Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi all.
I'm still sorting through all of the info to determine my construction technique, and wondered if anyone had opinions or experience on the idea of having a stainless steel welded teardrop - sort of a monocoque type of construction I guess. I imagine like a simple internal frame for support and for fixtures to be mounted on, but the entire body being a welded tank almost. FYI, I am wanting to do a "raindrop" type trailer.
I know that weight would be an issue. From what I have researched, it would double the weight of the body, but might also require less framing.
So..any thoughts from the gurus on the forum?
Thanks!
Hal

I'd be curious how you'd weld it without getting an incredible amount of distortion. Cool idea if you can pull it off.

Well, I cant weld stainless, but I come from the restaurant industry, and I have seen guys weld sheets of stainless into vent hoods, serving lines, etc. Also, stainless tanks are welded up and come out straight and true. Maybe the internal frame would keep it in line?
This may be too far out there to really work, but thats sort of how my mind works - I have to run through all of the extreme solutions before I settle on the one that is best for me.
Anyways, thanks for the reply.
Hal

I'm not saying it can't be done but any time you weld anything you distort it and alleviating this is the trick, especially on sheet as thin as I'd want to use for a tear. I'd love to see someone do it cause it would be beautiful and I'd love to learn how, I fight it all the time.

TIG welding is the way to go . Isolates the heat fairly narrow band. A good shop should be able to get this done. Don't quote but I do work in a shop that builds "fire truck bodies" Chrome stainlees and aluminum.

Doubling the weight would probably necessitate brakes(more weight). To me, the beauty of a teardrop is in it's simplicity. This means from construction through to use. Some of the best TD's I have seen have been built using the basic construction method detailed.
In saying that, it's your build, build it the way you want

Cheers
Paul

Stainless is a material you are familiare with but a better choice may be aluminum, less expensive and much much lighter weight.
rjd has it right TIG is the best way to weld SS but you can also use FCAW and MIG with the proper wire.

hallotp wrote:From what I have researched, it would double the weight of the body, but might also require less framing.

More likely, I would say, to double the weight of the body and require more framing. Any sheet metal will be thin if it's not to be ridiculously heavy and thin metal (or thin anything) requires extra framing. That's why plywood is such a good choice - because it's pretty light, it can be fairly thick and so requires little framing. Indeed, many teardrops are built with no framing in the walls - and Mike's Weekend Warrior has no framing anywhere except at a few joints.

Using any sheet metal also brings in the question of heat transmission - somewhere you want a thermal break and that adds complexity.

OK, that makes sense, but what about attaching the aluminum directly to a frame..say welded steel? Do you have to have the ply beneath if you use .040 or .050? I understand the issue of oilcanning, but first airstream do it this way? or regular cargo trailers for that matter?

Thanks again!
Hal

Hal, many of the original commercial TDs had square tube/angle steel frames with AL attached with rivets...so that will work with any kind of sheet metal...the ply w/wo framing gives a nice place for attachment of cabinets, doors, bulkheads, etc............................
madjack

Al. for the framing is do able but your back to needing special equipment for the welding or build up of it. Wood might be possible but then might as well do the plywood skin. Your metal skin would be nice till it war,s up in the summer heat .

Cann't what to see what you end up with .

It would be entirely possible to build the entire thing, including the trailer framework, from thin sheet (stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, or even mild steel) using the correct procedures of bends, dimpled holes (search: dimple die), spot welding, etc. without making it excessively heavy. I would be willing to bet it could be made just as strong, with less weight, if insulation and other add-ons are not needed.

Is it feasible or the best way for the average person to do? I would say no. Engineering, testing, special tools and equipment, would all drive the cost and time past the point anyone would be willing to spend on a 1 time build. It would be a process used by a manufacturer who would then produce hundreds or thousands of identical units.

My Tiny cargo Trailer is all steel ... Square tube frame , steel skin riveted ... Built by somebody's Dad ... Not THAT heavy ... tows Fine !!! Lives Outside , no problems

hallotp wrote:OK, that makes sense, but what about attaching the aluminum directly to a frame..say welded steel? Do you have to have the ply beneath if you use .040 or .050? I understand the issue of oilcanning, but first airstream do it this way? or regular cargo trailers for that matter?

Thanks again!
Hal

I used .040 aluminun over 1 in. steel framework, attached with 3M VHB two side tape. No oilcanning yet. The tape has some give in it to allow for expansion. I used 1" foam board to back up the aluminum. My interior panels were also attached with the 3M tape.
Just the way I did my trailer. I am more at home working with metal than working with wood.

Jim

TAPE