Philadelphia area fisherman with two boys

[phillyswift]

Hi Folks:

I just joined the site today and will do my best to scan all threads before asking stupid questions.

I'm in my mid-forties with two great boys who like the outdoors and fishing. We rent a little campground on a great fishing lake and we'd like a teardrop for overnights there, and maybe up in the mountains from time to time.

I'm not as handy as most of you folks, but I've done a few major projects where nobody died, so I'll give this my best. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Tim

[GRY GHST]

welcome and good luck with your future build. you will definitely find all the info you need here.

[pmowers]

Welcome phillyswift! I wish you and your boys the best of luck. BTW, that looks like a nice northern.
Pat

[Forrest747]

Well they say there are no stupid questions. Well that is false and if you do ask one we shall mock you.

Ask away I have asked many questions and its a good thing.

[phillyswift]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the welcome. @pmowers - that was my first Northern, caught in a lake that I did not know held them. That was a cool surprise.

I read threads last night and came up empty, so here goes.

The teardrop design I purchased calls for 3/4 birch plywood side walls. It looks like many designs on this board are also solid side walls. If one has solid side walls, how do you mount a fixture or switch on the side walls without tacking wire on the wall? Should I just mount all fixtures and switches on the ceiling?

Thanks

[Forrest747]

What I did was a 3/4 inch exterior with strips of 3/4 x 2 inch filled in the voids with 3/4 insulation. Avoid the white insulation its a mess to cut IMO. Then I did a 1/8 inch cherry veneer. Ran wires in the wall to house switches then up to led lights. Seen lights with the switches built in. Would make for easier wiring through the roof. Also ran front marker lights through the walls. If and when I do this again I would build the wall out of 1/2 inch birch do a cookie cutter cutout with 1/4 inch exterior and 1/8 inch interior. I would still put the switches in the wall. I like being able to just reach in and turn them on and off. I cut down 2x4 in half to make the spars and then got a deal on 3/4 inch plywood and installed it for the roof. Way more than I needed. Filled the roof with insulation making space for wires. It came in at 1600 pounds dry. Charley has a short queen bed and a small twin bed in the loft. 5 feet wide and 10 feet long. If 3 of you sleep in your trailer than a 1/2 inch inner and 1/4 inch exterior and 1/8 interior should be fine and strong enough. I like the psbreen, Robbie and the oldragbaggers builds. Learned a lot from their builds. I also fiberglassed my seams with some various success and have enjoyed the process.

[phillyswift]

Outstanding! Thank you for the ideas Forrest.

[Forrest747]

No worries. I didn't ask these questions when I started and learned a lot in the 3 years of the build. I was down and out for 18 months and so read and learned a lot and wished I had done it different and after a while will build another.
What are you pulling it with.
How many to sleep in it. From one upto 6 or more.
What materials to build out of.
Number of doors. 2 for sure.
What type of roof vent or other ventilation
Electrical 120 volts 12volts solar battery I recommend progressive dynamics jmo
Water tank or jugs or nothing
Cooler storage
Counter space or cabinets in galley
I have no clue how a screwdriver works or master cabinet maker
What camping are u planning. Fair weather only or we take this baby out on the ice and fish from the doors.
The info is here for sure and if its not ask away and a lot of ways to skin a trailer
Also apply rule number 10
Measure twice cut once and pay attention to where your and others body parts are.

[bc toys]

welcome to this great site You will do great building it and have fun with those boys they will get old and look back on it and think that was some great times with dad