*Plotting* Jeep Wrangler inspired camper

[justageorgiaguy]

I'm wanting to build a camper this year. I'm thinking about trying to match it to my Jeep. Here's a modified Sawtooth/Grasshopper type profile. I'd be looking at making it roughly 5x9 and use timbren axleless suspension. The rest is up in the air, I just decided to play in Photoshop this morning.

I wouldn't use actual Jeep doors, as they are heavy, but i'd match the profile to pull in the Jeep styling.



If the photo doesn't show, click here: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/WuYHgGjzjFQdPytFEXcd71jRhrpRICLkXT20cd94HNW?ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy

[Dale M.]

Cool idea, but have a little bit of problem with shape of doors..... It might be with slant portions of door and frame it might be a bit awkward to get in and out of TD.... Getting in and out of TD is whole different process (body movement) than climbing in and out of seat in drivers or passenger seat of vehicle.... Many people sort of back in, sit on door ledge and draw feet up and swivel in to get in TD the angles on your door sort of get in way of your head and feet with their placement...

Any way don't let my comments stop you from your build it may be you will develop different way of entering and exiting from your TB than I perceive doing....

Dale

[justageorgiaguy]

Cool idea, but have a little bit of problem with shape of doors..... It might be with slant portions of door and frame it might be a bit awkward to get in and out of TD.... Getting in and out of TD is whole different process (body movement) than climbing in and out of seat in drivers or passenger seat of vehicle.... Many people sort of back in, sit on door ledge and draw feet up and swivel in to get in TD the angles on your door sort of get in way of your head and feet with their placement...

Any way don't let my comments stop you from your build it may be you will develop different way of entering and exiting from your TB than I perceive doing....

Dale

Thanks Dale, I would definitely mock up a paper profile to see how this might work. I might just go the easy route and buy pre-made camper doors and just match the rims/tires and paint color

[Esteban]

I second Dale's thought that a Jeep style door may not be an easy one to use to get in and out of a teardrop.

I have two other thoughts. Your axle looks to be about in the middle of the teardrop. As a rule of thumb about 60% of the teardrop's length should be in front of the pivot point of the axle/wheel and about 40% should be to the rear. I also suggest you move the door more to the rear to make getting in and out easier.

Do you plan to mount anything on the tongue, like jerry cans, a propane tank, a spare tire, or a tongue box? That would effect the trailer's balance and the best placement of the axle.

Using a Timbren axle will help make your teardrop ready for off road use.

With a flat roof you'll have room for a solar panel to help recharge a battery so boondocking will be more feasible. By the way where do you plan to store a battery? On the tongue or somewhere in the galley. That may effect the best location of the axle.

[tony.latham]

I concur with the other comments. The door should be at your hips so that when you sit up, you can open the door and pivot out. Axles need to be at that 60% point to prevent severe swaying caused by the trailer being tail heavy. (Not to mention it may tip back when unhitched) Also, having the axle forward gives the trailer a poor rear approach/departure angle and expose it to ground strikes on irregular terrain.

I think some builders shy away from the curves of a traditional teardrops because they look harder to build. I'm convinced––although I haven't built one––that an angled cabin is more challenging to build than one with curves.

But you're on your way!

Tony

[Vedette]

Yes Dale
Steve an Tony saved me some typing.
Move your door and your axle back.
Other wise it will tow like the tail of a kite!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[justageorgiaguy]

All - Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll ditch the Jeep door idea and move it and the axle back. I didn't design this profile, I just downloaded one in Sketchup and copied it over to Photoshop to start playing with it. I'll make sure to move the axle back to the 60% range.

Tony - Thanks for the "door at the hips" tip, that's a good visual of where it should be, and I'm much more visual vs reading instructions. I'm debating on the angled vs curved. My original plan was to copy Doug Hodder's Sierra Nomad Canned ham, but I figured I would start small for the first build.

Esteban - I will probably build a tounge box for batteries and electrical components. I'd love to add solar down the road for sure!

[Vedette]

Solar is too easy to wait!
We have a converter in Miss Piggy. This allows us to recharge our 12V battery when plugged into AC current (Shoreline).
It also allows us to charge while driving from the Tow Vehicle (one simple wire thru the hitch plug.
Thus, for solar charging we just bought a 90W folding Solar panel kit. Changed the plug to match the female on the TV.
So now when we are parked and need solar power.....we just plug the trailer to the solar panel with the same plug that plugs into the TV while towing.
The solar pane can be placed within 30 ft of the trailer for maximum sun exposure (remember the sun moves during the day)
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Esteban]

James,

Check out Joanne's Desert Dawg teardrop construction website. Her off road teardrop's profile is similar to the one you're proposing. She documented the construction of her teardrop very well, with many pictures, and Joanne readily mentions her flubs.

One thing to keep in mind is that ideal teardrop electrical systems have improved considerably in recent years. So, many electrical components used in the Desert Dawg take too much expense and effort to put together now a days.

LED lights are now very affordable and readily available.

Solar power is now very affordable and nice to have. It frees you up to camp longer (boondocking) away from hookups, and can lower camp site costs.

AC/DC fridge freezers like a TruckFridge 41 have become more affordable too. Solar power and a chest type fridge/freezer can add a lot of camping freedom and enjoyment if you plan and budget for them.

A power center like the Progressive Dynamics PD 4045 also saves hours of effort to piece together a battery charging and power distribution system.

It will be best to custom build your off road teardrop's trailer frame, too. If you do not have the welding skills and tools ask local welding shops for an estimate. You may be pleasantly surprised at the cost and end up with a much sturdier, custom sized, trailer frame.

[justageorgiaguy]

Solar is too easy to wait!
We have a converter in Miss Piggy. This allows us to recharge our 12V battery when plugged into AC current (Shoreline).
It also allows us to charge while driving from the Tow Vehicle (one simple wire thru the hitch plug.
Thus, for solar charging we just bought a 90W folding Solar panel kit. Changed the plug to match the female on the TV.
So now when we are parked and need solar power.....we just plug the trailer to the solar panel with the same plug that plugs into the TV while towing.
The solar pane can be placed within 30 ft of the trailer for maximum sun exposure (remember the sun moves during the day)
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Great! I'll just go ahead and budget in solar when I'm pricing everything out.

[Socal Tom]

This thread on Expo might interest you
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... awTooth-XL
Tom

[justageorgiaguy]

This thread on Expo might interest you
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... awTooth-XL
Tom

Thanks Tom, I found that one this morning, but most image hosters (like PhotoBucket) are blocked here at work, so I didn't see any images. I'll be sure to check it out tonight at the house!

[Dale M.]

Here is another "off road" styled TD.....

http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

Dale

[dales133]

I too was going to build a grasshopper or sawtooth shaped TD but ended up settling on a benroy just because the shape grew on me when i was researching.
Tony is quite right that alot of people avoid the curved shape because they feel it will be to difficult where in actual fact small tight radius and angles are possibly harder to achieve and finish off so they are water tight and look right.
If you realy wanted the jeep shaped door you could make them slightly wider to aid acess and or slightly modify the shape.
Comercial doors arnt a bad move... im glad i went with that decision