Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Well folks I am in the planning phase of building a teardrop. Because of time constraints and wanting to see how I will like this type of camper I plan to build a simplified version. I will have no hatch and plan on 1/2" sides and either 1/2" or 3/8" flooring. I will be insulating the top but don't plan on doing the walls or floors. It will have two doors and windows in each door. This teardop will be built quick and cheap. I plan to be completed by June so I can take it to Boy Scout camp. If it works as well as I hope I may build a second taking more time and trying to get a little more detailed and traditional.

Now here is my first question. I will be using luaun (?sp) for the interior ceiling and exterior roof. The interior will be 1/8" but for the exterior will 1/8" be sufficient as to strength? I am concerned that I won't be able to get the 1/4" luaun to bend around the radius of the curves. In the back the small curve will have an 18" radius and the front curve a 30" radius. This will not be skinned in aluminum but rather the top will be epoxy coated and then painted.

My second question is that I will be using an existing 5' X 8' trailer so this will be a slide in. The trailer has 11" side walls so I will have to raise the teardrop up 7" for my planned doors to clear the sidewall. How do you propose I do this? I have thought of framing a platform with 2 X 8 to get the clearance or possible get some steel tubing and build a platform and bolt this to the top of the siderails but I am hoping that I am missing an obvious solution. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rex

Rex,

This may be over simplistic but would require a little extra work/planning as well.

I am assuming that the side rails of your trailer are steel, welded to the frame. What about cutting the side wall framing off at the floor level and rebuilding them with a flat mounting plate that would bolt to the floor when needed? The fenders would have to be mounted to the frame so that the side rails/teardrop body could be removed at will.

By doing it this way, you could have a fully functional utility trailer OR a teardrop trailer without any special modifications.... Of course, axle placement would have to be a compromise between the two uses.

George

George,

Thanks for the idea. Actually I hadn't even considered that and I don't think it would be that hard maybe even easier in the long run. I don't have the exact measurements with me but I think that since I am not planning a hatch and that subsequent storage (and weight) that the axle will be ok where it is placed now. With the planned shape of the trailer most of the weight will be forward of the teardrop and I will actually will have some slight adjustment available as to where to position the teardrop on the trailer. This should allow me to keep the weight forward of the axle and on the tongue of the trailer.

Now for some input on the luaun ply issue and I can try and determine my next challanges.

Rex

Rex,

I'm in the process of building a quick prototype too. Like you, I'm using my existing 5'x8' utility trailer. One of the problems that I had to solve was how to get sleeping room for 3 or 4 people. To do this, I eliminated the galley and ran two bunks width wise.

One of my initalial design decision was to build a shell over the trailer bed rather than a full teardrop body. I figure that this will be easier (and lighter) to remove and replace when I need to use the utility trailer. Since my trailer already has 2' wood sides, side doors were not a reasonable option. To solve this problem, I built a 2' wide rear hatch door. When open, rather than a galley, the entire interior is accessable.

I used 1/8" luan on the inside and 1/8" masonite on the outside separated with 2x2's and 1.5" foam insulation. I had problems with the luan cracking when trying to form it to a 24" radius and wondered if 1/4 would take the stress better. Or, like you suspect, it may just be harder to bend. While I haven' t sat on the roof like others, I'm satisfied with it's sturdyness. With an epoxy coating for waterproofing I'm expecting it to last until the day when I only have to worry about sleeping quarters for two and can build a full blown teardrop.

Scott

Rex, Scott, & anyone else interested ...

1/8" luan will bend 'round an amazingly tight radius IF you have the grain running side-to-side instead of front-to-back (I've managed to get it 'round a 9" radius, but I had to "persuade" it a bit with rags soaked in boiling water).

If you're worried that 1/8" might not be thick enough for your intended use (or abuse ... ;-} ;-} ...!), simply double it up to get your 1/4" thickness (glue-and-nail one layer of 1/8", then glue-and-nail a second layer over the first). Works like a charm!

Good Luck, and as always ...

CHEERS!
... and Seasons Greetings, too!

Grant

Rex and Scott,,one idea that came up in the past was to frame out the bottom with 2xwhatevers to raise the teardrop up to the top of the rails,,the under part can be used for a lot of storage under the cabin floor. the width then can be a little wider and can be cantalevered over the side rails to off set the visual apperance of the rails..just a thought,,
the other thought is if you enjoy meeting people and camping with a great group, then what you are proposing will only lead to building a second trailer,,I have met and enjoyed the company of a great group here in the carolinas,, teardroping is more about the people that you will meet and make friends with than the shape, quality, or style of your trailer,,

enjoy the build and keep us updated on your progress

chip

some of this was just discussed under general

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=1729

also look at Mike's orginal The Weekender.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... =weekender

Mike figured one could make it in a weekend.

And as I have said before there is one guy who built a frame of wood and cut and stapled cardboard on .... slid it into a utility trailer and went off to a teardrop camper camp out. see below site.

http://roughwheelers.com/montego/td/spa ... index.html

Ron D.