The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:43 am

Greetings and salutations to you all. My wife and I have done it. With only a couple of months of watching countless DIY teardrop trailer videos and reading and scheming, we have embarked on this journey of building our own tiny teardrop trailer. 8)

The "jumping off the cliff" as we called it happened today when I purchased a used, custom built trailer. The trailer was originally a toy/motorcycle hauler. 6' x 9 1/2' with 15" wheels. I will have to redraw my plans that were for a 5' x 8' but that's some of the fun, right! It has taken me several weeks to locate a trailer to use. I considered the infamous Northern Tool (Ironton) trailer but could not bring myself to go with those 12" wheels and don't really like to buy Chinese made anything.

So, here we go. Lot's of work ahead. Here's to the journey.
Attachments
PXL_20210713_200458449.jpg
PXL_20210713_200458449.jpg (104.63 KiB) Viewed 1793 times
Last edited by BLTillson on Mon Jan 09, 2023 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Wed Jul 14, 2021 3:27 pm

Got right to work on stripping down the trailer. Gave a tour to my wife and talked about design changes. Even received design support from a neighbor who is going to teach me how to weld. :thumbsup:
PXL_20210714_184438546.jpg
Stripping the trailer down.
PXL_20210714_184438546.jpg (108.74 KiB) Viewed 1754 times

PXL_20210714_173539940.jpg
Neighborly advice!
PXL_20210714_173539940.jpg (90.88 KiB) Viewed 1754 times

PXL_20210714_173632731.jpg
Wife inspection and photo op!
PXL_20210714_173632731.jpg (94.15 KiB) Viewed 1754 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby Bezoar » Wed Jul 14, 2021 3:57 pm

That looks like a great frame to build on. Much better to scale up your design in size rather than down!
User avatar
Bezoar
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 155
Images: 37
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:01 pm
Location: Southern Wisconsin
Top

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Wed Jul 14, 2021 9:02 pm

Indeed! We are super happy to get the extra foot in width, especially for the galley. Also having it come with a tongue box and a spare was a gift. I am going to need to focus more on weight conservation now that it's bigger. I just spent the afternoon stripping all the aluminum off of it and dimensioning if for SketchUp.

PXL_20210715_015952859.jpg
Down to the frame!
PXL_20210715_015952859.jpg (109.18 KiB) Viewed 1711 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:08 pm

Still working on learning how to use Sketch Up while designing a trailer. So many skills to learn!

I may put this in a separate thread but I thought I would put it here to start. I am trying to figure out the best design for where the walls meet the floor meet the trailer. I am wanting to cover the trailer edges because I enjoy the clean look. I am also trying to come up with something that goes together pretty easy and is not a nightmare to get to fit perfect ( or close to perfect). Check out the image and let me know any pros and cons for this method. The 1/4 skirt of the outer skin of the plywood will cover the trailer. Oh, I'm also pretty set on PMS for the outer sealing layer.

Any constructive input would be appreciated.

T4 Wall detail example.png
Mock up wall meets floor meets trailer.
T4 Wall detail example.png (381.71 KiB) Viewed 1649 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby MickinOz » Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:05 pm

What is the distance between the wheels? i.e. how wide a mattress will fit between them?
MickinOz
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1254
Images: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 3:54 pm
Location: Somewhere, in 379,725 square miles of South Australia
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:30 pm

Thanks for answering MickinOz, Here is a picture with the bed in place. It's a queen mattress cut down at the head. We are putting the head of the bed between the wheels.

T4 Bed Width Example.png
T4 Bed Width Example.png (582.81 KiB) Viewed 1625 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby Capebuild » Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:13 am

BLTillson wrote: I am trying to figure out the best design for where the walls meet the floor meet the trailer.


