Offroad teardrop?

[rusty_tlc]

A couple of years ago we ran into a guy at the Empire gas station, just south of the Black Rock Desert. He and his wife had been camping on and around the Plya for the previous week in a neat home-built tear drop trailer. He was towing it with a SOA FJ40. The trailer was built to tow flat, also SOA.

Anybody have any thoughts on this approach to an expedition trailer?

[offroadchef]

Check this site out. He did it. http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

Also a few years ago someone who builds them was at Sierra Trek (CAL4Wheel Event) as a vendor, Not sure who it was. Will try to find out more if you like.


Markus

[rusty_tlc]

Check this site out. He did it. http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

Also a few years ago someone who builds them was at Sierra Trek (CAL4Wheel Event) as a vendor, Not sure who it was. Will try to find out more if you like.


Markus
I think the guy I talked to built his from that site.

I know of Sierra Trek, I'm in Reno. I'd be interested in hearing about a purchased option. Any idea if this guy has a web site?

[offroadchef]

the outbackteardrop.com site is just about the build of it, I think. It was for his own use. In regards to the one at Trek, I will have to call and ask.

Markus

[offroadchef]

found this site. http://home.centurytel.net/edevold/offroad.htm#

They call themselves "Tear Drop Travel Trailers by Camp Inn" use "Camp Inn" in the search.

If you start from the home page I can't find this page. Might just email them and ask if they still do the "off road package"

[Ron B]

looks like an hd version of the T@B trailers

http://www.tab-rv.com

both are pretty cool.

rb

[offroadchef]

looks like an hd version of the T@B trailers

http://www.tab-rv.com

both are pretty cool.

rb

Have soom at a local dealer, still have to go and look at them.

[RunninRubicon]

Here in Tucson, Az. I have seen these just off I-10. I considered this before I set about building my own. I thought the wheel-wells were too small to accomidate anything larger then the 14" tire it comes with and I saw from looking the bottom-light metal-that it would not tolerate off-roading very well. Even with a lift. I did like the clam-shell door in the rear that opens to reveal a nice kitchen. 3-way refrig, 2-burner stove and a sink. They ran about $12K+. The yellow and silver combo and the orange and silver paint combos were cool, I thought. Even had a/c for those balmy days. Heater. Some models had the kitchen on the inside. Anyone over 6' need not apply! IMHO :coffee:

[rusty_tlc]

found this site. http://home.centurytel.net/edevold/offroad.htm#

They call themselves "Tear Drop Travel Trailers by Camp Inn" use "Camp Inn" in the search.

If you start from the home page I can't find this page. Might just email them and ask if they still do the "off road package"
Thanks.

[RoundOut]

There's a whole lot full of teardrop trailers at a new vendor in northwest Houston, off FM 1960, near Kuykendahl. I'll get a picture next time I go by there. At a quick glance, they looked more like they are for towing behind large motorcycles, though. I didn't have a chance to inspect the clearance or tire configurations closely before the light changed.

[rusty_tlc]

There's a whole lot full of teardrop trailers at a new vendor in northwest Houston, off FM 1960, near Kuykendahl. I'll get a picture next time I go by there. At a quick glance, they looked more like they are for towing behind large motorcycles, though. I didn't have a chance to inspect the clearance or tire configurations closely before the light changed.
I think the biggest part of the market for these trailers is motorcyclist and hot rodders. Any commercial units I have seen would need some modification for offroad use.

These units were originaly designed to built as DIY projects. I'd love to see somebody adapt the design and build one for expedition use.

[elcoyote]

There's a small company not too far from where our shop is that makes really beautiful teardrops. They use a CNC router for fabricating their parts so the quality is meticulous. I know that they also offer a kit version for those with more time than money. I have contemplated mounting one to a Chaser chassis for fun...alas...the time for me is elusive

Check them out at http://www.socalteardrops.com/index.html

[RoundOut]

I drove by their facility tonight and took some photos with my phone. Sorry if the resolution isn't that great. I spoke to the proprieter and asked him about putting them on a more sturdy off-road platform and they said that they had put some on a leaf-springed axle with bigger tires before. I was impressed by some of the bells and whistles they had. Most of these were "tailgate party" rigs. Note the Aggie and Texan schemes. They had one in the camouflage scheme, too.
Note the catchy saying "I go where I'm Towed.":exclaim:
I especially liked the built in tap, LOL. :coffeedrink: :friday:

Here's a link (http://www.eloquencewebdesign.com/littletrailer/pricelist.htm) to a dealer website with prices for some of the models I took pictures of.

