Connecticut Teardrop Started

[kramergwt]

Hi everyone,
I stumbled upon the idea of building a teardrop looking for plans for the "Cubby" (Kit built version of the Piper Cub) and saw pictures of the Kuffel Creek Cubby. I got a set of their plans and have been using them as a guide and will make plenty of my own deviations. You don't see many of these on the east coast for some reason (I'm in Connecticut). It looks like most of the teardrop population is everywhere else! Would be nice if there was one near me that I could see up close. Thank God the winter has been warm and I've been able to get some pre-fabbing done so when Spring comes I can make some fast progress. Anyway, just wanted to say "Hello" as I start reading through all the material here. This is a very cool site and I've already seen a ton of great pictures and gotten some great ideas.

[working on it]

Welcome to TnTTT, the Wonderful World of Woodworking (or foaming). You're in for an adventure if you're inexperienced with working with any or all of the following: wood (plywood,osb, and dimensioned wood), aluminum (sheet and trim), foam (structural and insulating), canvas, adhesives and glues, bolts and screws, paints and sealers (mind boggling choices here), windows and vents, miscellaneous hardware of all descriptions, trailers (including choices such as buying or building, welded or bolted, springs or torsion axles,tire type,wheel size, bearings, spacers and adapters,frame or no frame, undercoating, tongue (type, length and weight balnce questions) , doors (build or buy, one or two, suicide or not), bedding (foam "again", conventional, or futon), electrical (12v and batteries,110v and shore power, lighting,converters and inverters, generators and/or all of the preceding), galley or no galley (opening a whole new bunch of choices: microwave or not, propane or white gas, built-in or portable cook tops, slide outs and swing outs, cabinetry and countertops, hatch props or gas springs, refrigerator or cooler or both), heating and a/c (the choices and methods are manifold), and so on and so on. And then there is the debate "Teardrop or Tiny Trailer", traditional or non-traditional, length and width and height, standy or pop up or whatever. And don't forget the COLEMAN and CAST IRON fanatics (I may catch the fever myself, someday). I came to this site myself, with a desire to just slap together a wooden box with wheels, based on teardrops and other types of small trailers I had admired as a kid. I didn't realize, even after lurking here for a while before starting my build, all the myriad ways to do this thing. Forget your plans...you will change them many times before you finish. Like building my racecar, I found that if I'd change one thing, I'd have to change four more.Forget your timetable...there's a "Twilight Zone" you're entering now, called "Teardrop Time". Abandon all hope, ye who enter here! You'll love it!

[parnold]

Kramer:

There are some of us on the east coast. We're just quieter than those that live on the wrong coast.

Welcome!

[danbrown03868]

kramergwt,

Welcome from another East Coaster in NH. I'm also working on a modified Cubby design. I still have a long way to go but should be done my mid spring... with a bit of luck.... Not sure where you are in Conn but I found a good place to get Aluminum just outside of Worcester, ma.

Check out my pics and happy building!

Dan

[kramergwt]

Thanks! Good to get in touch with some people that might have some advice as I approach some things that I'm not really sure about.

As for long slow projects, I have a Pietenpol Air Camper underway ...http://www.flyingwood.com. I hope to be done with the teardrop in the Spring so I can get back to the Pietenpol this year. Also documenting the teardrop build at http://www.flyingwood.com/teardrop.asp.
<a href="http://www.flyingwood.com">Pietenpol</a>
Thanks Dan. Looks like you are slightly ahead of me in the process. I move kinda slow. Thanks for the tip on aluminum. I live about 45 minutes from Worcester. I'll definitely check them out.

[kramergwt]

Dan, can you give me the name of the aluminum supplier near Worcester?

Also, looks like a river in the background of your profile pic. I am building this project so I can do more kayaking trips and not have to worry about tents and time spent setting up a campsite.

Thanks,
Glenn

[jonw]

Dan, can you give me the name of the aluminum supplier near Worcester?

Hi Glenn - It's not Dan but I'm the person who told him about it. The company is American Steel and Aluminum Co. in Auburn, MA. They have a pile of 5x10 sheets leftover from some job that they're looking to get rid of.

[danbrown03868]

Jon, thanks again for the aluminum info. They were really friendly and I had no problem rolling it up and fitting into the back of my Element.

Glenn,
The river in the background is the wild ammonoosuc river in Bath NH. I do a lot of gold prospecting and camp up there almost every other weekend. I kayak as well mostly in the seacoast bays.

I ordered all my hardware I couldn't get locally Friday night. Should be here tomorrow!!! I got windows T molding, hinges, power center converter and door handles and latches. I talked to Frank at teardroptrailerparts.com he was really helpful and was happy to answer all the questions I had. Also got a few things from Vintage Trailer Supply that I got in today. I'll be busy this weekend!

[kramergwt]

Jon/Dan, I just called American Steel and Aluminum and they have no idea what 5' x 10' AL I am talking about. I gave them Dan's name and they are going to look into what he bought. They asked what the thickness would be and I'm guessing 1/32" or something in that range. Can you let me know exactly what you guys bought and even the price per sheet if you care to share that. ...just to help me figure out what I should be asking for.

Looks like they're not open on weekends either. I'm in Northern NJ Monday - Friday.


Thanks,
Glenn

[mary and bob]

kramer: there's some teardrops in CT, we camped with a group a few years ago at West Thompson and Ross Hill. We are just into NY from the Mass line right by I90. We have a daughter in New London, and take our teardrop to Rocky Neck and Hamonasett State Parks. Your welcome to come over and take a look, but ours is a vintage original, not home made.

[skersfan]

Welcome and good luck on the build, if I can be of any help, just scream, I normally check the forum daily.

Out here on the (wrong coast, evil man) so no handson help. There are a lot of guys and gals on here who know their stuff, you will getr dun no question.

[jonw]

Jon/Dan, I just called American Steel and Aluminum and they have no idea what 5' x 10' AL I am talking about. I gave them Dan's name and they are going to look into what he bought. They asked what the thickness would be and I'm guessing 1/32" or something in that range. Can you let me know exactly what you guys bought and even the price per sheet if you care to share that. ...just to help me figure out what I should be asking for.

Looks like they're not open on weekends either. I'm in Northern NJ Monday - Friday.


Thanks,
Glenn

Glenn -
The name of the salesman I worked with was Bill - on the invoice he's listed as salesperson 0990. Mention my name and teardrop trailer - maybe he'll remember me. Everything was done over the phone until I actually went to pick it up. With tax I paid around $260 for two 5x10 sheets of .040 aluminum on Aug 10, 2011.

The item on the invoice: 21368 Al Sht .040x60x120 5052 H32

21368 is the item number and 5052 H32 is the type of aluminum.

[danbrown03868]

Glenn,

I got the same Al as Jon got and I think the same part number. I worked with "Ron" and just picked it up last week. I've got the number at work so I'll post it tomorrow. Got this on google tho.... 27 Elm Street Auburn, MA 01501
(508) 832-9681

Dan

[kramergwt]

Thanks guys. I'll call back with these details so we can get to the bottom of this. ...otherwise I might continue with plan "A" and skin it like a kayak with woodstrips and then build a matching kayak!

[danbrown03868]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Dan