The Box Kite

[Ron Dickey]

****** Starting Over 9/1*****
only a floor so far but Tar did not dry on the new one I will do that last ..... It has been a month and still wet ... I found it dryed

9/2...Time to shut up and just do it while it is safe. I will only make a peep if I am stuck.


The first floor I will keep seal the top and lay it outside in the sun till dry. maybe use it for a utlity trailer.
I figured you can have several trailers they have no motor so they are cheep to own. if you have space to keep them.


This page maybe edited as improvements come.
Lumber floor will be 3/4 oak plywood a base frame made of 2x4's
will be mounted under this floor while on the top side of the floor on each side
I will attach 1x2 strips for the base of the side walls (am uncertain as to wether on edge or flat... I could use 1"by 1 ").
The 2x4's are kiln dryed pine (interesting how much lighter then wet).
sides on outside will be 1/4 or 1/8 oak attached to the 1x2's
and inside side will be a skin of 1/4 or 1/8 Oak or burch.
Laun 1/4 or 1/8 plywood (said to be water risistent and bend more ezly) will take the curve of the front.
This Laun will be attached for the sides and top.
Short wood strips(ribbing) attatching the sides at about 1 foot intervols
around the curve (or half curve [lower halfe] and along the top (open square box at the back)

I will need to design tenting for the rear or buy a Suv tent open in back.
At the back A floor will swing down and become a back deck with stands under it. while the over head may be a PCV or aluminum pipe frame with canvas hanging between. this will open first in the rear.
sidedoors may be purchaced like the ones on Dave K. from Morro Bay
otherwise cut out plywood from where door goes.
The galley will be planed and designed much later and attached,
possibley to a swing out like a tire gate on a suv or slide from inside one on right one on left shortening the overall length.
electrical wiring will be installed in piping in the roof and through the hollow walls.
As for the insides still dreaming.
(You can get regular size light bulbes that are 12 volts)
I am thinking of installing DC plugs, or cigarette lighter plugs,
this way I can put an inverter anywhere in the system.
where most things would go for easy removal / updated much later.newer lights/ music / TV.
I could put camper legs on the trailer body and remove it from the truck,
so I can use the side doors.
Andrew offered a new design for hoysting it out. I am looking at a possible
unit operating much like a extension bar crane works using a wench.

past info on trailer w/drawing
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=2019

[wa_flyfisher]

If I read your post right, you are looking for a tent to attach to your "Box Kite" You may want to take a look at something like this
Tent

That was the first one that came to mind.

[Ron Dickey]

thanks wa-flyfisher,

I may have to do that until I make one. My wife is a very good seamstrus
and it may take years to make one when we do it will look like this.

http://www.teardrops.net/3rddgofts/
see 12 and 13

the Tvan offers one that it carries in the hatch.

[wa_flyfisher]

Well having a wife that sews good is a bonus. Here is something else that you may want to look at for ideas.

Privacy

[Ron Dickey]

After watching the T&TTT forum and researching what is out there.
And taking long confusing walks in Home Depot, Ace hardware, Harbor Fraight ... etc.

I have assembled many bookmarks and have began printing out my favorites. I have a picture board of the things I like and want, on my garage wall

after many honey do's as we men call them.
While sitting drawing the out side over and over and over.
I found a teadrop was not totally what I wanted,
I wanted to create and implement my own ideas and inventiveness.
I rember someone saying slide outs are not hard to make,
however it I do one it will be added later..

The galley may become is becoming a slide out
like those entertainment center doors that swing open and slide out of site. It would be split in the middle sliding out then swing open inside tent.
After finishing the TTT Floor ...

The first part of this step is to cut the sides out in cardboard in full size,
using as a template for the real ones.
The floor is 3/4 oak plywood with tar or on the bottom,


it could all change quickly as new ideas come my way.

Ron D.

[Ron Dickey]

As I work more and more on the design:
I need to save more cerial box cardboard for next level of ttt design.

The wife asked me if we could stand in it. I said no then thought ....
well she is only 4 ft 10 maybe she could.
I am close to 6 foot but I could neal at that hight.
I need to work on dementions.
less then 5 foot high. On a 4x8 floor.

Storage in the rounded nose.
will buy a tent like one descused above
and build an attached one later.

