Building a 1989 Teardrop American Outbacker

[rwilhelm]

I have done some research and I now know how the cabin body is attached to an Outbacker. I am convinced that I can modify a Harbor Freight/ Northern Tool trailer to work. Using this method, I may be able to have a functioning teardrop trailer for less than $1500. BUT, I need two measurements so that I can begin the trailer build. I need the outside dimensions of the frame upon which the cabin is mounted and the distance from either or both ends of the frame to the axle. I need these dimensions so that I can prepare the trailer before I make the 14 hr trek to buy the cabin, doors and hatches. HELP PLEASE

[Gage]

My main outside frame rails has a 4 foot spread. Then I ran out riggers for the 5' wide floor/body. Does that help?

[rwilhelm]

Thanks Gage. That's an awesome frame. My needs are much simpler (Thank goodness). The cabin for the outbacker is all one piece solid plastic. In the bottom of cabin is an island formed when they created and indented box. If you turned the cabin upside down it would be like a rectangular swimming (wading) pool and could be filled with water. Its this square indent that the frame fits into. I have a pretty good idea of the width of this "pocket", but I don't know the length. The cabin has molded indents too, for the tires. In other words, it overhangs the tires. So the position of the axle is important.

Since I'm trying to do this on a very tight budget, I am looking to shortcut the project as best I can. I could just build a 4x8 kit trailer, go up to Washington and buy the cabins, doors and hatch. Pile it all on the trailer supported by some lumber and straps and haul it home. But then I would have to rent some shop time and help to remover the parts, modify the trailer and mount the cabin et al. Now moving the axle around on these kit trailers is easy, requiring only that some holes (4) be drilled to mount the spring hangers. The side rails are pre-drilled but it would be a real stroke if they were in the right places. There is some chance that an 8 foot trailer is too long, but again it's just a matter of cutting the side rails to the right length and remounting the end cross rail. Its the front and rear cross rails along with side rails that fit into the pocket molded in the bottom of the cabin. Thats why I need the length of that pocket. So if I modify the trailer for length, mount the axle in the right place, which I should be able to do without renting shop time, I can go pickup the cabin with it nestled onto the frame, strap it down and bring it home. Once I get it home, the restoration work can begin by bolting the it down and fitting hinges, latches windows and struts to hold up the gull wing doors and hatch. It's not very complicated and there are actually only 5 main parts to the whole trailer. How hard can it be??

So I am hoping that some of the 1989 Teardrop American Outbacker owners can provide the measurements. The Northern Tool 4x8 is $430. The 4 pieces of the cabin is $500 and everything else available on an as needed basis. Don't know which struts to buy. Other than that it looks like a piece of cake.

Roger

[mgaedic2]

Hi Roger,
I am Cristian, and I am looking for a teardrop outbacker as well. I have been researching these trailers and trying to figure out some of the same questions you have.

Do you know what the width of the indentation is? Were you able to figure out the length? I am also trying to figure out if a 4 x 8 from Harbor freight could work... I had the impression it is too narrow, but I may be wrong. Northern tools has a 5 x 8, but is it $500, plus some shipping. I am also doing my research to figure out the paint type.

I hope we can stay in touch, if I gather any additional information I will be more than happy to share it with you and everyone in this forum.

Best,
Cristian