Motorcycle Tiny Teardrop

[mtrmth]

Hey all,

I decided last week I would try to build a small Motorcycle trailer, loosely based off of the Weekender. I'm going to try to attempt this with materials I have around the house trying to keep the Cost and weight down as well. I'm borrowing the axle and springs off of my BBQ Pit/Smoker. The perch on the axle is about 38" wide. This will make the pull-able trailer about 38"W X 48"L X 2'H, hopefully weighing in at about 150-175Lbs dry.

I plan on having a Hatch that pivots on top and a Fold Out that's about 32" long, that stores inside the trailer for travel. This way I can have an off the ground sleeping platform for when I do long road trips. I'll also use Tarp Material to Fab a tent to snap on to the frame for some cover. It also allows me to carry some small items inside as well

I started off with 1/2" square tubing this weekend welding up an outside wall frame. It's pretty sturdy and I plan to use 1/8" Wallboard on the outside with roof Flashing you can get at any Box store for Cheap. I have some 1/2" Ply for the floor already. I plan on Welding the Walls to a light gauge 2" Sq. tubing frame.

Well here are The pics of the Base Wall Frame at around 5lbs for both sides.







I know.....Ugly Welds... But good Penetration!

[aggie79]

Cool!

I love these motorcycle camper builds. Looks like you have a fantastic beginning.

Take care,
Tom

[bobhenry]

I toyed with a drawer type pull out with a tent cover for Eggbert. This would have made it able to convert him to a length long enough to make a sleeping berth. He was 40" wide by 60" long by 40" tall.

You might investigate sequentia panel as a outside skin. It is the FRP bathroom panel material. I have used it on the chuckwagon and Rip Van Winkle my 4x7 teardrop. I real like working with the stuff.

P.S. make the tongue with an exagerated length. It needs a great deal more length to dampen the tendency to want to wag the bike especially if you were to hit a pothole.



This picture is with the stock tongue and it was a bear to handle. I added 36" to the tongue and it was then, a pleasure to tow with the Goldwing.

[mtrmth]

You might investigate sequentia panel as a outside skin. It is the FRP bathroom panel material. I have used it on the chuckwagon and Rip Van Winkle my 4x7 teardrop. I real like working with the stuff.

P.S. make the tongue with an exagerated length. It needs a great deal more length to dampen the tendency to want to wag the bike especially if you were to hit a pothole.

This picture is with the stock tongue and it was a bear to handle. I added 36" to the tongue and it was then, a pleasure to tow with the Goldwing.

Thanks Tom, I'm getting there.

Bob.

How long did you end up making the Tongue?

Never Hear of Sequentia? I checked into FRP for RV's but it's WAY HIGH Locally. I thought the FRP for Bathrooms wasn't UV stable? If it is, I'll definitely look into that. I'm still trying to figure out what to do for the skin right now, still leaning towards something paintable.

I've done some more work tonight. I built the Base Trailer Frame out of 2" 16Ga tubing I picked up for about $38 for a 24' stalk. I had to pay extra for them to cut it down for me so it was about $10 Higher, would have been $28.

Here are the pictures with my sides clamped to the side of the frame like I'm planning on doing. Looks a lot bigger than I guessed, but still within what I think my Softail will handle.

BTW. Weight so far is 36.6 Lbs as sits and my build cost is a whopping $38 as of now!








Hope you enjoy!! I'll have to steal the Axel from underneath My BBQ Pit this weekend

[The Teardrop Nanny]

What a bbq/smoker!

Your trailer appears to be coming along nicely, and for $38 so far....can't beat that with a stick.

Joanie

[mtrmth]

Hey!!!

Made a little progress today by taking the Axle off of my BBQ Pit and clamping it onto the Frame w/the sides to see how it will sit. I also was able to cut out a piece of 1/2" plywood for the floor.

I haven't weighed the Axle and plywood yet but I will try to get it done tomorrow so I can see if I'm coming in where I want to. I'm also going to try to get some spring hangers, or make them, so I can actually mount the axle to the Frame. I want to get the Sides Welded to the frame as well.

Well here are the updated Pics.

M<

[mtrmth]

Well I broke down and spent about $110 on Materials today and now I've got about $148 or so wrapped up in this little jewel. Only positive thing is that is about all I'm going to have to spend. Got Most all of the stuff I needed today.

I actually have the Top Frame almost ready to go just have to Fab the Hatch and the extra 32" Flip out for the sleeping area. I actually have the 1" Angle on top to brace for the hing I'm using for the Hatch. I had to put in 2 cross braces up front to keep the front Square to the World. Guess that's the only problem with using the 1/2" Square tubing. It actually Firmed it up a ton and isn't going to get in the way of the sleeping area cause I measured the area from that area originally. I can use the front for Sleeping bags and Pillows and stuff that's light!

Well here are some more Pictures for those of you who might be following me!!!

Also the weight at this point is a little more than I wanted weighing in at 125.6. But I shouldn't be adding too much weight unless I go with the White board I bought for the sides. I Might just go with a Light Gauge Aluminum with no backing and just glue and rivet it to the 1/2".

[crumbruiser]

So far so good. What do you have for a tow vehicle?
Frank

[mtrmth]

So far so good. What do you have for a tow vehicle?
Frank

I have an 07 Softail it weighs about 700 lbs withoutpassengers or gear, thats the reason i want to keep the weight under 200lbs or so.

I Actually might have a line on some aluminum in small sheets. I'd have to piece the aluminum on the sides but a small seam wouldn't bother me.

Thanks for the comments, its always nice to hear stuff from experience.

M<

[mtrmth]

Have done a lot of work to my trailer just don't have pics to post. I will get some up soon.

I have actually finished the hatch, Created a front hatch for easy access to the front area, mounted the Axel and springs and mounted the Tongue and bracing for it.

I'll try to get this pics up sometime this week.

M<

[mtrmth]

Well Finally have some new pictures on my progress. Sorry for just the link but I sort of time pressed this am.

gallery/album.php?album_id=2398

Got some wiring and the skins on and I am working on the Tent framing now.


M<

[PcHistorian]

Looks like great progress!
So it will be a pop-up tent? LOL At least you'll be able to stand in it, from the looks of it. :-)
How heavy of a welder are you using for that?

[mtrmth]

Hey PC, thanks for the questions and comments.

I'm using a Craftsman 110V MIG, It's eaiser to use than my 60yr old Lincoln Crackerbox. Checked the Penetration on multiple pieces before I started building to make sure it's was enough and it was.

Tent section will sort of be a popup style. I'll actually have to set up the frame and then attach the tent to it.

I'm working on putting snaps in place so the Tarp material will just snap onto the trailer itself.

I almost have the trailer done itself, and have to mount the rest of the trim and a small, 120MM 12v computer fan for some air flow. I'll start on the Tent side of this build soon (maybe tomorrow) Rain has been slowing me down a little, I have to pull the bikes out into the Driveway so I have enough room to work on the trailer!.

Later,

M<

[theWolfTamer]

I toyed with a drawer type pull out with a tent cover for Eggbert. This would have made it able to convert him to a length long enough to make a sleeping berth. He was 40" wide by 60" long by 40" tall.

I'm thinking of using the weekender design with the drawer type pull out and the foamie body for my motocamper. I would love to have it be single wheeled for the cool factor since it will be towed behind my FZ1.

[PcHistorian]

rather than hijack the thread, I'll pm you.