old_man
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Loveland, Colorado
I have been planning on building an offroad capable trailer for nearly three years and started picking up parts about that time. With being either flat broke or medically laid up, it kept being pushed to the background. I slowly purchased items when I found a killer deal so now I am starting the build.
For those who are not familiar with the term teardrop, it comes from the shape. They were popular in the 30's to the 50's and are starting to make a comeback. It is just big enough for two to sleep inside, while the back opens up and gives you access to the galley. Most are build on cheap harbor freight frames and the like and the body is totally wood. Being the pain in the ass perfectionist engineer I am as many of you know, I had to do it different. I am building a fully welded frame sitting on airbags and 31's. The upper section will consist of 1" steel square tubing with a sheith of Filon.
I am just getting started on the frame and have it about 50% welded. I am using a different suspension type from most as you will see as things progress. I have attached a pix from Outback Teardrops to give you a rough idea of the shape of the body. Mine will be a bit different but theirs will give you an idea. Progress from this point will be limited by funds. I rebuild and port power steering boxes and I am using that to fund my trailer.
I will have a different style set of doors. As it turns out, that is the most expensive part of the build for me. A set of doors will run me almost $600.
I originally snagged a trailer axle with the 5x4.5 bolt pattern and a drop axle. As it turns out the drop axle, that I intended to rotate up, just didn't work out height wise and I ended up just scavenging the brakes. I have sandblasted the brakes and painted them, along with buyins a set of trailer spindles and a section of 2x2x.25" box. I ended up cutting some new mounting plates and milling the holes.
For those who are not familiar with the term teardrop, it comes from the shape. They were popular in the 30's to the 50's and are starting to make a comeback. It is just big enough for two to sleep inside, while the back opens up and gives you access to the galley. Most are build on cheap harbor freight frames and the like and the body is totally wood. Being the pain in the ass perfectionist engineer I am as many of you know, I had to do it different. I am building a fully welded frame sitting on airbags and 31's. The upper section will consist of 1" steel square tubing with a sheith of Filon.
I am just getting started on the frame and have it about 50% welded. I am using a different suspension type from most as you will see as things progress. I have attached a pix from Outback Teardrops to give you a rough idea of the shape of the body. Mine will be a bit different but theirs will give you an idea. Progress from this point will be limited by funds. I rebuild and port power steering boxes and I am using that to fund my trailer.
I will have a different style set of doors. As it turns out, that is the most expensive part of the build for me. A set of doors will run me almost $600.
I originally snagged a trailer axle with the 5x4.5 bolt pattern and a drop axle. As it turns out the drop axle, that I intended to rotate up, just didn't work out height wise and I ended up just scavenging the brakes. I have sandblasted the brakes and painted them, along with buyins a set of trailer spindles and a section of 2x2x.25" box. I ended up cutting some new mounting plates and milling the holes.
