OKC Newbie

[blutch]

Hi All - Here's my story.

I have noticed for a couple of months that a neighbor down the street that i didn't know was building some kind of small camper in his garage. I have noticed it while driving by and a few weeks ago it took on the teardrop shape. I finally stopped by today while he was working on it and introduced myself and heard all about it.

I am very interested in building one myself and have spent the entire evening on this site looking at builds.

I've come up with a list of requirements....

I own a Honda Element. i have camped out of the back of it and in tents, etc. I am an avid fly fisherman and would like a teardrop suited for campgrounds and being pulled behind the E.

The Element is a gas hog for a 4 cylinder and is NOT aerodynamic. But, I am told that you can design a teardrop that can be light enough and the right size to slip behind the airstream of the Element so that you can barely tell it is there. This is the first requirement. It must be as gas efficient for my vehicle as possible. Also it must be light weight. MAX the E can pull is 900 lbs. I'd like to keep the trailer at around 600-650. is that doable?

2. I need it 5 ft wide for when the wife goes on trips - not that often - but i need a queen size mattress.

3. Height can be low if necessary to tuck behind the E.

4. i want heating and cooling. (Pet-cool?)

5. Two burner stove and small fridge in the galley. Actually, I already have a fridge, but it is 32" high.

6. A way to sit in the cabin and use a computer... some kind of pop-up table

I am a fairly experienced woodworker, I have decent tools and will take on any challenge short of doing my own welding. I have room and time. I'm not real experienced at building highly finished furniture though. I'm not that concerned that this thing be a work of art. I'm more about function and durability.

I'm intersted in your recommendation for designs and plans and what kind of trailer to get/buy. The build I think is closest to my needs that I've seen so far is Sonetpro's FishInn. I like that it is long and low. I won't do many of the fancy finishing things he has done, but most of his functions seem to be similar to mine. He started with a boat frame.. is that common? Where does one find a used boat trailer?

Looking forward to participating in this forum! Thanks for any help you might have to offer me.

B

[kajamelu4]

Welcome to the playground from one Okie to another! I can't help you with any construction questions since I bought mine, but I can encourage you to look at some more. You'll see lots and lots of great ideas from this group!

There is a gathering going on in August at Caney Creek on Lake Texhoma, south of Kingston. Maybe you can join us! You'll have a great time! And maybe seeing several teardrops together will help you make some decisions!

Karol

[mikeschn]

Hey B,

Welcome to the forum.

Since you want a table to sit at, look at the Lil Diner and the Baja Benroy which are in the hall of fame.

As for frames, most people start with a Harbor Freight frame. You can also get frames from redtrailer.com, northern tools, and Tractor Supply.

Sounds like your requirements are pretty easy to meet!




Mike...

[oklahomajewel]

Hey B .... welcome !!!!

I'm in Midwest City and in fact, had the trailer with me when I went to check something over on the north side of town yesterday !
AND you say you have a neighbor building one???

I'll send you a PM with my phone number, I also tow with a 4 cyl Honda Accord and mine is 5x8, I followed the Kuffel Creek profile.

Julie

[Miriam C.]

to the playground B. You are gonna love these. I had very little wood working experience but mine is great. Not fancy and puts up with my draggin it down dirt roads.

You can get it light, you just keep weight in mind every time you want something. The first thing you need is a very light frame with 12" wheels. I didn't like the Tractor supply trailers, they seem rickety. A boat trailer might be too much weight for what you are after.

Enjoy! And please keep in mind that the Keep the bubble oil level.

[ARKPAT]

Welcome "B" to the forum. Looks like you are finding out there are a lot more in your are that are building or have built their own TearDrop trailers. Most are a "First Time Builder" experience for them. You will also find some are multi-trailer builders and keep improving each time one is built. Their is no "Perfect Trailer for all ocasions" but you are designing something that is personal for your family or yourself.

Have fun and include the family during the build. That way everyone has a part in the trailer and a lot more fun to do.