Wood will mostly be oak, Decl screws
and glues I am using garila and titebondIII for outside (water proof) and titebondII for inside.
I have a better ideas now from the forum under constuction tips and electical.
There are so many plans out there I hope to find one that will take me to the next level.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=te ... gle+Search

we have a apolstery supply strore near buy where
I can get some stiff foam bedding to build a cover fore.
Ron D.

[Ron Dickey]

tent for rear will be the last thing I do.

http://www.napierenterprises.com/tent_d ... 3Fpage%3D1

http://www.tentsontrucks.com/dometogo.htm

another idea is
http://www.kamparoo.com

Ron

[Ron Dickey]

I find simple questions have 10000 answers.
after much thought many drawings and not a lot of money
I will be doing little bits at a time.

1. The kitchen (Galley) will be built last it will not be attached.
2. After I finish The Box Kite I will start looking for an SUV tent
(open on one side for back of truck) If cost is to high I will make one.
3. May take me years to build,
but I should have something to sleep in by the end of 2005.
4. Frame support is 2x4 with flooring attached on the bottom
making floor stiffer and help it slide better going on or off
trailer/truck bed.
5. The walls will be framed and have 1/8th oak plywood on each wall
styrafoam or buble wrap insolated hoping to cut some weight
making up for heavy bottom.
6. Roof maybe wood as I get braver aluminium
(but I may make it waterproof canvas at first)
7. The front of The Box Kite
will have a lower arch then flat pc going up and back
the arch will be aluminum
and might carry over to angled front and onto the roof.
8. Electrical, inside looks, lighting, and door designs
are unknown at this time.
9. Now that the flooring frame are built
I will cut cardboard sides (as a test)
creating templates for front, top, and side walls.

There are so many wonderful sites to go to and look at, a wonderful thing to see.

So which of you is writing the book call "teardrop builders manual".

We need a Teardop historical society
Telling the world about teardrop history, recovery of old lost tears and the future of a teardrop museum workshop.

Ron D.

[Ron Dickey]

Expence Page money total spent at bottom to date.

Today 4/9/05
I spent $16.89 toward my future as an inside sleeper.
I got 5 kilned 2x4x92" boards
to build the frame that will go under the plywood for the flooring. for extra support.
Date 05/04/05
I spent $46. with tax
baught on sheet of 4x8 3/4" Oak Plywood sheet for the floor
5/26/05 for $12.27

I got Tite Bond II Glue (water resistant) , 2 " Deck Mate Premium all purpose exterior screws coated with Evercote (will not rust or stain)
6/2/05 sent 2.03
bought some 5/16 wood plugs
to go in the middle of each joint wo even if the screws let loose the joint will hold
6/24/05 I bought some more Glue Tile Bond III it is water proof to attach the woodframe to the plywood, the frame will be on the down side (where it can get wet. $6.00
7/6/05 lost my small bottle of Garilla Glue bought a new one
$8.66 med. size
7/23/05
after reading what others had coated they're T or TTT underside with
I found Mike was right Liquid asphalt is the cheapest.
1 quart
$2.99
2 rolles electrical tape
$1.00
8/1 baught a new level one I can sight at a right angle to see if it is verically level I creating a tool cost section it will have many more uses but may come with me to level the camper at camp. ($20)

Running total As of Tinny trailer supplies 7/23/05
$75.96 including or not including tax

Tools (new toys ) for this job, to be carried over to many others
8/1/05
$19.96 (tax may be in there or not.)

The Box Kite body will ride in the back of my truck until a trailer is found.
The floor is very heavy now.
I will have to build a frame so "The Boxkite" can ride over the wheels of the truck, using old wood that has been siting around.

Glues I am using for now Garilla Glue, Tite bond III both water proof and titebond II water residtant

I cut the ends of the 2x4s into lap joints the simplest cut.
The bottom suport frame is complete but a little rough. I found some one who will save me a small bag of saw dust. I made a mixture of sawdust and glue to fill in the poor joint cracks and short ends st corners
.
Then after it drys I will sand it then apply water proof glue and many screws completing the bond. 7/6/05 This part is now done.

