Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I decided to start a thread to keep interested parties up to date on my build. I will add to this as I get more done. I haven't worked on it much the last 2 months due to the holidays, me being a bit under the weather and some other responsibilities. I mentioned in an previous thread how I am making 2 of these with the intent of selling 1 for the cost of building the 2. So the extra parts you may see in the pics aren't my mistakes.

This is what I shooting for.

Patterns of the profile. One the full side, the other for cutting the hatch notch.

Gluing up the side frames.


Using the pattern to router the profile.

Gluing oak bead board panels for the inside walls.
After I'll trim the paneling with a router using the frame as the guide.

Using a fixture to mill the notches for the roof spars. Thanks Davel.


Finished sides with inside walls stained and spar urethaned.

I've just about finished the front bulkhead/headboard/cabinet assembly
Also, I guy I work with is finishing up school for his degree in mechanical engineering and needed a project. I gave him my welded chassis design to engineer for optimum strength/weight/cost. His professor thought it was a great project. I'll post the report when it's done.

Regards, Bob "O"

Schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Is that your design at the top?

...looking good Bob...will be looking for further installments of your build............................

Yah! What they said and more!! Great job so far, can hardly wait to see the finished product!!

That's looking good, Bob.

Is that a tennis racket or a snowshoe holding up your exterior table?

Andrew

:thumbsup: Beautiful design & work, Bob!

I guess the snowshoe fits, Andrew. Beaver Tail (or Teardrop) type.

*Bear Paw
Frame more oval in shape and lacking any long tail
Very manoeuvrable, particularly in thick forest or bush and hilly regions
Not good for deep, light snow and regarded as "slow"
*Beaver-Tail (also known as Michigan or Maine style)
Frame tear-drop shaped with upturned toe and long, narrow tail
Best on trails or open plains
Clumsy in thick woods or deep, powder snow
*Alaskan (also known as Trail, Yukon, or Athabaskan)
Extremely long and narrow with upturned toe and narrowing tail
Designed for speed in open areas and deep snow, where it works best
Poor manoeuvrability in tight areas

Use the Bear Paws myself.

Fred

:peace:

I should have included these shots with the rest. I was deciding how to keep the cabinet doors and drawers closed when traveling. I searched the forum and read what many of you have done, then while cleaning up around the shop one day I found a old door button and it hit me. Well they want $5 and up for quality ones in the marine catalogs so I decided to make my own.
This pic shows the one I found and my version of it made of maple and stained golden oak to match my woodwork.

This pic shows the jig I made to drill the holes and cut off the part that acts as a pad on the door or drawer.

I made around 50 of these and found it took about 15 minutes each to make and assemble. the hardware ran me around $20.

Bob
Do I understand you correctly? Do these mount on the inside of the door/drawer?
I'm currently converting a cargo trailer, but when I start my tear, your's is exactly what I want it to look like. I won't copy everything!!

Prohandyman, They are mounted on the outside with the part with the knob mounted to the stile or rail and the small cresent piece mounted to the door or drawer acting as a strike. These button as they are called will only work for flush mounted doors and drawers.

Regards, Bob "O"

Working on teardrop time I accomplished a little more - the front bulhead.


One side has shelves, the other for hanging. The bottom shelf will be hinged off a roof strut to allow for larger items to fit under it.


The doors are made picture frame style so the beadboard panels may be removed if one becomes damaged or to replace with something else.
The teardrop I'm making for myself will have a fishing/sportsman theme so I thought I would use some fishing plugs for the door pulls. The teardrop I will be selling (if I ever finish these) will have the silver knobs.

Here is a pic of the door buttom I mentioned earlier installed.


I have made progress on the next assembly - the main galley. I have the face frames and doors made. Have purchased the cooktops, water tanks, cooler and drawer slides, and have all the lumber, plywood and laminate to build them. Just need to find the time.

how goes this? beautiful work so far!

Very nice Bob... You've obviously done some fine woodworking before. I love your design. Looks wonderful so far. I'll be watching for your updates.

Beautifully done Bob- downright inspirational, which is why I joined this forum.

Looks awesome!

But as Ira would say - I hate you!

Bob!

I'm going to have to make another appointment with my therapist. All of that beautiful woodwork is making me insecure about my own handiwork.

I have watched a number of builders who have done a large portion of their assembly on the workbench and I can really see the advantage to that. As a beginning builder, I just didn't (and may still not) have enough foresight to be able to plan everything out so it would fit together when time comes for final assembly. As I mentioned in the Building Tears for a Living thread, it seems like preassembly would be the most efficient way to build.

I really like the overall design of your trailer. It looks like it should be on display inside the Yellowstone lodge. I just love the tear shaped windows. It really adds to the overall style of the trailer.

Please keep posting the photos! I especially like the ones where you show the various woodworking techniques and jigs you have used. I'm trying to learn woodworking and seeing the techniques "in action" really helps.

I wish I could afford your #2 trailer!

Joanne