[rusty_tlc]

Ummm beer :homerdrool: :beer:

[rusty_tlc]

Aside from the beer tapper what do you guys think about the general configuration of the teardrop for rough country touring?

I like:
Easy set-up.
Nice kitchen area.
Hard side for securty
No ladder to climb to get into/out of bed.
Light weight.
Self contained H2O/propane

I dislike:
Not as robust as a Mil trailer
No extra storage for fuel
A bit cramped inside.

[RunninRubicon]

I like the pics and sites. I just didn't like pulling something I can fold down and get out of the air. Otherwise your just pulling an air bubble. Colder climates would be better for this kind of rig then here in the SW. But it's all there. Could store some stuff inside. Add a water tank and battery/refrig.
It would be cool. I like that they are lite weight. Finally we get it!

[The BN Guy]

I suppose you could build some sort of tubed rack and mount to the rear of the 'drop for fuel storage. Or build a small box for the tongue maybe?

I like that design. Looks like a good size for two adults and a baby.

Ooh, just looked at the dealer link...me like the prices very much!

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I've had a Tentrax for the last five years or so. I've towed it to four different states and over the Rubicon. I like it and it performs well. I however have been biten by the new trailer bug. Nothing to replace the Tentrax (No reason to sell it), just something new to mess around with.

A friend of mine on here (Redline) just took delivery of his A.T. Chaser. I really like it. The quality, materials, suspension and craftsmanship are top shelf. I had pretty much decided that would be the next trailer. Then this thread was started about tear drops.

The cool little retro trailer that is normally reserved for hot rods and more recently motorcycles. So, I had a little free time today. I braved the storm and went to Auburn Ca. to American River motors to look at these and see how they were built and what mods they would need for our kind of camping.

Here's what I found. They have a couple of different models that would be useful to start with. A four foot model and a five foot model. Those are interior dimensions. The exterior dimensions are a few inches wider. The platform models have a platform in front of the teardrop. The platform has a floor made of expanded metal with a couple of tie down d-rings located on each side.

The prices in Ca. are $4995.00 and $5995.00 respectively. (Funny how they are a lot cheaper on the web site). These are for the platform models. The non-platform is cheaper.

This is a pic of the non platform. Notice the curvature at the front of the trailer.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1232.jpg

Here is a pic of the platform model. Notice the front is flat to facilitate the platform.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1233.jpg

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Continued...

another picture of the platform

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1237.jpg

Here's a cool little ac unit pictured on a non-platform model.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1234.jpg

One feature I wasn't crazy about was that lack of a dedicated galley, like the classic teardrops had. These all had a single counter on a hinge. Below the countertop is where your feet would be when your sleeping. They are pretty short. I like the feature of a dedicated galley. I brought along my arb fridge to size it up and as the trailers sit stock. It won't fit under the rear countertop. You would need to cut the counter top pretty much in half to sit the fridge inside the trailer. There is plenty of room on the platform if you don't mind it sitting outside in the elements.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1231.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1236.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1235.jpg

In the below picture you can see the weather stripping. This one leaks a little water as it sits on the lot. Kepp in mind it has never been used or off of the lot. I asked the sales guy about it and he said he would replace it before it left the lot. I don't know how many times it has been opened and shut on the lot, but probably quite a few.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/ruffian05/100_1239.jpg

Overall, I think they would need some moderate fab work to hold up to the abuse overland travel dishes out. First off, armor. Rocker panel protection and a bumper of some sort for departure angle. Secondly, lift. The stock tire sizes are right around 25" on a 13" to 14" wheel. The bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5. They are low. The axle is a torflex 1500 to 2000 lb. The sales guy said it is possible to place a lift block in there, but he doesn't offer the modification on site.


