A Basic Build

[KirkN]

Throw your hat over a fence is an expression used when someone is having a hard time committing to something. Once your hat goes over the fence, there is little choice left but go over after it. I figure that if I start a build journal, I will feel obligated to build something to make updates. So this is me throwing my hat over the fence.

I've been looking at teardrops and other tiny trailers for a while now, but only recently found this forum. Once I found it, the search was on for a way to do this on the cheap. I remembered that my son had a pop-up sitting in his yard. I knew it was pretty trashed and that he had not used it in about three years, so I asked him if I could have it. His wife was really happy to see it go.

For the last two days I have been busy tearing down this little trailer. It started life as a small Palomino Pony. I didn't take any pictures, as I had not thought of doing a build thread.

I've given some thought to the build though. After tearing this thing apart, I realized that the trailers done on this site are way over built. That little pop-up was built with 1" x 2" framing filled with insulation and skinned with aluminum on the outside and paneling on the inside. The wood in the back had some pretty extensive water damage and some dry rot, but I was surprised at how dry most of it was. The deck was completely unsealed and made of 1/2" OSB. Let me say that again. THE DECK WAS COMPLETELY UNSEALED. The only water damage to the deck was from a leak near the rear. Even though the bottom of the deck was open to the road it stayed dry.

Anyway, time for some pictures along with questions and comments:


This the profile of the trailer frame. Do any of you have thoughts as to whether the axle needs to be moved back for a classic teardrop look?


The trailer measures 52 1/2" to the outside of the main rails (minus the outriggers), an I think the box is 84" long.


I was hoping to use the frame for the bumper as support for the tear, but the frame rails are outside of the main frame.


The cabinets.


The roof, walls and other junk from the trailer. It looks like someone has some cleaning up to do to keep the wife happy.

That's it for now. Next installment coming eventually...

[KCStudly]

Good start!

Save those outriggers and build out wider. Go 5 wide. There's a thread here somewhere where the question was asked, what would you do differently on your build. The majority of the answers were that they would have done 5 wide instead of 4.

That way you can keep the bumper if you like.

On the other hand, with the bumper removed the axle placement looks good. Does the 82 inch length include the bumper or not?

Any idea what profile you will use?

One more question; where about are you located? Some dryer climates are more favorable to wood, whereas wetter areas are not. Looks reasonably green there, so maybe you are in between wet and dry?

[KirkN]

KCStudly,

Thanks for the response. I'll try to answer what I can.

As to saving the outriggers, I like the look of outboard fenders and I'm hoping for a minimalist approach. I'm also not locked into a specific plan yet. Even without the outriggers I'm at 52 inches to the frame rails, so either way I will be at over 4 foot.

The 82" measurement is the outside of the box without the bumper extension. I'm also not sure if I remember that measurement right. I know I'm short a few inches of a full 8', but that should be no problem to overhang a bit. I'm considering pushing forward more than rearward to keep the tires toward the back.

I'm still looking for a profile I love. Is there a set of drawings of the different options. I definitely want a tear and not a Benroy.

I've updated my profile to indicate that I live on the west side of Michigan. I love the look of wood bodies but think that the maintenance will be a bit much. I have plenty of room for indoor storage which is a real plus. We have a two car garage which will not hold my wife's truck, so if I squeeze the motorcycles to one side the trailer should be an easy fit on the other. Failing that, I could always clear space in the 20'X40" pole barn.

I honestly have low expectations for this build. I'm a bit of a kludger. Usually I think close is good enough. If I can accomplish a dry enclosed space I'll be very happy. I'm leaning towards a brushed aluminum exterior and a minimal galley.

[KCStudly]

Look through the "Design Resources" tab at the top of this page.

You can also look thru "The Hall of Fame" (completed build pics) and check out threads of those that catch your eye. If they haven't already included their profile in their build, most people are willing to share details if they are still around.

If you are at all handy with CAD, there are some nice designs in the "Sketchup" section where quite a few versions have been modeled in detail.

A lot of people, myself included, just doodle with scale arcs and lines until we find something that is practical and meets with our minds eye; then just scale that up using a grid system (or cheat and have CNC router templates made ).

[Cantputt]

Hey, I'm West Michigan also! I agree, nice fancy build is great but not what I needed/wanted. Built my trailer a couple weeks ago. Need to get some pics posted. Just for me, straight up 4x8, 3/4" plywood box, little taper on the front top, full rear hatch, side door, 3 windows, bottom urethaned, outside painted. 4 day build and less than $500 including the new 1700lb trailer bought off craigslist(great find). Put some shelves in the back so I can access from outside or in. Been up north once so far, headed back up next weekend. Getting ready to do my wiring, all 12 volt, couple lights and "outlets".