Holy crap....3 years

[rhltechie]

wow, so apparently it has been 3 years since I have been here! 3 years since I abandoned my TD project

No excuses here, but damn its been a rough 3 years. job loss, job found, broken neck after a stupid dive into a pool....6 months in a neck collar, neck spinal fusion....totaled jeep, knee surgery because of accident....WOW!! haha I'm still here though and REALLY want to finish my TD.

I feel like I need a kick start though....just curious. do any of you guys own the website http://www.theteardroppers.com ? For $399 it appears as though dude sends you what I have always considered the worst part of the build. ha. Just curious if one of you guys are the owner of this and what you thought about it. I really want to get back to making my dream on wheels now that I am healthy again!!

When you guys said "it's TD time" I never imagined it would be 5 years in the making!! haha.

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome back, you sure have bad luck. But you are back and ready to go and that's what counts. I have never seen the link you provided. I did take a look, and I guess it's OK if that is the size and style you want. It would give you a good start but it does not include much. Depending on your skill level it could be a good thing. Personally I build all mine from scratch but I have an advantage being a cabinet maker. The actual wood cost, for what they supply is only about 150.00-200.00 dollars. But I can see a value in having the basic shape done. It may be a good idea to figure out all the other parts costs. You need to see where you will end up. Doors, windows, roof, skin or finish, galley hinge, cabinets, fan-vent and so on. Let us know if you go this route how it worked out and if you are happy with the decision. Good luck!

[rhltechie]

Welcome back, you sure have bad luck. But you are back and ready to go and that's what counts. I have never seen the link you provided. I did take a look, and I guess it's OK if that is the size and style you want. It would give you a good start but it does not include much. Depending on your skill level it could be a good thing. Personally I build all mine from scratch but I have an advantage being a cabinet maker. The actual wood cost, for what they supply is only about 150.00-200.00 dollars. But I can see a value in having the basic shape done. It may be a good idea to figure out all the other parts costs. You need to see where you will end up. Doors, windows, roof, skin or finish, galley hinge, cabinets, fan-vent and so on. Let us know if you go this route how it worked out and if you are happy with the decision. Good luck!

Dude, do I know....I like to see it like this, I am extremely lucky! I could be dead or paralyzed from the crack of my C5. so, just try to stay positive!

You have a serious advantage...haha. I am very computer savvy, as thats my career but building things hasnt always been my strong point. I managed to get the floor framed, built and attached to my trailer but I was so intimidated by the walls, doors and hatch that I just quit. I'm determined to finish it, one way or another! I actually like this shape very much, so thats not an issue with me. Thanks for your reply...much appreciated!!

[Woodbutcher]

OK, you are a glass half full girl, that's good! I am at a disadvantage too. I am to computers what you are to woodworking. I just got a Mac and I'm trying to re learn stuff I barely knew on a Windows machine.

If I read your post right you still have the trailer and the floor, right? If so will the kit they provide work with that exact floor size? Because the hatch looks like it is a specific size and modifying it's width could cause you headaches. If you go for the kit I would contact the company a verify it will fit. Will they allow you to see the directions on how to attach the walls to the floor. Also what style galley hinge is it set up for? It it flush with the roof or an offset? I did a build journal on 2 of mine that may show you some details and "how to do" a few things. If you are interested let me know. Have fun making sawdust!

[rhltechie]

OK, you are a glass half full girl, that's good! I am at a disadvantage too. I am to computers what you are to woodworking. I just got a Mac and I'm trying to re learn stuff I barely knew on a Windows machine.

If I read your post right you still have the trailer and the floor, right? If so will the kit they provide work with that exact floor size? Because the hatch looks like it is a specific size and modifying it's width could cause you headaches. If you go for the kit I would contact the company a verify it will fit. Will they allow you to see the directions on how to attach the walls to the floor. Also what style galley hinge is it set up for? It it flush with the roof or an offset? I did a build journal on 2 of mine that may show you some details and "how to do" a few things. If you are interested let me know. Have fun making sawdust!

HA! I only became a half full girl after I didnt die! indeed!

Yes, I built out the floor frame for a 5x8, coated it thoroughly with epoxy, bolted it down and now it sits...haha.. You can find my build under "Tiger tamer chronicles". I was so excited for the project and then I got to a point where I just felt I sucked so bad I did not want to continue. but, i'm back and realllllly want it! I had considered scrapping the whole thing and trying to buy a complete one, but they are seriously expensive and i really want it to be *mostly* my work... something to be proud of. I will take a look at your builds. When I first started I made an outline of 1/8" wood that I would make the walls, it wasn't the same shape as the website, but I like both. I did email the company to see what the deal was. My trailer and frame are a little different than what is suggested with some right angle iron oddness. After shipping it does seem like a lot of money for something I could do myself.....just not sure I could complete it in a way to build!

again...thanks for your replies!

