My Giant Teardrop (updated 04/21/10)

[Ivar the Red]

Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:15 am

RE; the mini tear

I have the exact same frame under eggbert. It didn't pull well and backed up like trying to push a log chain. I purchased 9' ( I think) of 2x2x1/4 square tube and drilled and bolted it to each crossmember from front to back. This extended the tongue 18" +/- and made a huge difference in handling.

Just an F.Y.I. after you try and back the short tongued little devil up.

[Ivar the Red]

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:29 am

I got a little more done today...


This will be the hatch, it's not attached yet...but it will open all the way like that...



And here are both of my trailers all tucked in for bed...and waiting for "The Man" to loosen up his wallet...


Do ya like how I got all "artsy" and shot them in b&w?

This will not be the final version of this tear...this is the hurry and get something together before the Palo-Duro Gathering version. In the future I'm gonna take Bob's advise and lengthen the tongue. That'll give me a little more room to add more to the front. My goal is to make both trailers have the same shape, kind of.

[Ivar the Red]

That's almost all of it...shortened and condensed from 18 pages.

I gleaned out any technical advise that was given and design features I've come up with.

Here is a link to the original...in case you want a laugh or two, some post are quite funny...

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=23234&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Ivar the Red]

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:21 am

Looks like my trailer:



I deffinately second the problem backing up, it is a total pain. I have been towing and backing boat and ATV trailers for work for the last 12 years and I can't get this thing to go straight for more than 10'. I also picked up larger 12" tires and wheels from HF, those dinky 8" scared me.

And my "Barbie" tow rig:



I built the trailer to help carry camping gear, having two kids the space in the car starts to get limited. I actually finished it up just in time to go to Burning Man, hence the mural I actually saw a few teardrops there. If anyone doesn't know what Burning Man is about:

[/list]

[Ivar the Red]

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:39 am

I built the trailer to help carry camping gear, having two kids the space in the car starts to get limited.

That's what the little one will be for exactly. Short camping trips to spots around close where the teardrop will be too much.(did I just say that?)

I haven't towed it anywhere yet...but yes the 8" wheels are on the hit list, if only to get a little more height. I also want to take the advise of a longer towbar. Eventually I want to make it look similar to the bigger trailer.

Very cool picture.

[Ivar the Red]

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 12:24 pm

The best thing you can do for those little 40 x 48's is to take the stock tongue to the scrap yard and while there purchase 9'6" of 2x2x1/4 square tube and attach it from the back rail to the front. and take the stock coupler and bolt in on the front end of the tube.

This will make your trailer a totally different critter . It will tow better and you can back it up without difficulty. I simply bolted mine on with 5/16 grade 5 bolts. Whole process took just over an hour. An added bonus is if you weld the very back one you can shim with flat stock inside the tube and install a class 2 ball mount or bike rack or cargo platform.

[Ivar the Red]

Some of you may know that I did get laid-off earlier this year...but I've been re-employed at a better job for about 2 months now. Hopefully when the finances get straightened out again...these builds can start again.

[Ivar the Red]

I think I have screwed up. I went the "cheap" route and put a plastic sheet over my unfinished wood. Over the course of time, I guess the plastic has gone bad, and during this last few days of wind and rain, the wood has been thoroughly soaked...




I'm wondering if I can just give it a good sanding and recover it (with something better) and everything will be ok?

[CPnthrfan]

i been looking forward to the huge teardrop lol

[Ivar the Red]

It's been a while, but finally got back to work on the tear drops. First on the list is finishing my little cargo hauler. Still have some finish work to do, but at least it's warm enough and light enough to work in my outdoor shop. You guys with garages should count your blessings.




Here is kind of what might get painted on it to snazz it up a little...

[Ivar the Red]

I have been busy the last couple of days. I got a little more done to my trailer tonight...

Trim for the top and front...

Does anyone have any thoughts about Liquid Nails holding this on at highway speeds? I think I may put a few finish nails in as well.

The back, with the hatch up and removable grillin table installed...

I know it's not a Coleman (it has a Coleman Fuel bottle on it) I'm trying to resist.

[Ivar the Red]

The artist at work...


No more photochop...

[planovet]