Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I am ordering my new CT next week and I'm torn. Does anyone here have any input or experience with either?

Thanks.

Thanks for the tip, it looks like a good builder,
they have some interesting models...
Most places don't list any prices, I would guess $6500+ for this model maybe, depending on options ?

A 7 ft wide Car Carrier like model, others don't make that. If you like that style you need to got 8.5 wide & starts at 20' normally.
their models start at 7 x 12 already





http://www.carmate-trailers.com/new_vehicle_list.asp?sid=08183252X12K27K2012J5I51I09JPMQ5267R0&Manufacturer=2359&Category=85&CatDesc=Cargo+Trailers&ModelYear=2013&childof=317844&show=all

Hello MDX

I checked with the factory about prices for these 4 models that I liked, so here it is !!
The guy Ted Harrison seams pretty nice to deal with.

Enclosed for your review is the MSRP & Empty weights you requested.
Price Empty Weight
2013 Car Mate Trailers 7 x 18 HD Custom Cargo $5,795.00 Approx 2370#
2013 Car Mate Trailers 7 x 16 HD Custom Cargo $5,595.00 Approx 2155#

I have noticed the 8 ft version

2013 Car Mate Trailers 8 x 18 HD Custom Cargo $6,695.00 Approx 2505#
2013 Car Mate Trailers 8 x 16 HD Custom Cargo $6,495.00 Approx 2375#


BTW .... did you ever get a trailer ?



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

Not yet, I am trying to time the order such that it arrives around March 1 so I don't have to store it in the snow. I think I'm going with the Car Mate 7x16. I like the wood stud walls for ease of interior construction. It also has a lifetime warranty on the roof and floor against leaks.

It's just my opinion but I would get the 18ft for 200.00 more, I wish I had bought something a little longer.
At the time I ordered my 7x16 I thought a portable AC was going to work and it didn't,and to make a long story short I bought a window AC and made a wall in the rear that has wheels on it so I can open and close it.
I lost a foot there but besides that it doesn't take long to fill it up with the things you want so a couple feet of space is nice especially if more than one person is in the same space.

Hi - MDX


WTF ? your saying the Car Mate trailer has wood frame walls ?

OverTheTopCargoTrailer wrote:Hi - MDX


WTF ? your saying the Car Mate trailer has wood frame walls ?

Yes, the interior walls are constructed with 2x3 wood studs that are front facing. I'm not sure about their "Sportster" line but the "Custom Cargo" line are definitely wood.

Crap your right

I talked to Ted the factory rep , that is also what he said.
So the woof frame is really 1.5" x 2.5" , I would assume 1.5" thick.

The first thing I wanted was to rip off the 1/4" plywood, insulate the walls and install something stronger
That dog may not hunt as the wall panels are also glued on

I'm not really in the mood to pay $600 for $200 worth of insulation
Sort of like paying another farmer to milk your own cows
Will ask if the can only screw the walls. But answer may be no

Maybe if you also ask we can compare what they say !!

Jerry

I have a local dealer that stocks them so I was able to take a close look at them. The walls are 3/8 plywood glued and stapled. The seams are real smooth and there are none of the seam strips of luan that you find in other trailers. The other big selling point is I have a buddy who bought one new in the summer of 01 to race dirt bikes out of and it is still in great shape. I'm not afraid of the wood wall studs. I actually thing they will make it easier to mount stuff to. The other big plus for me is that the box is perfectly square on the interior. There are no radius corners or curved front wall which will also make interior custruction easier.

I will ask my dealer about shipping with just some temp screws in the wall. I can't see why they wouldn't.

Also, I believe the 2x3s are actually 1.75x2.75. About a quarter inch more than what you listed above.

Hi MDX

if you get a chance, PLEASE go to dealer and post or e mail me some pictures....

I'm very serious and think I will get the 8 x 16 or 8 x 18 HD trailer
as long as I can take the plywood off & insulate Alaska style,
with killer insulation you can cool this to a ice box with less then 5,000 Btu in 100+ deg heat ac
also the same goes for the heating

more money for beer & bate for fishing





http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

Hey hey MXD

I talked to Ted & he said the plywood could also be installed on the exterior
That leves you with an open stud bay inside - perfect for my insulation
Even with that option a screw less exterior can also be installed.

I'm getting more & more excited with this trailer, I can already see my Alaska package coming together

He said the current build time is 4-6 weeks , I hope I can get my order placed this week.
Will let you know what develops !!

Thanks again for the tip

OverTheTopCargoTrailer wrote:Hey hey MXD

I talked to Ted & he said the plywood could also be installed on the exterior
That leves you with an open stud bay inside - perfect for my insulation
Even with that option a screw less exterior can also be installed.

I'm getting more & more excited with this trailer, I can already see my Alaska package coming together

He said the current build time is 4-6 weeks , I hope I can get my order placed this week.
Will let you know what develops !!

Thanks again for the tip

Do you mean that the plywood would be screwed on the outside of the stud wall and the outer aluminum will go over the plywood? So, instead of going aluminum>studs>plywood, it would be aluminum>plywood>studs?

Yes exactly ....

No extra charge, you just need to tell them upfront

OverTheTopCargoTrailer wrote:Yes exactly ....

No extra charge, you just need to tell them upfront

Hmmm, you would be able to really add some decent insulation to that and seal it up nicely. That would be at least 1.75 inches to work with. You could easily increase that by adding some strips to the studs to shim them out.

Would that configuration help to keep air moving between the plywood and the exterior? I know there is some concern about certain types of insulation trapping moisture against the aluminum.

That's mostly fiberglass, as it traps lots of air & moisture / condensation

see my picture above, I will install 1.5"Dow foam board over the studs ,
Then install plywood or vinyl siding, in that case there is zero condensation , zero infiltration
The trailer will in effect be 98% air tight , 30- 40% of heat is lost by infiltration 50 - 60% by conduction

People forget if you have R6 between the studs, you do not have R6 , the studs them selves are R1 maybe !
So you really have R6 in 75% and R1 in 25% of your wall space. The heat is lost or gained through the studs.
Then even if you have R30 - you have massive infiltration
99% of trailer guys also don't do the floor BIG MISTAKE !! Heat takes the path of least resistance

100% do the insulation wrong, I'm former insulation contractor & fell into the trap
Because all these guys said their insulation works , I followed their advice and
Had rivers of consendation in the winter time , now I had to do it over - to get it right !!

Jerry