[Fenlason]

Hello Mandy.. Welcome back.

Wow! It sounds like you have had a real challenging time. I am sorry to hear of it all but glad to hear you are ok... and moving forward. Good luck with your trailer...

[suckerpunched]

rhitechie,
Get back in saddle and build it as health and finances affords....it will be the proud moment when you first camp and someone comes up and asks....what the hell is that???....mine is no prize winner, but I love camping in it....still finishing it after three years....???? more to go,,,,but I'm camping....Use the wealth of knowledge on this site.....if you are good on the computer there are many websites that can help.....don't have to spend alot if you're good at scroungin parts online or at the junkyards...
Hang in there,,,

[mezmo]

Hi rhltechie/Mandy - or should we call you "Pauline" - from the old 'Perils of Pauline' fame ?

Good to hear you have overcome some serious, possibly life-altering, situations !

Compared to all that, completing your TD shouldn't even faze you.

I looked at that website you were asking about. I would check them out a bit
further before you possibly deal with them. I'd just like to know where they are
physically located at the outset for one thing [It looks like out west from the
background scenery.] and what the specifics of what's in the kit - e.g., are the
plywood sides 3/4inch or what ? [looks to be, but get confirmation.] More
details mainly.

If this would fit your needs, it might not be a bad deal as a lot of the hard/intensive
wall details seem to be done for you - and those are what you said stymied you earlier on.
If you don't have a lot of woodworking tools, building space or the ability to transport
large heavy sheets of plywood, it may be worth it. Their price of $399 plus $99 shipping
is right at the decision point of it being worth it for me, if this was the style & profile
[single-wall 3/4inch, with no insulation <that could be added later perhaps>] I'd be satisfied
with, and if they are legit [just double-check them]. The materials they do supply per their kit
are probably worth $125 - $150 [depending on the type of wood]. What they're mainly
selling is; their doing the lay-out and cutting work [with CNC precision] for the most
difficult sidewall and hatch parts for you, and the How-To-Complete information.
That is saving a lot of work depending on your time-line etc.. You just have to decide
how valuable that is to you - like I said, for me, its right at the point of it being worth it.
If it was more, I would pass myself. The $99 shipping isn't really out of line, as shipping
costs for large sized heavier items generally seem to start about that amount.

Also, if you decide to use them, get the door "cutouts" regardless if you use a prebuilt
door. They'd be useful as material for other parts of the build. Also, confirm the width,
as it looks like a 5wide, and if the is what you want - good - but if it is a 4wide and you
want a 5wide then there is a problem, since they supply the hatch frame, you need that
information. That's not clear to me from what's on the website. Also, what they are
selling are components. You'd just use them in building your own TD - plenty of room to
make it your own. Who cares who cuts out the sides ? It won't matter at all when you
are camping in it.

Just some thoughts on the situation, since you asked for comments.
Good luck as you resume the build.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[nevadatear]

I have a cousin in the 909 area code. It is the LA area.

[les45]

Just my 2 cents: It looks to me like all the rest of the work to build a conventional teardrop is just as challenging, if not moreso, than cutting the sidewalls and hatch ribs. The thing that intimidated me most was the skinning and hatch installation dealing with curved surfaces. That is why I went the flat route with a weekender. Ended up with all the same benefits (including the public curiosity) of accomplishment and camping fun. Think about it.

[pete42]

Mandy! mandy! mandy! only fools dive into swiming pools and break their necks...........How do I know?
because I tried to dive thru an intertube floating in a swimming pool way back in 1955 and broke my neck

I wasn't about to be out done by my brother who broke his neck two years earlier trying to jump a ramp with his bike.
my neck doesn't bother me while my brother's does bother him strange thing is we were both 13 and it was within a day of being two years apart.

only one knee operation I've had four and need another.

Welcome back and try to be safe we don't want to read about you loseing a finger to some ol' saw.

[nevadatear]

Like me

[Shadow Catcher]

there are plans available, and it is no more difficult than sewing, or cooking or any number of other endeavors. There are may here willing to help with advice and point you in a direction.
And I can't resist, the Holy crap, only from cows in India.

[S. Heisley]

Ya see, Mandy? Some of your old friends are still on the forum. Welcome back. It would have been nice to read that your adventures were good ones, while you were away, and not ones that landed you in the hospital and emptied your bank account before you could even fill it, though. That's not fun for anybody.

Now, get'er done and get to campin'! Seriously, do what you can and we'll be watching and cheering you on.

[Steve_Cox]

Hey Mandy,

Nice to see you back again.