Questions... Off Road Teardrop or Off Road Tent Top???

[JPK]

Ahh, when I tried it (on paper) it interfered with foot room or interior cabinet size for clothing. I'm curiour, what did you do to wrangle the competing issues of interior cabinetry and foot room?

On mine, the heavy stuff is low, like water, fuel, batteries, generator for the A/C, refrigerator, propane. The rack will carry a RTT for when my kids are along, and though it isn't light there is no other option. With the front storage boxes and the rack mounted box there's plenty of room for chairs and tables, which are pretty light. Also room for the awning enclosure and the RTT "changing room."

Here are a couple of photos. It's taken the builder awhile, but he is on the finishing touches. The suspension has taken some time to get right. BTW, it will sit a couple of inches lower when complete and the one rack top box will fit between the awning and the RTT.

Basically, I tried for "a place for everything and everything in its place."

JPK

 

[Martinjmpr]

Build advice...

...Not that I have any experience, but I saw a great piece of advice over on the Tearjerkers site: "Remember, you are building an airplane, not a tank." Smaller, lighter and lesser is better. When you think about that weight bouncing up and down on a rugged trail, I think that advice is even more appropriate.

 

[JPK]

I believe a better analogy is building a boat. Neither a boat nor a trailer needs to be built so lightly that they can fly, both need to be built stout enough to stay together.

But rough terrain is why so much effort has gone into the suspension. Progressive coils, shocks and a Currie Anti Rock. My Jeep is no flyweight (and neither is this trailer) yet it handles the rugged trails quite well, and crappy two tracks, gravel and washboard... and it's a solid axle vehicle whereas the trailer has an indepent suspension. Weight isn't a ride issue, a proper suspension takes care of that. Its an obstacle, manuvering and traction issue though, which is a good reason to base camp and have fun with the Jeep if the going is really rough.

Anyone who lives in the west is blessed, a suitable trailer can be built to a hell of a lot lighter weight. No need for A/C or heat because of the generally lower humidity summer and winter, less than half the amp hour reserve because of generally clear skies, awnings yes, but a hell of a lot less tarp because of the generally less rainy and buggy environment. A trailer without A/C and heat, for example, is a two season trailer in my neck of the woods, three season if I'm alone since the cold isn't the issue for me that it is for my wife or kids.

Set up "light" the trailer weighs ~2550lbs loaded and ready to go for a week or more. Set up for the family, the weight is ~2850lbs ready to roll with a week's worth of groceries.

If you need a demonstration of heavier trailer off road prowess, I'll refer you to Austalian trailers and off roading/camping/overlanding. Large, capable trailers, long distances, crappy roads and two tracks, washboard the whole way... Check out the very highly regarded Kimberley Camper, which is a fold out tent trailer. Empty weight for the top model is the same as my trailer when set up for the family @ 2400lbs. Loaded weight is max 3525lbs. http://www.kimberleykampers.com/index.php?item=platinum-off-road-camper-trailer#/28/ Or perhaps the pinacle of off road trailers, the Kimberley Karavan, 3696lb empty for the top model, 4840lbs max loaded. http://www.kimberleykaravans.com/ No way either of those trailers is going to run the Rubicon, and I wouldn't want to in mine either. But there is a lot of ground and a lot of trails that aren't the Rubicon.

BTW, if its the wood construction you're concerned about here's 4500hp pushing 100,00lbs at 32kts bouncing up and down on plank and frame construction, and nothing you would drive over will match what Trident will throw at you:

JPK

 

[skersfan]

Again JPK, none of the current retail wooden tear drops are built like a million dollar boat. No comparison between the two.

 

[matthewp]

True off-road trailer porn!:drool:

Ahh, when I tried it (on paper) it interfered with foot room or interior cabinet size for clothing. I'm curiour, what did you do to wrangle the competing issues of interior cabinetry and foot room?

On mine, the heavy stuff is low, like water, fuel, batteries, generator for the A/C, refrigerator, propane. The rack will carry a RTT for when my kids are along, and though it isn't light there is no other option. With the front storage boxes and the rack mounted box there's plenty of room for chairs and tables, which are pretty light. Also room for the awning enclosure and the RTT "changing room."

Here are a couple of photos. It's taken the builder awhile, but he is on the finishing touches. The suspension has taken some time to get right. BTW, it will sit a couple of inches lower when complete and the one rack top box will fit between the awning and the RTT.

Basically, I tried for "a place for everything and everything in its place."

JPK

 

[jim65wagon]

Ahh, when I tried it (on paper) it interfered with foot room or interior cabinet size for clothing. I'm curiour, what did you do to wrangle the competing issues of interior cabinetry and foot room?

Our interior height is really more like a 4x10 teardrop would have. The extra 12 inches we wanted as roof boxes just went below the bed, so officially we have a 5x10 teardrop.

This is the cutaway view, with the mattress there is just enough room for your feet vertically. Realistically, your feet slpay out if you are sleeping on your back, so it should be enough - time will tell. The lower cabinets are custom sized to "fit our feet". They were originally taller and shorter, with the mattress it was obcious our calcs were a bit off so we had to resize them to be a little shorter.

