hi guys ! this has been something i've been interested in for a while and this site has convinced me i have to have a teardrop of my own construction.
i'm a welder by trade so the chassis is no trouble and i can work with wood pretty well.
i have a couple of questions :
i would be looking to build a teardrop of approx 1.5m width x 2.4m length ( body ) as an ideal but does anyone have experience of a 1.2m ( 48") body width as this is more economical on ply ?
how difficult for someone with ok diy skills is it to make one with the rounded front ( typical teardrop ) not like the benroy with the square bottom ?
what is the ideal suspension unit weight and the cheapest place to buy ?
does anyone have any spare units they wish to sell ?
cheers rob
hi from sunny devon uk
2 posts
• Page 1 of 1
hi from sunny devon uk
by robs5230 » Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:15 am
- robs5230
- Teardrop Inspector
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- Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:05 am
by jackdaw » Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:54 am
Hi Rob, welcome to the forum.
Please be aware that build teardrops can be highly addictive....
I'm working on number 4 at the moment, with more to follow for sure
We set up the Teardrop Club of Great Britain to try and get somewhere for us Brits to have a somewhere to share our interest. Whilst it has grown fairly well over the last year or so, the depth of knowledge, and inspiration is tiny in comparison the this site.
In answer to some of your questions.... I've only ever built wider teardrops.
I enjoy the extra space, as well as having a roomier cabin, you get more space in the galley.It is more expensive, but depending on your finish and choice of material, it's well worth it.I've used 6mm ply on the first, and flexiply on the third. Number 2 and 4 have both been done in hardboard, then waterproofed and skinned in aluminium(or copper for the top of number 2).
I think with reasonable DIY skills, and a belt sander,curves are good
I've built mine on caravan chassis......so I've used the braked chassis from the donor caravans.
Depending on what sort of spec you want to build, will depend on your suspension unit choice. My first build was a heavy 10 x 5 that weighed 750 kg... My second...The Coppertop (8x5) weighed 350 kg. The Tird was a lighter weight version of the first build (10x5)weighed 600kg...
Number 4 is yet to be finished so we'll have to weight and see. I think it should be close to 350 kg.
There are several companies on ebay... or you could try towsure.
Enjoy your build. Its a great journey
ATB Dave
Please be aware that build teardrops can be highly addictive....
I'm working on number 4 at the moment, with more to follow for sure
We set up the Teardrop Club of Great Britain to try and get somewhere for us Brits to have a somewhere to share our interest. Whilst it has grown fairly well over the last year or so, the depth of knowledge, and inspiration is tiny in comparison the this site.
In answer to some of your questions.... I've only ever built wider teardrops.
I enjoy the extra space, as well as having a roomier cabin, you get more space in the galley.It is more expensive, but depending on your finish and choice of material, it's well worth it.I've used 6mm ply on the first, and flexiply on the third. Number 2 and 4 have both been done in hardboard, then waterproofed and skinned in aluminium(or copper for the top of number 2).
I think with reasonable DIY skills, and a belt sander,curves are good
I've built mine on caravan chassis......so I've used the braked chassis from the donor caravans.
Depending on what sort of spec you want to build, will depend on your suspension unit choice. My first build was a heavy 10 x 5 that weighed 750 kg... My second...The Coppertop (8x5) weighed 350 kg. The Tird was a lighter weight version of the first build (10x5)weighed 600kg...
Number 4 is yet to be finished so we'll have to weight and see. I think it should be close to 350 kg.
There are several companies on ebay... or you could try towsure.
Enjoy your build. Its a great journey
ATB Dave
-
jackdaw - 500 Club
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- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:31 pm
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