Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

My TTT will be mostly squarish similar to Caseydog's, but I'm thinking I'd like to put side opening doors rather than a lift-up hatch for my galley. I'm thinking I'd be able to have more storage with a rear-end that's more vertical.

Anyone out there built doors like those? Did you use piano hinges? Are they single-layer plywood, or did you build a hollow door or something different? Would you do the same again?

Thanks very much!

I didn't know that Caseydog had a TTT. Here all along I thought he had a teardrop. Anyways, think about it some more. If you have the side doors behind the wheels, then where is your CG going to be? Are you thinking about extending the body a couple more feet beyond the axle? Or are you just thinking of putting one door in the rear?

I'm guessing you mean barn doors on the back of the trailer rather than doors on the sides'.

I built my first trailer that way for expediency. Each is 2 foot wide and 4 foot high with a pair of standard butt hinges which are more than sufficient.

The doors were constructed of 1/2 inch plywood and covered on the outside with steel siding. One has a fixed shelf for ny Coleman stove and the other a towel rack and trash bag frame.

My galley is pretty standard with a sink in the center counter and open shelves above and below. I mostly use plastic containers for storage of food and utensils and an ice chest. Water is gravity flow from a jug above the sink and another below to collect gray water. No electricity other than battery powered led lights.

If that is what you are planning I'll post a link to the build thread and photos later since I don't have an album here or a link in my signature block.

M C

edit: Build thread and photos http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=50714

Galley pics toward middle of first page and more at bottom of second.

I would make the doors open 180 degrees rather than 90 to allow better access to the galley interior but it works okay as is for one cook.

barn doors did someone mention barn doors......

Sorry for the poor use of terminology. Yes, I meant barn doors. Thanks for your help!

Not exactly what you were thinking...







..but, this is my version

Here is a picture of mine at the Grand Canyon last Feb.



The doors are built like rail and stile cabinet doors. The center rails overlap so weather striping can be put in there. They where built much stouter than normal cabinet doors as you can see I put fold up tables on them. The left one is down in this picture. The center of the doors is 1/2 inch plywood. I used door hinges as for some reason I can mount those easier than piano hinges and believe me I tired the piano ones first. Trouble with door hinges is few of them are built to be out in the weather, they do squeak now. Each hinge is rated at 50 lbs and each door has 2 so each door should hold 100 pounds. No problems yet other than the squeak.

Randy

Hey Randy, next time you are cooking bacon or sausage, just trickle a little of the drippings on those hinges and I bet they will quiet right down!

(... or you could hit them with a little 3-in-1 oil, or graphite).

They often get squirted with some magic elixir. They still move but makes a great sound effect.

Randy

I'm including these photos of somebody's trailer as they are halfway relevant and I think this looks like a useful idea.

Angib. Thanks for the memory jog. I have seen a picture of a similar trailer. Might be the same manufacture but the one I saw was a bit worse for wear. A good idea and I don't think it would be hard to make those rear doors and they have a bit of storage and would be a great place to put tail lights. I was thinking of making something like this on my next trailer but will probably go a different direction. But until it is finished who knows?

Randy

Aw, I know that teardrop. It is believed to be a 1939 Home Built found in the desert of New Mexico. There has been a lot of work done to it to get it in the condition you now see it. And yes there are some nice ideas in it.

Must be the same TD then. I am pretty sure the picture I saw was from New Mexico.

Randy

good info on this post. I am in the currently building my trailer with side opening doors. I will post another pic when its done.

you could always make something for the tow car for cooking that way you don't need the space. Most hatch back type of car, suvs work just like a tear drop just make something to fit drop in there is your galley no need for much storage use the tow car instead. The only down side is the hitch and trailer is in the middle if your still hooked up but it can work. Think basic needs only need a change of clothing if you have some in the car ect. By doing that then you can save space on storage as well.