i just found a vintage starheim teardrop and know nothing

[fleshnugget]

good morning all and happy independence day. i’ve recently acquired a teardrop made by a company called starheim out of seattle. i am new to this world and was hoping someone would be able to give me some information on it (date, value, etc) really looking forward to using it and learning from y’all. thanks so much in advance.

[fleshnugget]

more photos

[mountainminded]

Welcome! I build reproductions of the 1947 Kit Kamper and your trailer appears to be a “newer” made clone of that iconic teardrop. Many of the proportions are very similar, and although your galley layout has been simplified the cabin interior is true to the original. The fenders are modern but the A-frame tongue style as well as the axle spacing are much like the original ‘47 Kit. This trailer may have been built for only a short time which will make builder info hard to locate. It looks like there is lots of good trailer there. It should clean up nicely and be towable by just about any car. Have fun with it!

And just found this from 2001:

“Ron [Starheim of Seattle] builds teardrop trailers, modeled after a 1939 trailer Ron bought from a farmer. “

The full story is here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/teardrop-t ... -fibrosis/

[fleshnugget]

how fantastic! what a great place to start! thank you so much. i’ve been cleaning it up, took the wheels off and inspected the hubs, etc. one wheel looks much older than the other and the newer one has a made in china sticker on the inside of the hubcap. a lot of the hardware looks older than, say, the trim around the windows.

[fleshnugget]

more photos

[mountainminded]

a lot of the hardware looks older than, say, the trim around the windows.

All of the hardware used on your trailer is still readily available. Here is your door latch should you choose to replace it with a new one (both a left and a right are made):

https://www.mooreindhardware.com/hardwa ... k-locking/

Frank Bear at Vintage Technologies also sells this style latch as a set complete with handles:

https://www.teardroptrailerparts.com/do ... -kits.html

[fleshnugget]

thank you so much for the information! would you have any idea what the trailer is worth?

[fleshnugget]

morning all. was wondering if anyone would be willing to give their opinion on the value of this trailer. i’ve tried to come up with something on my own, but i just don’t know. i’m in the process of purchasing it from a family member and we’re both stumped. thanks so much in advance.

[DJ Davis]

If no one really knows what the original builder sold them for, depending on what the family member paid for it, and it's not in horrible condition, I'd say start with an offer of $1500 - $2000 and go from there.

[fleshnugget]

thanks so much! it’s in good condition except the rear plywood sidewalls are separating a bit from water damage. it doesn’t seal properly. probably going to be used only in fair weather. i believe the link that mountainminded was kind enough to post said a new one was valued at $5800 in the early 2000’s iifc. he paid $3000 about 12 years ago.

[kstarheim]

Hello - This teardrop was made by my late father. He was someone who wanted to always build something and create something new. He started that business around 2008 I believe and really tried to make a go of it for a while but life has a way of throwing curveballs at you He was so proud of these trailers and always promised me he would make on just for me

I don't know the value, I'm sorry. to me it's priceless If you ever decide to sell, please reach out to me

[robfisher]

Welcome! I build reproductions of the 1947 Kit Kamper and your trailer appears to be a “newer” made clone of that iconic teardrop. Many of the proportions are very similar, and although your galley layout has been simplified the cabin interior is true to the original. The fenders are modern but the A-frame tongue style as well as the axle spacing are much like the original ‘47 Kit. This trailer may have been built for only a short time which will make builder info hard to locate. It looks like there is lots of good trailer there. It should clean up nicely and be towable by just about any car. Have fun with it!

And just found this from 2001:

“Ron [Starheim of Seattle] builds teardrop trailers, modeled after a 1939 trailer Ron bought from a farmer. “

The full story is here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/teardrop-t ... -fibrosis/

Some ;tile known history.

If Ron Starheim modeled this from a 1939 trailer it may have been a Mighty Nite, a very obscure predecessor of the Kit Kamper. I've only seen one in all my travels. The company curtailed building during the war and never produced again. After the war Kit manufacturing bought all the parts and pieces Mighty Nite had left over and the Kit Kamper was born,

A very interesting fact about the Mighty Nite that I've never noted in a Kit Kamper is a strange wheelbase arraignment. One side of the trailer has an approximately 2" shorter wheelbase than the other. This was because they used a split axle system that was tool long to fit as desired, so one side was mounted behind the other. It worked fine.

Rob

[lauwawatson]

a lot of the hardware looks older than, say, the trim around the windows.

All of the hardware used on your trailer is still readily available. Here is your door latch should you choose to replace it with a new one (both a left and a right are made):

:https://www.mooreindhardware.com/hardware/70-lbs-zinc-plated-steel-left-hand-56-cab-lock-locking/

Frank Bear at Vintage Technologies also sells this style latch as a set complete with handles:

:https://www.teardroptrailerparts.com/door-handles---latch-kits.html

Will have a look.