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Teardrop Trailer Project
Introduction
Tom with his Cubby.
Untitled
Tom's Teardrop Construction Photos
Additions & Modifications
 Propane Tank Holder (updated 5/30/06)
Teardrop Travels
2006 Tear Jerkers North Meets South Rally (Posted August 06)
In 2005 I built a teardrop camping trailer. I started building it in late January.
Working on it mostly on the weekends, I finished the project 9 months later in late October.
What is a Teardrop Trailer?
Teardrop trailers are ultra-compact camping trailers light enough to be towed by just about any car. They are generally between 4 to 5 feet wide, 8 to 10 feet long and usually weigh between 600 and 1200 pounds. The sleeping area in front is accessed via doors on either side of the trailer. A rear hatch opens up an outdoor kitchen.
I tow it with a Rav/4
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Teardrop trailers are typically constructed of plywood on top of a steel trailer frame. Aluminum is the traditional outer covering material. In recent years, some builders are using fiberglass reinforced panels, fiberglass and epoxy, and epoxy paint to cover their teardrops.
Teardrop trailers first appeared in the 1930's. Their popularity soared in the late 1940's; fueled by plentiful of war surplus aluminum and returning GI's looking for inexpensive recreation. The little trailers' popularity peaked in the 1950's, and then declined rapidly in the 1960's as cars became more powerful and the RV industry began marketing larger vehicles to increasingly affluent buyers.
Teardrops are resurging. Although their currently popularity is very small, compared to the heydays of the 40's and 50's, a growing following of loyal enthusiasts are singing the praises of these tiny trailers. A couple dozen companies around the U.S. currently build teardrops. Hundreds or maybe even thousands of people are building or have built teardrops trailers in their garages and backyards.
Why build a teardrop trailer?
Enough room to sleep 2 comfortably
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While tent camping on Cape Cod in August, 2004, with my wife, Wendy, I woke up every morning with backaches from sleeping on uneven ground. I guess it must be one of those "over 40" things like the grey hairs on my head or needing glasses for the first time in my life. In any event, this experience got me thinking. It might be nice to have a small camper.
Shortly after that trip, I started researching camping trailers. Neither of our vehicles, a Toyota Camry or a Toyota Rav/4 is capable of towing large trailers. The Rav/4 has a 1500 pound towing limit.
First I looked into Pop-up campers from the mainstream manufacturers. The dry weight of the lightest trailers was right around the maximum tow weight of the Rav.4. With cargo, it would easily exceed the Rav/4s' towing capacity. The cost for us was far in excess of the $7,000 asking price as we would have to buy larger tow vehicle. All that expense! And for what? To buy a trailer with far more sleeping capacity and amenities than this pair of soon-to-be empty nesters needs or wants.
While bicycle touring in Utah a few years ago, I saw a pair of Honda Goldwings pulling tiny tent trailers. So, I researched motorcycle tent trailers online. I found a handful of manufacturers selling 500 pound tent trailers. However the cost, around $4,500, was rather steep for what you get. And, there were no dealers to be found anywhere near I live.
One evening, I searched Google for "ultra-light camping trailers". I found a web page with several links to teardrop trailers. At that time, I didn't know what a teardrop trailer was. These trailers were perfect for our camping style. I could buy a new one for $5,000 to $10,000. Better yet, I could build a really nice one for a fraction of that cost. But, what really hooked me was the cool retro look of these little trailers. The allure of building something really cool is irresistible.
Planning, Dreaming and Scheming
Night after night, I perused the web looking at the photos of people building and using teardrop trailers. I also found a very helpful online forum for teardrop owners and enthusiasts.
In November, I downloaded a detailed set of plans from Kuffel Creek Press for an 8-foot Cubby teardrop trailer. After two months of studying these plans and asking lots of questions, on the teardrop forum, I started construction in January, 2005.
It's tough to build outside in weather like this.
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Most builders start building with the trailer frame and assemble the various components as they are needed. However, I don't have a garage. Building a camper outdoors in a New England winter is not an option. So, I started off building the various components in my basement. In April I moved the project outdoors.
Major Modifications to the Kuffel Creek Plans
- The Kuffel Creek plans call for a 4x8 foot trailer built on a bolt-together utility trailer from Harbor Freight. I want a 5 foot wide trailer for some extra sleeping room. I used a 5x8 foot bolt-together utility trailer from RedTrailers.com
- I straightened the curve at the lower-front of the trailer, adding about 2" to the length of the floor and repositioned the lower bulkhead wall forward. This increases the depth of the lower galley deeper without reducing the length of the sleeping area.
- I eliminated the built-in water tank, electric pump and spigot assembly. Instead, I use a 7-gallon Aquatainer water jug, available for less than $10 at Wal-Mart. I practiced the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle whenever possible.
- I eliminated the built-in icebox. Instead, I'm using a cooler we already own. The cooler sits on a large slide-out shelf mounted in the lower galley for easy access. Unlike a built-in icebox, a cooler is easily removable for loading, unloading and cleaning.
Sliding cabinet doors
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- I reduced the number of draws in the cabinets to one, a silverware drawer in the lower galley. I did this to maximize available storage space and simplify construction.
- I made sliding cabinet doors instead of hinged doors. Sliding doors work well in tight spaces where there is little room to swing a hinged door. Also, sliding doors are light weight and easy to build (Remember the K.I.S.S. principle)
- Instead covering it with Aluminum, I sealed my teardrop with epoxy sealer and alphatic epoxy paint
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