Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just bought a new 4x4 FJ Cruiser and need a trailer that is small and very strong. The truck can tow 5000lbs but I don't want the TD it to be very big since I'll be taking it offroad. Here is what I've come up with... Let me know what you think...

Also, how small is too small? (with reguard to TDs) The current design is 4 feet tall, 8 feet long and 54 inches wide. I feel like I'm really struggling to get everything into it. I MUST have AC and Heat so I can get more use out of it here in Texas. Other than that, I just need enough space to squeeze in some sort of fridge (cooler/fridge), stove and hopefully a microwave. Portable gear is preferred so I can easily take it out and use it at a picnic table if I want to.

I have to give credit where credit it due - the overall look was inspired by a design that fornesto came up with andposted in the Offroad Contruction tips forum. Thanks, fornesto.

<img src="http://docs.google.com/FilePage?id=dfs967x9_35fh5fhdd7" />

<img src="http://docs.google.com/FilePage?id=dfs967x9_37cprb9khb" />

<img src="http://docs.google.com/FilePage?id=dfs967x9_39ww93mv35" />

<img src="http://docs.google.com/FilePage?id=dfs967x9_42gwnnd3fg" />

<img src="http://docs.google.com/FilePage?id=dfs967x9_44gfc9n7d9" />

Thats a pretty sweet design.

Thanks BigDaddyChia... I really like the look, myself. I just hope I can squeeze everything in it.

Why try and work so hard to squeeze everything in...I would make it at least 10 foot long, its easy to get plywood that length. You got plenty of room on the back with out worry about dragging it. I would probaly put a longer tongue on it than your pic, its going to be pretty easy for the box to hit JF's spare tire if you go down and back up a moderate ravine.

Remember that those big curves at the bottom, front and back, look good but steal lots of floor length and storage space.

If the body is 8ft long, that bed is probably only 6ft long - it will get longer a few inches above the floor, as the curves kick in, so it'll probably be long enough to sleep on, but you may need an odd mattress whose ends taper to match the body curves.

Andrew

Square those bottom corners off. That gives you more room front and back. With 31" tyres on it you will never have a problem with bottoming out. Trust me on this, I am speaking from experience. Check my album.
If you want, or need, extra storage go for 5' wide. I know it doesn't sound much but you will be surprised with what you can gain, by doing that.
I'm always astounded that you guys need a/c. I've just spent a weekend away where the temps where around 100F for the whole 3 day weekend. No need for an a/c, we just followed the shadows around
The Handbrake(wife) and I only do remote camping.
Cheers
Paul

G-force wrote:Why try and work so hard to squeeze everything in...I would make it at least 10 foot long, its easy to get plywood that length. You got plenty of room on the back with out worry about dragging it.

I'm toying around with the idea of making it 9 or 10 ft long. I just want to make sure it's not too big for dragging around off road. I haven't pulled an offroad trailer before so I've got no way to guage what is too big. Most guys are pulling small cargo type trailers with tent on them (see adventuretrailers.com).

G-force wrote: I would probaly put a longer tongue on it than your pic, its going to be pretty easy for the box to hit JF's spare tire if you go down and back up a moderate ravine.

Thats a good point, I wasn't thinking about the spare!

I stumbled onto this trailer in "sketchup" go to import put in "teardrop "one word.
It will show up as off road tear.
Open it up and set it to xray and you will see the lower curved section is storage and the bed is elevated , pretty cool design.

Oh it also shows the size , if memory serves me right the bed was 6'6'' .

I really like the design. You may want to relocate the spare tire to the front of the tear. The tire weight would make getting in the hatch difficult.

Just put the same size bolt pattern/rims and tires on the TD and then you would only need to carry the spare that is on the tow vehicle.

elmo wrote:Just put the same size bolt pattern/rims and tires on the TD and then you would only need to carry the spare that is on the tow vehicle.

I 2nd that. AND carry some way to compress air and lots of tire plugs. Never had a flat yet I couldn't fix (to get back to the road, at least).

This isn't a new idea. Lots of the Johnson Valley folks don't carry spares at all anymore. That's 150 lbs less to a rock buggy, so it's very worth it. I 'tour' more than rockbuggies do, so I have a spare that'll fit the jeep or trailer. (Still have air and plugs though)

DrCrash wrote:I stumbled onto this trailer in "sketchup" go to import put in "teardrop "one word.
It will show up as off road tear.
Open it up and set it to xray and you will see the lower curved section is storage and the bed is elevated , pretty cool design.

Yeah, thats the design that inspired this one. Beleive it or not, I created this one from scratch! I'm think, now, I should have just imported the one on sketchup and started making changes to tweak it to my liking.

if you truly want an off road look, build an exoskeleton cage around it. that would be sweeeeet!

I am with Paul at least square off the front it will make for an ezyer built and if you think you will be going into real steep inclines and stuff the rounded back might come in handy but you may not need it to arch that much.

Nice design looks strong and has nice lines.

Good job well thought out.

Ron D.