Building a teardrop or similar from a pop up camper frame

[bsrenter]

This spring we were planning on selling our pop up (I want something more secure with hardsides). Although i'm not too happy with the prices for the smaller travel trailers. I've considered building a teardrop in the past.

Our current pop up is probably only worth retail between $1500 and $2000. However, over the last year i've added several upgrades (shurflo powered vent, water heater, water pump, fresh water tank, stereo, new lighting and wheels, 12v inverter, new battery). All of this including the frame itself is probably going to cost me close to $1500 anyways if I started out from scratch.

I am considering tearing down the pop up trailer for the frame and components, possibly selling the canvas and lift system and anything else I can sell.

Back to my original concern, is trailer loading and balance. With how most of the teardrops are setup the axle is farther back, which I feel might be an issue if I use the existing pop up trailer frame. I could move the axle, but I think that would be more trouble. I've searched and found one teardrop style trailer built using an old pop up trailer frame. Has anyone else? Comments or suggestions?

[Boodro]

Hey glad to see ya wanting to build, its fun!
I built mine on a popup frame. There are dozens & dozens of them out there! I did not have to move my axle , my TD is 12ft long & 4ft wide. It balanced out quite nice. It pulls like a dream. My tongue weight is 143 lbs. not bad since the trailer weighs 1120lbs dry. I wish I would have made it 5 wide. Good luck with your build!! If it pulled fine as a popup , I think you'll find the same as a TD, depending on how much extra gear you throw in it. I care most extra in the tow car( Ford Explorer)

[CarlLaFong]

Popups are all over Craigslist for about 200 bux. Yours has a lot of good stuff, it is already licensed and registered, I'd say, "Go for it." You may be able to recoup some of your loss by selling the canvas, but, realistically, I wouldn't count on getting much for it.

[dragonmaile]

The build that I am starting is being done on an old Starcraft frame. I am leaving it full size 6'3" wide by 9'7" long but, I am not doing a traditional td. Mine is more like a version of sorts of a Grasshopper being made out of foam. The one thing I can say is you can never do enough drawing of how you want it to be. So go for it and have fun with the build. The trailer will let you know when it is the right design.

[glenpinpat]

I built mine on a pop-up frame. If yours is worth that much sell it the way it is and buy a used one for 200.00. Use the rest for construction material.

[jimqpublic]

If you plan to have pressure hot water, furnace, etc. then keeping your existing trailer with its known components is a good idea.

Have your considered a lifting roof at all? I'm intrigued by the idea of using a popup lift mechanism for a popup Vardo- style trailer. That way you have hard walls but more room than a teardrop.

[atahoekid]

I'm in the process of building my "foamie" on an old Starcraft frame. The build thread is below. I did move my axle back about a foot mostly because I have a well equipped galley and a tap system for my beer. I wish I had all that other stuff you could salvage from a pop up because I've got to find and buy all that stuff. But I'd say go for it!!! I'm having a great time and I'm sure you've figured out, there are lots of great people willing to give their advice. Sometimes even without you asking

[Oldragbaggers]

I am just starting my build on the frame from an old Palomino Filly pop-up. I took it to a welder and had the outriggers cut off to narrow it to a more traditional teardrop width, and I am moving my axle back just a bit, but I appreciate the extra length we will get from this frame. I only paid $100 for it on Craigslist.

Becky

[beakon20]

Thanks for the input, not sure what I will do yet. I can probably spend some more money and make the pop how I want it to be or level it and start over.

Either way I want to make it a project over the winter.

Here is what I have right now.


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[CarlLaFong]

After seeing the pic, it would be hard for me to demolish that trailer. It looks to be in perfect condition. Tough call.
We had a Starcraft before getting our current fifth wheel. We loved the popup for camping, but for traveling vacations, it was a PITA. Every night and every morning, cranking it up and down, sliding out the bed areas, propping them up, erecting the tents, etc. After a 500 mile day, it's the last thing you want to do. Additionally, you can't pull off a a rest area and take a short nap. We don't miss it at all.

[beakon20]

Yeah it is a tough call. The setup and take down routine and get annoying. And like I said originally these trailers are not worth much considering what I have for components installed that could be salvaged.

Going to see what I can find locally for steel tubing for a frame and will go from there.

[boomboomtulum]

I agree with comments on selling this trailer as it is, it looks to be in nice condition. Years ago we moved from tent to tent trailer and what a nice change that was. Someone wanting to do the same will pay $2000 for this unit, then you could build your teardrop on another cheapo tent trailer from craigslist that most likely will not be able to be used as a tent trailer , or on harbor frieght frame or another.

Dave

[emtgared]

if you do decide to use a pop up frame, heres how i did mine.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=40743&highlight=emt

i chose to keep the frame as it was, and build the floor up. it gave me extra storage too.

[angib]

Back to my original concern, is trailer loading and balance. With how most of the teardrops are setup the axle is farther back, which I feel might be an issue if I use the existing pop up trailer frame.

A teardrop consists of a nearly empty cabin with a heavier galley right at the back, so it benefits from having a rearward axle to get the balance right.

Unless you are thinking of rebuilding your pop-up with everything heavy moved to the back, I don't see that you would have a balance problem. Looking at the photo, your axle looks to be about 45% of the body length from the back, which is just right for a trailer that has stuff evenly spread along its length.

So I don't see any need to move the axle - which is just as well, as on most pop-up frames I've seen that would be a lot of work.

[Jpageau]

Emtgared- nice build man!! I dig!
I'm building from a popup frame as well. I Hope mine comes out half as good as yours did.