Offroad Teardrop+ concept

[JJBiggs]

Howdy...

I have been very impressed by the skill shown in this forum. You guys have some serious talent. As a result, I have been inspired to begin the process of building my own Offroad Teardrop +. The plus refers to the need for 2 extra sleeping spots for my children.

My concept is similar to AT's Teardrop, but also uses a flip top to with a canvas tent to allow for the extra sleeping quarters. My hesitation lies in that I am not sure where I could obtain the tent. Does anyone have any suggestions on some fabric vendors or materials suppliers?

Concept so far:

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I'd probably talk to AT, or even Flippac directly.
Maybe you could buy the portions you need for the tent top part, and not have to buy the cap portion that normally goes on the bed of a pickup.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Brilliant idea!

 

[elmo_4_vt]

I've though a lot about this type of idea. My plans would put an existing roof top tent mounted to the roof that would open up to the side. It would be sealed around the roof structure with a hatch going up through the floor to the top area when opened. That is what I'm planning anyway. The Eezi-Awn for example uses a wooden floor and could have an access whole cut in it very easily without compromising the support.

I've thought a lot about using my Globetrotter on the top of a teardrop for a similar type of application, but I think a standard model RTT would work better, and then add a changing room that would hang over one of the doors and give more space for the changing area of Teardrop.

If you look at my build, you can see how easy it was to make a mating surface out of wood that can seal the tent to the trailer instead of using cross bars (Thule or similar).

The only problem I see with this is that you'd have to use the canvas cover during transport to keep everything water proof. The other system like you have shown would be a little better from that standpoint.

Don

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[JJBiggs]

I've though a lot about this type of idea. My plans would put an existing roof top tent mounted to the roof that would open up to the side. It would be sealed around the roof structure with a hatch going up through the floor to the top area when opened. That is what I'm planning anyway. The Eezi-Awn for example uses a wooden floor and could have an access whole cut in it very easily without compromising the support.

I've thought a lot about using my Globetrotter on the top of a teardrop for a similar type of application, but I think a standard model RTT would work better, and then add a changing room that would hang over one of the doors and give more space for the changing area of Teardrop.

If you look at my build, you can see how easy it was to make a mating surface out of wood that can seal the tent to the trailer instead of using cross bars (Thule or similar).

The only problem I see with this is that you'd have to use the canvas cover during transport to keep everything water proof. The other system like you have shown would be a little better from that standpoint.

Don

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Thanks Don. I have thought a lot about it as well. Also...debated the idea of a RTT. The design shown will allow us to have access to the kids from the inside (the wife likes this) and vice versa. We determined the RTT was too much a pain to get the kids in and out of. This way we are all together in one cozy place.

 

[lowenbrau]

In spite of my assertions that I had no need for a teardrop I have found myself in a similar predicament. 2 adults and 2 kids in the RTT gets old quick. Recently I have thought I'd look for a teardrop and put the RTT on top but I'm really digging this concept.

 

[Need For Speed]

why not the RTT with an awning enclosure?

 

[Hilldweller]

I'll publicly call you a genius... ...because I doodled almost the exact same thing earlier this week.
Mine was a Flip-pac mounted to a steel/aluminum trailer. But close enough.

Do it.

I drew in a cassette-type galley to deploy out on slides in front of the wheel with an awning over it, entering through the rear. Mine was a 2-sleeper with the box for storage.

 

[Titanpat57]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31599&page=12

Post #117

Some of the problems I stumbled with were:

-Torsion spring assist?
-Water tightness of edges?
-Making the bed holder the roof..or having a seperate snap on cover?

I think if I couldv'e gotten the fold open bed area down....that build would have happened, not the design/build I'm currently doing. I think once the hinge assist and folding top were figured out, the fabric/tent would be the easy part. Up to a month ago I was looking for commercial sewing machines on CL.

lol..maybe next one..

Love the design overall, stay with it, you'll get it!!

Best of luck, Pat

 

[JJBiggs]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31599&page=12

-Torsion spring assist?
-Water tightness of edges?
-Making the bed holder the roof..or having a seperate snap on cover?

Spring assist - Not required, but would be nice. The pad for the bed would store in the main area during transport. The flip top is only a 6'x6' area and should not weight that much say 50# or so.

Water tightness - My plan was to have an industrial strength zipper (or similar) sewn in on a separate flap that allows the tent to attach to the roof/flip top. The side wall of the tent fabric now becomes a shingle like overlap. In a wind storm, the flap could be snapped or velcro'd into place. See here:

Bed Holder Roof - I prefer having the flip top be the bed holder. With proper ribbing and reinforcement, it should not be a problem structurally.

 

[nwoods]

If you don't mind, I'd like AT to license this idea and build me one very similar! I love the speed and convience of a RTT, but I am too large for a conventional RTT, and typically travel with two long legged kids + pro volleyball hgt wife. A single RTT won't work for us, but the over/under combo teardrop looks really nice!

 

[JJBiggs]

If you don't mind, I'd like AT to license this idea and build me one very similar! I love the speed and convience of a RTT, but I am too large for a conventional RTT, and typically travel with two long legged kids + pro volleyball hgt wife. A single RTT won't work for us, but the over/under combo teardrop looks really nice!

You and I live similar lives my friend. Both 6'6"+, wives that are 6'+ and kids well on their way to being amazonian monsters themselves. Ironically, we have a boy & girl as well.

Feel free to go get this built. I am not in it for the money. However, it is always nice. Tell AT - I'll design it for them and I'll take 5% from every sale. :victory:

Seriously - Makes no matter. Anyone can build these if they really wish to. The Teardrop design has been around for over 50 years+

Let me know if there is anything I can help with.

 

[jdholder]

I'm in also! I think we have 4 orders now, right?

I'm 6'4, wife's 5' 11" - 12 year old dauger is 5' 8" headed to 6 feet easy and 10 year old son is right behind. Then of course I have the 4 year old and in process of adopting one more!

Busy life and need a bigger trailer with more than just an RTT.

If you build it, they will come!

 

[JJBiggs]

Howdy folks...

I was up pretty late last night working on round II. There were a couple of items on the concept that I wanted addressed. They were the following:

- overall size vs what trailer frames are readily available
- functionality
- ease of build

Here is concept II. It is slightly smaller and is based on a 5'x8' trailer frame. The lower sleeping quarters are now 57" w x 80" long with the upper quarters being 54" w x 72" long. Overall, the trailer is slightly narrower and shorter, but will allow for an easier towing.

I also relocated the spare to the side of the trailer. I did this to accommodate more storage room as well as provide a nice place for the batteries and the fridge. That said, a fridge can be placed in the galley, but would be a tight fit. As a result, would not allow for a sink or grey water tank. The present galley will offer storage and include fresh and grey water tanks along with a small stainless RV sink.

Enjoy...more to come.

 

[Titanpat57]

:victory:

DANDY!!

Maybe put the fridge on slide? Kids are usually in it a bazillion times a day

Is that drawing program Solidworks?..looks fantastic!

Pat