I'm new, be nice to me.

[Model_A Bill]

Hi everyone. I've been reading through your posts and found this site to be most informative.

We live about 50 miles northwest of Chicago. I've been thinking a lot about building a TD. Currently I am working on finishing a 1930 Model A Tudor Sedan. It is completely original and when it is done, we plan on using it to tour the world....ok, maybe just the U.S!

It has the original 4 cyl. engine pushing a wopping 40 horsepower. As you might have guessed, it can't pull a big heavy trailer. Hence the TD is an excellent idea. When asking my fellow Model A'ers about towing and weight, they tell me that 1000#'s should be no problem.

With that in mind I was looking at a TD with a total/full weight under 1000#. Is that do-able?

Thanks for all your input. I look forward to learning a lot from you and hopefully meeting you all.

Have a great day.

Bill

[oklahomajewel]

Bill, welcome !!! Everyone on this forum is more than just nice... they're encouraging, helpful, concerned and light hearted!!

I have a 4cyl HOnda Accord so keeping well under 1000# is important to me too. There are several folks here towing with classic cars and small 4 cylinders like mine, even VW Bugs, Miata's and Mini Coopers!

When I first got on this forum, the first and most informative site about weight was Bev's http://www.freewebs.com/kc8jwa/teardroptrailers.htm
I appreciate how she broke down the different weights including the ice chest etc.

I went with 1/4" plywood walls and sandwich construction to keep down weight. I don't have a spare tire yet and will only carry the AC occasionally .

Good luck !!!

[Model_A Bill]

Thank you for your input.

Your right. There is so much information here...WOW.

I'm reading throught the Benroy Plans. I also like the Cubby a lot. Guess I'm going with the 5' wide trailer. Hope I can keep that under 1000#.

[Joanne]

Hey M.A.B.!

Some folks have built their trailers light enough to tow behind a motorcycle so you shouldn't have a problem building light enough. That said, you must resist the urge to overbuild as you go along. The weight can really add up. Considering the strength of the cabin itself, you can go with a lightweight frame. There are a lot of ways to manage the final weight. I'll bet that you will have a great looking combination when you are done!

Joanne

Hi everyone. I've been reading through your posts and found this site to be most informative.

<snip>

With that in mind I was looking at a TD with a total/full weight under 1000#. Is that do-able?

Thanks for all your input. I look forward to learning a lot from you and hopefully meeting you all.

Have a great day.

Bill

[Bill Fernandez]

bild it big at least 5x10 you will love it
.

Bill
'from florida you have a good name there boy.

[Miriam C.]

MAB.

Enjoy our little playground/adult day care center. GEtting undrer 1000 should be easy enough if you just remember you are not hauling refrigerators. Jump in, have a ball and if you need anything just ask. You will have found by now that we really have a thing for pictures so

Keep the bubble oil level.

[tonyj]

Welcome, Bill. You've found a great group of people who will be more than willing to supply any info and encouragement you will need. The main requirement--we want to see pictures of your project (and in your case, your tow vehicle!).

Just be prepared--this site becomes an obsession. Welcome to our little cult, uh, I mean, forum.

[Chip]

Bill,, welcome to the on line adult day/night care ,,,, Passes are granted to go in the garage and to Lowes and Home Depot, as long as you are NOT superrvised,,, but otherwise you are hooked to the room,,

build it light,,, My current trailer is a 4 x 8 and loaded is about 700 lbs,, yea yea I still havent dragged it across the fer real scales,, tongue weight is a whopping 65 lbs, give or take,, go at least 4'-6"wide,, its amazing what that extra 6" will give ya,, plus its a standard double matterace size

my walls are 1/2" floor is 3/4" top is 1/8 sandwich on 1 1/2" rafters,,, 032 aluminum on top and layers of spar varnish on da sides,, did I say build it light,, you wont regret it,,,

anyhow welcome to the forum and enjoy yaself,,,

what accent ?? yall sure do talk funny up north

chipper

[mikeschn]

It'd suggest that you look at the aluminum Cubs from way back when. They were about 300 pounds unloaded. You ought to be able to duplicate that!

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

Mike...