Pat

[2bits]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like this may be an excersize in compromise! 650lb with a 5 foot wide tear and the features you want will be hard to obtain but not out of the question. Remember a queen size bed is five foot wide on the INSIDE, so the out side will need to be wider. Have you thought about a full size mattress? You only lose 3" per size that way. Every little bit helps and that will put you in alot better position for construction purposes. Boat frames are going to be heavy. I would go for the harbor freight trailer or have your own built. I built my 5 foot wide for $110 in steel tubing and $175 custom torsion axle, you would need to add on top of that the labor. Good luck with the build!

[Ivar the Red]

Yo B, wassup?

Welcome to the forum, there are LOADS of great ideas here. I changed my mind at least 50-75 times before I even found a trailer frame, and I'm sure there will be more changes. I guess when taking on a project like this it pays to be fluid. Good luck and have fun.

Two tears on the same block,that's cool. Are BOTH of you guys here on the board?

[Catoosa Grani]

Welcome B. We really have quite a few teardrops here in Ok. I have been surprised at how many there are. We are from the Tulsa area and we have several in Broken Arrow, Owasso, and Tulsa. Good to have you aboard and good luck on your build. These people are great and will do all they can to help you, just ask.

Grani

[blutch]

Thanks to all for the ideas and the nice welcome comments.

I'm thinking of having the trailer built so I can make it lightweight. Unfortunately, I don't weld. Would LOVE to learn how, but I doubt this would be a good first project. :-)

I think sacrificing the queen for a twin would be ok.. it is only 3 inches...

What is the lightest pre-made trailer you can buy and assemble?

I looked through the trailer stickey.. my god.. what a lot of information...

B

[oklahomajewel]

I know rmcelroy has a very lightweight td since he's towing with a Mazda Miata..... and there is someone on here building his out of a pvc frame . And the next version 2.0 of the Bluebonnet Tear is epoxy on foamboard, but might prove to be costly and has not been fully road tested yet .

I had my trailer frame, axle , wheels and all that done by a guy , not a shop, so you might ask around or check some local guys here and see if you can find someone that will just do it for ya . Mine is out of angle, not tubing and the trailer is 5x8.

I sent you a pm with my phone number, if you want to come over and pick mine up or tow it for a little drive and see how it feels. I tried to 'build light' so went with 1/4" walls (sandwiched with foamboard and interior 1/4" makes it sturdy!) battery is really the only thing on the tongue and no a/c or microwave.

I've had my receiver come off the ball, I've driven a time or two thru PART OF The Talihina drive, and driven thru pouring rain and ran over a metal fender or something that messed up a trailer wheel fender, but my rig is still holding together!!!

When thinking of weight the first album I looked at was ....??? Beverly? and she detailed the weights of everything so I trusted that for mine.

Also **** I had a transmission cooler added to my Honda Accord, to protect just in case.

[blutch]

Thank you Julie. There is SOOOO much to read here and it is tough to find what I need to know. I think I should get the CD that people speak so highly of.

Also, the good thing with the Element is I can put some of the heavier items like water and the battery in the E instead of in the back of the TD. I know the weight is still there being pulled, but it won't be on the tongue.

I love Sonetpro's design and got a PM from him telling me that his is really heavy, so i will rethink the size a bit. I love the profile and the length is critical to that. I can give a bit on the width and the length and I won't use expensive, heavy cabinetry.

The first thing I need to do is find a light and low trailer with 12" wheels.

Does anyone know if there is a build thread in the forum by someone towing with an Element?

THanks again to all!

B

[Ivar the Red]

Does anyone know if there is a build thread in the forum by someone towing with an Element?

THanks again to all!

B

Hiker Chick(i think) tows with an Element, she sounds like a big fan of the car.

[Ivar the Red]

I looked, I was right it was hicker chick here's her ride;

Hers is a Lil'Guy and I believe there is a Lil'guy dealer in Mustang.

[oklahomajewel]

s4son also tows with an Element.

He's up near Kansas City.