another first time teardrop builder (update 4/10/18)

[Jeremy757]

Hello everyone! I saw a teardrop trailer for the first time this past summer on a road trip across country. I knew I had to have one so I have been doing some research over the past few weeks and I have begun my build. I have a few sketches but no real plans I'm just taking it one step at a time. I'm a welder and an electrician so the wood work will be new stuff for me.

I started with making my own trailer. I went with a 5x8 size made out of 2x2x1/4 angle and the tongue out of 3x3x1/4 tubing








while I wait on the axle and suspension to get here my gf and I coated the subfloor with asphalt.



I plan on finishing the trailer portion (with the exception of wheels) this week. once I have the trailer together I will start building the camper portion.
I'm basically just figuring it out as I go along with the help of the internet.

[Jeremy757]

bottom layer of the subfloor in.

[pchast]

That's a good start!
Welcome.....

[jsnbergman]

You def got the right tow vehicle! Good luck on the build, and keep us posted.

[Jeremy757]

the company I ordered my axle from forgot to ship the leaf springs with it so its holding me up from finishing the trailer half of the build.

I got a cheap set of trailer wheels until I figure out what kind of tires I'm running.


what kind of tires you guys using? I will be driving cross country and would like to travel at posted highway speed. I got 15" wheels and I upgraded the bearings in the hubs to try help with the highway.

[tony.latham]

6 ply LT radials.



Radials, as we all know, ride better than bias tires. If you were building a double-axle bemouth, I'd absolutely suggest the appropriate bias trailer tires.

Tony

[Jeremy757]

I got my axle and springs installed.



I painted all the raw metal black


installed and bolted down the subfloor




next I'm going to insulate the floor then cover it in half inch ply wood.
I'm going to try and Make a template for my side walls this week. the entire build will be based off the generic Benroy design.

[Jeremy757]

I went shopping today


I got the floor insulated


covered in 1/2 plywood


as she currently sits


tomorrow I will make my template for the side walls.

[Jeremy757]

I got a new router and I have never used one before. What different kind of bits will I need? Do I need a special router bit to cut the aluminum skin?

Also advice on attaching walls to trailer would be great.

I plan on sitting the walls on top of the lip of the angle iron

Then drilling and counter sinking screws through the wall into the side of my subfloor.
“Glued and screwed”

Then i was going to setup some temporary spars to hold the 2 sides together.

I’m using 3/4” birch for the walls.

I’m a complete newbie at wood working so I’m open to all advice.

[Vedette]

You look like you are having fun with this build already.
Tires! Definitely radials, but don't go too wide.
The only thing you might regret if planning to tow cross country, is that you did not go to a "Dexter" Rubber Ride axle.
They do not give you the bounce that let sprung axles do.
Good Luck with the rest of your build, and we hope to meet up with you somewhere down the road.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS
If you ever plan to explore the PNW, please give us a call.

[jsnbergman]

I got a new router and I have never used one before. What different kind of bits will I need? Do I need a special router bit to cut the aluminum skin?

Also advice on attaching walls to trailer would be great.

I plan on sitting the walls on top of the lip of the angle iron

Then drilling and counter sinking screws through the wall into the side of my subfloor.
“Glued and screwed”

Then i was going to setup some temporary spars to hold the 2 sides together.

I’m using 3/4” birch for the walls.

I’m a complete newbie at wood working so I’m open to all advice.

I set my walls on the floor inside of my angle iron. Your floor might be too thick it looks like to do this. I put a 2x2 inside and screwed from the outside and bottom through trailer and floor/wall into the 2x2. I'm running 3/4 bb walls too but i think my floor is thinner

walltdrop.png (1.88 KiB) Viewed 3262 times

[Jeremy757]

I got the template drawn up last night


cut out the template this evening


cut out the walls


I clamped both walls together then sanded them down with a grinder and flapper disk.


I stood up the walls temporarily to get a visual.




its coming together

[Jeremy757]

after sharing some pics on reddit I was informed that putting the door on the passenger side is a smarter choice. so I swapped out the walls to relocate door.

[razorback]

Looks like your having a great time... In my humble opinion, I think you will later regret not having two doors. Just food for thought.
keep the pics coming.

[clamlamp]

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