Can anyone ID my Tear Drop

[Dave K]

Can anyone help me ID my TD project. Would like to know the maker and approximate year of manufacture.

Thanks for any input

[48Rob]

Hi Dave,

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know the manufacturer, it looks home built, though well done.
I would put the vintage in the early to mid 40's

Rob

[robfisher]

Looks homemade to me as well but I'm thinking mid to late 40"s. Interesting build. Would love to see more pictures. Galley, axel, suspension, wheels. Is there a date on the propane bottle? Of course that could easily be a later addition. Can you find any serial number stamped into the tongue? The hitch looks early 40's.

It's a great find. Hope you find out what it is.

[Dave K]

Thanks for the input. I orginaly assumed is was from the 1950s due to the 14" wheels. Not sure if the fenders will clear tall 16" wheels from the 40s. I think I will measure it up and see if I could clear some 16s. Would much prefer the look with 16s and bias plys.

Rebuild plans are to replace all the wood as close to orginal as possible and clean and reuse as much of the original trailer (none of the wood) intact as possible.

I will post more pictures and start a rebuild thread when I start the rebuild, hopefully this spring.

[grant whipp]

Very cool and unique teardrop, Dave! Good luck with it ... definitely worth saving ... who ever built it originally looks like they did a really good job!

CHEERS!

[robfisher]

With the added pictures I'm wanting to lean away from homebuilt. The screw placing is very precise and professional.Also the slotted screws rather than phillips head compel me to an earlier date, probably pre-war. The aluminum piecing seems very well thought out for production with little waste. The galley hinge installation shows great thought and craftsmanship. The window choices are amazing.The interior wood appears production minded. This tailer is just too professional everywhere you look to be a homebuilt. I do not ever rememeber seeing this exact shape in any plans which first made me think homemade but if it is homemade the guy had a whale of a lot of trailer savvy. Nice trailer. Great project. I'm just a little bit jealous.

[48Rob]

Rob,

I'm leaning with you...

There are several later additions/modifications, but all in all, the builder looks like a pro.
I'm still early to mid 40's though as the windows and accessories that appear original fit in that era.
I doubt that the galvanized fenders are original, and certainly not the wheels/tires.
To do such a nice job design wise, and then toss some old galvanized scraps on makes no sense.

To the OP. Are any more interior photos available?

Rob

[grant whipp]

I'm in agreement with both Robs regarding the level of craftsmanship ... definitely top notch! I can say, though, that the windows are early HEHRs that were used in production RVs through the '60s ... not sure exactly when they were first introduced, though. Since it is covered in aluminum sheet, I'm going to suggest that it was made post-1945, because (to the best of my knowledge & research) it was next to impossible to get aluminum leading up to and during WWII.

I'm looking forward to seeing this trailer restored! As always ...

CHEERS!

[Woodbutcher]

What does it say on the title? The windows and the running lights are the same type as are on my 1951 Silver Streak trailer. Glenn posted pictures on here of a 1946 small standy trailer he bought. There are pictures on here somewhere but I can't find them. The construction is very good. All air craft style rivet construction. But it turned out to be a home built. Good luck with your project. It's a nice trailer.

[robfisher]

I love a mystery!

[Dave K]

Thanks so much for the interest/input on the trailer.

Don't have a title for the trailer but lucky I am in California and it is long out of the system. I think I am going to register it as a 1947 as I like the look of the 1947 California trailer plate, they are readily available and it sounds like 47 is in the ball park. Can I just register it as a 1947 home built or will I have to come up with a manufacturer and or model name?


Would definitely like to upgrade the fenders. Any input on what would be appropriate and where to find them?

Will snap more interior pictures and hopefully kitchen pictures if I have time to clean it out this weekend.

Thanks again for the input, can't wait to get started on this project.

[SC Campbell]

Nice looking trailer. Will be watching the restoration. Check with Grant above for fenders or other parts.

SC

[grant whipp]

... Would definitely like to upgrade the fenders. Any input on what would be appropriate and where to find them? ...

Hey, Dave!

As previously mentioned, above, I have new reproduction fiberglass fenders in three vintage styles and some new original styles ... the website under my avatar is wrong (yeah, I know, I gotta fix that ) ... the correct URL is http://www.teardrops.net/teardroptrailerparts.html

Let me know if I can help with anything! Continued Good luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!

[robfisher]

What does it say on the hitch?

[Dave K]

What does it say on the hitch?

Hitch says "S20 Malleable"



Has two sets of numbers on the forward frame.





How do I know which one is the VIN?

Spent the whole weekend working on our house (as always) so no time to clean out the gally or interior to take pictures. Hopefully soon.

This trailer is out of the system and probably home built. Does anyone know if I can regester it as a 1947 home built or do I have to make up a company name and model?