Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello from NOOB in UK... hope I can pick the considerable content of your collective brains!

Looking at building a tear which will probably be about 4'6 high and 8'6 long on a 5' wide floor (which makes use of an existing trailer chassis).

Am I going along the right lines thinking 1/4" ply on a suitable frame for the sides and 1/8" ply (for flexibility) for the roof?

Re the frame I'll probably piece it up from 1x1/2x1/3x1 as required to create the radius, and biscuit joint the mitres.

Much more expensive (but stronger I guess) would be to cut the whole frame from say a 5/8" ply, cutting away substantial areas to fill with insulation, then again cladding with 1/4" ply each size.

I want to keep the wall pretty thin, so I can get as close to a 5' mattress as possible (on a 5' wide unit).

In fact on frame thickness, I my be governed by available insulation so it's a snug fit.

Any thoughts greatfully received, and thanks for a great forum!

Hello Mallymal

Welcome to the fun and craziness of the teardrop world. And Greetings from Finland.

I used 20mm ply in my build. So I cant really advise you on your question
however I thought to welcome you in any case.


One thing you might take into consideration right from the start is that 5 foot wide (if your going to use) aluminum skin has been very difficult to find in that width or wider.

Im not sure as to what the availablity there in the UK maybe however here its been very hard to get. So I used fiberglass as that used on european truck trailers.

Im sure many of the UK builders can and will help you. Our Internationally known designer Andrew may chime in on your plans also as many others will. Andrew lives there in the Uk and is very helpful.

But again post a lot photos and and enjoy your build and ask a lot of questions. You,ll be surprised as how many replies you will get..

Ohh and also in a short time.

Once again Welcome to the addicting hobby.

Classic Finn

Since I asked this question, someone elso has asked a very similar one here http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=26084
so I've got plenty to go on now.

Welcome Mallymal. When I read your post, I was going to refer you to the post "wall construction thoughts", then I saw that you had found it.

I can't comment on what's available in the UK, but I do recommend you investigate insulation thickness compared to the thickness of the interior framing and try to match the thicknesses.

As to the choice of using stick lumber for the frame and joining them with biscuits, many folks apparently do that. But cutting out the framing from plywood is also done.

Enjoy building and camping....Jerry from Michigan in USA