Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am planning a build of a Pod for lack of a better word that will sit on top of my existing utility/4wheeler trailer. I know going into this that I am handicapping myself due to the weight of the trailer which comes in at 800#'s. I however am short of storage space and need double duty. I have kicked around the idea of a canned ham style and think we have settled on an oversize teardrop. Our deck size is roughly 80" x 13' with a small tongue platform. We have a number of motorhome parts to use if we choose, most notably a brand new Dometic fridge, but it is big. I would love some dialog on this, the plan is to get the base built and move that into the garage for the winter and try to have a finished box to roll out in the spring and place on the trailer deck.


This canned ham is figured over the wheels at a 8'3" width and the big vertical cabinet is the fridge with a heater below.

The Tear design woudl include a pair of bunks in the round nose area similar to the Camp-Inn 560 and possibly a small dinette at the reat in the covered galley area. I will probably see the local tent and awning shop and have tent sides made for the rear and we could sleep one of the kids back there

Looks like a nice platform to work with!

If the box will cover the wheels/fenders, will you have enough room in the garage, or where ever, to lift the box high enough to get it off the trailer?

Try to design so most of the weight ends up over, and just in front of the axle...for carefree towing.

Looks like a heavy duty trailer, but calculate box weight and compare to rated trailer capacity, and tire capacity.

Rob

That trailer is pretty heavy-duty, but if you want to dance with the one that brung you, it will certainly work!

we have pretty much decided on the teardrop design rather than the canned ham. I will not be able to get the trailer in the garage, but I will make a dolly to go under each end with casters to push the box in. Is 3/4" poplar sheeted on both sides with 1/8" ply enough for walls this big? the side will be 5' by 13'. I just don't want a total failure or the finance manager that I live with will not allow another attempt.

What is the purpose of 1/8" paneling on both sides of the 3/4" plywood sides?
If looks, just buy good 3/4 and stain or paint.
If for strength, it isn't needed.
If to fasten 2 or more sheets of 3/4 together, creative use of cabinetry, bulkheads, and dividers will serve the same purpose.
So...at $40+ per sheet of 1/8" X 6 your finance manager will be very pleased that you just saved $240.00

When calculating overall height for your caster design, remember that you need to be able to lift the body at least 1-2 inches higher than the top of the fenders.


Rob

rrawlings wrote:we have pretty much decided on the teardrop design rather than the canned ham. I will not be able to get the trailer in the garage, but I will make a dolly to go under each end with casters to push the box in. Is 3/4" poplar sheeted on both sides with 1/8" ply enough for walls this big? the side will be 5' by 13'. I just don't want a total failure or the finance manager that I live with will not allow another attempt.

If you are talking 'sandwich' walls and put ridgid insulation in them, then they should be plenty strong. Just make sure you have framing behind anyplace that you need to fasten anything like bulkheads, etc. Also, you could use pine (or white board) for the framing vs poplar and save some money and weight.

I am talking about framing and rigid foam. My only concern was the rear galley walls not being rigid enough being that they have a much longer area not held in place by a roof than a standard, normal size teardrop

Your bulk head walls and cabinetry will add some stability to your walls.
I used 3/8" Baltic Birch and framing on my walls and couldn't be happier.

I have massaged the canned ham design and my wife likes it enough now to say go for it. We are planning a heater under the fridge in the upright cabinet, two burner stove, water heater under the seat of the dinette at the back and at her request an outside shower like we had on our Coleman pop-up. The bunk beds at the front will fold down to a couch. Still to be worked out is the location of the water tank, electrical converter etc. We still have alot of area to work with but have figured in the big items.
Let me know what you guys may do or change on the design.

rrawlings wrote:I have massaged the canned ham design and my wife likes it enough now to say go for it. We are planning a heater under the fridge in the upright cabinet, two burner stove, water heater under the seat of the dinette at the back and at her request an outside shower like we had on our Coleman pop-up. The bunk beds at the front will fold down to a couch. Still to be worked out is the location of the water tank, electrical converter etc. We still have alot of area to work with but have figured in the big items.
Let me know what you guys may do or change on the design.

Keep in mind that a curved roof will be MUCH stiffer than a flat one and plan accordingly. You got a good-sized flat are there, so you will need a fair amount of stiffening.