lady thinks Im crazy too for spending all this time on our TD trailer! I cant wait until we climb into the climate controlled TD @ Sand Dunes next time we go. She'll be eating her words!

[Weirdnerd]

Cool, I was at Boulder last week, went to Erie Airport ( Goofgle maps took me to baseline in Boulder, not baseline next to I -25..hehehe) have you started your TD?, if so, post pics!.

[mezmo]

Hi Weirdnerd,

I know you're not considering an 'antique' Tow Vehicle, but I
came across this - it's on ebay now -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Ma ... 110wt_1100

and it just fits your TD so well I had to show you:



What a matching pair they'd make!