greetings

[yahtah]

I am Lee, and will probably be lurking for a while as I learn more about Teardrops. My desire right now is to build a lightweight trailer to tow my gear and sleep in as I take my Mazda Miata to tracks around my area. I'd want to sleep in the camper while on the road, store some tires in a compartment with maybe some tools and stuff, and perhaps have a small motorbike to go for parts if the Miata broke down. The basic package wouldn't need cooking equipment, as most tracks are near a Black Bear Diner. The design would have to be very light weight, but probably installable on a HFT trailer.

I'm a "Form follows Function" kinda guy, so Style means little to me. If I bring this in, Aero will be a big part, as will the weight. Since I want to carry maybe 120 lbs of wheel and tire weight in one location, balance between tongue and load distribution will be important. Water tight sleeping space will be minimal, important, but not confining, and ventilation will allow comfortable air circulation. I'm sure there are details I've left out... I'll rely on everyone to point out what needs to be improved when I begin to post some ideas.

[KennethW]

I would thing a standard type of TD (weekender?) with a extended tongue on the trailer and a big tongue box for the tools and stuff. If the bike is small enough a you could run it thru the galley hatch and store it beside with you when you sleep. You could still do small galley(bar) on one side of the galley if you want. Just some quick thoughts.

[alaska teardrop]

Welcome to the forum, Lee.

Which tracks do you race? Do you run in one of the Mazda series?

You may glean some ideas from this design & build thread about building a lightweight trailer that handles well behind a small car. viewtopic.php?f=27&t=51991



With a rear door similar to this one you could store your gear inside. With the bike out for the night there would be room to sleep.



If you are really concerned about building light, handling & towing safely with your Mazda, skip the HF & make your own chassis with brakes, proper wheels & tires, ride height & balance, independent suspension and load rating to match your trailer. Ideas: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=12220

Good luck, Fred

[yahtah]

Nice design, Fred! So many design details to consider...

I don't "race" the Miata, but run in events called HPDE's, or High Performance Driving Events. You get to drive the track at speed with other drivers at your skill level. Usually you get 5 or 6 sessions of 20 minutes in a day. I've been to an obscure track at Reno-Fernley, been to Thunderhill a couple of times, but mostly Laguna Seca which is in my backyard, so to speak.