Idealist Newbie

[PurplePirate]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are pumped about making our own Teardrop trailer. I am a children's performer (www.purplepirate.com) in Vancouver BC. I will be touring more and previous tours taught us that controlling what we eat is important to our success. So motels are far less interesting for us.

We have a Mini Countryman and I initially thought about towing the car behind a Motorhome but those things consume way too much fuel for us....and Farah (my better half) loves the look of a Teardrop...and I do too.

So hear we are.

We are both small people (I am 5"7' and she is 5"4") so I am thinking that we(I) should be able to make one that is very light (6-700 pounds) with lots of space for us and a well thought out kitchen.

I haven't had any luck in my search through the site so far. I am hoping to get some direction or guidance.

Is aluminum a realistic material? or 4130?

Has anyone done any work on aerodynamic optimisation? ie. distance between car and trailer - height of trailer to height of car - etc.

Thanks,

Dustin Anderson

[parnold]

Dustin: In answer to your aerodynamic question.. you will find that you foot, and overall weight of the trailer will affect 98% of your mileage. For example, when driving an average of 60-65 mph, I was getting 22 mpg. When I got to 70-75 mph, my mileage dropped to 19 mpg. My typical mileage in my Subaru without towing is about 25 mpg. Get out your calculator to convert to kilometers.

[jdarkoregon]

Dustin,

Did I miss it, what is your tow rig? Are you looking to build a work or art or a good working teardrop?

John

[Shadow Catcher]

Ours is an all aluminum frame with Filon exterior and about 1/8 interior paneling It is however a big teardrop at 6X10 with heavy weight cabinetry and a very complete kitchen with a 6 Gal water heater... As it it is it is about 1600#. Unless you are climbing mountains and yes there are definitely some in BC, wind resistance is the big cost.
4130 unless you are a very good welder (TIG is best) is extremely difficult to weld (pre and post heat). It has a high modulus of elasticity and makes a good bicycle frame but would be expensive and its characteristics are just not necessary for this application. A conventional 1018 structural steel will work fine.

[jeff0520]

If light weight is what you are looking for to reduce fuel consumption, take a look at the foamie options. By the time I noticed the foamie option I was already committed to the course I am taking, but you can do amazing things by sculpting the foam, then covering it with fiberglass. For a basic design, take a look in the "design resources" section of the site, and look at the Pico Light. Start with that, and go from there to make it unique. You could even use your imagination and turn your teardrop into a rolling billboard for The Purple Pirate.
Happy building!

[PurplePirate]

Dustin: In answer to your aerodynamic question.. you will find that you foot, and overall weight of the trailer will affect 98% of your mileage. For example, when driving an average of 60-65 mph, I was getting 22 mpg. When I got to 70-75 mph, my mileage dropped to 19 mpg. My typical mileage in my Subaru without towing is about 25 mpg. Get out your calculator to convert to kilometers.

Our Mini gets 6.1l/100 kms (about 40 mpg). I am hoping to not drop much below that. I set my cruise control at 85 kph (about 53 mph....by my calculations :0) ).

[PurplePirate]

Dustin,

Did I miss it, what is your tow rig? Are you looking to build a work or art or a good working teardrop?

John

Mini Countryman. Towing capacity 1100 lbs. I am interested in a tidy and efficient working teardrop...with some aesthetic appeal for my wife.

[PurplePirate]

If light weight is what you are looking for to reduce fuel consumption, take a look at the foamie options. By the time I noticed the foamie option I was already committed to the course I am taking, but you can do amazing things by sculpting the foam, then covering it with fiberglass. For a basic design, take a look in the "design resources" section of the site, and look at the Pico Light. Start with that, and go from there to make it unique. You could even use your imagination and turn your teardrop into a rolling billboard for The Purple Pirate.
Happy building!

The Pico light looks promising....a rolling billboard is definitely a possibility. Thanks.

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome aboard, and I might suggest that you forget about the aerodynamics of a teardrop, unless you plan to strap it on the nose of a rocket and shoot it into space. The burbling air behind your tow vehicle will bounce off just about any shape, unless it is flat in front, 7 feet wide and 8 feet high. Regarding the distance between the trailer and the rear of the car, I simply made my tongue long enough so I can jack-knife the trailer to 90 degrees, without crunching a rear fender. Works fine for me. There is plenty of info on this board, located in numerous places. I suggest you check out the Hall of Fame in the upper left corner, and click on some of the builds available there. We also have a genaric TD area where you can get a bunch of ideas. Remember, we are here to help, so be sure to ask and you will get loads of valuable informaion. Good luck on your build, and when it's finished, swing on by So Calif for a cup of coffee and sharing of teardrop lies.
Roly, the lit'l ol' woody TD guy, planning my 4th build.

[Junkboy999]

Welcome to the forum

Now go check out this thread

Northern Lite Traveler
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=51991
he has a full tear drop shaped one too. not sure if it is made in the same fashion.

Enjoy your build.

[PurplePirate]

Welcome aboard, and I might suggest that you forget about the aerodynamics of a teardrop, unless you plan to strap it on the nose of a rocket and shoot it into space. The burbling air behind your tow vehicle will bounce off just about any shape, unless it is flat in front, 7 feet wide and 8 feet high. Regarding the distance between the trailer and the rear of the car, I simply made my tongue long enough so I can jack-knife the trailer to 90 degrees, without crunching a rear fender. Works fine for me. There is plenty of info on this board, located in numerous places. I suggest you check out the Hall of Fame in the upper left corner, and click on some of the builds available there. We also have a genaric TD area where you can get a bunch of ideas. Remember, we are here to help, so be sure to ask and you will get loads of valuable informaion. Good luck on your build, and when it's finished, swing on by So Calif for a cup of coffee and sharing of teardrop lies.
Roly, the lit'l ol' woody TD guy, planning my 4th build.

Thanks Roly,

I appreciate the openness and guidance.

Dustin

[PurplePirate]

Welcome to the forum

Now go check out this thread

Northern Lite Traveler
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=51991
he has a full tear drop shaped one too. not sure if it is made in the same fashion.

Enjoy your build.

Thanks Terry.

I like the compact design of that unit and it gave me an idea to consider.

Dustin

[Greg M]

Hear, hear on the northern light design. It came in at 525 lbs if I recall. I based my Decotear on that profile, and it's about 600 lbs without a galley.

-Greg

[bobhenry]

525 Pounds ready to sleep........




I can pull it with my 1200 Goldwing motorcycle.


here is a link to the build http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=38489


P.S. Welcome to the insanity

[Vedette]

Welcome Dustin
From Brian & Sandi in Westbank B.C.
I have just officially started a B.C.Chapter of the Tear Jerkers, and am trying to recruit members as well as compile a list of teardroppers here in in B.C.
We would love to have you guys aboard.
Yes, teardrops are cool! And if you check out my ALbum to the side under my signiture picture you will see that you can make them as unique as you want.
There is a builder of traditional teardrops in 4x8 and 5x10 in the North Okanagan if you would like to purchase one, rather than build your own.
Love your choice of a tow vehicle.........as the TV is half the fun too!

Good Luck
Brian & Sandi