Megadrop poptop trailer build

[Megadrop]

We have been trying to decide if we should paint it or just seal the aluminum. If we paint it we are thinking about giving it a optimus prime paint job like in the movie. However the budget may make us just seal the aluminum. Maybe we will just paint some autobot logos on it and hook up a radio to make transforming sounds when you pop the top.

Joe

[vanwyk4257]

We have been trying to decide if we should paint it or just seal the aluminum. If we paint it we are thinking about giving it a optimus prime paint job like in the movie. However the budget may make us just seal the aluminum. Maybe we will just paint some autobot logos on it and hook up a radio to make transforming sounds when you pop the top.

Joe

Love it, great build!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Maybe we will just paint some autobot logos on it and hook up a radio to make transforming sounds when you pop the top.

Joe

DO IT!!

[Megadrop]

We managed to get out fpr our first trip this week end after scurrying to get the trailer ready to go last week. We set off for a nearby camp ground called red rock canyon and spent two nights. We managed 15 mpg on the trip. Wish it was higher but it is what it is. Here are some pictures of the trip and the trailer

Joe

[StandUpGuy]

It works!!!!

Congratulations on your successful, unconventional trailer.

[mezmo]

Hi Joe/Megadrop,

It's great to see a vision become reality! Especially a very original vision!

Your garage door spring assist idea for the lifting roof mechanism will be
filed away for future reference by many, including me.

15mpg doesn't sound too bad considering the sizes and weights of the
TowVee and TTT. You might be able to improve it by varying your speeds
and seeing what happens. A friend of mine has a medium sized class A motor
home [alot of frontal area!] and has found he gains 3mpg if he hold the
speed to 57mph. I'm sure every rig is unique but it may pay to
experiment some. A more leisurely pace seems to help.

Keep on enjoying your camping creation!

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Woodstramp]

Joe, That is an awesome looking rig. Unique and just cool looking.

[Megadrop]

Hi Joe/Megadrop,

It's great to see a vision become reality! Especially a very original vision!

Your garage door spring assist idea for the lifting roof mechanism will be
filed away for future reference by many, including me.

15mpg doesn't sound too bad considering the sizes and weights of the
TowVee and TTT. You might be able to improve it by varying your speeds
and seeing what happens. A friend of mine has a medium sized class A motor
home [alot of frontal area!] and has found he gains 3mpg if he hold the
speed to 57mph. I'm sure every rig is unique but it may pay to
experiment some. A more leisurely pace seems to help.


we were speeding along at 65 mph I think it would go up a little at 55, but in Oklahoma the speed limits are usually 70 so I hate to clog up traffic to much. But if I could hit 19 mpg it might be worth it.

Joe
Keep on enjoying your camping creation!

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Megadrop]

[Megadrop]

[crumbruiser]

Hi Joe and Family,
The TTT looks great and I have to say that the family members all look delighted. You and they should be proud.
Frank

[S. Heisley]

Your beautiful family looks thrilled with your handywork. Thanks for sharing your build and trip pictures.

...Good job!

[oregonguy]

A big thumbs up! I really like the trailer. It's obvious that a lot of energy was put into your design! Impressive!

[S. Heisley]

A thought and a question:

If you paint the aluminum, you may find that you have scrape problems somewhere and would constantly be re-painting. I think it looks good just the way it is.

You mentioned that you get 15 MPG towing, which, to my way of thinking, isn't that bad. What do you normally get with your car when not towing? In other words, how many MPG is the actual trailer taking?

[Megadrop]

A thought and a question:

If you paint the aluminum, you may find that you have scrape problems somewhere and would constantly be re-painting. I think it looks good just the way it is.

You mentioned that you get 15 MPG towing, which, to my way of thinking, isn't that bad. What do you normally get with your car when not towing? In other words, how many MPG is the actual trailer taking?

I think you might be right about the paint. we may just clean the aluminum and seal it with a product called shark hide. But I will probable wait until next year to do that. The car gets about 25 to 26 mpg on the highway at 65 to 75 mph. So I was hoping for around 18 to 19 mpg. So I am losing about 10 mpg towing the trailer. I am going to get It weighed soon to see how heavy it is. My tongue weight is 350# and I am using a weight distribution hitch. The car and trailer pull straight at is dead solid at any normal speed and the car has plenty of power to pull it. It only shifted out of third gear once on a grade.