Offroad Teardrop - SawTooth XL
- Thread starter stomperxj
- Start date
stomperxj
Explorer
Greetings all - Ive been out enjoying my trailer for the last couple months. Took all the kids camping to Deadwood and Twin Springs and Nicole and I have been out on a few by ourselves too. The latest adventure was the best trip I have ever taken in my life.... 6 days and about 475 miles through the Boise, Challis and Sawtooth national forests. It was a great trip. Here are some pics and a link to the route we took:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...5452404945330017335.0004911a2c6a094b8359a&z=9
Link to the pics:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Fall Vacation 2010/
Here are a few thoughts and some final information about the trailer now that I have used it a half a dozen times:
Total cost to this point: $2500 give or take a few. Still need batteries and a couple other things
I now have formica in the galley area. Much better than paint
Shower setup is done - Its GREAT to have a hot shower out in the woods
Good points:
Lightweight, easy to tow, easy to move by hand if needed
Warm even in cold weather. We had some 30* mornings and were toasty the whole time
The side table and galley are just the right size for food and supplies
Quick setup - we pulled off the road the first night and were in bed within 5-10 minutes
Even with the fender wells inboard in the sleeping area there is plenty of room side to side for 2 people
Lots of people have asked where they can buy one and I get a lot of satisfaction telling them I built it
Bad points:
The bed is a little short. I'm about 5'11" and it could stand to be about 6" longer
Needs a better mattress. 5" of cheap foam and a couple sleeping bags isn't enough.
Hatch hinges work great and are strong but allows water to drip into the galley when open.
Storage area in the back is a little small but works for what we put in it - propane, axe, bow saw, extension cord... etc.
Wood choice - I wish i would have used Baltic Birch for the rear body panel and the storage door. Door is starting to warp and the grain of the wood is visible.
Jeep needs mudflaps. The trailer got plastered as you can see in some of the pics.
Overall I really like this trailer. I plan on getting at least a 6" mem foam mattress for it this winter. This trailer will be used next season and then possibly put up for sale so I can build Version 2.0 if I get my own shop/garage by then. I have already started designing V2.0 with some improvements over what i have learned on this one.
Thanks again to all of my online friends for all the encouragement, positive comments and feedback over the last couple years during the construction and during my hard times. I hope I have inspired someone to build their own. With patience, time and some forethought, anything is possible.
Best wishes and happy camping
Jess
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...5452404945330017335.0004911a2c6a094b8359a&z=9
Link to the pics:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v236/stomperxj/Fall Vacation 2010/
Here are a few thoughts and some final information about the trailer now that I have used it a half a dozen times:
Total cost to this point: $2500 give or take a few. Still need batteries and a couple other things
I now have formica in the galley area. Much better than paint
Shower setup is done - Its GREAT to have a hot shower out in the woods
Good points:
Lightweight, easy to tow, easy to move by hand if needed
Warm even in cold weather. We had some 30* mornings and were toasty the whole time
The side table and galley are just the right size for food and supplies
Quick setup - we pulled off the road the first night and were in bed within 5-10 minutes
Even with the fender wells inboard in the sleeping area there is plenty of room side to side for 2 people
Lots of people have asked where they can buy one and I get a lot of satisfaction telling them I built it
Bad points:
The bed is a little short. I'm about 5'11" and it could stand to be about 6" longer
Needs a better mattress. 5" of cheap foam and a couple sleeping bags isn't enough.
Hatch hinges work great and are strong but allows water to drip into the galley when open.
Storage area in the back is a little small but works for what we put in it - propane, axe, bow saw, extension cord... etc.
Wood choice - I wish i would have used Baltic Birch for the rear body panel and the storage door. Door is starting to warp and the grain of the wood is visible.
Jeep needs mudflaps. The trailer got plastered as you can see in some of the pics.
