Personal Introduction- Sam Dubai

[samdubai 2011]

Hi everyone,

It is my please to be a member of theT&TTT group / forum.

I am basicaly an Electronic Design Engineer working for a US Multinational here in Dubai, UAE.

I am a person very fond of camping, outings and other outdoor activities.

Recently I saw a photo of a Tear Drop Trailer and was very moved with the idea and concept.

I am now gathering all possible information to design and construct my 1st TearDRop Trailer.

Once I have all the info. I will start building it.

I think this will be the 1st ever Tear Dop trailer to be built in Dubai as I have not seeen or heard anything like this here.

I have a lot of general and design questions that Iwill need the members help on.

I am very much inspired by Mr. Osborns videos, step by step construction details and explanations on constructing a tear drop. Hats up for his efforts and sharing all his experiences with everyone.

As I am new to this idea so I have many starting questions, a few are as follows,

1. I want to design a 5' 4" x 9' trailer so that I can get a 60 inch clear space inside. Any comments.

2. I have calculated the axel center line to be at 43.2" for my 108" trailer design, considering the 40-60% ratio. Is it OK.

3. I cannot find any axle suppliers here, therefore i will need to construct my own axle. I would like to make an axle for about 1000Kg. I will need a lot of help on that.
For now I want to know how much minimum distance should me kept between the trailer outer wall and the tyre. 1 ", 2" less or more.

I will come back with more quetions as I proceed further and would very much appreciate members feedback and guidance.

Thanks and Regards
Shahid A. Mughal - Sam- Dubai[/img]

[bc toys]

Let me welcome you to this site Shahid. I have yet to build my tear drop but hope to some day. Remember we in here like pictures we our builds.looking forward to hearing more about this build

[Steve_Cox]

Shahid,

Welcome to the forum, looking forward to seeing your trailer build.

As to the questions you posed.

1. 5'4" X 9' for a 60" interior. =

2. As I see it, 40/60 axle placement is more for cargo trailers, you might want to place the axle farther to the rear, ergonomic door placement, fender clearance, and esthetically pleasing looks are more of a consideration as well as tongue weight. I prefer a tongue weight for a tear drop to be about 15% of the total weight, the trailer will track well at high speed.

3. Your tire/side wall clearance seems well thought out.

I'm sure opinions will vary. Keep us posted on your progress.

[madjack]

Welcome Sam...in Dubai no less...simply amazing where a teardropper will pop up...as to your questions...
1) dimensions are fine BUT keep in mind, materials up to 60" wide can be found fairly easily...wider, not so much...what I do is design to 58"s inside and keep my outside measurement just under 60"s.....
2) move your axle back to around 40"s for a centerline...may not seem much of a difference but it can be in a conventiaonally laid out and built teardrop
3) 1" is plenty of clearance...if you are planning on quite a lot of off road usage, you should look for Dave Sorenson's Outback tear...a lot of off road folks have followed his examples(and avoided his mistakes)

madjack

[samdubai 2011]

Thank U MadJack for your warm welcome.

I have noted your points. I know that standard ply board etc. sizes are 4' x 8' but I want to build my 1st teardrop as per my ideal size. Ill hopeflly find a few oversized sheets for my 1st project from large project packings.

I have noted yr 40" centerline point for the axle and good to know that 1" tyre clearence is OK.

I shall keep the list posted with all my work as it proceeds.

Thanks again for the kind welcome.

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your welcome note too. I have noted yr points and will keep them in mind while building my trailer.

As MadJack suggested, I will move my axle to 40" instead of 43.2"

BC Toys thanks for yr kind words too. I feel so much welcome and at ease here.

Let us all keep in touch

Regards Shahid Dubai

[Rlowell]

Welcome Shahid,
As you have found out already, this is the best site in the world for Teardrop Trailer!! There is a wealth of knowledge and experience that is free for the asking or looking...Have fun as you plan and build the first of it's kind in Dubai. We look forward to pictures of your build and of you and your surroundings. Good Luck.
Rod

[Roly Nelson]

Shahid, welcome to the best teardrop forum on the internet. Good for you, planning to build an one-of-a-kind teardrop trailer, in a land where there are probably no other camping trailers like it. Be aware, folks will be extreemly interested in your final product, and you may have to beat them off with a stick.

Good luck on your build, and be sure to take pics, ask questions and make your first maiden voyage to Southern California, and we can talk about teardrop trailers...........Naw, just kidding.
Roly, a TD builder and user, way over in the USA

[H@nk]

Welcome Shahid,

From the Netherlands a warm welcome, we have something in comment, I have a family member working and living overthere.
You can buy your sheets of plywood in the measure of 5x10 foot, or in meters, 1.53 by 3.05 meters. Good luck,