Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Arne wrote:just my opinion... most of these frames are way over built for a tear. The body of a tear is a rigid box... I like 2bits the best... I did it differently because of the way I mounted my axle.

Most of these frames weigh 200# more than they have to.

now that i have built mine and put the base deck on it i defiantly wish i used some thinner stock but ill remember that for the next build

I am modifying an old camper frame. Not sure I will save much money, but I like reusing stuff whenever possible. Plus without getting this frame I am not sure when I would have built one myself. I have been slowly working on it between other projects, so atleast I am making some progress.

Dan

I've used Al-ko caravan chassis for the first two builds. They have a variable beam, and come with brakes fitted to. They're prity easy to shorten.

This is the first one. The sections are probably a bit bigger than they need to be.



The second one was much lighter than the first, as it came from a little 2 berth Leda caravan built in the late 80's.



The current build is going to have a Trophy caravan chassis . They're a little different to the alko , and don't have the variable beam.

#1 Harbor freight 40 x 48 with extended new tongue.

#2 cannabilized parts off of a HF 4 x8 that was bent and semi custom made the frame using 2 dock handrails.

#3 Northern 5x8 flatbed. Just sawed off the side rails

#4 reused #1's 40 x48 HF frame

I'm using the frame off of an old pop-up camper that water got into and ruined the canvas. Ruined a lot of the wood too. It is very heavy duty and should work great. It has allowed me to go a little wider and a little longer.

Starting on my teardrop chassis later this month.

"Custom, had it built" was where I cast my vote in this poll, but I will be doing everything but the actual welding itself. I may do some welding, but only as a welding student. I'll be doing the rest of the fabrication myself although I have yet to choose the tubing dimensions and wall thicknesses.

Old boat trailer center beam had to add 2x4's and a part from an aluminum palot that I found across the front for added support.

put on new wheels, tires, tong hitch, and paint


here is what I did to make sides and front more stable.


then rest of body went on that

ending in pictures to your left.

Ron

Similar to jackdaw I canibalised an old rotten caravan and shortened the chassis. Fortunately its all bolted together so not that tricky. Plus gonna recycle some of the appliances and sell the ones I dont want.

Cant move the tongue back because of the axle beam so will have a long tongue but that the great thing about building yourself you modify to suit whats available and your skills and requirements.

I voted built it myself, although my son-on-law did practically all of the welding. I did design the chassis. I bought and cut all of the steel and laid up the frame for welding. I learned a little about welding and welded on the torsion axle mounts that I made from angle stock.

My new build will also have my own home-built frame with the same Dexter torsion axle. This frame will be practically the same as the first one, just foot longer. I could have one built for about twice the cost of building one, but it would be of angle steel construction, not tubular steel. So, for half the price I'll have a stronger trailer.