Monte's Ramblin' Rose 4' x 8' teardrop build

[MonteQuest]

This teardrop build will be the ultimate tiny camper. At just over 8’ long and 4’ wide, I hope to keep the weight under 1000 lbs by utilizing some different construction techniques. For starters, I am using 1 ½” x 3” x 3/16” channel for my frame with 1 ½” x 3/16” angle iron cross members. Most builds I’ve seen use 2” x 2” tube or 1” x 2” channel. I am concerned with flexing walking the camper apart, so I went with 3” channel. I’ve seen precut frame kits for $745 using 1” x 2” channel. My cost for this frame was $240, including 45 degree cuts for the corners by the supplier. While the metal weight is 161 lbs, I believe it allows me to use 2 sheets of ¼” plywood for the floor with 3/4” rigid foam between them. Walls will be 9 ply ½” Baltic Birch, 1/2” rigid foam and ¼” Birch on the interior. My axle will be a Dexter Torflex 9 with a start angle of 22.5 degrees down, giving me a 12.4” ground to frame clearance and a match to my tow vehicle’s ball height. I had Dexter downrate the Torflex 9 to 1,400 lbs for a softer ride. Axle should be arriving this week. Total weight: 168 lbs. Cost: $271.71

[Hubert]

The profile looks great. I'll be following your build.

[MonteQuest]

The profile looks great. I'll be following your build.

I toured the Vistabule teardrop factory in St. Paul MN and decided on a similar look.

[Hubert]

The profile looks great. I'll be following your build.

I toured the Vistabule teardrop factory in St. Paul MN and decided on a similar look.

The inspiration from Vistabule is clearly visible. Are you incorporating a futon that goes from bed to couch?

[MonteQuest]

Are you incorporating a futon that goes from bed to couch?

No, too much weight. 4" high-density foam 46" x 75"' (in two pieces) with a pillow top added.

[halfdome, Danny]

Check out Capebuilds build, he built a Vistabule look alike.
Danny

[MonteQuest]

My Dexter axle shipment has been delayed. Today, I sprayed the frame with an oil-based primer thinned slightly with lacquer thinner. Raw steel is very dirty. I used a degreaser and scouring pad to clean it, rinsed it with water, and wiped it down with lacquer thinner. I had considered powder-coating but no place close by. Key tip: Predrill all your mounting holes on the drill press prior to welding.

[MonteQuest]

I finally got my Dexter torsion axle. It is a Torflex 9. ($477.46) These are rated from 1,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs. I had them downrate the axle to 1400 lbs for a softer ride and the fact my teardrop won’t weigh anywhere near that. I tacked welded the axle brackets to the frame in the 60/40 position and then drilled the mounting holes for ½” bolts. The paint is industrial enamel.

Total weight thus far is 232 lbs. Total cost: $749.17 Just $4.00 more than the $745 frame kit alone that I've seen online.

[Hubert]

Looks great.

[MonteQuest]

The camper chassis is finished. The tires are ST175/80 R13, which are recommended for the Torflex 9 axle by Dexter. I used a 7-pin trailer harness in case I wish to add electric brakes, backup lights, or a battery circuit.

Total weight so far: 306 lbs. Total cost: $1083.77

[MonteQuest]

I used ¼” BCX plywood for the bottom. For bottom waterproofing, I used Bituthene, an asphalt-impregnated polyethylene used on foundations. For insulation, I used ¾” Foamular, which is actually 13/16”. To make up the difference on the ¾” 1 x 2’s, I used drywall shims, which are 1/16” x 1 ½”. The finished floor will be 3/16” underlayment. The floor is bolted to the frame with ¼” stainless steel machine screws with nylon lock nuts.

Total weight to date is 369 lbs. Total cost to date: $1188.41 Frame inspection is next for VIN and title.

[MonteQuest]

Today, I took my completed frame to the Missouri Highway Patrol for inspection. The inspection is to make sure the application for a VIN isn't from stolen parts, so you have to show receipts for all parts. Passed with flying colors. No fees.

[MonteQuest]

I have installed the ½” 9-ply Baltic Birch ($78.90 for a 4’x 8’ sheet) sides and divider between the galley and berthing area. Sides are bolted to the frame with ¼” stainless steel machine screws with loctite and nylon nuts. I’ve started to run the wiring for running lights, porch light, tail lights, and a 12v heater. I plan to make my own door, as $400 to $600 for a factory door is just nuts.

The tear drop shape was transferred from the drawing to the plywood using a reference point at the bottom of the camper’s highest point (48”), and measuring out from it in 12” increments along the perimeter. (See first post for drawing.)

Total cost to date: $1445.41 Weight: 491 lbs



Insulation for the sides is ½” Formular (which is actually 9/16”). I ran ¾” pine through my surface planer to get 9/16” for the framing around the door and bottom and side nailers.

Total cost to date: $1484.41 Weight: 495 lbs

[MonteQuest]

Interior is ¼” Baltic Birch ($47.65 for a 4’x 8’ sheet) to be finished with satin polyurethane. Total wall thickness will be 1 3/8” with the 1/16” Filon exterior. Roof spars are 1 1/8” x 1 ½” and 12” on center. I am using two layers of .5” Formular, which is actually 9/16” thick, thus the 1 1/8”. .5” Formular bends pretty well, but I may have to saw kerf a few on the tight curves. Wiring is all complete back to the fuse box. Framed openings are for the roof fan/vent and a 12” x 35” skylight window.

Total cost to date: $1665.77 Weight: 555 lbs Tongue weight: 88 lbs

[Simple_Abound]

Very nice build. I believe a homemade door can be just as nice if not better than a factory door.