I think it would be a fun project for someone to tackle. You can really let your imagination run with these. I envisioned an exterior spare tire mount on the platform. A few Wedco fuel cans up front and some sort of battery setup. Maybe not for use on the really extreme trails in the west, but really usable for the majority of the other trails we see.

You will just need to remember that it will need some fab before it leaves the asphalt.

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I forgot to add; this guy rents them for about $250.00 a week. Rusty tlc, as we both live in reno we should split the cost and take it down to Samco to see what his thoughts are on lifting one and adding some armor to it.

[rusty_tlc]

:doh: I should have subscribed to this thread. Just now saw your post.
For $250 I might rent one to try out for a weekend camping at Bodega or someplace before I went any further with the concept. Just to see how the wife likes it. You know the saying, "If momma aint happy nobody is." ;)

[blue94yj]

I don't know if this would interest you but I'm in the process of building a teardrop. I'm almost finished with the metal fabrication work. I should be starting the actual camper in the next couple of weeks.

http://users.marshall.edu/~petersen2/trailer5.jpg

http://users.marshall.edu/~petersen2/trailer6.jpg

The camper box will go to the square tubing. The round tubing is for a step/slider.

What do you think?

Charlie

[dieselcruiserhead]

Wow, that is really really cool.. Makes me rethink my current plans of an imitation mil trailer you can sleep in...

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Charlie that thing looks great. Start a new thread so we can watch the progress. Where are you located?

After seeing these campers (The above photos I took) in person, I started drawing up my own design. Then the WAZAT micro trailer thread was published. It looks very similair to my drawings (Squared off and a little bigger than these). I had planned to use nida-core and even got some quotes on materials. If you look at the wazat thread, the camping module is removable and already built! I am going to contact them and find out if they will sell just the camping module. Then you could mount it solid to a hardcore chassis such as yours Charlie.

What do you guys think?

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Also what is the distance inbetween the wheel wells?

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

:doh: I should have subscribed to this thread. Just now saw your post.
For $250 I might rent one to try out for a weekend camping at Bodega or someplace before I went any further with the concept. Just to see how the wife likes it. You know the saying, "If momma aint happy nobody is." ;)


And I thought you were just ignoring me. ;)

[blue94yj]

Also what is the distance inbetween the wheel wells?

I'm not sure I can measure it this evening when I work on it, but the two rails running the length of the trailer are 40" outside to outside.

Charlie

[dieselcruiserhead]

Charlie bummer man, you will be the first guy to build one of these, but I for sure can say that couple of us will be following you.. At least we'll remember you were first...! Anyway, I started obsessing, I have wanted to build one from scratch and have been doing different plans in my head for ages now..

But, wasn't sure what the actual trailer would be, that was the hardest decision.. After this post, I started obsessing yesterday, I even did some crude mockup yesterday afternoon at the shop...

I have wanted someone you can sleep in (not on - avoiding the tent setup, personally).. But not too big, tough, maneuverable... But tough.. Not a pop-top type setup for the most part but that would work too. But then you lose storage with a pop top...

Anyway, I have been thinking I will build from scratch as well.. I will definitely post up, but this is probably well over a year away, I figure...

Cheers!

[sfsloop]

Wow, great start. I'm very interested in watching your progress.

:jump:

[rusty_tlc]

I don't know if this would interest you but I'm in the process of building a teardrop. I'm almost finished with the metal fabrication work. I should be starting the actual camper in the next couple of weeks.

http://users.marshall.edu/~petersen2/trailer5.jpg

http://users.marshall.edu/~petersen2/trailer6.jpg

The camper box will go to the square tubing. The round tubing is for a step/slider.

What do you think?

Charlie
Very nice.

I noticed a second frame in the background. How many of theses are you building?

[blue94yj]

Also what is the distance inbetween the wheel wells?

I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner but I hadn't worked on the trailer in a while. I did measure between the fender wells last night and it is 44".

As for progress I now have the fenders skinned. And I will start working on the floor and the walls this weekend.

Charlie

[dieselcruiserhead]

please post pics thanks!

