Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Whew ... Finally ... Things are moving!! I just added the framework photos to my Gallery (I hope you can find them!). I do not post much; I usually just read and look at all the great TTT's I see in the forum!!

I like to prospect and get off the beaten path as much as I can. I have also gotten tired of sleeping on the ground or in the back of my Blazer and finally bit the bullet ... I ordered a 6X10 Cargo trailer to be built to my specs! The folks at Look Trailers in Phoenix, AZ (Both the dealership in Deer Valley and the Manufacturing Plant in El Mirage) have put up with numerous calls and visits from me. The trailer is designed for off road and is outfitted with a 3500" straight axle that will ultimately be undersprung (Mounted under the spring) for added height (It should have about 22 - 24" of clearance from the bottom of the frame to the ground). Extra bracing has been added to the tongue and even decked for added strength and a place to mount accessories. The door was resized and moved forward to gain a few inches of wall space. Due to cost and time, I had the factory insulate the trailer with R5 in the walls and ceiling; if you ever woke up, started the coffe and gotten rained on ... INSIDE the trailer ... That's just one reason why the insulation.

I will try to post as the build progresses as I see a number of posts regarding towing something into the wilds of Mother Nature!! Can't wait to get out to the wilds as I know there is a big nugget calling me ...
JC

Wow, that is the bare bones!

Congratulations on the start of a great project. Enjoy the journey!

Thank you Rainier70,
It took quite a while to make a decision to go ahead and get the trailer. I struggled with size and what I really needed
I finally decided on the 6'X10' box trailer because it is absolutely the largest trailer that I can tow on onimproved roads (Probably too large for some places I go) and the smallest that would accomodate two large guys! We'll see how things come together and I will post additional photos as it moves along. I am looking at ideas for a super-small galley and pretty much decided that I'll build an in-place cabinet and counter much like used in many of the TD's (rather than a box unit like used in houses), but inside and stand-up height at the front of the trailer. I need to stay light, but strong and I need to keep it wood and asthetic. If anyone has ideas or comments, please drop them in... Thanks for the comment
JC

Just an idea, if an outside galley would work for you, there are lots of options for one like that. Removeable mount to side of CT or fold up for travel permanately attached to side. I got lots of ideas popping up in my little pea brain for one of those. Hope you find what will work for you.

Earnest

Hi Earnest,
Thank you for the idea of an outside galley, but in my older years, I have made enough of those thrips where you get to the campsite late or it is raining when you wake up or one of those trips you planned, took of work and it rains off and on for a week ... no, I think I'll go for an inside galley this trip. Rough measurements to the trailer skelaton shows about 18 inces between a line drawn from the forward door frame to the belly of the front (minus 3/8" for the paneling). I am currently rebuilding and old Vitreo Safari stove and sink (Avacado) from the 70's era (I think) and the stove measures at 16 inches. This enough for the stove box and lip to fit. Next, there will be dors to the left and right for storage and water; the center is for the ice chest (yep, old school ... Ice)

This site has given me hours to study the average build for the cabinets and it seems that in lieu of the box cabinet that is used in homes, the TD's use the trailer walls (front and sides) for the box and a face frame is added ... wa la a sturdy cabinet I guess, I am going to lay out the cabinet face frame and divider framing, then add support struts to the three walls to tie everything (including the top) together. I believe that will be strong enough ... mostly cab grade 3/4 and 1/2 inch plywood and hardwood support struts. The cabinet doors will be simple shaker frames with braided slats to match the drawers.

I added my idea of what the front of the cabinets might look like (the art changed size to long and skinny when I converted it from a pdf to a jpg) - my wife wants an A/C in the trailer; the drawing shows a 5K btu room style A/C replacing the right side cabinet space. Dump hose insulated and routed through a vent to the outside. The overhead includes an electrical panel that will probably be greatly reduced in size. The backsplash is a photo I took of a mountain near where I grew up mounted forward of the galley counter. Is it time to have a cold one yet?
Well earnest, what are your thoughts...

JC

JC,

I followed the lead of others too by incorporating the walls into all of my cabinets and storage too. They are very strong and work well. Its great you found the room inside for your galley. You will enjoy it.

I am doing a combo build. I will mostly cook/eat and everything else but sleep outside, but in case of weather I will have a full galley inside too. I agree, it really sucks taking a weeks vacation and it turns into a week of rain without having a good place to get out of it.

If that is a portable AC unit you have drawn, (IMHO) you will be disappointed in it. I was considering that route until I read several post from many others that have tried them and were not happy with them. The main one used seems to be a $100-$170 5-6k window unit that is removable or permanently mounted. The other option of course is a rv roof mount, but it is mostly passed over due to high cost ($500+). I have been using a removable 5050 btu window unit mounted just below the roof line in the side of my CT. It cools my CT from 98-78 in about 1.5 hrs. If I turn it on in the morning, it maintains the temp at whatever it is set at with no problems. I am so glad that I followed the lead of others again!!

Sounds like you have a good plan that is coming together for you! Keep us posted please.

Earnest

AZ, just a quick thought..I too like to explore the unimproved roads, and my trailer has tandem 3,500 lb axles. It's nowhere near 7,000 lb even with a full water tank and gear. Unless you are carrying a Harley or two, you won't be close to your GVWR either.

