G'day teardroppers,

[Coolmango]

Hi All. My name is Joe and I live in Queensland Australia. I am planning my Tesrdrop trailer, and will start building next year.
You see I am "construction impaired". I haven't built anything like this ever. I hope to keep the cost down but not cheap. I want to build a trailer that will be functional and I can build. You see I want build something worthy of keeping.

I am aiming for the classic plywood build. My biggest issue is getting started, and also designing something I can actually deliver. No... The base is my biggest problem. I live in a metric world and that old fashioned imperial stuff in plans perplexes me... I need a metric plan

My handicap in building extends also to practical design - i have never wielded so the base is where my problem is.

I want to build a comfortable 2 person trailer. Plywood exterior.

My Ideas to consider thus far :

How big/small is the best size ?

What should I think to add in design, before it is too late to incorporate ?
Can I add self sustaining power ? Solar or maybe tiny wind turbines ?
One door or two ?
Being in a warm climate what should consider ?
Can I off-road the build (ie: 4WD wilderness tough)

The kitchen - can I add modcons' if I choose to - self sustained within the TDT (TearDropTrailer)
What must I put in - what should I not bother with .

Thanks Guys.

[michaelrsydney]

Hi Coolmango

Good to see another Aussie builder. My advice is to just dive in and get building... most teardrops seem to be built this way and wthat is why there is such a fantastic range of styles and ideas. No two teardrops are the same.

Your first port of call should be Reiner Gudd, a fellow Queenslander at Aussie Teardrops. He is able to supply parts otherwise very hard to find in Australia such as the hurricane hinge needed for the hatch and soft aluminium corner trim.

http://www.aussieteardrops.com/

Michael

[bc toys]

Welcome to this great site hope you follow your build

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome to the board. It will be interesting to follow along with your build.

[Junkboy999]

Welcome to the forums.

You just need an App to convert what we are chatting about into what you find at your local store. When I lived in the UK for 7 years I always had a tape measure in my pocket that had both Inches and Centimeters on it. very useful.

GL on what you are planing.

[michaelrsydney]

Hi All. My name is Joe and I live in Queensland Australia. No... The base is my biggest problem. I live in a metric world and that old fashioned imperial stuff in plans perplexes me... I need a metric plan
Thanks Guys.

Remember too Coolmango, despite Australia being nominally metric many of the sheet materials available here are still imperial sizes. Plywood is frequently 2440mm x 1220... 8'x4'. In addition since so many of the supplies needed are made in Asia for the US market they too are non-metric. Hatches for instance are usually " 14 inch ". You will frequently need to revert to an inch tape despite making metric plans. You also need to check carefully when ordering materials.

I would suggest starting by deciding the materials you want to build with and then designing around what is available. If you don't weld then simply get your local trailer shop to make a chassis to the exact measurements you need and take their advice about required springs/hitch/brakes etc. I welded my own from 50mm x 50mm tube. As a guide my plywood TD weighs about 390 kg (860 lbs) but I realise now I probably built heavier than I needed to.

gallery/image.php?album_id=3239&image_id=112767

As a roofing material I suggest checking out aluminium sandwich panel, which is made in Australia in 8' x 4' sheets! No need to roof in plywood and then paint or skin with aluminium, it is very easy to work with. It is an aluminium-composite-aluminium product often used by sign writers and combined with foam and foil insulation gives good results in a hot climate... just remember to leave an air space cavity between the foil and the skin or the aluminium foil will have zero effect.

As an aside when doing a job in England some years ago I ordered "metric" material and what arrived was "metric length/imperial width" (2400 mm x 4 ft)

[KennethW]

Put everything into inches. then times 25.4 =mm So 2'4"__(2x12)+4=28inch__28inchx25.4=705.6mm

[Coolmango]

Hi all. Thank you. I am now in the process designing the teardrop. I like the look of the 50's exterior look. I actually want to learn some new skills, so looking at buying a welder and steel. So I am focusing on working out dimensions and then goto step 1.a building the floor. Are there any standard teardrop sleep plans for 2 people that I can use as a place to start. I want to use sketchup, so that is step 1.1.a . I won't start the actual build until Jan/Fev so I can learn and work out the best suited design and to learn the things that work and I should incorporate and the things I should not attempt . I want to make it easy and repeatable so if I screw Up or someone else's wants one, I have a standard to follow. Thanks again !