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Teardrop trailer project

43K views 164 replies 76 participants last post by  jeepfreak81 
#1 · (Edited)
This isn't a vehicle project, but it is something that is outdoor related. A teardrop camper is a small hard sided trailer that can easily be towed by a Jeep or other small vehicle. Depending on what kind of suspension you install, it can be used offroad also. There is generally a sleeping area up front and the galley is outside, accesses through a rear hatch.

I based mine on a set of plans in a 1947 Popular Mechanics article. Most of these are 4'x8'. Mine is just shy of 5'x10', because I wanted more room. Mine has almost a queen size bed, cabinets at the head of the bed, cabinets over the foot of the bed, an under floor storage area, and the galley. It should weigh just over 1000 pounds.

I actually plan on making the cover for the floor storage a table, so you can put the table up, put your feet down in the storage area, and sit and eat.


here is the trailer we welded up 2" square tubing, 4" square tongue.


Home Depot loves me.


Frame built, 2x4 and 2x3s.


floor built, that hole is where the storage will be. The floor has 1.5" of insulation.


The floor upside down and coated with roofing material.



The walls cut out and mounted.




Here is the front closet area. There will be doors on the lower holes. Shelves on the left and hooks on the top of the right. The three holes at the top will remain open and just be storage.

I am building this to have something dry and up off of the ground to camp in, that I can pull with my TJ, so I don't have to tent it. I have tried pop-ups and thought this would be more fun.

Here is it's current state of construction as of 10/05/08
 
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#125 ·
OK, a couple of updates. 3 coats of epoxy, 2 coats of Kilz, 4 coats of color.
I took the windows out to paint it, they should be back in this week, depending on my work schedule.. :d:



It's actually a couple of shades darker than this, here it has 2 coats of color.


I have a little more done in the galley, a couple more drawers in the middle and some paint.
 
#135 ·
I like those fenders too. I will eventually put some retro type fenders on it. Initially it's just getting regular trailer fenders until I figure out what will work the best.

Oh, the roof is 1/4" plywood covered w/aluminum.
 
#128 ·
ok now this is bugging me...i used to be part of a forum where all they did was talking about building custom tear drop trailers, and they were based out of Michigan...i can not remember the site for the life of me...has anyone else seen this forum?...about a year ago is the last time i was on it, and i had designed some blue prints on there and surprisingly enough some people on there asked if they could use my design and i was only fiddling around with what i would do if i ever built one.
 
#130 ·
That is the same site I got most of my tips and ideas from. The roof is still just wood, soon to be sheet aluminum, hopefully. :d:

I will probably use plain fenders for now and upgrade to some fancy ones in the future. The wheels are going to be black, black fenders and a black trim piece along the bottom edge.
 
#131 ·
I was wondering if you had used that site to help you, for making that trailer as well as you are...you must have been getting help with ideas somewhere, and they are definitely willing to help out anyone.
 
#136 ·
I love this thing. This is the ultimate way to camp with a camper. Cooking in the great outdoors sounds a lot better than in a cramped RV anyway. Is there plans for one that you can pull with a motorized bicycle? ;)
 
#144 ·
Ok, it's finally finished!! WooHoo!! Did a test setup at home, taking it camping in a couple of weeks! I never thought I was going to get this damn thing finished! Just no time or extra cash. I got out the registration and realized I welded up the trailer in 2004!!! I will post again after the shakedown cruise.. :)





 
#145 · (Edited)
Outstanding---so what did your weight come in at?? That would be my one and only concern--that axle looks a little--well little lol

Ive been getting stuff together to do one of these after seeing one at the St Ignace car show a couple years back. Got lucky and ran into a guy that was going to rip apart a trailer that had done a slow roll and was totalled by insurance company. All he wanted was the frame of the trailer--let me scavange the rest--grabbed windows vents electrical stuff--convertor etc
 
#150 ·
Wow alot lighter than I thought it would be loaded--with that stuff from the pics I was guessing closer to 1400-1500. Yeah you have plenty of give way in that if its only a 1000.

Always scares me when I see people with smaller boats heading to canada or down the eway with stuff packed right over the top. Those axles are meant for the boat and motor weight and not 1000lbs more inside.

Very very nice job on it--sure to draw a crowd where ever you go :thumb:
 
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