I plan to attach the walls to this frame and the flooring between the walls.
I am taking my first baby steps
now if I just do not take a wrong turn
Mike you did a lot to help me get started

I will edit this as things change, if it is something MAJOR I will ad a new reply and bring it to the top.

Getting ready for wires and walls (trailer/truck bed still being reseached).

[Ron Dickey]

5-28-2005
I set up two saw horses and layed my 3/4 plywood sheet bottom side up on top, with help from my wife.
I called my Freind Erick and will go to his house Sunday to cut my lumber
2- 2x4x8's will be cut half depth cuts both ends and center
3 - 2x4x4's
when I am done will have a 4' x 8' frame to glue to the plywood sheet

I used lap joints with a 5/15 wood plug in the middle of each joint
after the glue dryed, and after some small repairs, it will be ready
to glue to the plywood and screw the 2x4's one screw every 6 or 12 inches and into the plywood.
I am thinking of placing screwing metal L pieces on sides of 8 footers between cross joints to add stength to the floor. so when it is removed or placed on the pickup bed I am less likely to crack the wood frame.

It felt good to finally get to a point where I can get started.

I have many projects to finish around the house.
So as I am working this will give me insentive to finish many other projects on my Honey - do list.
I listed them once it was 2 pages long one per line.
This is much more fun to do. Soon people will come from all around to see my trailer
and that will give me insentive to get the other stuff done
after I come back from a good relaxing camping trip.

[Ron Dickey]

There is a Tingle down my back as the fist bits of glue are drying on the beginning of a long but what I hope will be a fun project.

[Ron Dickey]

Starting Date of building
4/9/05
Each entry starts with
Starting or completion dates of as sections are completed.

4/9/05 bought first wood for bottom frame.
5/28/05 Did first cuts and cut out lap joints for frame.
I think I glued that day or the next.
7/6/05 floor and frame now attached.
7/24/05 will start appling liquid asphalt to bottom of floor
up to this time I have been sanding and filling cracks and crevases
with tite bond III the tar should keep the cat from sharpening her claws on the 2x4's
Many more questions to ask.
9/01/2005

Thought I was starting over from the start God D..... Tar would not dry for over a month
there is light at the end of this tunel.
as they say in the forum measure twice cut once.
I will have to think twice ....

[Ron Dickey]

Hey Dean can you make an emoticon that show a guy Kicking him self in the rear end.
or a ugly catterpiller turning into a butterfly
I need a rebirth my box kite crashed and burned. (so to speak)

Maybe it was ment to be. things happen in 3 lost my car, my trailer beginnings oh know I know there was a 3rd one. what next?!!

Well it felt like I had crashed and burned .... But I have said to much it is time to just work and get it done. My prayer were answered strangly ...

I will barrow a digital camera as I get it where I have something to show off.
or have a question that my confusing words might botch.

[Chris C]

What in the world happened Ron? Don't just leave us hanging here.

[Ron Dickey]

What in the world happened Ron? Don't just leave us hanging here.

I just went to move the thing out side and it is dry
the cat did it I am back on course ....
We always put the cat in the garage when we leave she got a costly bite once and so she stays in now.
We put a fan on in there to keep the air ciculating and I had put the floor up on end all stickey(not even thinking that the fan might dry the tar).
My wife looked at me when I said I don't beleave it it is dry she said it is the fan blowing on it every day while I did research and retruned calls to the insurance comanys(a Kid ran into my parked car tossed it in the air and left[but returned to admit this crime] with his Dodge Ram Truck). they cut me a check and let me keep my wreck to sell to a junk yard or for parts.
So now I have some money to save toward a better car that can pull a Trailer oneday and gets better gasmilage then the truck. and The wife still drives the Pruis(to which I think we had better start locking the stearing wheel to Gas is now over $3 for Reg.)
So I have a check a dry tear and Last month my mother had her 4th pacmaker put in (which would have been the 3 thing (I hope )

I hope nun of our people live in New Orleans now. Here we live about 100 ft above sealevel and our dangers are flash fluds, Nasomi's, and earthquakes. I pray for those in harms way. Bad things happen to us all but little is worse then that. From having a home to homeless and out of a job in a flash.

So I have a foundation to build my trailer on.... after all.
I guess this is a kind a rebirth.