"The X-II" 5-Wide Convertible Teardrop

[absolutsnwbrdr]

EDIT 3/7/2015: Its been brought to my attention that many of the pictures have become un-linked. Its because of the way Facebook changes their system from time to time. I dont have time at the moment to go through the entire build and relink everything, so all the build pictures are available here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 4a1da07c83

I thought that starting a thread for my second build would make a pretty good 1,000th post, so here we go! I really can't believe its only be a year and a half since I built my first teardrop! I've learned so much from everyone on here, so I thank you all!

Its going to be built on the same 1720lb 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer, but will be just over 5 feet wide, and 10 feet long. It will be 54" tall, not including the fan cover. The additional size allows for a queen size bed, more underfloor storage, a dedicated electrical compartment, and much more galley storage! These sketches are actually from my AutoCAD model, and in the galley I have placed (2) Coleman 50qt. coolers, and a little extra something.



Sawdust is not in the immediate future, as I need to make room by selling my current teardrop. I'd realistically like to start building in late October or early November, and finish in April.

I already have my entire parts/material list written down. And when I say entire, I mean ENTIRE list. From carriage bolts to the exact number of sheets of plywood and oak boards. Everything is already laid out in AutoCAD and I have an incredibly detailed model that I've been working on.

Needless to say, I'm really freakin' excited!




_________________

Build Thread Index
09/16/2011 - Possible Paint Scheme
09/27/2011 - Wiring Diagram Discussion
10/18/2011 - Purchased Trailer Kit
11/06/2011 - Assembly begins
11/13/2011 - Deck finished
12/23/2011 - Side walls cut
12/28/2011 - Hatch built
12/31/2011 - Major assembly begins
01/02/2012 - Skinning and hatch test fit
01/07/2012 - Major assembly done
01/13/2012 - Battery tray assembly
01/21/2012 - Galley "Bread Shelf"
01/25/2012 - CPES
01/27/2012 - 110VAC Outlets
01/28/2012 - Road Test and Primer
02/05/2012 - Crazy RGB LED Strips
02/09/2012 - More LED's
02/19/2012 - Exterior paint
02/27/2012 - Screen and vinyl roof
03/07/2012 - Official weight
03/16-18/2012 - MAIDEN VOYAGE!!
04/17/2012 - The X-II is COMPLETE! (but never finished)
08/29/2012 - Gas Struts
09/02/2012 - Spare tire mount
09/10/2012 - Charging while towing
10/23/2012 - Removable insulating panels
03/11/2013 - 140W Solar panel
05/05/2013 - Galley Renovation
02/02/2014 - Formica Countertop


Bookmarks for later:
Gas Struts
More Gas Strut Info
Registering a Trailer Kit in PA

[GuyllFyre]

Oh, look!
It holds a couple of kegs of beer!
Perfect upgrade, I must say.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

The keg on the front will actually be the tongue box. I havent worked out the details yet but it will be cut down the side and hinged in the back.

[Zboom]

Zach,

The keg is sweet! I like the trolley top look. Is the trolley top gonna be the convertible? Will the convertible be like the Scuttle?

[campmaster-k]

Very cool Zach. Cant wait to see it.

[campmaster-k]

Hey Bzoom - What is the image in the middle of your avatar?

[clovatrie]

It's the Texas Longhorns logo upside-down with a bullet hole in the head.

[campmaster-k]

Ohhhhhhh. I see it now . Texas. Never been there. Ill wait till things cool off a bit. When I go should I bring a gun?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks guys! The trolley-top will be the convertible part.

The reason this next one developed into a trolley-top design is because I only found reasonably priced vinyl in widths of 54" and 60". I wanted to have a queen size mattress in this one, so neither of those widths would be enough. And I didnt want to have to use multiple pieces of vinyl and have them sewn together. The trolley top allows me to use the same width material as my first teardrop, which was only $12.99/yd.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I think I've decided on the paint scheme. I got away from the curved design in the sketches above, because they would be too hard to get just right and I would probably go insane trying to do so.

I then decided to come up with a design reminiscent of my first convertible, but with a little extra kick. I didn't want it to stand out too much though.

Its going to be the same blue and white for the Saltire, but with an added 2-tone gray "overlay" above and below, and a yellow pinstripe to separate the color from the monotone.

[Billy K]

Good looking plan,Zach.

Wish I were better and more able to use the CAD stuff...I have a second one 'building itself' in my mind. I"m not even done with the first!

Yeah I know, not much shock in the second crowding out the first....around here anyway !!!

Good Luck, AND Happy building...

[Deryk the Pirate]

Looks Sharp man! Cant wait to see some pics. So are you setting in a perm bunk bed in this 1?

deryk

[Shadow Catcher]

Looks great but you might be be money and strength ahead in buying a better frame or having one built and as big as it is going to be getting an axle that can accommodate brakes. My suggestion is to look at Flexride http://www.ucfamerica.com/flexiride.html which also does trailers. This from some one who has a trailer with Dexter axles.

[Danny]

I thought that starting a thread for my second build would make a pretty good 1,000th post, so here we go! I really can't believe its only be a year and a half since I built my first teardrop! I've learned so much from everyone on here, so I thank you all!

My new teardrop design is very similar to my original convertible (the Scuttlebutt) just because I love that trailer so d@mn much! This new design is just bigger.

Its going to be built on the same 1720lb 4x8 Harbor Freight trailer, but will be just over 5 feet wide, and 10 feet long. It will be 54" tall, not including the fan cover. The additional size allows for a queen size bed, more underfloor storage, a dedicated electrical compartment, and much more galley storage! These sketches are actually from my AutoCAD model, and in the galley I have placed (2) Coleman 50qt. coolers, and a little extra something, just to show the amount of room I will have available.



Sawdust is not in the immediate future, as I need to make room by selling my current teardrop. I'd realistically like to start building in late October or early November, and finish in April.

I already have my entire parts/material list written down. And when I say entire, I mean ENTIRE list. From carriage bolts to the exact number of sheets of plywood and oak boards. Everything is already laid out in AutoCAD and I have an incredibly detailed model that I've been working on.

Needless to say, I'm really freakin' excited!

Very cool!!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks SC! I'll check them out and see what kinda prices they have. I haven't calculated weight yet for the new trailer, but I dont think it should be more than 100-150lbs heavier than my current trailer. Brakes would be nice, but I'm still well under the max towing capacity for my car. Also, I'm still kind of partial to an off-the-shelf trailer, just for simplicity. I may delve into building a trailer for my third teardrop, whenever that may be.

Baby steps for me




Thanks Danny!