Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Steve_Cox** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:48 pm

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time on the Upper St Johns River, it is one of those "Old Florida" places. Lot's of wildlife and beautiful scenery. And, ever since I finished the gypsy trailer, I've been thinking about a new project. A marriage of camper and boat. What is commercially available just isn't what I would like to build or have. Houseboats really don't do it for me as they are kinda big and I would like to cruise at 65 or 70 mph with the boat on the trailer, behind my Ford Ranger, getting to the places far off the beaten waterway. So next logical step for me was a combination of several designs. The narrowboats of Europe and the houseboats of America and perhaps a little gypsy flair added in. Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

by **Miriam C.** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:58 pm

Excellent idea! Could you make plans and take extra pictures for me. :thinking:

I could have one done by the time I reach 60....

by **mikeschn** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:59 pm

I'd like to see photos of that design concept. When do you start doing the sketch of that one?

Mike...

by **BobR** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:06 pm

OK Steve...I know that you have already started. Let's see some pics!

by **schaney** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:52 pm

Great idea, maybe take an old pontoon boat, do a drop floor down between the pontoon with a gypsy flair cabin on top. That would be a fun weekend camper.

by **Steve_Cox** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:00 pm

Found a 25' fiberglass houseboat hull, engine w I/O drive and a trailer for $500 in NC, it's on Craigslist. Looks like it's too far gone though in the pics. Pontoon boat with a well? Might thump a poor gator on the head, but it would be an easier way to build, that's for sure. I'd really like a free aluminum flat bottom barge to build on, with a trailer. Big on free stuff

by **xrover** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:24 pm

mikeschn wrote:I'd like to see photos of that design concept. When do you start doing the sketch of that one?

Mike...

Mike, I can't believe you have not built one yet based on numerous other threads where you show up with something you built. Is there an accurate record of how many trailers you have built? I want to know your secret to time management.

what about marrying a teardrop to a zodiac? With a swim up galley!

by **greg755** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:34 pm

Turn your gypsy camper upside down and it looks almost like the boat in the picture.

So your not dreaming you almost already built it. :thumbsup:

Just need to make a sister one with a few modifications and you are there,
then you can go hang out with the Manatees in crystal river.....

by **shopfabricator** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:51 pm

Check this out Steve:http://shambalariver.com/

Basically a box that floats with style!

Gary

by **Mini Renegade** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:18 pm

try these, built in the 70`s www.caraboat.com

by **Steve_Cox** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:22 pm

shopfabricator wrote:Check this out Steve:http://shambalariver.com/

Basically a box that floats with style!

Gary

Yup, and on a little bigger scale.

by **shopfabricator** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:27 pm

Thats right! Gotta whole folder full of shanty boats, riverboats, and other "off the grid living" craft. :thinking:

...........

by **shopfabricator** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:44 pm

My Current Project.

Hope it keeps me on the lake ALL summer!

by **shopfabricator** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:52 pm

Yup, and on a smaller scale,

by **planovet** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:00 pm

shopfabricator wrote:Check this out Steve:http://shambalariver.com/

Basically a box that floats with style!

His build is an interesting read, reminds me of some of the builds here. (same colors as Steve's trailer BTW)

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Extremly non-tradational (in the USA) water camper

Extremly non-tradational (in the USA) water camper

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