My tear drop design

[rainjer]

I have just started building my first teardrop. It will be a 4 X 9.5 or 10' when done. It will be bullt on a 4 X 8 red folding trailer. (I have had it 5 years.) I upgraded the wheels & tires a few years ago to 4.8 X 12.

I have done few things to start converting it into a teardrop:
I reinforce the side rails where it folds.
Replaced the tongue with 2.5 X 2.5 X .120" steel tubing, it is also 1 ft. longer.
Replaced the "U" channel axel with 1.5 X 1.5 X .188" square tube.
Added a tongue jack.

I am now in the process of sanding & repainting the frame with Rust-Oleum gloss black paint.

This is my concept drawing of the paint scheme.


The paint scheme is based on a 1959 Rambler Ambassador. I was inspired by some tail lights I was give from a 58-59 Rambler.

I beleive I will be callin it "Rainbassador"

[Chris C]

Looks pretty slick. But would it be too much to ask that you resize the image to a smaller one? That way those of us reading the rest of this thread won't spend the entire time scrolling back and forth. Thanks.

[JunkMan]

Looks like your axel might be a little too far back. Nice graphics!

[rainjer]

Looks like your axel might be a little too far back. Nice graphics!

The over all length is 160". The body is 120", with 12" hanging off the back of the trailer frame. The axle will be 48-50' from the rear. That will give me a 11.5% tongue weight.

The main purpose of my teardrop will be for me to go hunting or fishing by myself (maybe with one of the kids) for 3-5 days at a time.

I will be going with a 100% 12 volt system running 2 marine deep cycle. They will be mounted on the tongue with the LP gas. I will carry a 25ft extension cord to charge the batteries. I will plumb the LP gas from the tongue, under the trailer, to the galley. I plan on putting a 5-6 Gallon water tank with a hand/12 volt pump with and a small sink. I am not sure where I will put the water tank.

This will be a very basic trailer with a few extras.

[angib]

rainjer,

Nice shape!

One problem you could face is that the long slope down the back of your body means it will be a long, long way in to your galley worktop/cupboards.

As you're extending your body behind the frame, can I interest you in an idea I had a while ago, to use a fold down (or up) section of floor so that you can reach the galley without breaking your back. I've drawn it out your trailer to show the idea:



Andrew

[rainjer]

I took the basic design from your Harbor Freight Trailer Design. I am going to mock my trailer up in cardboard to get the feel & look for these kind if issues.

I had an idea of putting the entire lower galley on drawer slides & hinge the countertop to flip open to the back to increase the overall counter space. I am going to put a sliding shelf for the stove to get it as far out of the trailer as I can. I will post some sketch ideas of the galley as I work it out.

BTW, what CAD program are you using?

[Sonetpro]

rainjer,



One problem you could face is that the long slope down the back of your body means it will be a long, long way in to your galley worktop/cupboards.



Andrew

Thats the main reason I put a radius in the back.

[angib]

BTW, what CAD program are you using?

TurboCad - a cheap AutoCad alternative.

Andrew