[Joanne]

Hi all,

To be honest, I don't think most of the manufactured trailers are constructed as strong as necessary for off-road travel. That said there have been a lot of home built trailers specifically constructed that are plenty strong for off-roading. If you are looking for something inbetween a real expedition trailer and a small travel trailer, a teardrop might just fit your needs.

If you want to know more about teardrop trailers, the best best spot on the interent is http://www.mikenchell.com/forums Don't forget to look at the Offroad Construction Secrets section of the forum.

Joanne

[offroadchef]

If you want to know more about teardrop trailers, the best best spot on the interent is http://www.mikenchell.com/forums Don't forget to look at the Offroad Construction Secrets section of the forum.

Joanne

Found the same site through Camp-cook.com. One guy is texas is making and selling with a slid out section.


Markus

[GeoTracker90]

Here is a picture of my first "teardrop" that I built. It was approx 5' wide, 5' tall and 10' long for the body.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Blog/JeepTetons.jpg

Here is a picture of it when I took the boys out during the summer of 2006.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Blog/Diamond02.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Blog/Diamond04.jpg

And here is a picture of the second on that I built. It was 5' wide, 4' tall, and 9' long in the body.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Blog/Redfish3.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/Blog/Meadow2.jpg

These are quite comfortable when built correctly and can be built to take some punishment as well. The first one that I built was rolling on 31" tires that matched the Jeep Cherokee and weighed about 1000 lbs empty. The second one obviously has smaller tires and it weighs closer to 550 - 600 lbs empty. The neat thing is that if you build your own they can be designed for the type of terrain that you anticipate on covering.

Mike

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

very cool.

[pete.wilson]

Hey all

I have to admit; I've been looking at them more myself, however storage seems to be a little bit of a weekness given their size, unless one clutters the interior and then remove the stuff when arriving at campsite. Some teardrop have storage locations built into the floor. I would like to see rusty_tlc's plans and how best to strengthen the body for off-road useage. Looks like a cool project.

Pete Wilson

[GeoTracker90]

Hey all

I have to admit; I've been looking at them more myself, however storage seems to be a little bit of a weekness given their size, unless one clutters the interior and then remove the stuff when arriving at campsite. Some teardrop have storage locations built into the floor. I would like to see rusty_tlc's plans and how best to strengthen the body for off-road useage. Looks like a cool project.

Pete Wilson

For storage you can get just as creative with a teardrop as you can with any other expedition vehicle. Below are a few construction pictures of what I did with my latest trailer. The first couple show the galley area. Top the right of the cooler there is now a set of three drawers. The open shel above the counter now has a fold down half door, and the other two openings above the counter top also have drawers.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/TearGalley2.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/TearGalley1.jpg

In the interior I have the two smaller cubbie holes and a wider / narrow drawer, and the radio of course. I left the flat wall above the drawer so that I can in the future either add a shelf there or I can also add a 10 - 15" flatscreen and add a 12V DVD player.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/TearInterior.jpg

Also, there is nothing that says that you can not add a roof rack to the trailer. I added a couple of roof bars to haul all of our bikes from Idaho to Glacier National Park. Worked like a charm. I drew up the inner and outer brackets for the roof rack mounts and had a local company laser cut them out of either 1/4" or 5/16" steel plate. I think that for the 8 brackets that were laser cut it cost me a little less than $60.00 total.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/TearPhilipsburgh.jpg

[GeoTracker90]

As far as making the body of the trailer strong enough for off-road travel there are a couple of options. One option is to make the body out of a steel skeleton. I did this on my first trailer and I think that it would be pretty sturdy off road. This trailer is approx 5' wide by 5' tall and 10' long in the body. Incidently this one is for sale also.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/BenRoy1.jpg

The other option that I have used is to dado the floor and bulkheads into the side walls. This will in effect make a torsion box and you gain a lot of rigidity in the body from this. Here are a few pictures of the dadoed walls of two different trailers.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/SuperleggeraXL9.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t101/Geotracker90/2004_0620_004341AA.jpg

If you want the wood trailer body to be stronger still after you have glued and screwed the dadoed walls together with the floor and bulkhead you can always add an epoxy fillet to where they are joined. This is a technique that would be borrowed from wood boat construction.

Hope that this gives everyone some more ideas on what is possible.