While planning for my build I found this image helpful... in case you haven't already seen it. (click on image to get it to be full size)

John
Attachments
wall attach.jpg
wall attach.jpg (206.22 KiB) Viewed 1601 times
"Success can be defined as moving from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm".... Churchill

Visit my Teardrop build here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=73779
User avatar
Capebuild
Donating Member
 
Posts: 752
Images: 129
Joined: Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:50 am
Location: Massachusetts
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:04 am

Thank you John,

I think I'm pretty sold on the rabbit joint. My only concern has been that I'm only using 1/4" plywood on my outer wall. I will need to make sure the 2" skirt that covers the trailer frame is secured and protected.
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby tony.latham » Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:57 am

This is the way I do my wall/floor joint:

Image

Both floor surfaces are coated with PL3. The first line of screws goes along horizontally along the side of the floor. The second line of screws are pocket screws as shown for the inside.

It makes for easy installation.



:thinking:

Tony
User avatar
tony.latham
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 6880
Images: 17
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: Middle of Idaho on the edge of nowhere
Top

Re: The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Fri Jul 23, 2021 1:03 pm

Thanks Tony. I think I have a good solid idea of how to do this now. :thumbsup:

Now, Where did I put that saw!
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:58 pm

In order to keep a great journal for those who will come after me, I present the following:

I have been making leaps and bounds in SketchUp which is helping my ability to plot, plan and design. Here is results of today's efforts. Shown: Water tank, bedding cubby and the ever-important guitar storage!

T4 Todays design work.png
T4 Todays design work.png (163.53 KiB) Viewed 1523 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Thu Sep 02, 2021 1:23 pm

Still making slow progress. Had to learn to weld so that I could make changes to the trailer to accommodate our design. Started buying plywood and continue my search for the 3/4 insulation needed for the wall spaces. Seems the planet has run out of Owens Corning insulation, (at least the west coast) Here are a few update pictures.

Galley Design.png
This is from our recent work on the galley.
Galley Design.png (486.21 KiB) Viewed 1398 times


Water_Tank_Cradle.jpg
This is where the water tank will go. Future upgrade.
Water_Tank_Cradle.jpg (449.31 KiB) Viewed 1398 times


Trailer_Prep.jpg
Trailer almost ready to start building on.
Trailer_Prep.jpg (454.35 KiB) Viewed 1398 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Tue Sep 07, 2021 8:29 am

Still working on the drawing and designing parts to come later in the project. I have found that so many parts tie together that it's difficult to proceed until the plans are complete. I know that in many cases the plans will only be a guide and not the absolute gospel truth as to how things fit together. So we press forward.

Galley Hatch Test.png
I am 6'-5" so having a galley hatch that I can stand under is critical.
Galley Hatch Test.png (352.19 KiB) Viewed 1351 times
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

The Tiny Tillson Teardrop Trailer (T4)

Postby BLTillson » Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:02 am

A couple of progress notes:

After wrestling with the trailer for what seems like many long weeks, oh, wait, it was many long weeks! I have finally started working with wood. Oddly enough, The place I needed to start was with the fenders since several parts all intersect in with the fenders as a central connection. Not for structural support but for angles, construction method and for sealing the trailer. Also, the plans are almost complete. I have redrawn the walls (for the 4th time) and have reworked the doors and added windows and utility doors. I will now finally be able to begin working on the floor.

T4 Complete walls.png
SketchUp drawing with final wall, doors and windows.
T4 Complete walls.png (102.64 KiB) Viewed 1286 times


FenderOne.jpg
The first fender comes out of the form. I used 3/4" sanded plywood and kerf bending to get the shape.
FenderOne.jpg (135.24 KiB) Viewed 1286 times


Here is the kerf bending calculator I used: https://www.blocklayer.com/kerf-spacingeng.aspx
~BLT~

Δοξάστε τον Θεό από τον οποίο πηγάζουν όλες οι ευλογίεςt
User avatar
BLTillson
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 99
Images: 18
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2021 6:06 am
Location: Back in Beautiful Oregon
Top

Next

Return to Build Journals

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 25 guests