I spent a lot of time searching the web for ideas on building a teardrop with a removable pod. I wanted to be able to remove the pod fairly easily to be able to use the trailer as a utility trailer for hauling firewood, lumber or whatever. The removable pod concept worked out pretty good so I thought I should share it
So first I welding up a 5' x 10' flat deck trailer and have removable sides for it for use as a utility trailer. The deck of the trailer has a layer of ¾ plywood on it. I put the stake pockets on the inside of the frame, rather than outside as is normally done. I did this for a cleaner look when the teardrop pod was installed but it turns out that makes it much easier to install and remove the pod. I had planned to just use a pry bar to lift the pod enough to shim it, pry some more and block it up until I could fit a scissor jack under the pod. But I found it easier and no pry bar damage to just lift from below through the stake pockets. I jack it up and support it with a couple 2x4’s supported by the garage wall on one side and stands on the other side, the stability provided by the garage wall. The trailer can be pulled out from under the pod and used for other purposes and then parked back under the pod again. It takes about a half hour to remove or replace the pod. Not something you want to do everyday, but worth it to have the versatility.
I also made the axle movable by welding the spring mounts and fender mounts to 2x2x1/4” angle and then bolting that to the frame. A 10’ deck would normally have the axle 6’ from the front of the deck. I mounted it there, but also drilled the holes to move the axle either 4” or 8” forward or back. I did end up moving the axle 8” forward to bring the tongue weight down with the bike rack installed on the tongue.