Need some advice on hard side off road trailer ideas for a big guy . Sketches inside

[lacofdfireman]

So I've been wanting to build an expo trailer with a RTT but am slowly changing my mind after seeing some of the teardrop style off road trailers others have built. And personally I don't get the expense of a RTT? There really isn't that much technology involved in them to warrant $1500-3000 from what I can see. I mean we have a 20 x 20 Heavy Canvas outfitter tent with a stove that we paid less than $1k for so the prices for an RTT just don't make sense to me. One of my big concerns after reading pages after pages of builds is the size of the teardrops. While I understand they are supposed to be small I myself am not. I'm 6'5 and 260 so most of them are not going to work for me. I'd like some advice on a few different drawings I have done. And I'd like an honest evaluation of off road worthiness of these style of trailers in the size I am considering. Now I'm not going to be doing any Moab rock crawling but I do find myself on some rocky off camber trails that often have some drops and sometimes a winch might be involved to pull me up and over a rock or two. But those are not all that often. Also will be pulling it behind an 03 Jeep Grand Cherokee.


So here are some things I would like in a hard side off road build.

Rear Galley
Front inside cabinets
15-25 gallons water
Window on top of roof for star gazing
Doors on each side with Windows
Large side windows
Fantastic fan
Mattress that's long enough for me. So I'd like the mattress to be 84" long like a California King but narrower
Rear receiver hitch for Bike rack

Trailer frame Construction
3500lb axle with 1500lb leaf springs
2x3 or 2x2 steel main frame
3/4" Baltic Birch Sides
1/4" BB top and interior insulated
5' tall ceiling
10-12ft living area
4' tongue

Here are a few hand drawings. Take a look critique and tell me which ones you like and dislike. Hoping to start my build when I get off duty next Wednesday.
Hoping to have the entire trailer done before our annual Moab trip in Moab for Memorial Day. I'll also be taking the Motorhome. My Son will be taking the Jeep pulling the trailer.

Also not 100% opposed to building an expo style trailer still. Actually when I get off duty Friday here in LA I'm going to drive down to a dealer that has some CVT RTT's on display. Never seen one in person. Maybe I will change my mind about their value and want to do the expo build again. Just really liking the idea of a teardrop style right now.

Thoughts, concerns

Frame rough sketch. May need to be longer


Trailer side profiles

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[Waygoner]

I have similar plans for a trailer I bought last fall. It looks like your 2nd sketch without the kick at the back. It's fully enclosed and was used to haul dirt bikes. I couldn't pass it up for $600. It has a rear door instead of a hatch, which I like because so many tear drops have problems with leaking at the hinge. A queen mattress will fit nicely but I think you'll have to custom order something. Mine has a simple ladder frame with 2x4 wood sides covered with metal sheeting. I'll have to add framing when I put in side doors and windows. The tongue on mine is about 4' but I have have plans to extend it to 6'. I think it will handle/track better. I'll build a galley across the back and add a water tank, propane, etc. You might consider starting with a 5x8 cargo trailer. Post your progress and I'll try to add a picture of what I'm starting with.

 

[Sb_Moto]

I like where your head it as to here is my 2 cents. You are talking about a 65" frame which will put your tires out wide. What about recessing the wheels into the fender to keep wheel width narrow. Do it towards the back of the trailer and you front of the trailer wide for arms and what not but narrow at feet where you don't need that much width.

Check out my build thread and ask questions. Mount the tank under the trailer between wheels (if suspension allows).

My build sounds very close to what you are wanting.

 

[Sb_Moto]

Another thing is the vnose box. Why not just make the cabin with a built in vnose and use it to store electrical, ac, and extra storage. I never understood why everyone does them seperate

 

[dusty122]

I have a custom teardrop that is based off a socal teardrop. Its been enlarged somewhat. Im 6'-5" and heavier and its super comfortable and it fits me and my normal sized girlfriend. Its a real queen size mattress (not the smaller rv version). The doors are plenty big for me to get in and out of. Its not super easy but I'm not hanging out in the teardrop all day either. The biggest thing to remember is to design the galley door so it clears you. originally when i got my trailer the door was only about forehead height which wasn't too much fun.

 

[Waygoner]

Here's what I'm starting with.

 

[bigKlittlecar]

Another thing is the vnose box. Why not just make the cabin with a built in vnose and use it to store electrical, ac, and extra storage. I never understood why everyone does them seperate

Exactly my thoughts too!! I've been designing my future build to have the v-nose. basically have the camper shell follow the main frame so everything's enclosed and space is maximized. To help with rough roads it will only have a departure angle kick-up at the rear; the rest of the trailer should be a rectangle/box. Like the op I'm tall (6'8") and still need to squeeze a narrow king bed in there somewhere as well as room for my two kids

 

[Sb_Moto]

Exactly my thoughts too!! I've been designing my future build to have the v-nose. basically have the camper shell follow the main frame so everything's enclosed and space is maximized. To help with rough roads it will only have a departure angle kick-up at the rear; the rest of the trailer should be a rectangle/box. Like the op I'm tall (6'8") and still need to squeeze a narrow king bed in there somewhere as well as room for my two kids

Here is my frame which will give you an idea of the layout I am doing. The vnose and the main cabin are all one. Electronics will go off to the right side, then there is a shelf for the AC/ Heater/ PD4045 on top. The left lower part will be open for the dog to have an area to sleep, or storage if he isnt coming. Wheels are recessed into the body to give a 65" hub to hub, and 64" of width at the head. It narrows around the waste to around 48", but I am more concerned with room by me head for arms than I am my waist.

 

[lacofdfireman]

Here is my frame which will give you an idea of the layout I am doing. The vnose and the main cabin are all one. Electronics will go off to the right side, then there is a shelf for the AC/ Heater/ PD4045 on top. The left lower part will be open for the dog to have an area to sleep, or storage if he isnt coming. Wheels are recessed into the body to give a 65" hub to hub, and 64" of width at the head. It narrows around the waste to around 48", but I am more concerned with room by me head for arms than I am my waist.

That's a great looking frame. Still having a hard time deciding if a teardrop style trailer is the type of trailer I wanna build. I plan on using the trailer the Backcountry Discovery Routes that are in different states. Just not sure if the teardrop will get torn up. Also I'm thinking the length of the build would be a lot longer and I have about 2 months to build it on my days off only. Spending lots of time researching and trying to decide the best one to build. For looks I like the Sawtooth. Al the others look to toyhaulerish or standard teardrop to me which I really don't care for. Also with the routes etc I plan on doing carrying extra fuel, shovels, high lift jacks etc not sure where to out these items on a hard sided trailer. Going tomorrow to look at RTT's since I have never seen one in person before.