Instant Teardrop

[Shadow Catcher]

I am on an Australian teardrop e-mil group and a url for pictures of one of the members builds was posted. This struck me as the ultimate quick and ultra light build. http://picasaweb.google.com/nobbyonnet/20103#

Key features:

A lightweight sandwich construction of fluted polyethylene sheet skins with a expanded polystyrene core.

500kg torsion suspension units welded to angle section to form a beam axle.

A one piece door skin with live hinge formed from fluted poly sheet.

Kerb weight c 120kg (265#)

c 40 hours construction time.

[starleen2]

Dang - Impressive pictures and possibly the lightest frame I've seen!

would the fluted polyethylene sheet skins be the same as coreplast?

[halfdome, Danny]

Wondering if a large truck or a gust of wind could blow that over. Danny

[vwbeamer]

Wondering if a large truck or a gust of wind could blow that over. Danny

If it did, it would be easy to stand back up...


I like it!!

[S. Heisley]

Now, that's one that Andrew would like to see, if he hasn't.

Thanks for sharing!

[afreegreek]

cool but needs a few windows..

[eatatjoz]

I'm really interested in this thing and was thinking about a coroplast tear with a conduit frame for my motorcycle.
any extra information would be helpful. PVC cement? 6mm 10mm?
anything could be of use.

[angib]

I love the building-on-a-pallet method to assemble this without a workshop.

But the main question is how are the joints sealed - there seem to be some strips and pins or screws involved, but I can't work out how it's done. As with all lightweight constructions, it's the joints that are key to the whole idea.

Andrew

[PaulC]

Here's a copy of what the man posted with the link-
"Here are a few pics of my almost completed 2010 model.

Key features:

A lightweight sandwich construction of fluted polyethylene sheet skins with a
expanded polystyrene core.

500kg torsion suspension units welded to angle section to form a beam axle.

A one piece door skin with live hinge formed from fluted poly sheet.

Kerb weight c 120kg

c 40 hours construction time."

I could ask some questions if anyone is interested, Hmmmmm

Cheers
Paul

[Conestoga]

As with all lightweight constructions, it's the joints that are key to the whole idea.

[Conestoga]

Yes, please, I'd like to see more details of this project.

Where are they getting these materials? FRP, coroplast, etc.

(I'd like to see panels for a floor that have built-in channel for hot water radiant heat.)

Is there a really a market for a product line of lightweight sub $2000, sub $1000 mini trailers?

[lazerus]

The question isn't would the wind shear from a truck knock it over the question is would it blow it right off the highway?!?!

And if you had a light car or bike towing it.....


265lbs with that much surface area?

[bobhenry]

With that wide stance I don't see it blowing over, what scares me is that tongue to axle connection. That one weld is absorbing all the twisting force of a pot hole and road abnormalities. It also is resisting all the up and down shock with a load inside. Now throw the twisting force of a turn and all I can say is that better be one mighty fine weld I would have liked to see a little more triangulation at that joint.

[RAYVILLIAN]

I'd like to see some close ups and detail on the door construction. I've got 5 to build on the new WW and since I robbed the one for the last build from another trailer I've never done one.

Gary