Tear build without a plan

[91kuhndog]

OK, I'm going to jump into this build blind! Well, not completely. I'm going to build this tear using no real plans but rather I think I'm just going to wing it! I'm going to make a lot of changes to the classic Benroy plans Mike put on here back in 2007.. then whatever happens, happens. The jist of this build is to get familiar with assembly concepts and to get all the small details worked out. FOr the few I've met on here, I'm planning on building a 5x11 with a cargo rack on the front and an elaborate kitchen for tailgating. This one is a practice to that

I went this morning to pick up a 4x8 utility trailer from a friend who was tired of it sitting in his yard... the price was right because I got a load of trash to go with it; all for the amazing price of free! Two hours later, I had it cleaned out, stripped to the frame rails, and ready to start some fabrication.

[91kuhndog]

free trash with free trailer

[91kuhndog]

A few more pix... sorry ,I'm still working on the reduction of the pix. New to forums too, just trying to figure all this photo attachment and captioning stuff out.

[GuyllFyre]

I also am "working without a plan" but the plan is in my head and once it works, will be transferred to paper.

There's also a plan for a second but my first is a "cheap, quick, and dirty" build to be campable by May 4th.

I'm working from a simplified Benroy type profile, going without full galley and instead going to put in a tailgate.

Nice find on the trailer! Mine also is "free" since I inherited it from my dad, who got it from his, but I'm putting nearly $300 in new parts into it to get it set up for my car.

I'm going to keep a running tally on the costs just to get an idea.

[Woodbutcher]

All 3 of mine were not an elaborate plan. The most I did was a full size profile on 1/4" plywood. I drew in all the important stuff on the profile template. I worked well.

[len19070]

Plans, we don't need no stinkin Plans!

I've built quite a few with little more than a sketch on a piece of paper.

After doing it like this for so many years....the truth is, I probably couldn't use or read a plan!



http://s26.beta.photobucket.com/user/le ... 20trailers

Happy Trails

Len

[91kuhndog]

Thanks Len.. you're right. I build BBQ smokers and custom trailer, all without plans. But that is my comfort zone and this is new, I tihnk that's what draws me to this idea. I can adlib a lot when I'm welding and fabricating or even doing woodworking for that matter, but to take on a project like a teardrop "cold turkey" can be a bit intimidating.

AND... Woodbutcher, I've sat & looked at your builds, you do great work! If I can get this first one done, which I'll & more than likely sell, I'm already planning on a much larger teardrop 5x12 or so.... with a rack to carry the golf cart and a small smoker. I've drawn the plans up for that one & have a lot of parts in the shed but I want ot start small to help me understand basic TD building concepts.

OH... and by the way, my daughter has allready named the bigger TD I'm planning to build next year.... you ready for this? She's called it the "Taj Ma-tear"

And oh yeah, BTW, I did pick up more steel this afternoon and plan on making sparks tomorrow afternoon! Pix to follow!

[KCStudly]

The best way to build an inexpensive camper is to not keep track.

[len19070]

The best way to build an inexpensive camper is to not keep track.

[Oldragbaggers]

OK, I'm going to jump into this build blind! Well, not completely. I'm going to build this tear using no real plans but rather I think I'm just going to wing it! I'm going to make a lot of changes to the classic Benroy plans Mike put on here back in 2007.. then whatever happens, happens.

In other words, you're going to do what most of us did!!!

All 3 of mine were not an elaborate plan. The most I did was a full size profile on 1/4" plywood. I drew in all the important stuff on the profile template. I worked well.

Same here Steve........



Of course, even that changed!!

There were a few details that I had absolutely decided on before I started. The plan I used for the rest was to think it to death, talk it to death, dream about it, agonize over it and then usually do something totally spontaneous when I actually got to it. There are a few things I wish I had done differently, but for the most part I am very happy with my choices.

[Woodbutcher]

Becky, I know what you mean. After cruising this site for a couple months I just started. Worked on it when I had time and then it would go back in the barn till I had more time. The hardest part was trying to pick it up again after a few weeks or months and try to remember what I was doing. More then once I said to myself, "what was I thinking , I can't remember why I did that" !

[91kuhndog]

I took off work early this afternoon so I could make sparks on the trailer.... and I did just that. We had temps here in the upper 60's this afternoon so I felt the need to take advantage of that.


All the sharpie marks I put on the trailer are now battle scars. No turning back now.


Hows this for a modified tongue tube? 3/8" thick box tubing.... over 100# on the bathroom scales. Unreal, no wonder hte guy wanted it out of the yard so bad.


Tools, got to have tools! A lot of cutting, much more to come!



The ole Wheel Horse yard tractor doing what it does best! Next weekend, I'm going to flip the axle to the tops of the leaf springs, move the spring mounts up about 2"... to get the frame deck down 4-5". Right now, it's sitting 19" above the ground. I'm also going to clean all the utility trailer bracketry from the frame. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky before next weekend & find an afternoon to bust more work out.

[PaulS]

I know this is off topic but is that a harbor freight motor on that wheel horse. I did that on mine. It now has a 13 hp was an 8 hp

[91kuhndog]

It is Paul. I still have the original Kohler K181 motor that came on it new but since I use this in parades, this powerplant made more sense. A lot more reliable than the old Kohler... even after I put a brand new K181 on it about 11 years ago.... it blew up less than 2 years later. $99, and it's into it's 9th year and gets used A LOT!

[PaulS]

Wow, I can tell that you are an out of the box thinker like me. When I did my cargo trailer it was in my head, then on graph paper, then I set the lay out up in my garage. My wife thought I was crazy. She's happy now. I did not know about this site back then. Now I have the bug to build a tear but I will not be until next year. I'm sure that you will do well with your build. Looking forward to seeing more