It's a little over 30 days since completing my first teardrop camper build. Here I am jumping right back into the fire. I am going to build a standie canned ham camper to fit a king size bed. Cindy and I both really appreciate the luxury of a big bed. So the king bed size is the center point of this build. We also want the convenience of a commode, and a small dinette area as well. We also want an area that we could stand up in as well. So those four main features are what I've been designing the camper to accommodate.
Another big inspiration for this build was how well a salvage or junk pop up camper can be used for this size build. A salvage pop up would bring incredible economy toward filling the parts/materials list required for the this build. As I look at the donor pop up I can just hear the money saving cash register in my head. Pro built 4" C channel frame, Dexter torsion axle, spare tire and wheel, complete propane system, propane furnace and thermostat, indoor/outdoor 2 burner propane stove, 110v/12v RV power center with extra HD cord and plug, hinges, hardware, locking drawer latches, entry door lock etc. etc. and more. I paid $125.00 for a mouse and mildew ruined pop up camper that contained all those salvageable parts. I know what I paid for all those things brand new when I built the teardrop. The cost savings is astronomical in comparison. I sure like that!
So I now have 3.5 sheets of 1/4" OSB board screwed to my inside garage wall. I've been drawing out a full size template for the camper walls. It's also being used to plot locations of all other components in the build. What I have come up with is a 14' long, 7' wide, and 78" tall from the bottom of frame to roof top. I am limited to that height so I can get the body and frame out of my garage when completed. In order to build indoors I will need to remove the wheels and tires, and take out the trailer axle. The frame will have to lay flat on the garage floor. When completed I will drag it out of the garage with my truck. Then jack it up and put the axle and tires under it. From then on it will live outside. Won't clear the garage door to go back in.
I got lucky with the donor camper. It had a factory front cargo trunk to the camper body so I've got a 12' long frame to work with. Which will work out perfect for what I have planned out. Here are a couple pics of the donor and a shot of the early stage of the profile board. I have not cut the profile out all the way yet. Have some final measurements to take first. However there is enough cut out to give a good idea of the general shape I will use.
Meanwhile I plan to have many fun trips camping with the teardrop while this build is underway.