Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I don't really want to begin the construction of the floor 'til the stabilizer jacks arrive & I get them fitted to underside of the frame (& paint the new tongue & brackets). Still, wanted to do something so yesterday started laying out the profile on a large sheet of double weight cardboard that I 'liberated' from a local furniture store's trash bin . Man! laying out those 3" squares in the proper locations & then transfering the outline from 1/4" graph paper is something an old man needs to do in really good light . After the layout, cutting it out with a half sharp utility knife was lotsa fun too . As you can see from the pic, I didn't follow the curves as neatly as could be done either . Still, I think I'm gonna be pleased with the profile (it's a modified Gruman with Ultralight influence) & I'll layout the actual side pattern using the ellipse drawing technique posted here in the Design Library. Since I'll be building partially over the wheels I won't be using/needing full width fenders. Still considering how to approach that problem but I'm sure with the help of knowledgeable folks here, I'll come up with a suitable solution . In looking at the mock-up profile, I think I may either have to move the body forward a couple of inches or relocate the axle a couple more inches rearward (I've already moved the axle back nearly 4" & really ain't lookin' forward to doing it again ). Moving the cabin forward shouldn't be that much of a problem except for fitting a spacer board in front of the trailer frame. Anyway, here's a couple of pix of the layout, & the profile clamped to the frame -

Nobody, that a good lookin' profile. The cardboard template wil be good to trace. After cutting the actual sides out a belt sander will be a good friend for you. It helps with the sharp pointy spots.

Nobody-

Great profile!

Time to make sawdust!

Cheers,

Coop

Profile look great.
If in the future you have a hard time cutting through cardboard, you could try using just a hacksaw blade. Just be careful. Or use a jigsaw. Thats what I used. Cutting the cardboard was very loud. Best of luck with the build!

..it does look like it could use some adjustment of axle location...are you planning a front box...where are your battery etc going...loading can also help tongue weight adjustment...as to the "half" fenders, steel fenders are pretty cheap and could be cut down or you could get some fender flairs like Mike did on the Baja Benroy...
madjack

What's that green stuff in the trees? Haven't seen anything like that since September!! Oh by the way, love the profile!!!

Nobody I really like your profile.

Can I say it, "Nobody is slower than me." I've been working on and off for over a year and a half now. Just keep plugging along any you'll get there.

That is a good example of multi-tasking, teardrop building and BBQing at the same time.

asianflava wrote:Can I say it, "Nobody is slower than me."

Wanna bet?

Thanks for the kind words/encouragement folks. I/we (gotta inclued my wife in this ) have known for some time pretty well what we wanted but getting the cardboard 'visual' kinda makes it more real .


StevenD, yep, I figure my old 3X21" belt sander will get a real workout smoothing out the rough spots on the profile. Wifey was nice & presented me with a little random orbital sander from HF a while back. That oughta help for the less aggressive work .


madjack, the more I look, the more I agree about the axle placement. The actual floor/frame is just about 9' & the trailer chassis is 8'. I'd planned for the extra length to go behind the chassis with the front radii protruding a semi-equal distance in front. I think if I shift the entire cabin forward about 3 or 4 inches it'll take care of that . Think my tongue box will be a small, simple affair, perhaps one of the black poly ones from WM , that should match the black trim on my truck. Good idea on the fenders, thanks.


asianflava, not many folks are slower'n me . I'll probably be workin' on this from now on. Even when 'finished' it'll probably never be 'done' . Good eye on the BBQ. Had a coupl'a racks of back ribs in the smoker for our family get together Easter Sunday.


Probably wouldn't wanta take either side of that bet Chris .

Anyway, now that this project is finally 'on' I'm kinda anxious to get goin' .

Nobody,, part of the build time is the sitting and pondering phase of every step,,, the more you work on it and the more you ponder, the fewer mistakes or idea changes you will make,, Pondering becomes a great part of building,,, pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and sit back,,

good looking profile, by the way,,

chipper

I never go into a project or part of one till I can see it in my mind going together piece by piece. That's one benefit of a CAD program and a vivid imagination.

Chip wrote:Pondering becomes a great part of building,,, pull up a chair, grab a cup of

Heck, I went through 5 cases of Bud just pondering the last 2 weeks.