lets get this party started!

[copout]

Hello all. Recently joined this wonderful forum when I got interested in the idea of building a tiny or a teardrop.

My brief is pretty simple. Get off the ground! Yep gettin old and camping is losing its lustre in a nylon coffin. So after much research and deliberationover wants and needs and teardrops v camper trailers v caravans etc it is time to stick an oar in the TTT waters.

Being fully au fait with the rules of engagement on the world wide web I understand one is morally obligated to ensure all other forum members are well fed on photographic fodder and as such I promise to keep you updated once we "break ground"

Thus far the last two days AD (After Decision) have been filled with a fervor to acquire the reqisite bits to get started, albeit, with the usual comedy of errors in one finds when one engages a retired and clearly over enthusiastic father.

conversation

Me "I want to build a little caravan"

Dad " I reckon we can build one and sell it!"

Dad (again) " lets find a warehouse to rent, we can do Blah Blah Blah,,,it would cost blah blah blah..YOU need to buy Blah Blah Blah"

Me (in my head) " why did I call him....get me a drink!!!"

Anyway, not withstanding the competing ambitions we did manage the following:

Yesterday - purchase of axle, wheels, tyres, springs, hangers, coupling, jockey wheel and requisite bits

Today - purchase of mig welder and associated bits and bobs

Tomorrow - steel for chassis

I will post photos tomorrow when we apply heat to steel.

Ciao for now

Grant

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

Reading this is gonna be as much fun as looking at the pictures.

[copout]

here is my lame arsed attempt to use google sketch up

I like the design but the detail is a bit naf!

[copout]

For the record this is called the Gadabout

from dictionary.com

1. a person who moves about restlessly or aimlessly, especially from one social activity to another.

2. a person who travels often or to many different places, especially for pleasure.

[Jst83]

I like the profile

[WildTexan]

i really like the profile too.

Just remember....convincing your wife to let you build it is always the hardest step. At least for me it was.

Good Luck!

[mallymal]

Me too! Unusual twist on the old theme...

And I think at this stage, 2D drawings are plenty complicated enough - I've tried Sketchup & just can't get to grips with it.... probably cos I've spent too long using programs like Adobe Illustrator which are mainly 2D.

Cant wait to see ya start.

[honeask]

Copout,
Forget about the definition of Gadabout, I know what that is, actually I think I am one but........naf? I had to look that one up. You are gonna be a fun read, that's for sure. Have fun.

[parnold]

to the name!

I like the design also!

[wa_flyfisher]

Just "for Gadabout it"

[parnold]

Just "for Gadabout it"

<loud groan>

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Just "for Gadabout it"

<loud groan>

Gonna be a nice lookin camper!

[Woodbutcher]

Good looking design....but where does the Eskie hamper go?

[copout]

I don’t have a war ministry Wild Texan, therefore the cheque book is open!!

Not that there is much after the last one

What is an eskie hamper? Is that what we aussies call an esky? If so I have a 110 litre ice box which I use when camping that is way too big for the galley so it sits in the back of the car whilst travelling. This is it here. It will keep ice frozen for three days which is great for camping trips. You just need to be Hulk Hogan to pick it up!



It is always lighter on the way home though!

My galley needs are pretty basic. Just a gas burning stove and storage for red wine!


Thanks for this nice feedback folks. Today I got to work. That is after the old man came over to remind me that desk jockeys like me are useless and he started to put the axles together. I trotted off and made breakfast for myself!



Fired up the new mig next



A local brand. Seems to work well enough and was cheap at $300.


Steel arrived and we got stuck in and cut the main rails and front and rear cross members. Squared it up and tacked it together and threw it on the axle for a photo opportunity. I had to stop there due to the unreasonable expectations of my employer. That is they needed me to do some work!!!



The extra steel sticking out behind the rear cross member is to allow for the rear upwards curve as seen in my plan. This will need cutting and bending after I have knocked up a profile.

More to come soon

[Woodbutcher]

Yea , When we were there they called it am Esky Hamper. Over here we call it a Cooler.

Looks like you are making fast progress....You should finish by the weekend. Good luck and we will be following your progress!