Scott B.'s Little Guy Offroad Teardrop Build

[Scott B.]

Scott B. thank you for a great thread on your awesome teardrop. A couple of questions:

From one of your early posts in 2014...you comment on 5'x8' being the size most suited for your needs.

Is your LG SS a custom size (5x8)? I realize it is custom in terms of being on/or using some rough rider chassis components, custom axle, etc.
The reason I ask is the LG SS listed on the LG website is 5x10. I would like to consider something similar to what you did as I prefer the SS over the 5 wide RR in terms of looks and finish. I am considering purchasing a stripped down one for the same reasons you mentioned: hard to make time to build one, would like to camp now and customize as I go!

Thanks!

I am glad you found my thread informative. I'll be glad to answer any questions I can.

LG used to build a 5x8 in addition to the 5x10. Their 5 Wide was also 5x8, so it was really just putting the SS body on a RR frame - only minor modifications required.

However, things have changed.

The builders, Pleasant Valley Trailers, no longer has a contract with Little Guy. They are marketing/selling under the name nuCamp. They are building the TAB and TAG trailers, but no teardrops. Little Guy is doing their own manufacturing, but currently are only building the Max (a 21' trailer.) They have plans to build teardrops, but not sure when they will start.

If you want a SS, you will have to find a used one. Camp for while, strip out what you don't want, add in what you do. I am pretty sure you will not be able to find one with a RR frame - but the frame can be modified/extended fairly easily.

Good luck on your project - make sure to start a build thread!

Scott

 

[46flattie]

LG Teardrop

Thanks for the info! That explains a lot. I have found a used 2014 LG SS 5x10 model for sale, might be a good starting point after removing the little tires and fenders. However, was hoping for something shorter overall.

 

[RYOUNG]

I just purchased a 2014 LG 5x8. I am planning on modifying it for Offroad use. Do you know what the changed on the rough rider chassis?

 

[Scott B.]

I just purchased a 2014 LG 5x8. I am planning on modifying it for Offroad use. Do you know what the changed on the rough rider chassis?

To my knowledge, there are only a couple of differences between the two.

Frame material - my frame is 2x3 tubing - I do not know what the other frames are made from.

Tongue length - the 5Wide RR has a longer tongue than the Silver Shadow. Mine has the longer tongue (probably the same length as your LG.)

Axle - the axle is mounted with drop brackets to give the trailer additional lift. Additionally, I am running a different axle.

Skid plates - skid plates (welded to the frame) enclose the lowered axle.

Taller tires
Fenders with a larger opening

That's all I can think of at the moment.

 

[Scott B.]

Fancy Decorations

As much as we like the silver body with black trim, the body looked a little plain - especially the back gate. Looking at other "RV" type vehicles, we decided some moderate decals would probably look nice, and set this one apart from other Little Guys (yeah, if not for the stickers, this would look like all the other Silver Shadows!)

What design(s) to get? We searched, and searched, and searched some more. (This internet thing is quite handy!) Color or black and white? Beach scene, mountains, lake? The number of different designs/ideas out there is virtually endless. But, we eventually narrowed down our ideas, and found some decals.

A nice mountain scene for the front:



A star for the doors (one on each side):



And a compass rose with mountains for the back:



This one came all the way from Russia!

Simple, silly, but we really like how it turned out.

 

[Semi-Hex]

Like the decals. The teardrops seem so plain to me though my woman likes the aluminium color. So we are just getting a couple, dinosaurs and a topo map.

 

[4runnerteq]

Looks good. You guys are always welcome to come up to Hick Hop. May 18 thru 20 this year. Havent set the October date yet.

 

[Scott B.]

Looks good. You guys are always welcome to come up to Hick Hop. May 18 thru 20 this year. Havent set the October date yet.

Thanks.

We need to get up there with you all. I changed jobs, and have to sell and house and buy a house (out of state), so planning is very short term at the moment. Be patient - we will make it up there!

 

[Scott B.]

Taillights

The factory installed long, narrow LED taillights on the teardrop, a single light on each side. (See the lights on a picture a couple of posts back.)

While they look OK, I was always concerned with rear visibility. The narrow light, while DOT approved, was mounted very low. The mounting position seemed to limit the rearward projection of light.

I have seen other teardrops that utilize dual oval lights, and I always liked the look. And, I could use the same light that I use for my backup lights - except in red. All matching lights would look better - not that anyone besides me notices.

Additionally, dual lights would produce twice the light output. That should more than make up for the low mounting position.

Unfortunately, the way the trailer is wired, I could not easily split the turn and brake function of the lights, so both lights function as brake and/or turn signals. With full under belly skid, I really didn't want to try stringing new wires. No big deal, but it would have been kind of cool.

Here is the finished product.



It has been confirmed by some that follow the trailer, that the new lights are brighter than the previous setup.

Success!

 

[46flattie]

Lights look great!....as mentioned before, your thread and this forum have been a great resource and have helped inspire me to consider modifying a teardrop or build one. I've been casually planning my build while watching various sites (craig's list mostly) for a possible candidate for a conversion. (Figuring if no candidates come along, I'll be ready to build.) Thanks to some luck and persistent surfing, I scored a Pleasant Valley 5x8 teardrop very similar to yours...stock form however, in excellent condition, for a very reasonable price! Looking forward to starting my conversion and hope to start a thread to share it here this winter. Thanks again!

 

[Scott B.]

Lights look great!....as mentioned before, your thread and this forum have been a great resource and have helped inspire me to consider modifying a teardrop or build one. I've been casually planning my build while watching various sites (craig's list mostly) for a possible candidate for a conversion. (Figuring if no candidates come along, I'll be ready to build.) Thanks to some luck and persistent surfing, I scored a Pleasant Valley 5x8 teardrop very similar to yours...stock form however, in excellent condition, for a very reasonable price! Looking forward to starting my conversion and hope to start a thread to share it here this winter. Thanks again!

That's great to hear! Especially since neither Pleasant Valley nor Little Guy build small teardrops anymore.

I look forward watching your conversion/build!

 

[Scott B.]

The Map

This year, we made a big addition to the map - California!



I used to live in Cali, so I find it odd that the trailer has been in 29 states before California.

We have also started displaying places of interest on the inside of the kitchen lid.







Sometimes I think it looks a little tacky - but it's better than just storing the stickers in a box in the back bedroom closet.

 

[Scott B.]

2018 Summary

Coming soon...

 

[Scott B.]

Side Awning

Continuing with the custom awnings, we built an awning for the side of the teardrop.

The awning can be deployed in two positions - as shown, with the awning going to the ground. Or, with the poles farther away from the TD, making a larger shaded area, with a lesser wind deflector.

The plan is to make detachable side panels to serve as a makeshift changing room.

 

[4runnerteq]

What tongue jack is that you have with the dual wheels? That's looks pretty sweet