All Aluminum Tear

[Thomas]

I am in the process of restoring a 1972 Saab Sonett. I would like to build an ultralight tear (not much HP in the Sonett) to take on trips.

Thoughts so far, all aluminum using Al honeycomb panels and aluminum frame. I have seen a maker who makes the frames and an aluminum capsule/teardrop but can not find the web site.

We have been tent campers for many years and even with thermarest mattress, sleeping on the ground is a bit tough. Having everything ready to go is also a big attraction.

[MidTNJasonF]

A Sonett? Cool I have only seen about three of those. There is a fellow here in the middle TN area that as of at least 2006 was still bringing one of his out to race in local autocross events. He was into his early 70's if I recall and had owned the car longer than most of the competitors had been alive. Slow or fast it does not matter, I love to see old unusual cars being actually driven.

There were a couple of people I raced with that pulled their cars on all aluminum trailers. The ones I saw were aluminum extrusion frames that were very light. One was always loaded with a Mazda RX8 and being pulled with a Honda Ridgeline. It seemed to have no problems with the load and the trailer must have been considerably lighter than our relatively light steel trailer. Our trailer was all steel and 1400lbs I would have imagined the aluminum trailer was slightly south of 1000lbs. Scaling down to a tear drop size would really drop the weight. I will say that the weight savings to cost ratio of aluminum skin vs wood skin may not be nearly as high as the savings in the frame.

I also know that Trailer World in Bowling Green Ky deals with some all aluminum trailers. Mostly enclosed race or cargo trailers but they may be someone to look at for trailer frame ideas.

I say it sounds like a fun project to me!

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Thomas. All aluminum sounds interesting. It has probably been done a time or two. Would love to get the build pictures on one. That's a hint now!

Enjoy

[Thomas]

Hmmm the plan is, but then we know no plan survives the first battle. The main consideration may well be dollars and the cost of materials.

One of the trade off’s I have seen is that an over build trailer weighs more and needs heavier components and construction. But then it needs to be strong enough to survive and most of the time it will be behind a Subaru Outback.

I have only seen three of the Sonett’s in my life time and I may have seen one of them twice (both green in the Toledo Oh area). Only 10,000 of the type III were built for the entire world. They have a fiberglass body which is in good shape on mine. They do have a steel frame and mine has a good bit of rust. It has a Ford V4 1700 cc engine and if I can not make the trailer ultra light there will be no question of trying to use it to tow. I saw one of the type

[Sonetpro]

I looked at alot of old tears at IRG. The old aluminum ones were made with all aluminum bodies and were very light. They were built with a wood floor and aluminum hat channels for the ribs with the skin riveted on. I have considered this for my next build as the materials are readily available.

ps. sonetpro does not mean I am a Saab Sonett expert but rather I am a Sonet telecommunications Pro.

[Rigsby]

With the sonnet only kicking out around 65bhp and 85ft lb of torque your build will have to be ultra light, and as low as you can go, to cut down on the wind resistance, being that the car is lower than a modern hatchback. Have you thought about a fiberglass build to get some nice curves to compliment the sonnet
steve

[Boodro]

Welcome from another Buckeye!
Where are you? I'm in Sylvania.It seems if you will towing with the Subaru , wouldn't a 4x8 steel trailer & sandwich walls be lite enough???? They usually finish out at 600 or 700 pounds. I plan on doing my second TD with 1 1/2 " x 3/16" angle with a torsion axle. the frame will be 5'x 8' & minimal . Just the outside rails & 2 cross bars. The tongue will be 2"x3" tube steel. I hope to come in very lite. We will see. Good luck!

[Mike C.]

Hi Thomas,


Welcome to the forum. Sounds like quite a project you have planned. If the dollars and cents thing works out for you, be sure and post lots of pictures, as it keeps Aunti's bubble oil level.

Hope you jump in and have fun.

See you around.

[Thomas]

Steve, acronym alert IRT ? I have encountered Sonet in my searchers for Sonett information. I had not really considered fiberglass, other than see below.

Rigsby, I have actually thought of finding a Sonett body and make it into a trailer, I am also starting to think of one frame (aluminum) and two tears. One to tow behind the Sonett with a low profile, and the other a 5’by 10’ to tow behind the Outback. This could be made modular with additional bracing incorporated for the heavier longer body.

Boobro I am in Metamora just west of you. We have yet for my wife to try and get in and out of a tear (we have a tree person Kelty tent, so should not be a problem).
I have looked at the ideas on a tear here and it has reinforced the need for the 5 by 10 (I am 6’3”) for true camping and some amenities.
At this point I am still letting ideas percolate. As one of my professors once said I have to know everything about something before I start, I think of it more interims of learning from others mistakes, and successes.

[mary and bob]

Thomas: Like Sonetpro says, copy an old teardrop. We have a '46 Modernistic that has a steel frame, plywood floor, and the rest is all aluminum. No interior, no cabinets, keeps the weight down. If you could come up with an aluminum frame, and maybe even an aluminum floor, you would have a real lightweight trailer. Bob

[asianflava]

You can keep the weight down by keeping the bare minimum in the cabinetry department. A 4X8 with a sparse galley would probably do the trick. Even with conventional building techniques it would be a lightweight.
Build it with sandwich walls and it will be realy light.

Have you looked into the Lil'Guy cargo?

With low powered tow vehicles, keeping the trailer in the "shadow" of the vehicle is probably more important than weight.

BTW: A long time ago, I thought Steve's (Sonetpro) name was because he had a Saab Sonett, that is until he told us otherwise.

[razorback]

I had a local manufacturer make my trailer without side rails, tailgate, and no floor. It wasn't aluminum but maybe these guys could build one to your specs.
http://www.tritontrailers.com/products/ ... ifications

http://www.alumaklm.com/486_utility_trailer.html

Larry