Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 9:10 pm**

Hi Everyone:

Since joining the forum a few days ago I have gone through the site and have gotten so many good suggestions from a lot of the members, I now have more questions. You knew that was comming.

First let me remind you (and all who missed it in the newbies section) my "plan" is to build a TD that I can pull behind a 1930 Ford Tudor Sedan. This is an original car thus having a wopping 40 HP 4 cyl. engine. I figure a TD that is less than 1000#'s full should not present a problems for the car.

The car is not done yet, but I have included a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the car will look like. (completion hopefully is summer 2007)

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=21102

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=21101

Let me give you an overview of what I would like based on all your inputs and my needs/wants and if you could tell me if I am on track or did too many drugs in the 60's!

I'd like the 5'x10' TD but no smaller than the 5'x8'.

What I mean by "Full":

batteries: I'd like to be self contained.
propane: see above.
insulated: Cindy likes to keep warm
sink: Cindly likes to brush her teath in the morning.
2 burner stove: Cindy like a hot breakfast (served to her in her warm bed)
cooler: Cindy likes her Propell to be cold
TV: If Cindy can't watch American Idaol, she gets testy.
Pull out table: Cindy likes to dine in style.
Tools, accessories, misc.

...and anything else you need to toss into a TD to go camping!

Oh, did I mention plenty of 110 outlets so Cindy can use the microwave, hair dryer, curling iron etc???

I've been reading that most any trailer can be made light weight but like I said, would these needs be out of line?

Your asdvice as to materials to use and what styles you would recommend would be great. I really did like the shape of the cubby!

Thank you all for your input.

Bill

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 9:20 pm**

Cindy sounds "High Maintenance"... :roll:

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 9:21 pm**

Hell, I'd leave Cindy at home, get out of the house with the TD behind my really cool Model A and enjoy life!!!!!
Just kidding? The Model A has a ton of torque and shouldn't have much of a problem towing the tank that Cindy wants. I'd suggest doing a whole lot of research, planning and getting some ideas on paper before cutting the first board foot of lumber.
Most TDs look like a "Cubby" but then again, there are thousands of ideas out there and ways to build. The Generic Benroy plans above will and should help you to plan. Just knowing what you want and where to put all that stuff may be a problem. Why don't you and Cindy go for a ride in the Model A when you get it done and go to your nearest RV dealer and get a "biggen".

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 9:29 pm**

Actually , almost everything you've listed is in most of the tears. They are after all, the barest minimum of creature comforts...

Posted: **Wed May 09, 2007 9:41 pm**

Model_A Bill wrote:Hi Everyone:

Since joining the forum a few days ago I have gone through the site and have gotten so many good suggestions from a lot of the members, I now have more questions. You knew that was comming.

First let me remind you (and all who missed it in the newbies section) my "plan" is to build a TD that I can pull behind a 1930 Ford Tudor Sedan. This is an original car thus having a wopping 40 HP 4 cyl. engine. I figure a TD that is less than 1000#'s full should not present a problems for the car.

The car is not done yet, but I have included a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what the car will look like. (completion hopefully is summer 2007)

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=21102

http://tnttt.com/album_ ... c_id=21101

Let me give you an overview of what I would like based on all your inputs and my needs/wants and if you could tell me if I am on track or did too many drugs in the 60's!

I'd like the 5'x10' TD but no smaller than the 5'x8'.

You can try for 5' x 10', I think I would keep the trailer itself to 5'x8' to keep the weight down.

What I mean by "Full":

batteries: I'd like to be self contained.
propane: see above.
insulated: Cindy likes to keep warm

These things will not hurt you in the long run. Insulating and making the
walls framed with help with the weight.

sink: Cindly likes to brush her teath in the morning.

Think small or plastic. A lot of folks are using stainless bowls or pans.

2 burner stove: Cindy like a hot breakfast (served to her in her warm bed)

Think small again.

cooler: Cindy likes her Propell to be cold
TV: If Cindy can't watch American Idaol, she gets testy.
Pull out table: Cindy likes to dine in style.

The cooler can be small and another in the car. The TV can get heavy so think "small".

Tools, accessories, misc.

...and anything else you need to toss into a TD to go camping!

Oh, did I mention plenty of 110 outlets so Cindy can use the microwave, hair dryer, curling iron etc???

About the electric---Think amps/watts, do curling irons still come in butane? You are going to end up with 15-20 available amps. Hairdryers use a lot. Microwaves---think "small". The electrical forum has an enormous amount of information. Check out Steve's sticky first.

I've been reading that most any trailer can be made light weight but like I said, would these needs be out of line?

Your asdvice as to materials to use and what styles you would recommend would be great. I really did like the shape of the cubby!

Thank you all for your input.

Bill

You can make the cubby shape big

As far as materials, if you really don't need it, leave it out. You can add it later if you just can't live without it.

Enjoy

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 12:09 am**

Model_A Bill... You might find this of interest: :thumbsup:

Member 48Rob pulls his magnificent Cabincar replica with a beautiful oldie too...
His Cabincar has got to be one of the nicest builds ever! :applause:

His photo album: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v284/ ... 20project/?

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 4:58 am**

Micro469 wrote:Cindy sounds "High Maintenance"...

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 8:24 am**

Podunkfla wrote:His Cabincar has got to be one of the nicest builds ever!

You got THAT right!

Bill, there's not one thing you mentioned that's out of line--but what about air conditioning? (By the way, fix your profile to display where you live!)

My suggestion?

If Rob can tow his Cabin Car with his classic car, I would become real good friends with him and just copy that design. It's the top level of trailers here, and will keep Cindy happy. But that's one heck of a project to take on.

Otherwise, go with a 5 by 8 Cubby and the hell with breakfast in bed.

You have to remember that once you go past 8 feet, it becomes more complicated as to ply walls and wood skins, if you go the wood skin route. Not REAL complicated, but it adds to the work.

And hey, you said "Propane, see above." But I don't see anything. If you meant see another thread, don't use above or below, because the thread positions change as new posts are entered!

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 9:10 am**

WOW!

48Rob has a fantatic looking trailer. Although I don't think I need anything that big, I would be curious to find out the weight of his TD and where he has pulled it with the Model A.

If a Model A pulls THAT with ease, it sure should pull a 5x8 with what I want in it. :applause:

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 9:18 am**

Oh and By the way, Cindy is NOT really high maintenence at all. She is a very strong willed, independent, intellegent woman. I was just being a smart a#$! (as usual)

I still can't understand whay she picked me!!! But I have to admit, I'm nothing without her. :oops:

Just wanted to clear that up. :thumbsup:

Posted: **Thu May 10, 2007 10:36 pm**

Model_A Bill wrote:Oh and By the way, Cindy is NOT really high maintenence at all. She is a very strong willed, independent, intellegent woman. I was just being a smart a#$! (as usual)

I still can't understand whay she picked me!!! But I have to admit, I'm nothing without her.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Sounds like someone is looking over his shoulder. :lol: