Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey all you teardrop guru's,

Has anybody tried building a teardrop without the Trailer frame then installed it on top of the trailer later in the build?


George

Like this.
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=61318

I'm doing it now just got trailer yesterday

Thanks everyone,

I thought it might be very doable. I have palamino popup trailer frame to use, but it will need some work (and I'd like wider axle with 5x4.5 hubs instead of 4x4 hubs). Problem is that I can not easly spend the $$ for the axle right now. But I believe I can nickle/dime the construction of the "pod" without too much problem. KennethW, I like your TD and the idea of being able to swap between TD and cargo. My popup trailer frame would not be too good for the cargo hauler though (even though I could use one). backstrap bandit, that's proof in the works, your TD looks good too.

Thanks,

George

I can not take credit for that teardrop I just showed you a link.
This is mine. click to inlarge

I built mine off the trailer, then we set it on the trailer and finished it up, I used some Lag bolts from the under side of the trailer bed up into the framing of the trailer, my original plan was like drhill's to be able to remove the pod, and use the cargo trailer when needed for hauling other items... but so far I really haven't had the need for the trailer...

take a look at my build journal...
mike

I've done it both ways and prefer building on a dolly and then mounting on the chassis. I can still roll it around and the tires are not in the way.

Thanks Mrwall1 and Tony Latham. It's good to hear that building off the trailer even sounds like a better idea. KennethW, I do like you TD.

Thanks to all...

George

Attaching the aluminum bottom trim along the fender/tire area of my first 'drop (after I had it sheathed) was probably the biggest pain I had with that build.





Enjoy your build!

Tony

I built the trailer and floor first, matching the mounting holes in the underside of the floor to the trailer, then took the floor up the stairs to the loft of my friends barn, where I am building the cabin. The proverbial 'ship in a bottle'.

When completed we will lower the cabin down thru the shipping hatch in the floor and land it on the trailer.

This allowed me to use the floor as a work table on saw horses, then drop it down onto a cradle once the walls were up. Simple step up thru the front opening while working on interior details before the front cabinets and roof went on.

So not only is it a practical way to build, it might suit certain work shop scenarios better. Some people, on the other hand, might find it easier to move the cabin in, out and around while it is mounted on the trailer.

Pick your choice.

Yes I did.
The main reason is that around here it is a lot easier to register a flatbed trailer that a teardrop.
I had the cabin semi completed before doing the trailer.
It does make life easier when working on the interior and top. But you have to be 100% sure you get both parts square and flat. And be very sure where metal may interfere or be required for services and fixings.

Will I do it this way again? Doubtful. I will start with the registered trailer and build the cabin on top, keeping it removable. Probably remove the wheels (or even the complete axle) and fit castors to make things easier.