Cross-Canada Road-trip Machine! (2011)

[MisterGraphic]

Hello everyone,
My name is Denis (26) and I'm located in Canada (New Brunswick)

Here I'll be documenting my build as it progresses through winter.

Timeline : Start January 2011 : completion June 2011
Purpose : Cross Canada Roadtrip (3 week holiday with my girlfriend)
The plan : 5' x 8' x 4' with Benroy profile, fully insulated with electrical system, rudimentary galley to be upgraded after road-trip.
Tow Vehicle : Pontiac Vibe
Budget : 4000$ (Will document in Excel spread sheet as I buy parts)
Why ? : Personal satisfaction, challenge and ease of towing.
Challenges : First time builder, 8" x 14" working area, cold winters, time.

Here is a picture of the side profile with the separation wall/mattress.


Before I start building, I'll post my main questions/concerns in individual
threads to keep the forum organized. (easier for people to search)

Long story short, this will be mostly pictures, descriptions and motivation!
Let me know if you have questions

Denis

[Txbum]

Dennis, congratulations on your project. My name is Richard , from Texas, otherwise known as TxBum on the forum...wishing you the best and hope to see your progress on this forum. Get ready for many questions and support from all the members on this forum. TxBum

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Timeline : Start January 2011 : completion June 2011
Purpose : Cross Canada Roadtrip (3 week holiday with my girlfriend)
The plan : 5' x 8' x 4' with Benroy profile, fully insulated with electrical system, rudimentary galley to be upgraded after road-trip.
Tow Vehicle : Pontiac Vibe
Budget : 4000$ (Will document in Excel spread sheet as I buy parts)
Why ? : Personal satisfaction, challenge and ease of towing.
Challenges : First time builder, 8" x 14" working area, cold winters, time.

Welcome Denis! Sounds like you know exactly what you want to build! That 8" x 14" working space might be a little tight though

Cant wait to see some pictures! Good luck!

[MisterGraphic]

Hey!

Thanks for the replies,

That 8' x 14' is actually the floor space; there is shelves on two sides
to put the tools and material...but yes, it will be tight. The plan is to
build all the parts, assemble the body (wood) in the shed and then
attach to the metal frame outside once finished.

I also have a "guest" room in the house where I will
put the finish parts before I seal/paint them.

Should be interesting!

Denis

[MisterGraphic]

haha didn't notice the 8" x 14"

It may be a scale model of a teardrop then!

[05liberty]

Welcome !!! Now I won't b the only person in Moncton with a teardrop ! Looking forward to seeing your build

Dave

[MisterGraphic]

Very Nice Dave!

Is your teardrop 4' wide or 5' wide ?
I would love to check it out if possible!

(Sad but I never saw one in real life)

Cheers!
Denis

[05liberty]

Its five wide . I wanted a little extra space in side and i think that the 5 x 8 dimensions looks right .
Send me a PM if you want to have a look see at my trailer

Dave

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Its five wide . I wanted a little extra space in side and i think that the 5 x 8 dimensions looks right .
Send me a PM if you want to have a look see at my trailer

Dave

My next one will be 5 wide. Its only an extra 6 inches on each side, which doesnt sound like much, but when added to such a small space it makes a HUGE difference.

[05liberty]

yea 4wide to 5wide = double bed to queen bed ..

Dennis have you started gathering materials , what r u going to use for a trailer ?

[MisterGraphic]

Only thing I bought yet are tires....haha

I'm planning to build my own trainer and have it welded by a welder.
It's more expensive but I get exactly what I want and it'll be lighter than
a "store" trailer made of C channels.

Why are you asking ?

Denis

[05liberty]

Curious ... because we don't have "bolt together " trailers (that i know of ) avaiable around here ... I welded mine , got the steel from Tri-Provence ...

[stormbytes]

I'm new to the forum, but a fellow Canadian from Granby (Quebec). Interestingly enough I've been looking at the different options for getting myself setup with a teardrop. My requirements are remarkably similar to yours.

Just this last week I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Hawk kit for AmericanTeardrop. They've got a free-shipping special running on the kit (until xmas!) that you might actually still be able to get.

Anyhow, looking at the work, costs & results, and having no previous experience with teardrops, the Hawk fit the bill perfectly! It might be a good idea to look into that. It's about $1000.00 less then your budget, even if you'd have to make due with a few compromises overall it looks like a good deal.

I apologize in advance if there's some forum etiquette that I'm not aware of, that makes it a no-no to mention kits?

Happy Christmas!

Daniel