New guy here, dreaming about teardrops.

[Silver dude]

Hello everyone. Long time camper first time poster.

All season I enjoy camping in remote back country with my girl friend. The further we get from the crowds and masses of parking lot campsites the better. Camping for me has always been about getting away. Getting away from the coworkers, getting away from the routine and stress. Seeing new things and exploring the unexplored. The old cheap tent has served us well. However, after being caught in violent windstorms that caused the tent poles to literally whip me in the head. Being caught in a violent thunderstorm that rained buckets and left us feeling very insecure as the bolts crashed outside. I'm growing tired of setting up the tent only to crawl out of the tent at 3am and slip into the bucket seat of my suv sleeping with a steering wheel. The poles have broken on my tent so I'll patch it up to get though the season. But, consider building a offroad teardrop over the winter. Picturing a 5x8 or 5x10 Benroy something capable of rugged dirty muddy forest roads. Hitch and go. I'll be watching and reading this forum like crazy. I've done other construction related projects however I'm awful at wood working. I work as a Diesel mechanic and I enjoy working with metal. I've made the rear tire carrier on my SUV among other things. I need to focus on design then buy some metal.

[Catherine+twins]

Welcome to the maddness!

I never thought of building an off-road trailer, but I will admit I have boondocked more often than stayed in an improved camp ground over the last 20 years. In fact, the only times I have stayed in an improved National Forest CG is when I have taken my kids camping with my son's cub scout troop! But my inspiration was the camp trailer my grandfather built in the 1940s when my mom and her brothers were kids, that my parents used with us kids through the 1970s. Looking back on some of the "roads" we took, I guess that should have been built to off-road standards! So maybe I am underbuilding mine.

Come on in, the water's crazy!

Catherine

[bc toys]

Well when you decide what you want then you'll need material trailer, wood, tools clamps lots of them and a good place to work. When your done you'll be happy to know you did it. Best of luck and welcome to site.

[Ron Dickey]

welcome,

you are going to want one that is high in the back and has big wheels.
Make sure you have a strong tung you can put any type of teardrop on it.
there is a guy who designed his frame for just such doings. his frame has independent wheels.
the australia designs seem to be the toughest. I do not do any 4 wheeling but am fascinated with the designs.
T-van, http://www.tracktrailer.com.au/tvan_gallery.html
most are tent campers but they still have some cool ideas http://www.ozebook.com/campertrailer/online.htm
look here to find any past info on our forum viewtopic.php?t=12276

Ron

[Oldragbaggers]

Check out Outback Teardrop's build site. Theirs is built specifically for offroading and it is a very nice design too.
http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

And Welcome!!

[Silver dude]

Thanks for the great links and greetings. Trying to read up all that I can and perhaps start to find parts and pieces on craigslist to set aside so that I can use them at a later date.

I'm struggling to find anything on both the heating and cooling systems installed in tear drops. Everyone always says when you build to be sure to leave provisions for a a/c unit. Not sure what provisions are needed. Are most just using basic window mounted units? I note some are yet others seem to have some type of setup with ducts. I'm trying to figure it out as I've past a few garage sales that had window mounted units for $30. Yet I'm not real familiar if that is what I would need. Are they just being tossed in a tool box with ducts being ran? As always keeping a eye out for tires, wheels, metal. Trying to read and rip through build threads daily. To acquire knowledge, get ideas. I don't want to finish one only to be dissatisfied and wish I would of added or made something different. Or find that it won't hold up. Ah learning, but exciting.

[tearhead]

Might help to know where you're from. We haven't ever needed an air conditioner--the onboard little fan works fine, supplemented by a $4 battery operated fan in the window on very hot nights. Welcome to the board!

[Rosemary]

juse like you said:

Getting away from the coworkers, getting away from the routine and stress. Seeing new things and exploring the unexplored.

how I wish get outside for a camp , bue now , no money and time

but your queation may helpful for me in the future

[Silver dude]

Might help to know where you're from. We haven't ever needed an air conditioner--the onboard little fan works fine, supplemented by a $4 battery operated fan in the window on very hot nights. Welcome to the board!

Northern Illinois, usually camp southern Wisconsin, Upper Michigan. But, with the security of a hard sided camper perhaps it would be more viable on trips out west. Your right, perhaps the complications of complex and heavy climate control systems won't be needed.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk 2

[Vedette]

Welome to the Forum.
If you are not a woodworker, you are just like me.
So think outside of the box.....and be creative. All teardrops do not have to look alike.
My "Miss Piggy" is almost finished and I will be posting some more pictures soon or adding to my Album.
Clic there to get an idea of what I am suggesting.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi