What;s your opinion of this teardrop?

[oldsmokey]

My wife and I have done a lot of camping over the years, from backpacking out west to car camping throughout the Southeast, but we've never camped in a teardrop. OK, we've never actually seen a teardrop before, but we think they're cool and we've started our research to build one. We came across the following video:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=rela ... St8OS0BBTA

First, I'd like to thank the gentleman who posted this video, if you're on this forum. Next, I'd like to hear the opinions of some of you experienced teardrop folks. What do you think of the "low-boy" trailer design? How about the indoor living features such as the sink, counter space, porta-potty, and stowable bed? Why aren't more teardrops built this way? What do you see as the pros and cons?

No wrong answers here, I'd just love to hear your opinions! Thanks.

[tac422]

Thanks for posting that video. I picked up a couple of ideas.

I've only seen a Tab once, but isn't it loosely the same idea ?

tac

[bc toys]

Let me say nice video and great job on your build now its time to enjoy it with the wife happy camping

[oldsmokey]

Thanks BC, but I can't take credit for it - I didn't build the trailer or make the video. What I want to know is what do you all think of this design? Does the low frame have any drawbacks? Is it trying to cram too much function into a small space, and would we be better off building a more conventional TD without the porta potty and kitchen sink etc?

Just looking for some informed opinions from folks that have built and camped in TD's before.

Thanks!

[les45]

If I were going to build a "standy" I would just square it up and make it even more efficient on the inside and maybe slope the front for aerodynamics while towing. It does sit awfully low and I would be concerned about it dragging and getting damaged, especially in the hilly or mountainous campgrounds where I tend to go. The smaller size of the conventional teardrop plus the hatched galley are all part of the appeal to me (even though mine isn't exactly conventional).

[CliffinGA]

I like it and how low it is and it gives me some ideas for build number2!!

Cliff

[stevem]

oldsmokey,

my wife have been on the road for 1.5 years now. That is we have been camping on weekends for that time. We decided to go with the low tech route, plug in electrical and water. No refrigerator or piped in stove. Put in a small bar sink with 5 gallon waste gas can to use on site. Happy to discuss ideas if you would like.

Stevem
[email protected]

[rowerwet]

all that stuff makes the build complex and adds time, while some may want that level of options, I just want a comfortable bed, the galley is a huge pluss. all the extras also equal heavy, I want to tow with my Focus, and others use similar small cars or really want to save on gas. I like my hard side tent, I don't want a mini RV

[DMcCam]

Hey Oldsmokey,

There are only a few drawbacks I can see about having a deck that low. The first is clearance at campgrounds. As you probably know, they can be pretty rutty and poorly maintained. The second is leveling. There have been times when it would have been easier to have a bit more clearance than we have for the tongue jack. We had to have a couple of camping buddies help lift the tongue onto some short blocks to level on a slope. Then we needed them to lift it up onto it's jack when we broke camp.

Just a few ideas to add to the barbie.

All the Best,

Dave

[oldsmokey]

Thanks everyone. I value your opinions.

[citylights]

Problems, too low to the ground, door only on one side, climb into bed from bottom, too little room above head when laying down, not much of a kitchen, not much interior storage, rear basket is a poor fix for some of these problems. All of this compared to a more classic tear.

If I wanted a standy, it would be the one...

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=743708#p743708

[KCStudly]

Mostly what Citylights said. It is scary low. Why not let it sit 6 inches higher than the TV at the roof line and suffer the minor wind drag for the added insurance over moderately rough ground, or even speed bumps?

Terry's build is epic, but a bit large for my taste. If I were to build a standy I would probably look at some of Danlott's sketchups

Or perhaps a Wild Goose lift top.

Or maybe Mike's big foamie that has since been taken over by Tac422.

Though none of these solve the problem of sleeping arrangement and easy access to exit in the night without clambering over or uncovering a partner.

Some of Big Mike's larger designs (and others, I am sure) have dual side doors in the front sleeping compartment with rear entry door in the rear where the standy/slouchie area is.

Whenever the design is small and compact there are always compromises, but my advice is to keep looking. That design is just too damn low. (No offense to the original builder... he may live in flat land like Florida where there are relatively few potholes and minimal transitions in pavement elevation.)

[riverfront]

why not a wanderer - plans in design resources.???? light weight and well thought out and will be roomier then what you are thinking about.

[bdosborn]

It is scary low. Why not let it sit 6 inches higher than the TV at the roof line and suffer the minor wind drag for the added insurance over moderately rough ground, or even speed bumps?

X2, that wouldn't even make it out of my drive way without a lot of scrapping.

Bruce

[Bogo]

Way to low to the ground. It'll never work for boondocking.

There is more than one way to get standing interior height, and low towing height.

I decided to get what I wanted I had to go with a hard sided pop up. I want standing height inside, queen bed, shower, toilet, indoor kitchen, hard sides, and winter usability. But I also want easy towing so I'm going with a hard sided pop up that has as much streamlining as reasonable. The shower and toilet must be usable without folding the bed up. Interior is 11' 2" long by 5' wide. Length dictated by keeping it short enough that 144" x 36" and 144" x 48" aluminum sheets can be used for wall construction. Kitchen counter, cabinets, etc. are done with modules that can be hung on the walls. The bed will fold into a couch along the back wall, or side wall. Haven't decided that yet. The trailer is only an inch wider than my 4Runner. For scale, the cowgirl is 5' 8.5" tall with heals and hat, and the vehicle is a '95 4Runner.

Top down. It's under 4' 6" tall sitting on 31x10.5xr15 tires, and has over 12" smooth clear ground clearance.


Top up, but the transport door panels are still in place. The top lifts 58" giving it a 78" tall interior. Door height is high because there is a 12.75" high basement area for utilities like furnace, water heater, battery bank, water tanks, etc..


I have some more images in my gallery as the design has evolved. I don't have a design thread yet as I haven't thought of what to call it.

This shows the floor layout, except the toilet is now along the front wall instead of angled in the corner. It collided with the door in it's stowed position when the top is down. Green box in the corner is the size of an Engel MT45 Refrig/Freezer. It is from an earlier stage in the design and a number of details have changed.


The disadvantage of this design is added complexity and cost. Also when raised, the trailer is narrow so it is more susceptible to side winds. I've made the design so I can make the core box first, then add the front and rear streamlining later. The utilities are also be designed for adding them in as budget allows.