New from Greenville South Carolina

[Dayhiker]

Just dropping in to say hello. My wife and I are thinking realy hard about building a Teardrop, we do a lot of tent camping in western north carolina. The bigest reason for us wanting to build one is the enclosed space, right now when we camp in the tent it is hard to stay warm on the fall nights in the mountains. The ability to insulate and heat a home away from home is very apealing to us, plus it seems to be a bit more critter proof than the tent LOL..

I am 33 and have been an auto tech for 16 years now. My wife is 30 and very mechanicaly inclined. Our plan is to design and build our own from a heavy duty 4x8 trailer we can purchase at Tractor supply for 279.00. We already have one of these trailers we use as a utility trailer and to haul our motorcycle long distances, so far it has held up great.

My first question is probably how big are the doors on a teardrop, I know it varys depending on the builder but what is the average size?

Does anyone know of anyone that has used a vynal top rather than sealing or aluminum sheeting?

Thanks in advance for the help and please over look the questions Id rather ask now than after I have already made the mistake...

Russell

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Russell. Sounds like you have what it takes to make a really nice TD.

If you look over the Hall of Fame you will find many different materials have been used to do the top and the sides.

Door size really is up to the user. And often depends on the profile used.

Enjoy and don't forget to get lots of

[del]

Welcome Russell. My thought on a vynal top is having seen them removed, and the results of moisture trapped under there. I am not saying it will not work, but think the roof needs sealed some how.

hope this helps
del

ps I have asked many crazy questions, and I am still here. The thing is someone else may see your question and the answers, and find the answer to their question or get an idea. So others will benefit from your questions, so please ask questions.

[bobhenry]

Russell

My motorcycle tear is about to get his vinyl top. I selected material to match my Goldwings wine colored saddle. I did install a thin galvanized steel roof under it. ( It was an old 24' steel pool side ring) I have a good friend who has an upolstery shop and he does a lot of boats and hot rods. He claimes 10 years with reasonable care.

As to door size take into consideration how big you and yours are.
I'm a 4xl and go 290 +/- so the doors on my new 5x10 build are 30" wide by 38" tall . They have had a good workout already and I'm only about 40% done with my build. Think of the things that need to go thru it during the build and after (like a mattress). I would go so far as to mock up one out of a cheap sheet of osb or used plywood and definatly get your bride to test it out too.
Remember if mama ain't happy no one is happy. Have fun !!!

Bob

[rbeemer]

Russell,

My suggestion on size of your trailer is to 5 feet wide, 6 inch overhang on each side, you can stay at 8 feet long or go to 10 feet depending on design.

It is your decision but I would really put a lot of time in planning and as some have done before you, mark out a 4 foot and 5 foot wide area and have both you and your wife lay down in that area to get an idea of what width and length you want

[Mary K]

Hello and Welcome!!!!!

OH, how lucky are you to have western NC as a playground!!!I have camped at Pisgah National Forest twice and just loved it!! I can not wait to go back with my TD.

Make sure to check out the Generic Benroy Plans at the top.

Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Mk

[Mike C.]

Welcome Russell

Hope you have fun. This is great place to hang out, but it can be addictive. Be sure and post of your build after you get started.

[Ira]

Hi, Russell.

I double and triple echo Rick's (rbeemer's) post about doing the overhang thing and making it a 5' wide.

I wish I had, because you're not talking about any real extra expense here. Just a matter of planning.

The only "negatives" is whether the recessed wheels match the profile you have in mind, and finding appropriate 5' wide material for your roof and cabin ceiling.

[Dayhiker]

Rick

Thanks for the info ,we have a 4x8 trailer now for utility and for the motorcycle , so we layed down on it and were happy it is much bigger than our 3 person tent. Weight and cost is going to be a big factor in this project I have been searching for an estimated weight on a basic 4x8 with battery propane and a basic hatch area no fridge or cooler just counter top and cabinet space havent had any luck as of yet on the weight. I was searching out diffrent ideas and read through the tutorial and noticed ther was a trailer listed at northern tool so I flipped over and checked it out it lists for 199 without wheels for the 4x8 model. The trailer is rated at a bit over 900 lbs will this be enough, after some more research I found it will run either 8in or 12in tires, I like the 8 in idea for getting it lower to the ground .


