"The X-II" 5-Wide Convertible Teardrop

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I love those doors!

Thanks! Made them myself!

[CHUNKYMONKEY]

I plan to order those same doors, Please tell me they are easy to install.

Ange

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I plan to order those same doors, Please tell me they are easy to install.

Ange

Oh definitely. As long as you cut your opening correctly, they are a piece of cake. They come with an interior trim ring. You attach the door by driving screws through the trim ring into the door frame. By doing so, the door is pulled tight against the side wall and a nice seal is created.

[Zboom]

Zack the paint job is fantastic man!

[Evan Gaffney]

Zach, the trailer looks awesome!! If I were sure I'd have a covered place to store mine, I would totally steal your convertible idea. I also just noticed you're in Hanover. I did my student teaching there at SouthWestern High School. I still get back there pretty regularly to visit Gettysburg (my alma mater). Would love to see the X-II in person.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks ZBoom and Evan

Evan - how long ago did you student teach there? I graduated from Hanover in 2001, so I wouldn't have had you, but I had a few friends from Southwest. Get in touch with me the next time you're coming to the area and we can plan to meet up so you can check it out. Do you plan on coming to any teardrop gatherings this year?

[Evan Gaffney]

Evan - how long ago did you student teach there? I graduated from Hanover in 2001, so I wouldn't have had you, but I had a few friends from Southwest. Get in touch with me the next time you're coming to the area and we can plan to meet up so you can check it out. Do you plan on coming to any teardrop gatherings this year?

I taught physics and AP physics in fall of '07 with Mr. Kauffman. Don't know about gatherings this year. I'm done teaching in June, so it's totally possible, but my trailer project is on hold until we move somewhere with more work space (20 ft long car and 16ft trailer won't fit in the same garage and insurance says I can't keep the car outside). There's also the tiny issue of saving up for my wedding next year (oops!). I'm trying to do as much as I can and get the designs and templates ready so that when the day finally comes to make sawdust, the project will go quickly and smoothly. I know that's not very likely to be the reality of it, but a man can dream. Anyways, if I do show up, it will definitely be with a tent. Fiancee and I may show up anyways just to meet some folks and steal some ideas.

[Big Dave]

Zach,
Did you get your doors from the guy on ebay?

Thanks, Dave

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I taught physics and AP physics in fall of '07 with Mr. Kauffman. Don't know about gatherings this year. I'm done teaching in June, so it's totally possible, but my trailer project is on hold until we move somewhere with more work space (20 ft long car and 16ft trailer won't fit in the same garage and insurance says I can't keep the car outside). There's also the tiny issue of saving up for my wedding next year (oops!). I'm trying to do as much as I can and get the designs and templates ready so that when the day finally comes to make sawdust, the project will go quickly and smoothly. I know that's not very likely to be the reality of it, but a man can dream. Anyways, if I do show up, it will definitely be with a tent. Fiancee and I may show up anyways just to meet some folks and steal some ideas.

I don't think I know anyone that would have been there in '07. But anyway, even if you don't have a camper, you're more than welcome to join in on the fun at the gatherings! Bring a tent and check out the trailers! Wouldn't be the first time we've had ground-dwellers at a gathering.

Zach,
Did you get your doors from the guy on ebay?

Thanks, Dave

I believe its the same guy, but I got them right from Frank through his website: http://teardroptrailerparts.com/
He's a nice guy and his prices are really reasonable!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

My vents got here today, as well as my el-cheapo battery meter. I used 4 of the black mesh vents for the stereo enclosure, and the 4 white vents as ports for my interior speakers.





I finished hooking up the exterior side lights for the final time, and installed some plastic covers to conceal the wiring.



And FINALLY got a chance to organize my electrical compartment! It still looks like a mess in the picture, but its an organized mess.



Next I made an oak panel for my el cheapo battery meter and the wired remote for the stereo system. It got mounted in the very front of the cabin.





And here's one last preview of the interior with both the warm white LED's and the LED strips on blue mode. Quite pleasant I think.



And thats all for tonight. Time to pass out. Should be starting on the vinyl tops this weekend. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO CAMPING!!!

[Ratkity]

Geebus! You are doing fabbo! Can't wait to see the finished product at the end of March. Will have your two items you requested then.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Geebus! You are doing fabbo! Can't wait to see the finished product at the end of March. Will have your two items you requested then.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Thanks Patricia! Not sure if those items are a necessity or not, but I'd love to take a look at them.

[toypusher]

Geebus! You are doing fabbo! Can't wait to see the finished product at the end of March. Will have your two items you requested then.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Thanks Patricia! Not sure if those items are a necessity or not, but I'd love to take a look at them.

[Edward_]

Thumbs up!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Don't you worry about it Kerry!

Thanks Edward!


It was another marathon weekend! The single life is so nice (sometimes)

I decided to paint the narrow sections on each side of the trolley-top in the front. They were white, but they now look a lot better blue.



Installed some 12VDC/5VUSB outlets. One in the cabin, and one in the galley.



Got the license plate light wired up. The red lights will flash with their respective turn signals, and also light up with the brake lights.





Relocated my "back-up" lights to the underside of the trailer.



Installed a plexiglass rear window. Was going to make a sliding window, but that'll be a project for another day. I'm pretty happy with how the fixed window turned out. I had to make it from two pieces of plexiglass, so there is a visible joint in the middle, but it should be fine since its tucked under the roof edge.





Then I started on the screen roof. Put down some weatherstrip first.

Carefully stapled the 48" wide screen into place.



And finished with some white polystyrene trim.





Next task was the vinyl top. I hit up Joann Fabrics and they were having a 50% off grand opening sale, so instead of just saving money on the vinyl, I decided to get two colors for two tops. The one below is "walnut brown" and the other top is white. After installing the snap screw studs, I laid out and positioned the vinyl roof, and started installing snaps a few at a time.











And finally I made the covers for the dog door/air conditioner openings.



Around 10:30 last night, after all that was done, I cleaned up the garage a bit and hitched her up to my Outback. I've been wanting to try her out on the road, so I'm gonna tow it around for a day or two. I was a little concerned about the clearance around my tires, but so far there hasn't been any rubbing. I even purposely drove on a couple of the rougher streets in Hanover on my way home last night. I really want to get her weighed sometime too, before I have it packed with my gear.

I still have a few things to do yet before she's "finished", but I'm getting closer every day! Still need to make the white vinyl top, install the fan, make the removable fan cover, install hatch supports, install the auxiliary stereo inputs, finish the galley floor, cut carpet squares for the cabin, and I'm sure a few other things.