Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I pulled this from a outing Roy Nelson a memeber of teardrop times did these.

http://roughwheelers.com/montego/td/Swe ... _0188.html

after you do a drawing of a teardrop do you make a model of any type??

I was told it helps to make a model of cardboard first, Just simple carboard and tape.

but then many of you have 3D computer programs that can rotate a model and cover all sides top to bottom.

What do those who are experienced or have made more then one do?

Ron D.

I'm still in the dreaming stage....
I got sick of drawing just the side shape on the paper and wanted to get a better idea of the spacing for the inside and galley. So while watching tv tonight, I used card stock and tape to make a model. I transfered the side wall shape from my graph paper and used the same scale to make the rest of it (four squares equals a foot.)

This would be built on a Harbor Freight 4x8 utility trailer. I'm 6'1" so I wanted to have at least 6'5" of bed length. I don't personally like the look of a straight edge on the bottom front of the trailer, and I'd also like to have a curved bottom back. The total length of the side walls at their longest would be about 9.5' and it would be 4' tall, with the base being 4x8.

My main reason for making this model was to see how the inside shelving and galley would work out. The galley has cabinets and a table that slides out just under the counter. The square in the center on the counter would look straight through to the interior, this is where the tv would go so it could be viewed from the inside or turned around to be viewed outside. I was thinking it would be neat to have a popup sunroof to match the one on my car... but I haven't seen many in tears online, so I'm not sure if there is a problem with using those or what... have too look into that. If not a sunroof, then just a vent there. I'm not sure about the doors. I'm thinking rectangular, except the top front corner mimicking the curve of the body.

Then on the inside I'd have shelves or cabinets and again the tv in the center. Just below the shelves would be a small slide out table (you can't see it so good in this pic.)

I've seen CAD drawings, and they are neat. But I kind of like having a little model to actually put my hands on. For me, its easier to picture that way.

Anyone else build a model? Pics?

I have another reason for building a model: Given my current housing situation (apartment) I can't build a full sized tear yet I'm hoping to move into a house summer '05, so until then I can only dream and plan....

We do most of our camping at state parks or commercial campgrounds. The problem I would have with a skylight at these areas is the area lights they mount up on poles, and the exterior lights of "heavy equiptment" campers. There have been nights, in both pop-up and tent, when I've had trouble sleeping while feeling pinned under a spotlight.

Well, I was thinking of a pop up sunroof like for in a car. They are tinted, but you have a point, perhaps you could make some kind of interior curtain to block the light at night when you are around lights like that? But I guess that would take away alot of your venting....

This is the one I saw on EBay, but I got outbid anyway.
I'm not really looking to buy one yet, I only bid $20. After that a few other people bid.
The bid ended at $58, the website that picture came from sells it for $154.95.
http://www.sunroofdoctor.com/popupkits.htm

Nathan,
Your teardrop model looks real good. Nice looking galley!
Bev

Thanks. The galley has to be nice right? Thats what people see the most of

Wow... this was forever ago. Almost 9 years later I have three kids, a 1966 Scotty and a recently added a 1973 Apache hard sided popup.
Still no teardrop.... not many fit five people

Hi Ron, I did both! After I completed the basic design for my trailer, I made a 1"=1' model to be able to see it better.



Once we decided that the design was what we wanted, then I built a full size mockup of the cabin. We climbed in and checked out the space for fit. It was very good to get the feeling of the space before we made sawdust.


All the Best,

Dave

I did a model of my, proposed, trailer, as well as a crude Sketchup drawing. gallery/album.php?album_id=121
The home kitchen remodel is at, approximately, 85% so trailer construction could begin this summer.

Clever. I can even try out graphics. Then offload the whole thing on the four little neighbor kids;)