Offroad Teardrop - SawTooth XL

[jzbilodeau]

Jesse... Thanks for replying. I just want to make sure people are legit before handing out anything. The sides were cut from a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 plywood, it is approx 62" wide, the tires are 31", bed is about 75", 48" between inner fender wells...

Thanks for the reply! I recently drew up a 3D model in sketchup that is of a similar shape but larger than this. I also plan on running 31's so it is good to know yours are the same size so I have an idea of what it would look like. If you'd like I can post the sketchup model since you're so generous. I wouldn't mind bouncing some ideas around anyway.
Thanks again,
Jesse

[stomperxj]

Thanks for the reply! I recently drew up a 3D model in sketchup that is of a similar shape but larger than this. I also plan on running 31's so it is good to know yours are the same size so I have an idea of what it would look like. If you'd like I can post the sketchup model since you're so generous. I wouldn't mind bouncing some ideas around anyway.
Thanks again,
Jesse

Yeah start up a new thread so you can get some discussion going about your design. I'd love to see it

[stomperxj]

Small update...

Nicole and I bought a house a few months ago. Add the fact that we have had the wettest spring in years and thats whats been taking up a lot of our time. We haven't even been camping yet...

The new house:

1973 split entry, 1800 sq ft, got it at auction for super cheap but it needs a few things done to it. The most important part is there is room for a 28x32 shop in the back


Anyway... back to the trailer. Repairs have started.... I have had some cracking on some of the 1/4" skin on the radii at the front and on the hatch area. Plus some of the corners started to show some cracks too. The radii were just too tight at 6". Sanded the spots down, cleaned them out and mixed up some CPES. I put on about 3 coats on all the spots so it would soak in good. Next is paint. Hopefully in the next week or so...










Thats all for now-
Jess

[indiedog]

Well done on the house purchase Jess, sounds like you are going to be busy for a while. Interesting to see the lower floor is set into the ground. That's for thermal mass I gather to assist in the cold climate? Great to also hear how Sawtooth is fairing as it'll help us mortals with our future builds.

[DiabloBlanco]

Im new here so first of all hello to all. Love the site. Seems like alot of great people with great advise.

Congrats on the new house Jess. Thats a fun project in it self. Amazing trailer! I have bounced the idea of an off road style tear drop in my head for a while. It was awsome to see pics of yours to see size. Did you do any more additions on the inside? If you go for a v2 built i will be glued to your thread.

Take care.

[Septu]

Jess, as many many people have said... absolutely amazing build. Initially I wanted something bigger (inside kitchen, table, etc). However after seeing this, the compact size, good ground clearance, yet still very usable it's changed my mind.

Can't wait for version 2.

[JLink]

Wow what a great read. I found this thread just before lunch time today and spent the last 4 hours reading it.

I really appreciate you taking the time to document this so thoroughly. A big 2 thumbs up from me.

[silvrzuki77]

Totally awesome build and the same reason you have i am having also last two trips ruined by the weather. I been searching for the grasshopper plans on the teardrop sites and havent found it? Do you have a link or was it mostly a one off idea? I was thinking of possibly doing a coil suspension just to try something different. I think i have gone through your build 2-3 times now lol. Thanks for any help! Hope to start a build thread after it cools down a little in vegas

[stomperxj]

Im new here so first of all hello to all. Love the site. Seems like alot of great people with great advise.

Congrats on the new house Jess. Thats a fun project in it self. Amazing trailer! I have bounced the idea of an off road style tear drop in my head for a while. It was awsome to see pics of yours to see size. Did you do any more additions on the inside? If you go for a v2 built i will be glued to your thread.

Take care.

Thanks for the compliments. Nothing has been added yet. Its still under its blue tarp winter home...

Jess, as many many people have said... absolutely amazing build. Initially I wanted something bigger (inside kitchen, table, etc). However after seeing this, the compact size, good ground clearance, yet still very usable it's changed my mind.

Can't wait for version 2.

Thanks. It does work pretty well for how it was designed. The next one will be bigger though as my needs have changed. I'd like to be able to stand up to get dressed for one...

Wow what a great read. I found this thread just before lunch time today and spent the last 4 hours reading it.

I really appreciate you taking the time to document this so thoroughly. A big 2 thumbs up from me.

Thanks!

Totally awesome build and the same reason you have i am having also last two trips ruined by the weather. I been searching for the grasshopper plans on the teardrop sites and havent found it? Do you have a link or was it mostly a one off idea? I was thinking of possibly doing a coil suspension just to try something different. I think i have gone through your build 2-3 times now lol. Thanks for any help! Hope to start a build thread after it cools down a little in vegas

This design is pretty much a 1-off trailer based on the shape of a Grasshopper. The grasshopper is a foot longer, a little wider, has a fridge and sink and has no inner fender wells. PM me your email address and I can send you a PDF with overall dimensions of the Sawtooth on it-

[InvisibleOne]

Jess,
Over the last few days I've read through your thread here. Very nice job. Like others here I applaud your efforts, documentation, and design. I dig the look of this thing. Well done. Additionally, as a professional woodworker I will also comment on your newly refined skills. You have embarked on what has been a lifelong journey of mine discovering daily the science of structure craft. This has truely been an entertaining read. We have not only gotten to experience your trailer build, but your struggles, your relationships, and your recoveries. So thanks for that, its been worth the time for sure.

Given my regular use of CPES in my business (we build alot of custom doors and use it as part of our *boat varnish* prefinishing system), I know Steve at Smith Co, the mad scientist behind CPES. He also makes a filler product that accompanies the CPES called Restore-it. I recommend that product for repairing the holes in your skin, its like a bondo, but it bonds with the CPES on a molecular level, much like the CPES bonds into the fibers of the wood. Additionally, when using CPES, it's more advantages to *feed* the CPES to the wood in one coat rather than use numerous coats. The reason behind that is that after the first coat, the wood becomes sealed and additional coats will not penitrate the first. Therefore, it is more effective to flood the wood slowly letting it absorb as much of the CPES as it can possibly accept in the single application literally until the wood will no longer absorb any more. That allows for maximum penitration into the material. Then within 24 hours begin your top coat application. This continues the molecular bond of the topcoat to the wood fiber via the CPES. Steves instructions are a bit hard to follow I know, he's just a bit too smart for the rest of us. But I have had great success with the longevity of finishes by maintaining that molecular chain. Also, look into Epifans topcoats, they are boat finishing products from Holland. Very expensive, but well worth the cost in longevity. Thanks again. Carry On!