A teardrop from Australia this time!
I changed a few things, like the hatch hinge (couldn’t get a long enough hurricane hinge in .au), added the sunroof, and built my own doors and tongue-box.
I also embedded some hidden magnets in the cupboard doors (in the cab) so I could hang a small projection screen. We have a 12v projector for watching a movie.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2241 http://teardropbuilder.com/?p=2241">11 Comments
Hi Ryan,
I too am in Oz and plan on tackling this baby early in the new year. Any advice or great suppliers you came across in your travels?
Many thanks
Hi BB,
I’m also using Ryan’s plans and building another Aussie Teardrop, got my door thru AJ Plastics Manufacturing ajpm.com.au. They will cost you but good company deal with. I’m in Vic so I have also had a heap of help from Traf Trailers on building the base from scratch, and parts thru Traralgon Trailers.
Hi BB,
I’m also using Ryan’s plans and building another Aussie Teardrop, got my door thru AJ Plastics Manufacturing ajpm.com.au. They will cost you but good company deal with. I’m in Vic so I have also had a heap of help from Traf Trailers on building the base from scratch, and parts thru Traralgon Trailers.
Hi Sim, nice pointer there re ajpm. I built my doors, mainly because I didn’t want to spend another AUD$1600 for a pair from the US. A simple design flaw in mine caused some serious leakage in stormy weather. Still need to rebuild them, or maybe I’ll take your advice and get replacements from ajpm.
cheers!
Hi Bea Bea, how’d you go with your teardrop? If you haven’t yet started, and you’re close by, did you want to borrow my templates?
Ryan, do you have this user’s contact info? I am interested in hearing more about his stargazer window if he DIY’d it. I MAY do that with Lexan. Or I will buy one like you put in. I would just like a little bit bigger and I also am having trouble finding ones with clear glass. So just looking at options!
Hey Peter, what can I help you with? I used suntuf polycarbonate from Bunnings.
btw, sorry I haven’t replied previously, only just now saw your msg.
Brilliant idea. What thickness did you use? Would you use a different thickness now that you’ve had it a while?
Hey Doug. I think I used 3mm. Here’s a diag (https://i.imgur.com/Lf6IKDy.jpg) showing how I put it together, plus I added another sheet of suntuf internally, mostly for added insulation.
The thinkness is perfectly fine, especially as I needed to curve it to match the teardrop shape. btw, it’s so easy to work with, probably easier than the ply.
Perfect! Huge thanks. Your drawing is exactly how I envisioned installing it.
Hi Mark and Doug, Love the stargazer window setup! .. just to let you know polycarbonate is strong but will fade/fog up over time and will scratch fairly easily. Best to go with acrylic as it doesn’t have those properties (keep in mind it is more brittle the polycarb though) 🙂 Just my two bobs worth.