THE Teardrop Explorer

[rebapuck]

I know how you feel about the perfect license plate. I put KAMPER on mine 23 years ago. For nearly that long, a guy has been trying to get me to turn it in so he could get it.

[TRP]

Regarding license plates for teardrops, I wasn't creative enough to come up with anything catchy, so I went the other way.

I went with the garden variety government issue:


I was really surprised when the lady at DMV didn't even bat an eyelash when I went to register it. She took the plate in back and a few minutes later she said, "Yup, checks out... you'll have your official registration arrive in the mail, have a nice day..."

[Hvysteel]

It's been a while since I've been on these forums, but I gotta say this build is looking to be fantastic!
In fact, it's been a good inspiration for me, and I've been doing some CAD work at the office trying to create a profile.

During my spare time of course

[PubUltraStar]

Still working on electrical when I can find time. Fishing wire through the conduit for the raised deck, and getting everything ready to seal the deck is challenging.

I made this wire whip with mesh cover because this is the wiring that will go outside and through the trailer tongue to the trailer connector.


This wire runs down the center 2x2 tube and exits near the front of the trailer.


The wiring enters the trailer into the raised deck through the stainless steel wire flange. I trimmed a bit of the plywood down, as I'll be permanently sealing this port with epoxy.


A washer was added to the flange so that I'd have a way to secure it to the deck. I used a circular template and filled it with epoxy just over the rim of the washer, and it sealed the wiring exit from the top.


Some leftover blue conduit was used to help protect the wire as it goes through the opening of the 2x2 framing.


Here is all the wiring mess converging on the mid-section of the raised deck.


Somewhat cleaned up, you can see that the marker light and trailer brake wiring go through the conduit to the outside edges. The top conduit has the radio remote wiring and speaker wires for Galley speakers. The middle blue conduit has power for 12V receptacle, USB outlet, and return wiring for the galley light switch. The bottom conduit has the wiring for the 110V outlet. Holes will be cut into the top deck to allow these wires to pass through, but this will be within the space of the front cabinet, so hidden.

[PubUltraStar]

I have been traveling for work, and haven't had much time to work on the teardrop, so it's been slow going. I did make a trip to Menards and picked up a sheet of insulation that will be used in my raised deck. and got a few pieces cut. I also cut the gutter pipe that will be used for the return for the AC/Heater. I'm gone again for the next week, so I'm looking at maybe a weekend coming up that I can put some time into the build.

[PubUltraStar]

Got to spend some overdue time with the teardrop today. I was also able to mow the lawn, weed wack, and take the doggies for a bike ride/run, so I'm exhausted. Waiting for the Wisconsin / Ohio State Game to come on. Here is my updated progress:

This is a modified stainless flange that the brake wiring goes through to the underside of the deck. Just like the previous wiring that exits the deck, I'm using a mesh cover.




The running light wiring will get routed through the wood.




The spare tire bracket was installed with an aluminum plate to strengthen the mount.




Weights are used to keep the air duct down while using adhesive to attach to the deck bottom.


I used expanding foam to seal the remainder of the deck.


Shaving down the excess foam with a hacksaw blade and then a surfoam, I'm almost done with the insulation. I have some additional work to do to remove excess foam, but then I'm ready to put the top deck on.

[PubUltraStar]

Tonight I installed the front piece of the top deck. I had to cut out holes for the air return gutter and wiring, which all get routed into the front cabinet.



The wiring within the conduit comes up into the front, separated by stereo, internal 12V power, 110V, and trailer wiring. I still need to test the wiring before I get too far, to ensure that they all are good. Once this is sealed, no going back really.


I'll try and get the remainder of the upper deck installed later this week. I'm looking forward to being able to put the sides up to see how everything looks.

[redmech]

Your attention to detail and quality of work is first rate. As I'm looking through your thread, and you said you were not going to paint where it would not be seen, it surprised me. Then a post or two later, you went ahead and painted it. This is a top notch build. Will make a great teardrop for sure.

Great work!!

[aggie79]

Way cool!

[PubUltraStar]

Your attention to detail and quality of work is first rate. As I'm looking through your thread, and you said you were not going to paint where it would not be seen, it surprised me. Then a post or two later, you went ahead and painted it.

I find that I change my mind all the time, or think of new ideas. I have a lot of planning into this teardrop, but still sort of winging it as I go.

Got the back half of the deck installed tonight. Cut holes for the air return and wiring that will fuel the galley. The last step will be to install a 14" section in the middle, then fill in the screw holes, which will complete the deck.



Speaker wire / Stereo Remote, 12V Power, and then 110V come to the galley under the deck through separate conduit.

[KCStudly]

... I have a lot of planning into this teardrop, but still sort of winging it as I go.

Amen to that. You are not alone.

[redmech]

I have to ask about the air duct. Will this tear have central heat and air? I haven't figured out what the plan for it is.

Thanks!!

[PubUltraStar]

I have to ask about the air duct. Will this tear have central heat and air? I haven't figured out what the plan for it is.

Yes, I plan on using a ClimateRight unit that has both A/C and Heat. The current year model only has A/C, and they advertise that the 2014 model will have both, so I'm waiting to pull the trigger. Basically the duct comes up through the deck into a small front cabinet and then out the front into the custom tongue box. There are examples of users on this site who have installed A/C, a PetCool, into their Teardrop. I don't think that is available anymore, which is why I'm probably going to go with ClimateRight. The other ones that I've seen routed their return air duct underneath the trailer. I wanted to try and make it a bit more seamless, and came up with the raised deck option. It seemed like a good plan to hide the duct and some wiring, and add some insulation. Hopefully, this helps. Otherwise, stay tuned as I continue the build, slowly but surely.

http://www.climaterightair.com/rv-trailer-air-conditioning-and-heating

Example image from ClimateRight:

[Ned B]

Incredible build to date, Can't wait to follow along and see the project through to the finish! Great job!

[pchast]

It seems amazing that they show reducers on their conduits.
that will wreak havoc on flow rates and capacity. If you go
with the system look for round hatch covers used in boats
as a possible means of providing full flows.