Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Got a good jump on my hybrid teardrop and I have two huge holes cut out for windows on the side. I have a "Parts VW westfalia that I am going to take the windows out of and thought I would look on the hall of fame to see what others have done. To my suprise I hardly see any other teardrops with windows in them other than in the door. Am I missing something? Are there some people wishing they had windows, or are you happy you do not.??

Thanks Patrick (Still have time to fill the window holes with foam)

My teardrop looks a lot like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWACvfbVyU Must be where I got the idea from.

BlackCat,

That's a very cool design on your teardrop. I can't wait to see the construction photos on this build!

As far as windows, I can think of two reasons. The first one is that the only time we spend inside of the teardrop is when we're asleep. The two windows in the door provide all of the ventilation we need. The second reason is that where windows could be located on the sidewalls aft of the door, we have upper (interior) cabinets in that location. So to put windows in we would need to delete the cabinets.

Sincerely,
Tom

I have a huge window on one side, and a small window on the door side. I love the windows!

We really like the front window.



We can lie in bed and see the stars.



Sam and Kat

+1 what Tom said. No room for windows in the walls unless you delete interior storage space/cabinets.

On a side note: The doors in the model that you linked to look to me to be a tad too far forward, but I guess that is a compromise for the more centrally located axle.

You've probably heard this all before, but I will lay it down here again. A lot of people (myself included) want to be able to sit down in the doorway, crunch our knees up and rotate into our resting position without having to scootch around and reposition our arses, and we want to do it w/o hitting our heads on the front wall or cabinets. Working out the door location and width, and making it compatible with the fender/axle location, while maintaining good overall trailer balance for stable towing, all need to be considered. I'm 6ft tall, over 250 lbs. I'm using large 31 inch diameter A/T tires, and I want to carry a bunch of cast iron, 12v battery and spare water in my galley. Er go I am building with nice wide carefully placed doors, big fenders, and a modestly rear set axle.

Lots of things to consider in a small package!

That is a REALLY cool design.... and I bet that rear hatch will be a breeze to build compared to the nioghtmares some folks give themselves with curved shapes, trying the match the ribs and avoiding the dreaded springback. Thanks for posting.

All we need now are the real pictures of yours

On this same topic, I may have a good line on some used RV windows. They don't have the trim ring. Is that something I can either replace or work around fairly easily?

stanimal wrote:On this same topic, I may have a good line on some used RV windows. They don't have the trim ring. Is that something I can either replace or work around fairly easily?

If you can form angle iron into curves, and adjust the side length, you can likely replace the trim ring, but it may depend on the window and wall thickness.

aggie79- With the door so far forward I am hoping to have room for some cabinets

Paul- I am with you. I love windows.

Desert Mosse - What a great window. Did you buy that because I am planning a "star gazer" window like that in the top front angle. Would love a window like yours.

K.C. Thanks for repeating. Well made point about ease of entry that I did not know, and wished I had factored in.

Mallymal - Unlike the vidio my back is not 90 degrees but a 6" 45 degree angle like the front. Still going with a hatch although I have though of doors to block the wind.

Stanimal - could you send or post pictures of your windows. I might be interested.

Thanks for the positive feedback and comments. I ended up with this design because the highest priority was to be able to haul kayaks. My tow vehicle is a VW westfalia and I wanted to make room in the van and get the kitchen outside. I had been using a trailer but when I found this website it all started to click. Hence the long flat roof. Second priority is the kitchen. Third is hauling camping gear (the reason for really big doors) and as the list goes down sleeping is in there somewhere. So this is not like a normal tear drop where the tear itself is the camper. Mine will be almost like a guest room camper. Still working on pictures, Have taken plenty, still figuring how to downsize and post.

Patrick

Just one more teardrop with windows, we love them.I tend to be a little claustrophobic,it helps to easily see outside when I am lying in bed. Our next build will also have them.




Inside view.

Its all about deciding what you want and then designing and engineering to make it happen. Sometimes it can't work and the idea needs to be abandoned. However,if you can figure out a solution, it is very satisfying .

This forum is a great place to search for solutions as there are many creative folk here. Do your research and stay true to your vision.

Happy building!
Sincerely Dr. C-Dawg

I have windows in the doors and operable windows in the sides. I ended up covering the windows in the doors with privacy window film so that it lets in some light, but no one can see in. Since the doors also have screen doors, it was going to be too difficult and awkward to cover them with curtains or blinds. I made regular curtains for the windows, so that I can close them at night. Our little trailer isn't really a teardrop: it looks more like a weekender, and has no galley kitchen...same 48" height most of the way, except in the very front where it dips down. We sleep with our head to the back, where the ramp door is, and the front part is where I have our plastic tubs of clothes, the heater, shelves and air conditioner. I think I would find some of the designs a little claustrophobic, and I am glad for the light from the door windows and regular windows.

The TCteardrops guys also have windows int the doors and sides, and they have storage cabinets and a galley kitchen. you get to have your cake and eat it ,too!

We have two large windows as well as windows in the doors, it keeps my some what claustrophobic wife happy and adds lots of ventilation.

Has anyone ever tried using a window in between the kitchen area and the bed? I assume most people leave their hatch open when they are camping. A window all the way across would let in a lot of light and air (could use the sliding windows from an old truck cap). If you prefer to sleep in the dark or it is too cold out, you could always close the hatch. Plus it would give you a pass through to the kitchen and let you talk to each other if one was inside reading while the other was in the kitchen.

Actually, I think I might just install a screen there to start. I could later add a real window. It would definitely be nice and light (in both senses of the word)

Dirke wrote: I assume most people leave their hatch open when they are camping.

You, Sir, quite obviously do not have raccoons in your neck of the woods. Even with my flip out kitchen I fold it in every night. I have been to several gatherings where the midnight raiders tear up or carry away anything.




anyone seen the car keys