Russell

[rbeemer]

Russell,

Think Safety!! 8 inch tires tend to get hot and have blowouts quicker than 12 inch tires because they are completing more revolutions

If you want to lower the trailer closer to the ground either mount the axle on the top of the springs instead of the bottom or get a torsion axle and have the degree changed(do not have the correct terminology here).

What are you towing with?

If you want to go light look at Roly's and Jimsav's buildsyou do not have to have a battery for the trailer you can always use stick on lights or other ones that use batteries for each appliance and the propane tank can be carried in your tow vehicle

[Dayhiker]

Well that explains the reasoning on the tire size we will be towing it with a 05 Grand cherokee or a 95 cherokee both are 6cyl and rated for 1500 lb towing capacity. By the time we load our gear in our tow veh I would like to be under 1000lbs on the trailer just for the simple fact of putting less strain on the jeeps. Most everywhere we go here is up through winding mountain roads or down the other side. I am looking for less strain going up and less abuse on the brakes and trans on the way down..

Thanks
Russell

[steve wolverton]

I'm still waiting for my 8" wheel/tire combo to explode into a ball of flame and burn the camper and everything near it to the ground and cause a 200 car pileup that will have traffic backed up for days in the Houston area in which the Army National Guard will be called out to deal with the rioting and mayhem of said wheel/tire combo. Still waiting for that.

Dayhiker - I have an 800 pound Tiny Travel Trailer which measures 6' x 8' sitting on a 4x8 trailer with 8" wheels. I don't *think* it will work, I *know* it will. It's all bueno!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Russell, this is the place, if you want to get advice on how to build that teardrop. I have built a couple, (you can't just build one) the first one, which is on my web page, weighs in at about 500 lbs and I can lift the 12" tire off of the ground, using my 75 year old muscles. If you really want to build light, my 2nd one tops out at just under 250 lbs. However it is only 6 ft long. A 4x8 tear is the most ecomonical and is just right for a couple of newly weds.......and the wife and I, even after 54 years of wedded bliss.

As far as the size of the door is concerned, I feel that when you sit on the mattress, you don't want a hard board cutting off the blood on your upper legs, so the bottom of the door should be well below the top of the mattress. Then, while sitting there, you don't want to bump your head on the door opening, so I made mine as high as possible. As far as width, the wider, the better. It makes swinging your legs in easier.

You might want to log onto the Harbor Freight web site, and check out the trailers they have that will suit your needs. Many folks have custom trailer frames built, some weld them themselves. Both of my tears have 12" wheels on HF frames and they both work great, even after over 10,000 miles. Often the HF frames are on sale and can be ordered to be delivered to your door.

Good luck on your build, ask questions, take pics and post 'em!

Roly

[Ira]

A 4x8 tear is the most ecomonical and is just right for a couple of newly weds.\

God bless Roly, but he forgot how much ROOM newlyweds need when they go to bed.

Go 5' wide:

You'll both be more comfortable and it will open up a whole new world of marital possibilities.

Me, after 18 years of marriage, the extra 12" of distance between us wouldn't kill me at all.

[Dayhiker]

Thanks a ton for all the info.We have a harbor freight store here in greenville so I dont have to worry about shipping we also have a northern tool localy also. As for the newly wed part we just celebrated our 11th year anniversary. No kids and none to come so the 4x8 will be plenty big enough since it is a big step up from our tent... I guess my biggest concern is how to assemble and seal the TD so it does not leak and we are a bit concerned on how you get the hatch to seal. We are thinking about buying the plans for a 4x8 to know how to do these things but I am not sure they will explain in detail how to do this..

Thanks for all the advice we have been looking at photos tonight trying to get ideas.

Russell