Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I plan to build atop the short walls of a basic utility trailer. Does anyone have any instinct or direct knowledge why this would be a really bad idea.

I have rescently discovered teardrops, become obsessed, researched, committed to building something I could never purchase (even if I had the budget), researched (thank you all who have inspired me), gotten the Kuffle Creek guide, research and now registered with T&TT.

Thanks

The only downside might be weight. I have a 4x8 utility trailer that weighs 420 pounds (built of heavy angle iron), so I opted to go with a harbor freight trailer that is about 150 pounds lighter.

But, if weight is no problem, I doubt building a tear on a trailer that size would tax it, at all..... probably can hold at least 1,500 pounds...

If you own it already, go for it.....

Hlj,

There was a thread about this just a while back with a picture of a nice tear that someone had built on a utility trailer. The elevated the door and inside floor to match the side of the trailer and used the space under the floor for storage.

I considered doing it also, but failed to figure out how to elevate the floor and also my trailer's axle was too far foward, so that's another thing to look out for.

There was a thread about this just a while back with a picture of a nice tear that someone had built on a utility trailer. The elevated the door and inside floor to match the side of the trailer and used the space under the floor for storage.

This is what I want to do. I am on a limited budget (starving art student) and promised my hubby we would not spend more than $1k. I think it is doable, considering the cost of a HF trailer is low. But I want 5' x 10', so this is what I want to see the above thread for.

Dawn

andysbunny - I would say it would be easy to build it less than $1,000. I'm $504.00 into mine (excluding trailer) and almost complete.

http://stevewolverton.com/teardrop.html

Steve

Dawn,,welcome to the insanity,,, what you are trying to do is definately possible both with the existing trailer and your budget,,or its doable with a new frame and parts,, its just a matter of how resourseful you are and how much leg work you want to put into it,,Alan in Fayettevill just finished one for less than 300 bucks,,now granted he is a master scrounger but he did it,,I scrounged and bought inexpensive where I could and came in at around $900.00. there are parts and accessories out there that work just fine if ya think a little out of the box and keep ya eyes open.. good luck in your quest and keep us posted on the progress,,

by the way I am in Greenville SC,, if ya down this way give me a yell,,would be glad to let ya see mine for comparisson

again welcome,,, there are a lot of great people here who will answer any and all questions,, believe me I asked some doozies,,

seeya
chip

I am thinking seriously about the weekender plan. (by the way, Mike, what a FABULOUS idea! Simple enough I think that I could do it over the prescribed amout of time.

I would like some more input on how to take the HF trailer from 4' to 66" fender to fender. Anyone tried this and willing to share some wisdom?

Dawn

I would like some more input on how to take the HF trailer from 4' to 66" fender to fender

Dawn,

To widen the HF frame, you will have to split it in the middle and weld sections of channel in between. Same thing for the axel. It's not too expensive...just labor intensive.

Also, since I know you are on a budget, keep in mind that widening a tear to 5' increases the cost of materials quite a bit. You can no longer use one sheet of plywood for the floor, for instance, and must use two sheets sideways cutting off 3'. I'm currently building a 5' wide tear and just added up my costs to date and I am at $1700 and still need a lot. However, I am not a very good scrounger.

If you want to see it, there are pictures in my gallery.

Dawn,,why 5' ?? The reason I ask is that a standard double size mattrace fits in a 54" wide trailer,, Mine is 55 1/2" wide and is very comfortable for two adults,,now granted I am not a large person but two are not cramped at all,, It wont save ya much on materials but will ba a bit narrower in profile for towing,, just a thought and something to ponder,,

chip

For the queen sized mattress, of course!!

Seriously, we are both short but chubby, and after our first few months of wedded bliss in a full size bed, we said "NEVER again".

By the way, we are still newlyweds...ahem...any problems with the obvious thing that I will not go into?

Sorry, but I gotta ask....

Dawn

Dawn,,,lmao,,,Ok just had to ask if a reason,,,,newlyweds !!! ok,, nuff said,,

congrats by the way,,

chip

I mean, I love Andy dearly, but when I sleep....LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!

So no one will answer the unasked question? Should I post it somewhere else?

dawn

Stabilizers/levelers keep the Tear solid when you are camping otherwise movement in trailer makes the springs squeak. Go with the width you want and with very careful layout you can reduce waste. But it will still cost more. Use the frame you have right now and you can always slide your tear on to a new one at a later date. I built my last two cabins first and then built the frames.

Alan,

I may just do that.
I am thinking faster than I can get the money to build.
I plan on getting both our dads in on this one.

I am still leaning toward the weekender. I know that it will in theory cost more, but I am known t be a cheapskate and will work diligently to save a penny.

By the way, I am saving up for this by selling back last years textbooks. I even cleaned out my car of change and have it in a mason jar! Remember the dime at a time Honeymoon couple?
I just may have enough saved in a month to build a wall!

Dawn

P.S. Mike gave me the heads up on the stabilizers already on another thread. I feel like an idiot But if I don't ask I might get hurt!

I've never had any problem with the tear that required stabilizers, including riding out tornado in the same county..... and winds in the 35 mph range....

I chock the wheels, that's it...

If you do add stabilizers, I don't see any need for 4, one on each side of the back would be plenty...... since most have a trailer jack on the tongue.

Other than that, I think you're a bragging WAY too much../g///