Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am planning on building a teardrop in the next couple of years. I have been looking at builds and lots of pics. I plan on building a light offroad capable teardrop. I will probably go with 5x9 or 10 foot. wheels outside the frame. Yeah that is a bit big, but I am 6'2". I am just stumbled on few things.....

1. If you sheet the teardrop in aluminum what are you using for to "cap" the sides off?? Plus if you lap this with aluminum sides are you over lapping?

2.How do most figure your axle position on the frame.

3. What are most using for mattresses. Stupid thought, but I been thinking a way to rollup a home queen mattress though a small door!!!!

Dan

Dan
I'm a Dan too!
Most builders that use aluminum use a piece of aluminum trim to cap the edges.
Axle position is different for just about every trailer. THings to consider:
How much tongue weight can you handle
Where will your door(s) be positioned (so the fenders don't interfere)
How much weight expected in the galley
And as far as the mattress - we did exactly what you suggest - folded a pillow-top full size mattress thru the door. It was tight - but it worked.

I'm not a Dan but here is some info anyway.

Here is a link for Axle placement.
http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear81.htm

If you check out the sdtripper2's Index in the menu above you will find lots-oh-info.

Pics of aluminum trim from Grants Lil Bear Tag-Alongs http://www.lilbear.teardrops.net/parts.html This is where you can buy it.



Some folks use 4 or 5" memory foam for their beds. This way you can cut it to fit your TD and it folds up and you can slip it in the door.

Or some folks make a removable bottom bulkhead in the galley that comes out and you can slide a mattress in.

I hope this helps.


Mk

Thanks for the replies. Clears up alot of questions. Now I can tell my wife I am not crazy about the thought of rolling up a mattress to get in!!!

Dan

xccelagator wrote:Thanks for the replies. Clears up alot of questions. Now I can tell my wife I am not crazy about the thought of rolling up a mattress to get in!!!

Dan

If you can roll it up enough to get it in a large contractors garbage bag you can hook your vacuum cleaner to it and shrink it down plenty to get it in the door. Wallyworld's 8" queen memory foam mattresses come vacuum bagged. They will slip right in the door then you cut the bag and let them grow up.
It was about $230 for the queen size one. Comfy too.

I picked up a queen size mattress from Ikea for about $100. Since it is a foam mattress, it already comes rolled up.