Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

i want a trailer to be very lightweight.

so i have to ask a couple of questions.

is it possible to build using lexan panels instead of wood? and if so, is lexan lighter than wood?

and if i go with wood, what kind is the lightest.

i am seriously just looking at a basic shape, more box like than anything with curves.

Why not foam core? Get 1" foam insulation and fiberglass both sides.

eaglesdare wrote:i want a trailer to be very lightweight.


is it possible to build using lexan panels instead of wood? and if so, is lexan lighter than wood?

Lexan (aka poly-carbonate) has a density of 1.20. Meaning it sink like a rock.
Wood has a density of maybe 0.95. So poly-carb is about is about 20% heavier for the same thickness/size.

Cost wise I'm guessing the poly-carb will be more expensive also.

Wolfgang

well i think the reason would be because i have no idea what that is.

i need something truely easy to do. i am an old lady and have zero experience. was thinking that i can at least make a box shape, but have no real idea on what material to use. and i would like to go as cheap as possible (so hubby doesn't mind me doing this)

what is this that you are talking about? could you explain it more? fiberglass sounds like something that would be hard to work with? is that the itchy stuff?

Wolfgang92025 wrote:

eaglesdare wrote:i want a trailer to be very lightweight.


is it possible to build using lexan panels instead of wood? and if so, is lexan lighter than wood?

Lexan (aka poly-carbonate) has a density of 1.20. Meaning it sink like a rock.
Wood has a density of maybe 0.95. So poly-carb is about is about 20% heavier for the same thickness/size.

Cost wise I'm guessing the poly-carb will be more expensive also.

Wolfgang

ok so lexan is heavier.

if i go looking for wood, could anyone tell me what kind i should be looking for? thickness and well anything you can tell me. we have lowes here but i also have a local place where i think i can get wood from that might be better than lowes (though not too sure on that).

If cost is a concern, there is no way you can use lexan or fiberglass.

The most cost convenient route would be to use the plans here: http://www.mikenchell.com/images/GenericBenroyPlans.pdf, but make the trailer 4' wide instead of 5' wide.

You would do construction of the outer walls using 1/8" luan plywood. It is about $10 a 4'x8' sheet at Home Depot (or similar), and you will need at least 4 sheets for the Benroy.

The simplest construction (given little knowledge) would be to:
1. Build the chassis from a kit (such as the Harbor Freight or Tractor Supply Company kit)
2. Mount a thick (1/2" thick is more than adequate) piece of 4'x8' plywood to the trailer using carriage bolts
3. Build a frame out of 1"x4" or 1"x3" studs (both are usually a bit over $1 each at home depot -- you'll probably need quite a few to build the frame)
4. "Skin" the frame with luan plywood, and use a router to follow the curves of the frame
5. Seal the exterior with CPES, then some sort of varnish

If you look around the forums and at the plans long enough, you'll start to figure out how everything works, and how difficult (or easy!) a teardrop can be.

The key is to PLAN PLAN and PLAN some more before diving in. You want to make sure you get everything right the first time!

If you are looking for something very light weigth you could try this: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=34755

Here is a link to the plans: http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/pico-light-1.pdf

This is a new design from Andrew. It looks fairly simple to construct, low cost and light weight. It is on the small side, but if you are just looking for a place to sleep then it would be a good choice.

The curves are not really hard to build. I think they are easier than trying to deal with the extra joints that the square designs create.

Dan

when i say cost is a factor, i mean as cheap as i can get, but still be good. kwim? lol but if that means i still have to spend and extra few bucks on something, then i will.

we are planning a trip to go out west in jun/jul, so i want a place for myself to sleep, as well as maybe my son. (or maybe my hubby hehehe).

the rest can sleep in tents or in the vehicles (if there is room).

so i am not going to sit and wait any longer. i want to jump in, as this is my way of doing things. i think i have been reading and sitting for 2 or more years now.

thanks everyone for the advise and help. will let you all know what is going to happen as they do (this time).

thanks again everyone, i just wanted to add that weight is the major concer, size next and then price. i hope i put that into better perspective.

Well, I'm in the far west so no help; but if you give a location, perhaps a member is close by and can assist

eaglesdare wrote:thanks again everyone, i just wanted to add that weight is the major concer, size next and then price. i hope i put that into better perspective.

Size will dictate weight and price.
Price will dictate size.

You should nail down your budget and work from there, especially since you are in a time crunch. Regardless of what you choose, it will cost a few hundred bucks. A cargo conversion may be something to look at also.

Some rough figures, 4X8 ~ 600lbs - 800lbs and 5X10 ~ 1100lbs - 1400lbs There are some that are heavier and some are lighter, but these are just rough numbers.

Is this another challenge? We've got the Pico Light. We've got the Ultralight. And we've got the lightweight.

Let me go find some links...

Here's the link to the Ultralight
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ightweight

Here's the link to the lightweight...
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... ightweight

And of course, danlott posted the link to the Pico Light... okay, here it is again
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=34755

Eaglesdare says weight, size, then price. but more importantly, she wants something easy to do. So I am going to put ease as #1.

lol yup another challenge. except this time i want to actually do it, rather than just think about it.

so yes, it must be simple. and yes it must be light. from looking at above examples, i will have to go with the 4x8 and work that into a tad bit bigger width wise. but i am not sure yet.

thanks for the additional links. i may have already read them, but will again.

i have spent hours again reading these threads and love so many ideas on here.

hopefully our refund will come in and my trailer order can be made. once that is done, there will be no turning back.

Did you see Andrew's newest design, the Pico Light? I rendered it and put some pics up yesterday!

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 5&start=15

I can't think of a design that would be simpler, and easier to build than this one. And lightweight and affordable too!

Mike...

mikeschn wrote:Did you see Andrew's newest design, the Pico Light? I rendered it and put some pics up yesterday!

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 5&start=15

I can't think of a design that would be simpler, and easier to build than this one. And lightweight and affordable too!

Mike...

yes i did see that thread and your renderings. good job by the way!
i do think that is just a tad bit too small for me though.

now that i have committed myself to this, i am hating this wait period. i want to order that darn trailer so bad. our refund better come in on friday!

i can see this is going to be hard for an impatient personality like mine. WAIT for the refund, order, WAIT for the trailer to get here, WAIT for the old man umm i mean hubby to help me put it together, WAIT for

i can see this process of WAIT FOR something is going to drive me crazy. maybe i should name the camper WAIT FOR. lol