Offroad Teardrop - SawTooth XL

[Backwoods Rambler]

Did you really use Google sketchup to design this?

I love all of the crafty add-ons going into this build. I extremely interested in the finished weight. I have a fair amount of woodworking skills and access to a large full woodworking shop and could easily create a teardrop for myself.

Currently I sleep in the XJ and have a decent setup comnig together for it, but if this trailer is light enough to pull over real trails, it would be a nice upgrade for "living" space.

 

[stomperxj]

La, the first is a lap joint, you can do it with a dado blade on a table saw, or a router.

The second is a kreg pocket hole jig, about $20 and very handy, make sure you use the special screws.

Right on all accounts. I used a router for the lap joint and a Kreg pocket jig. Worth every cent...

I don't use the special screws however. I just use regular old drywall screws and they work fine...

Did you really use Google sketchup to design this? I love all of the crafty add-ons going into this build. I extremely interested in the finished weight. I have a fair amount of woodworking skills and access to a large full woodworking shop and could easily create a teardrop for myself.

Currently I sleep in the XJ and have a decent setup comnig together for it, but if this trailer is light enough to pull over real trails, it would be a nice upgrade for "living" space.

I used Autocad to do the design work and just rendered it in Sketchup but i have seen some pretty nice designs done in Sketchup. Just takes a little practice...

I am expecting the weight to come in around 750# with some gear. Fairly light compared to some of the all steel expedition type trailers.

Thanks for the comments guys...

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I am expecting the weight to come in around 750# with some gear. Fairly light compared to some of the all steel expedition type trailers.

Thanks for the comments guys...

I downloaded Google Sketchup, it's pretty impressive and will take quite a bit of practice to render a decent model of the trailer. At least to the level that your AUTO CAD model is.

So how do you think the ridigity compares to a steel model?

Would you consider adding some addition steel framing if you build a 2nd one?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Wood actually has better stiffness/weight than steel. Theoretically, the wood trailer could be quite rigid if built right.

 

[stomperxj]

Using the glue and screw method and building a torsion box makes this thing pretty darn stiff. I don't even have the exterior skin on it yet and I cant flex the walls at the top of the body at all. I plan on building another one after this one is done and I'll go all wood again for sure.

 

[stomperxj]

So I have been saving loose change for some time and since I have no job and no money to buy materials I decided to cash in the change jar and buy some trailer stuff with it. It has been in the 70's the last few days so I figured why not...

This is what 15.5 lbs of change looks like. $170+ using a Coinstar machine. Plus I got a Lowes card so there was no 9% fee either...

Anyway - I bought a bunch of 5.2mm ply for the skin, all my hinges, skin for the door and a cam lock for the rear cargo door. I did some experimenting with kerf cutting the back side for the corners. I did about 2/3rds depth and 1/4" apart. Seems to work pretty good. I got the cam lock and the seal surface done for the cargo door. Also got the first piece of inside skin done.

Hopefully more this week...

 

[Box Rocket]

Still coming along nicely. Good luck with the job search.

 

[sseaman]

Way to be resourceful, you could have bought bendable plywood.

 

[stomperxj]

Way to be resourceful, you could have bought bendable plywood.

No one around here stocks bendable plywood that i know of...


Got more done the last couple days. Did some skin work on the hatch, made upper strut brackets, started on a door, made the latch for the rear cargo...

Anyway, blah blah blah... here's some pics

More later-

 

[lowenbrau]

I figure it's about time for me to wade in and tell you how much I've enjoyed this build. I have no use or desire for a trailer such as this but I just love every post about this project. It has just been a pleasure to watch come together. Thanks for sharing it with us!

 

[Pskhaat]

I don't know how much effort it would be to build another one, but that might be a good answer to the job question, no?

 

[Stouttrout]

You got skill!!! Really like the attention to detail. I have never seen a camper of any kind built this well.

 

[Box Rocket]

I figure it's about time for me to wade in and tell you how much I've enjoyed this build. I have no use or desire for a trailer such as this but I just love every post about this project. It has just been a pleasure to watch come together. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Werd! x2

 

[stomperxj]

I figure it's about time for me to wade in and tell you how much I've enjoyed this build. I have no use or desire for a trailer such as this but I just love every post about this project. It has just been a pleasure to watch come together. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Thanks LB

I don't know how much effort it would be to build another one, but that might be a good answer to the job question, no?

Well I'd love to just build trailers for a living but unfortunately I don't have enough money to finish this one yet. Plus with the horrible economy RVs are the last thing people buy I think... I'll definitely build more in the future though...

You got skill!!! Really like the attention to detail. I have never seen a camper of any kind built this well.

Werd! x2

Thanks for all the good feedback guys. I really appreciate it...

 

[stomperxj]

So I originally thought I'd build my doors from 1 1/8" plywood. I cut one out and then didn't like it too much, plus I had to change the way the door seals worked and how I was mounting the handles.... So I decided regular sandwich construction doors were in order. I also decided to just buy some hinges and bag the idea of making my own. They weren't turning out very nice. I got one door done the last day and a half or so. I used Titebond III and 1" staples.