Kiwi New Guy

[GerryAttrick]

Hi from New Zealand.

I have been lurking for a while and now I have an itch that I need to scratch - to try and build a Teardrop.

I currently work in a Hospital but retire in a couple of months to Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsular (Google is your friend here!). Interested in Kayak Fishing, Woodturning and Car restoration.

I have had a couple of caravans in the past and remember some good times as well as hiring a couple of camper vans for tours of New Zealands South Island.

Have some vague ideas that seem to be based around the Grumman2 and the You Tube videos along with some of my own modifications. Given the cost of trailers here I have decided that it will be cheaper to build my own around 2.8m x 1.5m (depends on the size of the mattress my wife decides to require!) My son-in-law has a large factory workshop where he handles large woodwork construction (mainly stage sets) and my brother-in-law is a fitter and turner and experienced welder

I see there are a few Kiwis building Teardrops and maybe I can catch up and share a few ideas.

My first job is to get a copy of the NZ Standards Code of practice for Light Trailers to see what regulations I'll need to follow in my build so that I can get it certified. I plan to build the trailer frame first as I will be able to use it as a flat bed to transport my Austin Healey 3000 & Austin A35 to Whangamata when I move. Thats my excuse for starting on the fame while still working...but don't tell my wife. The trouble is NZ Standards want nearly $100 for a copy of the code. I know the library has one but its at the branch across the other side of the city and is not allowed to be removed from the library

[dales133]

Message felix im pretty sure he built his trailer.
Im in australia and from what i can gather the victorian regs are the same or stricter than NZ and you could get a copy off vicroads website for free.
Ive built my own trailer using these guidelines.
Whangamata eh... love the place.
We usex to camp there as kids and spent alot of time surfing there with mates as a teenager
If you need any help with the regs let me know ill do what i can to help.
I could even post you the light trailer pack if required.

[GerryAttrick]

Thanks dales133.

Looking forward to moving the Whangamata and leaving the Rat Race behind. We are half way through building our retirement home there and I am busy renovating the Auckland house to flog off at the current high prices (I hope!!!)

I'll contact a few of the guys including felixx. I see there are a few very close to me in Birkenhead.

I'll see if I can download the VicRoads regs. It seems strange that there is nothing on the NZLTA website. It appears there is only a NZ Standards Code of Practice and the rest falls under the compliance/certification and WOF banners. Generally it seems to come down to quality of welds and a reasonably "sensible" strength of materials. There is a copy of the COP at the Highland Park branch of the library but they won't send it to my local branch for me to read there

Mainly I want to be sure that I use the correct grade & profile of steel without having to use large lumps of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and a Mack truck to tow it with

[dales133]

In victoria we need to take reciepts in when registering to prove its up to standard and not reperposed stollen parts.
The regs are quiet different for trailers sub 750kg ,here they dont require inspection but must meet standards

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi GerryAttrick, and welcome aboard...

I see that you are searching the net for the applicable regs and have great resources in a welder and carpenter... You may or may not need them, but it is always more enjoyable to have a friend or family member sit down to go over plans and ideas with you over a cold one ...

Good luck on the build and snap a pic for us when you get started...

[GerryAttrick]

Thanks AZ-Desert Rat.

Certainly it would be great to be able to do it all myself but its nice to know I have the experts to call on for advice. I did some gas welding courses years ago but my arc(stick?) skills are non-existant. Last time I I finished with the workpiece attached to the welding rod!

Best I start a new thread with my comments so as not too plug up the Newbie posts

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Thanks AZ-Desert Rat.

Certainly it would be great to be able to do it all myself but its nice to know I have the experts to call on for advice. I did some gas welding courses years ago but my arc(stick?) skills are non-existant. Last time I I finished with the workpiece attached to the welding rod!

Best I start a new thread with my comments so as not too plug up the Newbie posts

Hi GerryAttrick,
Camping, prospecting, building, etc., is always more fun with a Buddy/Mate!!

I found little shops and friends to help with some of my projects in the past, and I think we all do...

We'll watch for your posts and keep the pics and posts coming...

[Sheddie]

Hi Alan,
welcome from fellow kiwi, and fellow car fan.
I see that as well as the Healey, you have an Austin A35.
This is our baby 1956 A30.

memory stk3 057.jpg (59.84 KiB) Viewed 819 times

Re the construction and registration of your trailer frame.
As far as certification, I am not aware of any changes since we built our teardrop. You can actually go and register it now, before you have actually built it.
The procedure is that you build it, register it, then take it for a Warrant Of Fitness. This is for trailers up to 3500kg. There is no certification process like you have when putting a car on the road.
I know that I was quite surprised at how simple the process was. When you go to register it they will want to know if it is a new build or if it is made up of second hand parts. This basically decides if it goes on to a yearly wof for the first 6 years, or as second hand would be straight on to a 6 month wof. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadc ... uirements/
This is where you will find what is required on the trailer.
As far as transporting the Healey and the A35 to Whangamata, I would suggest hiring (or borrowing) a trailer, or get the mooving company to take them when you transport the rest of your belongings.
The reason I say this, is that you would need to way over engineer the TD frame to carry the cars. When all said and done the frame under the TD is only there to attach the suspension and coupling. The TD pod, its self is amazingly rigid (depending on construction method) and adds a lot of stiffness to the frame. Look at how car construction improved when they threw away the chassis and went to monocoque construction.

[GerryAttrick]

One sweet A30. My A35 is not to that standard and the attached photo is not in my shed either

I understand your concern re moving a Healey on a Teardrop trailer but I am only talking about the tub minus body panels and running gear. I can lift either end on my own and 3 guys could move it quite easily. I will use a car trailer for the A35 but its so small it barely touches the ramps either side of a normal trailer - I may look at hiring a small dual wheeled flat deck used to move rollers etc for that.

I have sent you a PM and will chat offline to get your advice on the way forward

I have started a Build Journal to save cluttering the Newbie thread with ongoing discussions

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=65182