Overall I really like this trailer. I plan on getting at least a 6" mem foam mattress for it this winter. This trailer will be used next season and then possibly put up for sale so I can build Version 2.0 if I get my own shop/garage by then. I have already started designing V2.0 with some improvements over what i have learned on this one.
Thanks again to all of my online friends for all the encouragement, positive comments and feedback over the last couple years during the construction and during my hard times. I hope I have inspired someone to build their own. With patience, time and some forethought, anything is possible.
Best wishes and happy camping
Jess
Last edited:
Titanpat57
Expedition Leader
I'm sure I speak for many fans here Jess...It's great to see you just really enjoying the trailer and nature with your family.
It's nice to hear the amount of interest it must draw everywhere you go, and you certainly have much to be proud of!!:smiley_drive:
Best of luck and continued sucess in the future, and can't wait to see Sawtooth II bro....:wings:
Pat
It's nice to hear the amount of interest it must draw everywhere you go, and you certainly have much to be proud of!!:smiley_drive:
Best of luck and continued sucess in the future, and can't wait to see Sawtooth II bro....:wings:
Pat
bucketosudz
Explorer
It is Great to see you are enjoying your trailer after such a long time, trials and such. Your build was inspiring for me and many others I am sure. Here's wishing you all the best in the future and success if you do indeed find yourself building another!
Happy Trails Jess.
Happy Trails Jess.
indiedog
Adventurer
Hi Jess. I've been wondering how you have been getting on and thought you must be getting good use out of the trailer. Great to see you are getting great reward and feedback.
I doubt it is possible to build the "perfect" trailer on the first go. It's just a bugger it takes so much effort to learn the bugs. At least you got in and got it done and in the process learnt a lot and taught us a lot. Well done mate and continued success to you. Stay in touch. Can't wait to see ST2. :victory:
I doubt it is possible to build the "perfect" trailer on the first go. It's just a bugger it takes so much effort to learn the bugs. At least you got in and got it done and in the process learnt a lot and taught us a lot. Well done mate and continued success to you. Stay in touch. Can't wait to see ST2. :victory:
highlandercj-7
Explorer
Nice! Glad to see your getting the fun out of it, after all the blood sweat and tears. Can't wait to see hat ya do for round II.
Update just got through all the pics, WOW! You planned out an awesome route. The pics are outstanding. Makes me wish my family and I would have been follwing y'all. This one is post card perfect:
Update just got through all the pics, WOW! You planned out an awesome route. The pics are outstanding. Makes me wish my family and I would have been follwing y'all. This one is post card perfect:
Last edited:
off-roader
Expedition Leader
Wow that thing is gorgeous! Awesome work and yet you're already talking about v2.0 LOL.:smiley_drive:
I have a tear drop myself, mine is line with car carpet - floor liner this keeps it warm but also absorbs the condensation build up of cold nights.
Under the floor I have put polystyrene panels same as under floor/house insulation this keeps the cold from coming up through the floor been cosy as at -5
Have put plastic floor camping tiles under the bed to lift mattress an inch to circulate air and stop mould between mattress and tiles I have put down 1/2 inch dense foam (camping mats) to cushion it a little more.
For an awning over the rear I use an oztent http://us.oztent.com/products/viewProduct.asp?productid=41 with side panels.
These are awesome tents and top of the line quality.
Just some ideas.....
Under the floor I have put polystyrene panels same as under floor/house insulation this keeps the cold from coming up through the floor been cosy as at -5
Have put plastic floor camping tiles under the bed to lift mattress an inch to circulate air and stop mould between mattress and tiles I have put down 1/2 inch dense foam (camping mats) to cushion it a little more.
For an awning over the rear I use an oztent http://us.oztent.com/products/viewProduct.asp?productid=41 with side panels.
These are awesome tents and top of the line quality.
Just some ideas.....
Heres a link to pics of mine (red one) and an idea for a door awning we use http://www.grouseproducts.com/gallery.html
Door awning is big enough to stand up in and get dressed.
Door awning is big enough to stand up in and get dressed.