Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I love the outdoors and spend a good deal of time out there. My kids are grown and I would like to do some camping with my wife. the only thing holding us back is… my wife won’t go without a “bathroom”, and I would really like to take my ATV.

So I have been searching the net. I really like all the teardrops, but that doesn’t help with the toilet or ATV problem… so this is what I have worked out.

I have a 17’ x 7’ single x trailer sitting in my back yard doing nothing… so please tell me what you think. Be brutally honest, tell me what I could or should do different. Any advice, comments or criticism will be greatly appreciated.

Looks like a good design for what you want to do, I think I would still make the galley off back rather then in cabin. Lots you could do with the back, If you made the galley off back your hatch could serve as a nice awning as well on those rainy nights, you would have a porch off the back

SFC Hall
I like your idea. I would say go for it. Have fun and take lots of pics. And be sure to include an A/C, it's a good thing.

That looks like a workable plan, though I don't think all of the things you've drawn would be a very tight fit in 12.5 feet, particularly when you include things like the actual thickness of walls, etc.

The one thing you must get right is the balance of the trailer with the ATV loaded - you still need to get 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight on the hitch for it to be stable in towing. It looks to me that the weight of the ATV is quite a way behind the axle and there's not much weight in front, so the layout you've got so far might not work. The only way to find out is to do a detailed weight estimate including the position of the parts and then work out the centre of gravity.

The other way is to build it and then see how it comes out. Can you move the axle? If you can arrange to cut it off and remount it further back then you can solve any balance problem after the body is built. Cutting off the axle might be a lot easier to do now, rather than after you've built the body.

Obviously when you take the ATV off the back, the hitch weight will go sky high, but if you're not aiming to move it unloaded, or you've got a big, big truck, that's no problem.

Andrew

SFC Hall, AKA, Bruce, good planning on your proposed build. I agree with the suggestion that a rear galley hatch would increase your outdoor livability. It's kind of neat to cook in the great out of doors, waving at your neighboring campers and having them over for coffee, while they are asking you a million questions about your build. One of the reasons we do enjoy teardrops is that the bacon and eggs seem to taste a bit better when the fresh smell of pine trees is wafting through your cooking area. Hatch lids make great sun shades and keep heavy rain off of the cook.

Keep refining your ideas, share them with us, and be aware that no one will put you down because your plans are a bit 'out of the box'. I've been doing that for the last 5 years and no negative comments yet......(right Gage)?

I see by your previous post that you are in Iraq right now. Those readers in this section may not know that, so I wish you safety and good health and a happy retirement next year. Thanks again for your service, SFC.

Roly, indoor relaxer and sleeper but outdoor cook and pot and pan scrubber.

SFC Hall,

I agree with Andrew--tough to shove everything in 12'6". I work for a custom RV manufacturer and our toilet rooms are a standard 38" inside measure. We did one at 36" once and it was tight. May I suggest turning the toilet 90 degrees? Otherwise, I think the loveseat has to go or become a loveseat for one. So much for romance.

Here's how I pencil out the cabin length as you've drawn it:

End wall-------------2"----------2"
Bed-----------------48"---------50"
Toilet wall------------1"--------51"
Toilet room---------38"--------89"
Toilet wall------------1"--------90"
Love seat------------48"------138"
Kitchen base---------18"------156"
End wall---------------2"-------158" (13'2")

Another possibility might be to do an L-shaped kitchen base against the curbside wall so the loveseat goes all the way forward. Won't be near as much cabinet space--just a suggestion.

Best and Godspeed your safe return,
Tom

As an option too - why not consider closing in the ATV area, which could serve as optional space when the ATV is unloaded. Not posh space maybe, but dry on an ugly day space.

I saw one designed almost like yours, except the ATV was on the front. That way he still had the option of putting the galley outside in the back. I think he said the weight worked out better that way when they did not bring the ATV with them.

After reading your requirements and before reading the responces, I thought of a 5th wheel design where the front bed area was overtop the ATV on a flat bed trailer.

A lot of Jeepers use a 5th wheel frame, put a slide-in or small 5th wheel camper on the front of the frame and place their Jeep over the rear axles of the trailer. With a 5th wheel tongue, this places the weight over the wheels of the toter (pulling vehicle). I know not everyone has capability for a truck as a totor, but figure the same idea on a smaller scale with a bumper hitch configuration.
Biggest PITA will be the weight balance of a loaded and unloaded trailer frame, whether you want to haul the ATV every time you pull the camper.

My other thought was a mini-toy hauler where the ATV sits inside during transit over the axles for better weight balance. If you haul the ATV every time you camp or not, that would provide a balanced trailer with camper installed.

Too lazy to read the replies...

Weight balance is the big issue here. If the quad will always be along then I guess it could be front or back. If it will often NOT be along then back is probably better so unladen the trailer doesn't have serious negative tongue weight. Otherwise you have to plan for very high tongue weight if you have 10% unladen.

Something I like about the design is that putting a hatch at the rear of the kitchen gives a great indoor/outdoor kitchen without a counter height mismatch. The rear hatch would swing up and completely cover the quad deck. Of course the quad would have to be unloaded first, but that wouldn't be a problem since you could use the kitchen from inside while on the road.

Bruce, where do you live in the states?

Thanks everyone… I’ve scrapped this idea… I’m just going to do a “normal” Tear when I get back.

I am stationed at Drum, upstate NY (Iraq now), but I plan to retire when I get back and will be moving back to PA. Somewhere close to Meadville, Northwestern part of the state. That’s where my wife and I grew up (we have been together since we were 16).

Thanks all for your help.

Kerry, are you near Meadville?

if you ditched the 2 seat and then put in a kitchen the same size where it was that pivot's from the back corner opposit the door and with a rear hatch and a ramp or 2 from alloy the ATV would fit inside as well on the times you took it .
Your balance would be better as the weight of the ATV would be over the wheels you have an outdoor kitchen when swung out or accross the back the hatch gives you shelter as well.
Girl get's her loo you get ya fun and all ends well.