Homemade Teardrop build

[blkhwkmech89]

Hey fellas, new to the thread. I'm going to be starting a teardrop build in about a month or so and I just wanted to share my experiences. Also, any input from other builders is always welcome. This camper will be built for the primary purpose of traveling within the southeast United States to miscellanious dropzones. I shall skydive all day and have a bed and cold beer awaiting me in the parking lot. I used to sleep in the bed of my truck but I got tired of paying for gas so I will be pulling this with my 2014 Hyundai Accent. That being said, I need to keep it under 1000lbs. Wish me luck. I'm currently setting up a flikr so I can share some pics. Initial 3D modeling pictures are on the way.

 

[blkhwkmech89]

Here's a link to my newly created Flikr where I have hosted some initial 3D models. The trailer is a 4x8 frame. If anybody has some recommended changed before I start building, send em this way.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127754615@N03/

 

[matthewp]

Nice design! For construction tips, I recommend you look on www.tnttt.com. They are a forum based around building small travel trailers, especially if you are looking at an on-road only trailer. If you are planning off-road capability, the better design advice is on this forum.
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Either way, we want to see this build, so get going on it!

 

[blkhwkmech89]

Thanks for the feedback Matthew, I'm going to check TNTTT out right now. I'm actually creating another model right now with less of a rounded edge in the front. I'm just thinking from an ease of construction standpoint on my first build. I'll definitely check them out though and I'm ready to start building as soon as I'm back in the states.

 

[fortel]

x2 on spending some time at tnttt's site. I'm still pondering starting a teardrop build myself but haven't gotten around to it. Seems like where many builders have issues is the rear hatch alignment and seal. Good luck with the build.

 

[workingonit71]

homemade teardrop variant

Thanks for the feedback Matthew, I'm going to check TNTTT out right now. I'm actually creating another model right now with less of a rounded edge in the front. I'm just thinking from an ease of construction standpoint on my first build. I'll definitely check them out though and I'm ready to start building as soon as I'm back in the states.

I started out lurking on this forum, then found TnTTT prior to building my trailer (I finally joined Expo, last month). You'll find a lot of good info there, but few Expo-type builds. I also thought of building with "less of a rounded edge in the front" and "from an ease of construction standpoint"' so I built with right-angles, 3/4 plywood superstructure, oak bracing (at stress points), joined with steel "Simpson Strong-ties", stainless nuts & bolts, heavy-duty powder-coated "gate" hardware, and Loctite PL Adhesive filling all seams. Very strong, but a tad heavier than needed. 1/2" ply would (haha, "ply-would") have been thick enough. Since I'm a novice camper, only venturing forth in clement weather, the trailer is un-insulated, but is well-ventilated, heated, and air-conditioned (-Texas is warm-). As I near retirement, I'll expand my horizons a bit, but I doubt I'll camp on a barren tundra or on a mountain above tree-line. Good luck with your build. You can view my build pictures here: http://www.tnttt.com/gallery/album.php?album_id=64

 

[Mowgli]

I've been looking at the ty dean customs plans.

http://tydeancustomcampers.webs.com/newprojects.htm