Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi all,

So I've been perusing the site for the better part of the last few days. I came across a good deal on a harbor freight 4x8 folding trailer and have always been wanting to build a teardrop.

But after a lot of soul searching and with a lot of help from this site I decided on the sunspot type instead (more room, amenities etc).

However, I need some opinions on what I'm planning to use to make everything come together. I was planning to use urethane foam that's been fiberglassed. My father uses this in boat building a lot, and he thinks it's more than strong enough to hold up. But I'm figuring there may be another gotcha when it comes to using this for trailers.

I also need a reasonable source for windows, that or a faq on DIY windows. I want to put some static picture windows in, but also want a pair of sliders or folders. Most of the places I've seen offer radius'd and I was hoping for some standard square windows.

The other question I had was how to do the door? Most of the pre-fab doors I've seen are more suited to stand ups. Is this fairly easy to make myself? Any links on where to get aluminum channel?

I was also thinking of using some thin aluminum for the roof, and outside of the trailer, probably something around .025 or thinner. This will then be painted, I plan on using this trailer mostly in the deserts around southern california, the sun can get pretty hectic out here and I've seen plenty of plastics break down in a very short time as a result.

Any other caveats for the first time trailer builder?

Toe,

You can build your sunspot on a HF trailer. No problem. It'll have a similar construction to my Winter Warrior where it's attached to the chassis.

The easiest way is to build using the Generic Benroy plans, but with the dimensions and shape of the sunspot.

Naturally it helps to draw it out before you build it.

If you are not CAD savy, then draw it out on graph paper. The trick is to draw enough views that you understand it, and draw to scale.

If you're interested, I can show you a sample chassis with a floor and two walls.

Mike...

Okay, I modeled it up anyways...





Mike...

P.S. You could do the inside up like the Baja Benroy... pictures here...
http://www.mikenchell.com/Baja_Benroy_Photos/

I have been working on a version of the Sunspot that is 10'x5'x5' so that a sinlge piece of 5x10 ply can be used for each side. If I could figure out how to post a .dwg or what I should convert it to so I can do so I will.
Just remember that its still in the rough thought stages.

You can email me the dwg file. The easiest way to post an image is to do an alt-prt-screen, paste that into paint, save it, and upload that into your album here. (Keep it under 800x600 for that to work)

There's more help under "Help with photos" up there in the menu, or if you want, just say please, and I can give you a hand. I'll be out of town this weekend, but I can catch up next week.

Mike...

wa_flyfisher wrote:I have been working on a version of the Sunspot that is 10'x5'x5' so that a sinlge piece of 5x10 ply can be used for each side. If I could figure out how to post a .dwg or what I should convert it to so I can do so I will.
Just remember that its still in the rough thought stages.

Hi Mike,

Those are some great images. Out of curiousity what cad package do you use for that?

I've started laying my design out long hand on paper, and it's going pretty well. I ended up extending it about a foot in both directions. So it's now a 5x10 with 1' radius rounded corners on both ends. This will give me ample storage and sleeping space.

Part of the reason I went with a sunspot instead of a teardrop is I go camping in the desert mostly. Temperature extremes are pretty unpleasant in both directions, so being able to cook and handle domestic tasks in the shade is a major plus. So far I'm working it out so it will have a remotely hooked up 20gal water tank for the sink, and I want to build in an external shower. I fully plan on hooking it up most of the time to the hose at my buddy's place so a built in water tank will add a lot of weight I don't think I need.

The other thing I want to put in is some kind of toilet. I've seen some people using various models of camp toilet on here. I don't know if there is a specific model you guys recommend.

I'm also looking for a 12" x 12" approx plastic sink. Nothing special, just a flange and a tub. Google has given me nothing but failure.

The Mattress is a full size that would be in three pieces and fold up to make seating. The cabinets in the galley would face towards each other and the cooler on the bottom would be on a slide out. And the other side would have a slide out table that would be as deep as the counter. I think a drop floor would make for a good seating area and the removable piece would make the table top just not that far yet. The 36 in. cabinet would be a 24" and 12" the 12" part would hold stereo, speakers and pull out shlef for laptop/dvd player.

Thanks Mike! Never used print screen before.

A little more work done today at work

Yay, first floor plan! I don't have any dimensions on this one, but it's a 5x10 intended to be built on a 4x8 trailer. The lateral corners are rounded on 1' radii.

<img src="http://www.23.org/~plarceny/floorplan.png">

The utilities (sink, stove, toilet) are all located in the front, with storage at the rear.

As for the appliances, Here's a list:

Toilet: http://www.centurycamping.com/toilets/
Cook top: http://www.ducktec.com/itm00077.htm
Sink: http://www.amazon.com/12-1-14-Stainless ... B00079PVCG

All of the objects you see laid out in the floorplan are based on the measurements given in the ad. The toilet has 22" of space on either side. It's pretty narrow, but it's just enough room for me to get my butt in there.

With these measurements I should retain a sleeping space about 4x7 which is hopefully enough space for my 6'7 frame.

I'll post some more drawings as I finish them. Let me know what you think!