Colorado_Carter Teardrop Build

[Colorado_Carter]

So I have reached the point in my life where I am over sleeping over "roughing it". I would appreciate a couple more comforts when I go camping/traveling. This led to a lot of researching and I initially thought of a camper trailer of some sort-but that isn't me either. Teardrops apparently appealed to my sense of the type of camping I like to do and my sense of "cool", although none of the manufactured teardrops appealed to me either. So without ever being closer than a few hundred feet from a teardrop in my life, I decided to build one.

I did a ton of research on this site-I really appreciate all the information available and everyones willingness to share and add differing opinions.

Here are the original outlines I came up with.

[Colorado_Carter]

A few more of the diagrams

[Colorado_Carter]

Without knowing much about welding I went about building a trailer from scratch. It came out to be 63.5" Wide by 120" Long. 2x2x0.125 tubing on the perimeter, 2x2x.0625 tubing on the interior and a 3x3x0.125" tongue.

[Colorado_Carter]

All-finished with the welding/grinding,descaling, etc. That was more trouble than I anticipated. Rather than some of the other finishes, I went with a truck bed coating. I plan on using oit on the floor as well. I figure it's tough, rubberized and not too messy.

I am currently stuck on the axle-

I am considering using a flexride torsion axle with 205/70 R15 rims/tires. Has anyone done this? What is the final ride height? are the Flexride Torsion Axles adjustable like the half axles?

[asianflava]

Looks good from here!

[Forrest747]

The frame looks great and love the planning. Sorry can't help ya with the axle questions.

[asianflava]

I have a dexter with 22.5 down riding on 175/75-14 and my frame is about 14in off the ground. I like the height, not too low to scrape, but not too high to get in and out of. I'm pretty sure that all the flexride axles are adjustable.

[Colorado_Carter]

I managed to get a few more items done on the trailer the last couple weeks. I cut out the deck, splined the joints together, sealed the bottom side and installed the 2000#flexride axle. Next steps-wheels, attaching the deck, and getting it licsensed. Then onto learning about arcs, ellipses and circles-time to work on the profile. I'm pretty excited to start going up.

Build Notes: 1. Perfect joints + 106 degrees =Getting the glued joints sucked in tightly together almost impossible. Ratcheting straps are genius.
2. That axle is kinda sexy, can't hardly wait to go shopping for some wheels.

[pappaw]

Looking Good!

Cheers

[Colorado_Carter]

There is nothing like running into a bear a little ways from camp to really get this project going.

I have been in a conundrum of sorts over a couple of apparently minor build questions, that I have resolved or I am ignoring. But since my last post in July I have not been idle. I was in a rut with the wheel sizes and fenders, etc. Thanks to you all I resolved that hang up.

I have put wheels and tires on the trailer. It has had a VIN inspection, is registered, has license plates and its own VIN plate. It is ready to roll, and it ran down the highway 75 mph straight and true with zero issues. I credit that to all the info on this site.

I have purchased and received a manufactured door and window, the fan, interior lights, exterior lights, switches, brake lights, running lights the galley hinge and galley locks.

I am now ready to rock and/or roll.

[Colorado_Carter]

Whooo Hoooo Finally going vertical!

[Colorado_Carter]

Sides are up, all the interior wall ribbing is in place. On a roll now.

[Colorado_Carter]

Insulation is in place, I'm ready to run some electrical, I think.

BTW there is no rhime or reason to my build

[Colorado_Carter]

I do have one question.

Is there a particular direction doors should swing?

I looked at the door last night and it had an arrow on the window. It is a drivers side door and it swung to the rear. I assume the arrow meant the door should go up, but it may just indicate the window direction. Or I could have been sent the wrong door even though the sticker says driver. I think I am worried about it hitting the fender - eventually.

Thanks

[asianflava]

Usually have the doors with the hinge side towards the front. That way if they ever opened up while driving, they won't get ripped off by the wind. I had the doors installed before I got the fenders. I placed the fender just far back enough for the door to miss it.