Construction of Tear Drops

[Mark Winstanley]

I am a very new member of this forum - like just registered. I was directed to the forum from another forum "RC Groups" for model aircraft. Your Tear Drop trailers are just superb and look just the job for me and my models to tour to certain events. I will start construction as soon as I redesign the interior to accept the planes.

I do have a question regarding construction of the trailers. The free instructions on the Benroy Plans (and I presume on other Tear Drop designs) uses insulation in the roof and floor but uses 3/4 ply for the sides. Would it be better/lighter to use a similar construction for the sides as is used for the roof? In other words use a 1x2 sheeted either side with the 1/8 plywood with foam insulation inbetween?

Forgive me if this has been discussed before.

Mark.

[Ira]

Hi, MARK!

Sure, a bunch of people do it that way. I used ply PLUS 1/8 material in and out.

Hey, my company is throwing an expo at KOMED in May. That's near you, right?

[critter]

hey mark,
welcome to the nut house,as youll see so of us is just crazy a little.as far as your build goes,build it your way.almost anything will work just make it work for you.i framed mine with 2x2 cover with 1/2 ply outside and 1/4 in ply inside insulated with 1 1/2 in foam.i should be able to jump up and down on it if i want.i dont know why i would want to buy i might.

[mikeschn]

I've had a number of people tell me that you don't need insulation in the sidewalls if you are only camping for 3 seasons. But IRA is right, a lot of people build that way to make their teardrop lighter.

If you look thru the hall of fame photos, or some of the albums, you'll see lots of examples of stick construction.

My favorite is probably the Midget trailer. You can't can't get it much lighter than that...
Check it out here...
Midget

And it looks like I'll beat Madjack to it this time... "We love da pics, so be sure to take lots of them, and share them with us!!! "

Mike...

[Patrik]

I can get a real old caravan for free and the body is ruined by younger people.I was looking how the caravan constructers made theyre caravans.
It was amazing how light they make them. The manufacturer is HOBBY.
the inside panel was 1/8 plywood,insulation of 3/4 and the outside layer is cheet aluminium off about 1mm.And that's it. The frame and axle is in a good condition and it's a axle with breaks on it.I'm gonna rebuild it and make my own teardrop,but I don't know wich one.The square tears are more spacious but the real tound teardrops are more beautifull.I like to built him with standart ply of 10x5 feet.
Best regards,
Patrik.

[bledsoe3]

Mark, Welcome to the board! Here is a picture of the Generic Benroy with walls being built as you describe.

[mikeschn]

Bledsoe,

Now it the time to pull your wires thru the wall for the raceway...

Mike...

[bledsoe3]

Bledsoe,

Now it the time to pull your wires thru the wall for the raceway...

Mike...

Too late.
I don't have any wires in the walls. All my wires are in the roof and in the galley.

[Mark Winstanley]

Thanks for the input guys. Bledsoe3 - that gives me confidence that what I was thinking should fly - er roll! Ira - I cannot find KOMED in Germany. If it is close by we should meet for a beer and discuss teardrops! Mikeschn - that migit looks like the bees knees! That looks quite adaptable to my requirements. Where can i get some drawings?

Again thanks guys - a very interesting forum for a fascinating subject!

Mark.

[mikeschn]

Bledsoe,

Now it the time to pull your wires thru the wall for the raceway...

Mike...

Too late.
I don't have any wires in the walls. All my wires are in the roof and in the galley.

Oh, and you don't have a raceway either...

Mike...

[bledsoe3]

My raceway is not what most are used to. It is behind my panel on the right.

Inside the cabinet is a shelf that lifts out to access the meter and outlets. All the wires run under the counter left to right then thru the counter behind the panel. There is a small bundle of wires that is inside the cabinet to the right of the hinges that go up into the roof and then to the lights and fan. My whole raceway is about 20"w X 9"d X 5"h. On the back of it will be a 110v and 12v outlet for the cabin.

[toypusher]

Thanks for the input guys. Bledsoe3 - that gives me confidence that what I was thinking should fly - er roll! Ira - I cannot find KOMED in Germany. If it is close by we should meet for a beer and discuss teardrops! Mikeschn - that migit looks like the bees knees! That looks quite adaptable to my requirements. Where can i get some drawings?

Again thanks guys - a very interesting forum for a fascinating subject!

Mark.

Mark,

Try the "Design Library" at the top of the page.

Or click HERE

[Steve_Cox]

Thanks for the input guys. Bledsoe3 - that gives me confidence that what I was thinking should fly - er roll! Ira - I cannot find KOMED in Germany. If it is close by we should meet for a beer and discuss teardrops! Mikeschn - that migit looks like the bees knees! That looks quite adaptable to my requirements. Where can i get some drawings?

Again thanks guys - a very interesting forum for a fascinating subject!

Mark.

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the Forum, maybe this will help in regard to KOMED,
Herzlich Willkommen auf der Homepage des Kommunikations- und Medienzentrums KOMED im MediaPark Köln. http://www.komed.de/
Steve

[Mark Winstanley]

Sorry. I was looking for a town KOMED! I have been here just over a month so I am just getting familiar with the area. I guess I will also start learning German soon. Its a bit difficult with no German at all - most people I have spoken to are willing to speak English though.

Yes I have found the Media Park. It is not far from where I live and work.

[Steve_Cox]

Sorry. I was looking for a town KOMED! I have been here just over a month so I am just getting familiar with the area. I guess I will also start learning German soon. Its a bit difficult with no German at all - most people I have spoken to are willing to speak English though.

Yes I have found the Media Park. It is not far from where I live and work.

Mark,

If you mix enough German Bier with your conversations, before you know it, you'll be speaking German as fluently as your new friends. At least that was what I was told by a couple of my German friends when I was there in the 70's. The thing is, everyone has to be equally drunk for this to work.

Steve