As a result, it was completely obnoxious to tow even on slightly bumpy roads. I pulled out the smallest leaf at the bottom of the 4-leaf pack (your axles will likely have the same pack). It made a big difference, even just on the highway. Check out this article http://48rob.yuku.com/topic/21#.UhbS8tE_-XN. According to this guy, Dexter's 3-leaf pack is identical to the 4-leaf pack with the smallest leaf removed, which effectively turns the spring set into a 2,500 lb set.

Dustboy

This is an EXCELENT ARTICLE - about leaf spring axels !!
Exactly why I ONLY HAVE - Dexter torsion & never adjust breaks.

THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ALL ON THIS FORM !!!!
As 95% have these leaf springs & they can go to hell in under 1,000 miles.

Thanks again EXCELENT - MUST READ ARTICLE




Jerry

Very interesting and informative. Thanks!

dustboy, Howdy;

Nice article on the axels and bearings...
Thanks for posting it.

hank

Wow ... I have some catching up to do!
Hi Earnest,
Thanks for the tip on the A/C; it calculates to be large enough, but advertisements do not always meet the reality of it all! Because I am hoping to use the CT for fair weather (Coming from Southern Arizona, that means a daytime temp. below the 100 degree mark) and generally in the dry regions, it usually cools down nicely when the sun goes down; especially if you can find a spot up out of the canyons! Up a bit on the hillside, there is usually an evening and morning breeze (up and down) that really helps – the canyon bottoms are often prettier (except dangerous in the rainy seasons), but there is a breeze and less bugs up the hill. See my Newbie post of my current camping vehicle (a blazer) and where I parked ... the breeze blew off and on all nite, making an otherwise hot August night, in the rainy season in Southern Arizona, bearable!

This trailer is supposed to be for my prospecting ventures … but the little lady is starting to think about camping trips to see the kids, etc. … so be the A/C idea (thanks again for the tip). Oh ya, she is also now looking at moving things to the kids that live in Minnesota, Northern Cal, and Washington State!

Love all the comments … I forgot to put it in the details, I am also getting a screen door for this little puppy!
JC

Hi Dustboy,
Great article on springs and bearings; thanks for dropping that in! A lot of folks new to trailers think that those axles with grease fittings in the grease cups need to be greased all the time and do not realize that the bearings need to be inspected and serviced periodically. Having used a boat trailer for years, those little grease fittings are not supposed to be something to circumvent servicing the bearings, it is a way to apply a little pressure into the bearing cavity before backing a warm axle into cold water! If they are used to continually grease the bearings, the individual will eventually force grease out of the inner seal (Like the one in your photo).

I like the information on softening the trailer ride and I will look into possibly doing that; I’ll wait till things come together and I can weigh the trailer first ... Because of the extra frame and bow members, I am guessing a curb weight of 1300 to 1600#'s before loading any propsecting gear (I doubt it will run over 1800 to 2000#'s, unless I break down and get an ATV ... Not likely in the near future).

I still drive an old K5 Blazer that has the original STIFF springs and it is a rough-ride and I go slooowww off the pavement!! It takes me a while to get there, but nothing gets broke. I do like the idea of letting the springs work with the lighter loads the trailer will usually carry!

Thanks again for the great comments!!

Hi Earnest,
Thanks for the comment on the cabinets! I have been wondering which way to go and now that you have confirmed building without the box, so to speak, I'll start that way! I priced some plywood yesterday a HD, but want to compare quality and prices a Lowe's. Lowe's is usually more expensive, but their wood is generally a little better quality, at least here at the Phoenix stores I go to.

Thanks again and the trailer should be done this next week .... I hope

Thanks again!

JC,

Building material is not cheap at all. The price of lumber is crazy!! Luckily my neighbor works at the local lumberyard. He lets me pick thru and the get straight boards. To keep things light weight, I use 1/4" plywood where I can, cabinet floors are 1/2", 3/4" under bed and counter surface. Majority of cabinet main load bearing frame is 2x2 and non load bearing supports are 1x2. If a 1x2 is load bearing it is attached to a 2x2 at several points. I personally rip 2x4s to get my 2x2s (1 1/2" x 1 1/2"). I can"t find any good 2x2 material anywhere. All joints are screwed and glued.

Have fun burning up blades and plan on using more than twice the amount of screws than you thought it'd take!

Earnest

Hi Earnest,
Thanks for the tips ... I am not positive what kind of room I will have until the trailer gets here, but calcs show I have enough for a small galley across the front. I planned for some ventilation in the trailer with 2 overhead (14") vents with fans, a screen door, and two 30" windows with sliders and screen. I know this is still a little bit poor, but a lot better than a sealed box that my prospecting buddy uses ... I told him I was not going to sleep in that thing ... no inside door lock and no ventilation! I get down close to the border in some pretty rough areas and several of the trips over the last couple years, we ran into the "mules" (border smugglers carrying drugs) that were heavily loaded ... one main reason for something with hard sides. I know that won't stop a bullet, but it will keep the less violent outside! I am itching to get out, I havn't been out for a couple of months, first work, then family stuff, and then the heat (it is not much fun when the outside is 115 - 119.

It is starting to cool down and I think I might get out for the 3-day weekend coming up. Just get up early on Saturday and take off for the higher country and maybe spend a couple of days; I havn't taken the bed out of the Blazer yet and my back is up to one more night in it! Maybe I'll even find something to help buy the mattresses.

Have a great evening...