RE pop up trailers

[billstarn]

HI all I'm new to this site
And be thinking about building a teardrop trailer much like Desert Dawgs unit.
Was wondering if a popup trailer frame would be good to use .
thanks for any comments .

[AlgoDan]

Hello and welcome aboard, no reason it would not work. Yes I too like the Deser Dawg, you make it your own. This is also a great forum for ideas. Good luck and post pictures as you build.

[Vedette]

Hi Billstarn
Welcome to the Forum
Too bad you are on the other side of the country, as I have a 7" tent trailer that would make the perfect base for a teardrop project that I woiuld like to sell.
Good Luck with your new project!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Mary C]

Welcome Welcome, I think building on a pop up has been done and before I decided on my HF trailer I thought about a pop up trailer but couldn't find one that would not have needed a lot of cleanup for me. There are lots of people on here who have used pop up trailers and there are lots of builds, just check around at the trailer and chassis and 20 or so pages back you will find lots of info about using trailer pop up trailers.

Mary c.

[rowerwet]

I had two Pop Ups given to me last year, look around, ask around, and check craigslist etc. A PuP frame will be a bit more work, but much less money.

[Oldragbaggers]

I'm building on a pop up frame. I did a couple of modifications to it, but now wish I hadn't. Got it for only $100. I put a new axle on it, and bigger tires, but it would have been fine the way it was.

[jandmz]

Most PopUp frames have steel framework that goes outside the tire track, so unless you want to build wide with wheel wells inside the cabin, you may need to do some cutting and welding on the frame.

Some vintage popups, like the Apache Eagle used an X frame that used the plywood floor as a structural member, and would require a lot of welding of additional steel to support a TD cabin.

If you are OK with metal working, there is no reason not to use a popup frame.

[rowerwet]

I would think a TD body would be much stronger than a PUP body, you don't walk on the floor of a TD, and the box is a very stiff structure if done correctly

[Oldragbaggers]

Most PopUp frames have steel framework that goes outside the tire track, so unless you want to build wide with wheel wells inside the cabin, you may need to do some cutting and welding on the frame.

Some vintage popups, like the Apache Eagle used an X frame that used the plywood floor as a structural member, and would require a lot of welding of additional steel to support a TD cabin.

If you are OK with metal working, there is no reason not to use a popup frame.

This was certainly not the case (needing structural members) with my frame. I had very substantial crossmembers every two feet and longitudinal bracing as well. Like rowerwet mentioned, popups were designed to be walked on inside. The tubing for the entire trailer is much heavier than what the Harbor Freight trailers are made out of and people are building teardrops successfully on them all the time.

I cut my frame off around the wheels. Now I wish I hadn't. If I had it to do over I would leave the width, place the bed crossways (like you would sleep in a pop up). I would raise the bed a bit to go over the wheel wells and build some underbed storage. Come to think of it, if I had the same frame and a chance to start over I would probably do a stoopy. Having the ability to place the bed crossways (or make a dinette that drops for a bed, you can put the seats over those wheel wells) gives you a lot more flexibility with the interior.