Building Teardrop in SoCal

[jimun]

Hi, I am Jim from Banning, CA and I have begun my the build of my first Teardrop. I have visited about every website I could find to get ideas. I have looked at all the images I could. I am using the Benroy 5x8 design as my guide. I purchased this trailer about 2 weeks ago and I have cut off most of the excess material.

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I have been working on the design using the free google.sketchup program. I made the trailer to scale.

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With the long tongue on the trailer I have the option of a 5x10, 5x11 or a 5x12, depend on inside storage to outside storage. I am thinking I could carry a couple of bikes on the tongue or possibly put in a little dinette on the inside front.

[grantstew8]

Looking good, like the design!

[citylights]

You might want to move the door back toward the center of the bed. Generally, you want your but to hit the bed through the door where you will not have to scoot up or down the bed much.

I didn't get it much, but I moved my door as suggested. Now that I have been in and out of my tear about 1000 times and scooted all around trying to build the inside I get it. Minimize the scooting.

[jimun]

Thanks for the insight on door placement. I am trying to design the td for my 6' 4"s so I did sit on my bed to check this out and found out I would have been sitting right on my pillow. I will be moving the door opening about a foot. It will be a 30" wide opening. The only problem I have is the location of the fender when I move the door.

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[citylights]

Yup, I see the door, wheel problem. That is the next fix suggestion, move your axel and wheel back. Optimal is about 1/3 from the back to axel, 2/3 to the front. Tear drops have a heavy rear end galley and lighter front. They tow better in the 1/3 , 2/3 configuration. This is always a bummer because most utility trailers are setup with the axel and wheels 50/50. If you build a heavy galley, or put a lot of stuff in a light galley, as you have it, then you will end up with the tongue weight too light, or actually negative!

[jimun]

Citylights, the tongue is 5' 8" to the end of the coupler and I am working on a storage layout including a couple of bikes. I am thinking of storing a heavy duty canopy, foldup chairs, battery and possible a propane tank. Also I am thinking of going 11' on the teardrop so that would bring it another foot forward. Would any of this be a factor?

[citylights]

Citylights, the tongue is 5' 8" to the end of the coupler and I am working on a storage layout including a couple of bikes. I am thinking of storing a heavy duty canopy, foldup chairs, battery and possible a propane tank. Also I am thinking of going 11' on the teardrop so that would bring it another foot forward. Would any of this be a factor?

Yes, all of that would make the tongue heavier... When loaded. I also extended my trailer tongue and made my tear overhang the front by one foot rather than move my axel back. The key is balance front to back. For good trailer behavior and towing you want your finish tongue weight to be about 75 to 150 lb. A rule of thumb I have seen is for the tongue weight to be 10% of the total trailer weight. On a 1000 lb tear, that is 100 lb.

[jimun]

I started a Build Journal "Undone in the sun"
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=57462&p=1039567#p1039561

[Esteban]

Welcome aboard. If you door has lower radius corners that helps a little with fender clearance, if moving them isn't the solution.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi, Jimun, welcome to the forum. Now, since we are almost neighbors, perhaps you might want to swing my my place in Wildomar, to conpare buids and talk teardrops. I am presently working on my fifth teardrop, which hopefully, will be a one of a kind. If you are in the area, I would be happy to share any construction tips, plus pick your brain on exactly how your build is going. You are welcome to check out my new build, but you have to keep it under your hat, since it will make it's first "flight" to the Shasta Gathering next year. Good luck on your build, it's good to see so many new builders joining the camping experience. Remember, the coffee is always on. Just give me a heads up and we can touch bases.
Roly, the li'l ol' woody TD builder, still plugging away at another, one-off teardrop trailer.....

[jimun]

Thanks Esteban and Roly, for the input and the invite. I am still trying to decide if I want to cut 6" off the back for a better balance and door location or if I will have enough weight on the tongue with storage to balance it. Roly I would like to get a closer look on some builds and get some more input. I don't know when I will be down that way but if I get a chance I will try to stop by.