On mine, the heavy stuff is low, like water, fuel, batteries, generator for the A/C, refrigerator, propane. The rack will carry a RTT for when my kids are along, and though it isn't light there is no other option. With the front storage boxes and the rack mounted box there's plenty of room for chairs and tables, which are pretty light. Also room for the awning enclosure and the RTT "changing room."

Very similar to ours except the gennie and the fuel will stay in the truck. The fuel, because I do not see any reason to haul fuel on the vehicle without an engine - so it stays with the truck. The generator, because, well, it wasn't in our original design, so there's no real place for it....and it's just darned heavy. I'm going to build an aluminum rack inthe truck bed for the fuel, generator and chainsaw to live in.
The basement has the room for the EZUp (front small box in cutaway - it spans across the width) and chairs, extra shoes, shower/changing room and other assorted glamping gear. This is accessible from outside doors (just in front of the fenders)on either side of the trailer.
The water tank is below our feet and between the fenders, so it's right above the axle
The tongue box holds batteries, charger/converter, Triton shower unit and possibly a portapotti - never really use one out here, but we understand there are "pack it out" places in the country (we plan on travelling "everywhere" in the US)
We've designed the sidewalls with a solid support pieces from the roof to the frame for the possible contingent of adding an RTT or a roof rack.

Basically, I tried for "a place for everything and everything in its place."
JPK

That's the only way to do a teardrop, storage is at a premium and organization is the key.....it's the only way I get all our gear into the truck for a week on the beach for four peeps now....
Yours is a Moby? We looked at those on the interweb before deciding to build (along with ATs and SoCals and CampInns, etc.....)

 

[jim65wagon]

Again JPK, none of the current retail wooden tear drops are built like a million dollar boat. No comparison between the two.

It's just an example of the extreme. A decent woodworker can build a very sturdy (since nothing is indestructible) teardrop or boat or whatever. A minor example: our stove/oven drawer - can be supported by the ends on blocks and I can jump my 230lb old man body up and down inside it without damage to the drawer - or myself. It's the craftsman that makes the product sturdy - that goes for wood, steel or aluminum.

I think there is another thread for this subject though, so 'nuff said here.....

 

[JPK]

Our interior height is really more like a 4x10 teardrop would have. The extra 12 inches we wanted as roof boxes just went below the bed, so officially we have a 5x10 teardrop.

This is the cutaway view, with the mattress there is just enough room for your feet vertically. Realistically, your feet slpay out if you are sleeping on your back, so it should be enough - time will tell. The lower cabinets are custom sized to "fit our feet". They were originally taller and shorter, with the mattress it was obcious our calcs were a bit off so we had to resize them to be a little shorter.



Very similar to ours except the gennie and the fuel will stay in the truck. The fuel, because I do not see any reason to haul fuel on the vehicle without an engine - so it stays with the truck. The generator, because, well, it wasn't in our original design, so there's no real place for it....and it's just darned heavy. I'm going to build an aluminum rack inthe truck bed for the fuel, generator and chainsaw to live in.
The basement has the room for the EZUp (front small box in cutaway - it spans across the width) and chairs, extra shoes, shower/changing room and other assorted glamping gear. This is accessible from outside doors (just in front of the fenders)on either side of the trailer.
The water tank is below our feet and between the fenders, so it's right above the axle
The tongue box holds batteries, charger/converter, Triton shower unit and possibly a portapotti - never really use one out here, but we understand there are "pack it out" places in the country (we plan on travelling "everywhere" in the US)
We've designed the sidewalls with a solid support pieces from the roof to the frame for the possible contingent of adding an RTT or a roof rack.


That's the only way to do a teardrop, storage is at a premium and organization is the key.....it's the only way I get all our gear into the truck for a week on the beach for four peeps now....
Yours is a Moby? We looked at those on the interweb before deciding to build (along with ATs and SoCals and CampInns, etc.....)

That is a very nice example of a well thought out plan. Yes my trailer was built by Moby1.

Lots of areas here in the east are "cary it out" and that can mean everything. But some, especially those in bear areas, have a dumpster. I don't recall the brand, Double Duty maybe?, but the full bags are approved for dumpster disposal. I have used them and they work remarkably well. There are several brands of stands and seats which work with the bags, but I have found a plain old 5gal bucket, or a 7gal bucket for a taller seat height, plus a snap on seat works better than other alternatives. A bag is good for several uses if you're staying put for a bit, one use if you're moving and have to carry... A HD trash can liner works in a pinch too.

For areas here in the east and who knows where else I will bring along one of these, which comes with a pump out hose and meets "self contained" requirements that some areas have, and will accomodate "grey water" for those even more restrictive areas:

I find it kinda ridiculous, but it solves an issue and one of the front storage boxes is built to accomodate it when required.

I don't know what you have planned for A/C but I found one that I'm about 95% sure can start and run on a 1kw Honda, I will find out shortly. Even if it doesn't I am going to try to combine a 1kw with inverter power for start up requirements, then kill the inverter. The problem with most A/C's isn't the load when running but start up requirements.

