Compact cars pulling shop built tears.

[friz]

Hey Slow, I pull my TD with a Focus. It does fine. My camper probably weighs in at 600 lbs loaded. I wouldn't want to go much heavier. Mine is a 6x8 with 3/4 marine ply floor and 1/4 walls. All buried in fiberglass and resin. It rides on an aluminum trailer. My insulation is 1/4 foam covered in foam backed headliner material. Build method is stitch and glue. A boat building technique. Tons of info about it on the interweb. Mine was bought as a kit. The company does sell plans. I have thought of building a foamy based on this design......Just a thought though.

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[friz]

Construction was tedious and you really need a climate controlled shop for the clear resin. I think a pmf and foam version would be possible. I lack the time for another build but I have been mulling this over.

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[John61CT]

https://www.google.com/search?q=teardro ... Atnttt.com

Pics
https://www.google.com/search?q=teardro ... =isch&sa=X

[Shadow Catcher]

[cheri832]

Slow,
Mine is simple, albeit only a single, but the weight comes in at about 350 lbs. Saved by using 1/4 inch marine ply walls and a convertible roof.

[friz]

Slow,
Mine is simple, albeit only a single, but the weight comes in at about 350 lbs. Saved by using 1/4 inch marine ply walls and a convertible roof.

I am shopping for a first gen Miata to haul mine. This is the true joy of having an ultralight tear. It is great to be able to drop off the camper and enjoy some curves.

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[John61CT]

I don't understand the question

[alaska teardrop]

Slow,
Mine is simple, albeit only a single, but the weight comes in at about 350 lbs. Saved by using 1/4 inch marine ply walls and a convertible roof.

I am shopping for a first gen Miata to haul mine. This is the true joy of having an ultralight tear. It is great to be able to drop off the camper and enjoy some curves.

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[gudmund]

as with every vehicle made - read the owners manual, there is usually a section on towing in 'it's' manual. If you need a manual for 'your' vehicle, you can go on line - there are places that sell them or stop by a local wrecking yard (used car parts yard - as they want to be called these days) Time too do some research --- take care

[friz]

My car comes with a dire warning against towing anything in the manual. As long as I load correctly with 10 to 15% on the tongue, my camper tracks dead straight at all speeds. Loaded light, close to 500lbs, I dont even notice it's back there. Loaded heavy, 800lbs or so, I start noticing it taking longer to brake. Much heavier then that I would want trailer brakes.

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[gudmund]

to each their own when it comes to towing - guess if "someone" out there makes a hitch for it, guess you can tow something with it, whatever it is. I personally would rather have 'more' than I even would need as a tow vehicle than something 'I might be able to make do with' - example my PU has a 3200 lb tow rating (tow a 1600 lb tear) BUT you will NEVER see me towing with my daily driver - Geo Metro/Suzuki Swift, have had 7 of them so far - (yet I have seen it done) take care and good luck - with whatever, and wherever your towing endeavors may lead or take you ....................... just stay safe !!!!!!!

[S. Heisley]

Don't just think about towing a trailer. Think about stopping it too. I had a small pickup truck that was rated to tow up to 3500 lbs; but, if you looked in the braking section, it was only rated to stop a 1200 lb trailer, if the trailer didn't have brakes.

[friz]

Don't just think about towing a trailer. Think about stopping it too. I had a small pickup truck that was rated to tow up to 3500 lbs; but, if you looked in the braking section, it was only rated to stop a 1200 lb trailer, if the trailer didn't have brakes.

And that probably drops to zero if you loaded the bed to capacity. Probably any total weight above your gvwr should need trailer brakes.

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[gudmund]

and YES, once fully loaded, I end up being close to the 'total' max vehicle limit of the 7000 lbs with the trailer in tow - that's a fully loaded box with me in the vehicle when towing - that 3200 lb towing limit is a trailer limit tow weight with a total vehicle weight limit of 7000 lbs for the truck and trailer w driver, everything - the whole package - something most people never figure into the towing ordeal. Another reason why I said to find a copy your owners Manuel which in my case has all of these weights listed in it. (not just a trailer weight tow listing) When I tow, I will also usually stop by the local state weight scale (about 15 miles from me) after hours - when they are not open - and check my axle weights - they usually leave the scales turned on when closed, so trucks can stop and use them after hours here) I have usually been at 6500 to 6700 lbs totally loaded and this is with , like I said - a 1500 lb trailer. just goes to show how much more weight is being added with ALL of the other STUFF being carried for camping!! (like that extra 14inch Dutch Oven - we have yet to use for the big meal when at gatherings - it will NOT be there on the next trip in July 19 when I will be heading east across the states - The Big Trip!) It is NOT 'just' the weight of the trailer when towing!! And yes - Brakes, are another concern - something this PU has been fine with - they work GOOD, BUT will be being improved on in these next few months with the trailer brake system being set-up (this new trailer came with trailer brakes just not set-up yet) Take care I still love that little limerick I learned here on the forum awhile back - "You can go too slow down a hill forever - but you go too fast - it could be your last" so please stay safe.................................

[John61CT]

I would never pull a trailer over 1000 lbs at highway speeds without brakes. Less maybe 800 with a very light TV, and not much more say 1200 even with a very heavy strong truck, as in 3500+.

And those are loaded wet weights.