Hello from confused new guy!

[elmo]

I think I need to come to the conclusion I won't know what I want to do until I get the trailer and get it home. I have a friend that is a great welder but I think he would think I was going crazy if I tried to explain this one. I am questioning it at times!!! I know my wife stopped answering her phone at work because she just figures it will just be another goofy TD question/opinion. I have a Tractor Supply about 30 miles away so I think a little road trip is in order today. I have a couple of concerns/lack of knowledge about how to finish the bottom because of the L channel and making sure it is sealed. I had a couple of ideas but I am sure it's over kill. I decided to keep the frame exposed because this may make a trip out to Montana for elk hunting and I would rather have the frame scrape on something rather than wood. Thanks for all the words of wisdom so far.
Elmo out!

[Ira]

Elmer, if money is an issue now, and if you want to save some bucks on the frame and a 5 by 8 bolt-together is more than you want to spend....

You can still make a 5 wide on a 4 wide frame, just using L brackets. (Wish I knew this before.)

Of course, if you're really into having an A+ frame and you wanna get into building/designing your own, cool. But a LOT of us here, I would say the majority, built ours on inexpensive bolt-together jobs.

[cracker39]

Hi Elmo, and welcome aboard. I've been here since last June and got a case of the fever myself. But, not everyone builds a TD. My wife is claustrophobic and wouldn't hear of sleeping in a little box. So, I designed my own TTT. It's still small, but has stand up room...or it will when it gets built. There are so many ideas to toss around and so many ways to go. Stick around here and you'll hear them all. Like Ira said, you'll learn about stuff you didn't know existed before.

[Gage]

<snip>
The Orphan?

Aw man, I keep forgetting about the Orphan. Probably because it's for my sister even though it is mine right now. Just to many projects.

Have a good day.

[Hardin Valley Magic]

elmo, welcome. everyones needs or wants are all different, and if you worry about scraping the bottom try and do a search for "off road" with the search feature.
I can't place who it was but someone built one to go behind a 4x4 Jeep. Has really good ground clearance.
Best of luck. Start makin' saw dust and you'll ask anyone and everyone opinions on things!!

[Miriam C.]

Welcome Elmer,
I think we all go through the what if's here. That's why I'm here.

My hubby gave me some good advice and I will pass it on:

Get a compass (the kind you used in school) and draw circles. If you don't like circles draw squares. You will get there.

When you get there apply the principles in the generic benroy or any of the others you can find here. Mike's weekender looks like it might go elk hunting with some taller wheels and a bit of bracing.

Enjoy the process. Have fun buying tools and send Madadministrator pictures.

Miriam
notice the circles

[cracker39]

There are quite a few Tear Drops built for off road. Here are a few in the Hall of Fame:

Duane’s Benroy…21”.

Trail of Tesrs.

Joanne’s Desert Dawg

and I know there are a couple of Aussies with them.

[Gage]

Hey Dale, don't forget about Dave & Louise's Teardrop. A true offroad teardrop.



Have a good day.

[cracker39]

Thanks, Gage. That's one I was trying hard to think of. I probably missed a couple more

[PaulC]

me







Cheers
Paul

[elmo]

I actually went to the TSC last night, but gotten there to late for any good info. They are suppose to be calling me back this a.m. sometime.

I'm in a dilema now. I like the look of 2 TD the Benroy and the TD that Dave and Louise have. The Benroy looks easier and I can go off the Generic plans and it's 8' long walls. Dave and Louise looks like I would need to find a 1" finished piece of 4x10??? Is that right, and how hard is it to find that? I'm sure it is a rookie question? Also does someone have a template for that or plans?

Elmer out!

[doug hodder]

Elmo...a lot of builders just make their own sheet of 4 x 10...I used a 3 wing cutter in a router, cut a slot in both pieces to mate up and cut a hardwood spline and glued it all up...worked for me on both trailers...Doug