You must have a PU truck. That would be helpful. I will be towing with either a Jeep or with a Suburban, depending on plans and destinations. My Jeep has an AEV rear tire carrier, and AEV just came out with a 10gal fuel carrier which fits between the tire and the carrier. That may be my ultimate fuel storage solution, and then use the trailer Jerry can holder for additional water. Hmm, forgot about a chain saw, it would sure beat a bow saw. Have to think about that...

FYI, I went with a 20lb propane tank since they are ubiquitous and can be swapped out just about everywhere. Almost nobody around here fills tanks anymore, with the exception of a few RV centers.

I gather you're in the midst of building your teardrop. When do you anticipate completion?

JPK

 

[skersfan]

The Coleman Polar Cadet supposedly runs on a 1k generator. As tiny as these trailers are, you use a very small AC.

 

[jim65wagon]

That is a very nice example of a well thought out plan. Yes my trailer was built by Moby1.

Lots of areas here in the east are "cary it out" and that can mean everything. But some, especially those in bear areas, have a dumpster. I don't recall the brand, Double Duty maybe?, but the full bags are approved for dumpster disposal.

For areas here in the east and who knows where else I will bring along one of these,

I don't know what you have planned for A/C but I found one that I'm about 95% sure can start and run on a 1kw Honda,

I gather you're in the midst of building your teardrop. When do you anticipate completion?

JPK

Our teardrop thread is here....hopefully completion is by April.

I did not realize you are in the East, also....and not too far from here.

We haven't run into any pack it all out places, yet, but since I'm sure we will, what is the brand of throne you have there? We have used (and still do occasionally when we camp with others) a luggable loo with the Reliance Double Doodie bags. It's a "get by with" setup until we find something better.

As for AC, we're not. We've got the MaxxAir fan for a breeze, which is more than we get in our current tents. We'll survive without it......

 

[JPK]

The Coleman Polar Cadet supposedly runs on a 1k generator. As tiny as these trailers are, you use a very small AC.

Thanks. I looked for but could not find a Cadet model. Found a Cub madel, but it was 9500btu's which is way too much.

The one I'm using, forget the brand and model number, but it's 4500btu, is the smallest I could find before stepping down to non-residential, non-UL listed units. most in the 4500-5500btu range run on roughly 500w, its the start up which is the issue. The one I found has a low voltage ramping start up feature, which really translates to a low wattage start up feature.

BTW, if you were to rely on a btu/sq' calculation relied upon by many builders through the country it would mean a 1000btu unit, which isn't offerred. A/C works best when it is just adequately sized and running almost all of the time, which provides the greatest dehumidification. Since choosing an optimum size isn't possible the best case is selecting one with significant turn down for the fan speed, and a remote thermostat too.

JPK

 

[JPK]

Our teardrop thread is here....hopefully completion is by April.

I did not realize you are in the East, also....and not too far from here.

We haven't run into any pack it all out places, yet, but since I'm sure we will, what is the brand of throne you have there? We have used (and still do occasionally when we camp with others) a luggable loo with the Reliance Double Doodie bags. It's a "get by with" setup until we find something better.

As for AC, we're not. We've got the MaxxAir fan for a breeze, which is more than we get in our current tents. We'll survive without it......

The throne is the Jon-ny Partner, from Partner Steel Company, the Partner Stove makers. Link: http://www.partnersteel.com/?prod03

You know, there are varying levels of "pack it all out," for example, I was exploring this weekend near Savage River State Forest and Deep Creek Lake and one MD state park facility had some decent campsites, and common vault toilets. But they were an inconvenient hike for some sites (and too close to others.) And a state forrest facility nearby, which was more primitive, had a common toilet as much as a couple of miles from the most remote camp site. The forrest cites are carry in and carry out facilities for trash, so if you use your own head to keep the inconvenient trips down that means carrying out the rest too...

Yes, Reliance Double Doodie bags. I prefer the buckets for a base, especially a 7gal bucket.

A/C... for around here in summertime down to the Fla Keys..., the east at low altitude, I find it all but essential. I had a small residential window unit built in to keep it inexpensive. You could always go roof top if you later decided to add it.

The detail and attention on display in your build thread are impressive. Very nice.

JPK

 

[newimage]

Forget the teardrop and the usual off road trailer with RTT I finally got my wife to camp in this and in comfort.

 

[skersfan]

Duh, Cub is the one, and according to Coleman will start on 1K generator. I have a 2k honda so decided that was enough and have looked no further. I wanted it on the roof to keep the lines of the the trailer looking the same.

 

[JPK]

Duh, Cub is the one, and according to Coleman will start on 1K generator. I have a 2k honda so decided that was enough and have looked no further. I wanted it on the roof to keep the lines of the the trailer looking the same.

I thought about a roof mount, but I need the RTT up there for family camping, and either the A/C was going to be in the way or the rack and RTT were going to be taller. If I'd have known the Cub started on a 1kw then I would have explored the roof top option more fully. I went with the 4500 btu through the wall or window unit, can't recall which at the moment, but the two versions hardly differ. Needs a drip pan and condensate line drainage though.

The only reason I wanted to stay with the 1kw over the 2kw is fuel burn. What does your 2kw Honda burn an hour running the A/C?

JPK