[triker45]

Welcome to the forum Bill. I built a Kit replica that is 4x8, tongue weight of 68#, an overall weight of 700# loaded and I tow with a VW trike with no problems. Putting a TD together under 1,000# shouldn't be a problem. Enjoy and keep us informed on your build. Jerry

[Ira]

Welcome, Bill!

Do you have a photo of the car that you can post here? Or can anyone else here find a pic and post it? And Bill--what color is it?

The reason I bring this up is because with a classic car, it's REAL important you choose a TD profile (style) to match. You might like the Cubby, but it might not look right behind that car at all.

And the color of your car will help determine how you want to finish/skin your exterior--just stain and varnish, aluminum, or additionanal thin wood skins.

Know what I mean? Like, what you want to do is take a photo of your car, and match up with the styles you see here to see what's gonna look the absoulte kewlest. (That's how we spell "cool" here.) You can basically take any style and apply lightweight build techniques to it.

In addition, you can have a BALL with your cabin design--using decorating styles and "props" that match your car's era!!!

Also, what do you think your galley needs are gonna be? You gonna go full out!? Again, that can look so kewl done in old-fashioned style.

Anyway, your life is over as you knew it. Yeah, you had the car makeover obsession to keep you busy, but NOW you're gonna find yourself peaking in your neighborhood's garbage can for useful "junk"--and averaging 5 hours a day on eBay.

ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

[Creamcracker]

Welcome, Bill!

Anyway, your life is over as you knew it. Yeah, you had the car makeover obsession to keep you busy, but NOW you're gonna find yourself peaking in your neighborhood's garbage can for useful "junk"--and averaging 5 hours a day on eBay.

ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

Ain't that the truth -- about peaking into your neighbors garage. I go into teardrop mode whenever I go into a store --- I look at everything with questions running through my mind --- "what can I use that in the teardrop for? will it work if I just lop off that part? Can I make it myself cheaper so that it works better... etc...etc" Of course I'm not having much luck in Victoria's Secret! At least not on finding anything useful for the teardrop!
Philip

[martha24]

Currently I am working on finishing a 1930 Model A Tudor Sedan. It is completely original and when it is done, we plan on using it to tour the world....ok, maybe just the U.S!

Wow!! That is going to be a sweet tow car.
I agree with Ira, you want to think in terms of what is going to go with your car, especially being so fortunate to have such a car.
My tear has an older look with the 1935 Ford wheels, and is basically a modified kit profile.
One good place to get different profile plans and good information on older teardrop styles and parts for that matter is Grant at Lil Bear. Here is the page to plans and you won't find a better deal. As far as method of building, there are various methods and you need to decide what works for you.
http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/plans.html
Good luck on whatever you decide to do, have fun and ask lots of questions.
I wish I got to start out with a 1930 Model A Tudor Sedan for a tow vehicle.
Welcome to the forum!!
Martha

[Jack J]

Bill,



Is this what you are looking to end up with? This is a friend of mine that built his to pull behind his stock '29 A. He has traveled around Washington, Oregon and into Canda with it. We usually let him lead to set the pace. His 4X8ft TD weighs about 850 lbs loaded and he does slow down some going up hills. Normal speed for him is around 50-55 on the road. He used Model A fenders and wheels to tie-in the TD to the car.



Here is another fellow in Oregon that we met. Model A and TD and as with any TD, personalized to the owners preference.

You shouldn't have any problem except when people won't let you get back on the road when you have stopped for gas. It will be a magnet for lookers.

Hope this helps
Jack

[martha24]

Bill,



Is this what you are looking to end up with? This is a friend of mine that built his to pull behind his stock '29 A. He has traveled around Washington, Oregon and into Canda with it. We usually let him lead to set the pace. His 4X8ft TD weighs about 850 lbs loaded and he does slow down some going up hills. Normal speed for him is around 50-55 on the road. He used Model A fenders and wheels to tie-in the TD to the car.



Here is another fellow in Oregon that we met. Model A and TD and as with any TD, personalized to the owners preference.

You shouldn't have any problem except when people won't let you get back on the road when you have stopped for gas. It will be a magnet for lookers.

Hope this helps
Jack

Those are just awesome!! Wow!!
Perfect examples, Jack
Martha