Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi there,

First timer here! I am embarking on building my first teardrop based in Auckland, New Zealand.

I am in the process of getting quotes from local trailer manufacturers to build the trailer as I am mostly familar/comfortable with woodworking than steel work and I have a basic question about the relationship of the frame to the teardrop.

I am wondering what is the recommended overhang (or not..) from the frame to the trailer. I am leaning towards having a 50mm overhand on all directions mostly to allow me to get started on the build as the trailer is being built and curious if there's a rule somewhere about this relationship.

Here's some images of where I am at with the design.

The dimensions I have currently are:
Trailer Frame:1452x2600mm
Teardrop Base: 1552x2700mm
Cabin size: 1600x3200mm

Thanks in advance look forward to sharing my build journal!

I build a chassis frame that is 59.5" (1511.3 mm) wide for a 60" (1524 mm) cabin. This allows for the cabin to not sit on the trim, if sheathed with aluminum.



And I build off the chassis:



Your galley is similar to what I build, but my countertop transitions into the lower shelf. It works well. (The bulkhead is two-piece.)





Tony

Hi Tony thanks for your reply!

I actually bought your book a couple of weeks ago and has been of great reference and inspiration!

The reason I was wondering about the frame of the trailer is that given the round shape I want to achieve I want to de-emphasize the trailer frame given that I think it might look weird and it's sitting on the trailer.

I thought about dropping the walls to cover the frame as well but that would really impact the interior cabin height.

As per the bulkhead, yeah I thought about that as well but wanted to keep the height as close as possible to 920mm and have more leg room at the bottom for a thicker mattress, looking into options for mattresses atm as there aren't as many options as in the States here

Looks like you have done a little Searching

A lot of extra work in the tongue.

It sounds great. I can feel your brain cranking.

and have more leg room at the bottom for a thicker mattress,

We have an 8" mattress. 5" of foam with 3" of memory foam bonded to it. Even with a down quilt, it gives us plenty of room for our feet and the heater vents. For us, with that mattress, and covers, the 22" works.



Please don't laugh at my wife's toes. She'll kill me.

Tony

tony.latham wrote:Please don't laugh at my wife's toes. She'll kill me.

Tony

I would only laugh if those WEREN’T your wife’s toes.

thanks so much for the great info, looking forward to sharing my progress!