Newbie, Lurker, Offroad Builder

[bluzharp]

It's time to 'fess up, I've been lurking here for almost 4 months since being bitten by the teardrop bug. I have spent nearly every free moment since then, building this offroad teardrop and I am nearing the "functional" completion phase of the project. I mean it will be useable but not quite finished. A few details will remain, but we will be able to take it out over Labor Day and the week afterward.

I built it primarily with the Generic Benroy Plans with a few modifications.

It has 2000# leaf springs, shocks, 3500# axle with brakes. There is a 2" .095 wall square tube frame with 2"X3" .125 wall tongue with 6 crossmembers. A LockNRoll hitch provides flexibility offroad. With a frame height of about 22", it sits level with my lifted Tacoma and should provide plenty of clearance for offroad excursions.

The siding and roof are anodized aluminum from SoCal Teardrops with diamondplate stoneguard in the front (making up the remainder that a 12' foot sheet won't cover). The doors are from Little Guy Trailers in Ohio.

All of the lighting (not the trailer lights) is LED for low power usage. There is a Fantastic vent in the ceiling.

I couldn't have done it without the help and ideas from everyone here.


A photo from the offroad testing last Sunday.

[mikeschn]

Looks good. It looks like you been picking our brains. Can you share a few photos of your deviations from the Gen. Benroy plans, and the hitch, and an interior shot too?

Thanks,

Mike...

[01Sport]

Looks good. Are you in the Ontario area?

[Miriam C.]

to the other playground, looks like you have your own. Beautiful Job on that one and thanks for the pictures...

Look forward to the finish

[bluzharp]

Some of the changes from the generic Benroy plans are:

Used full size mattress instead of queen size to gain 5" more cabinet depth

No upper cabinets in galley, same reason as above

Installed a double spar where the diamond plate meets the roof sheet

Custom built frame from scratch

Used double spars around perimeter of hatch

All poplar spars instead of pine

Edge framing between spars for headliner attachment

Put headliner in, then built cabinets in-place

Tons of screws and glue throughout

Luan skin under aluminum

We have lots of pictures and will be uploaded soon....stay tuned!

[bluzharp]

We're getting closer to finishing this project every day. There are a few more pics in the album but here are a couple from this weekend's work.
The fenders and running lights are done!


Here's a shot of the trailer end of the LocknRoll Hitch

Here are the back and front views.


I think we'll be done with the rest of the wiring and some details on the hatch in time for next Friday's departure for the high elevations of the Eastern Sierra! Check out our album for more construction pics.

[hiker chick]

Bravo - very impressive!