"TrailTop" modular trailer topper building components
- Thread starter jscherb
- Start date
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I was asked this morning how much the proof-of-concept TrailTop teardrop shell will weigh (just the TrailTop shell, not including the Dinoot tub it sits on).
About six weeks ago, I posted a guide to estimating the weight of a TrailTop:
Using those calculations, plus adding in the weight of the hatch (25 lbs.), the proof-of-concept will weigh about 125 lbs. when the shell is completed and skinned with plywood. You'd have to add your choice of windows and any interior you planned to that number.
Here are the calculations, based on the formulas in that earlier post:
TrailTop framing: 2 36" radius curves (10 linear feet total), 2 12" curves (3' total), the straight pieces (11' total) = 24' = 24 lbs.
The hatch weighs 25 lbs., total so far is 49 lbs.
The plywood will be a front panel (2x5 = 10 sq. feet), plus top panel (4x5 = 20 square feet), side panels (about 18 square feet each = 36'), for a total of 66 square feet x 3/4 lb./sq. ft. = 50 lbs.
Total so far is 99 lbs. There will be maybe 20 lbs. of framing, including the 1x2 sills and the cross-ribs in the roof, plus some hardware, so let's call it 125 lbs for the complete shell, looking as it does in this photo/drawing (I've drawn on the plywood):
About six weeks ago, I posted a guide to estimating the weight of a TrailTop:
jscherb said:
Using those calculations, plus adding in the weight of the hatch (25 lbs.), the proof-of-concept will weigh about 125 lbs. when the shell is completed and skinned with plywood. You'd have to add your choice of windows and any interior you planned to that number.
Here are the calculations, based on the formulas in that earlier post:
TrailTop framing: 2 36" radius curves (10 linear feet total), 2 12" curves (3' total), the straight pieces (11' total) = 24' = 24 lbs.
The hatch weighs 25 lbs., total so far is 49 lbs.
The plywood will be a front panel (2x5 = 10 sq. feet), plus top panel (4x5 = 20 square feet), side panels (about 18 square feet each = 36'), for a total of 66 square feet x 3/4 lb./sq. ft. = 50 lbs.
Total so far is 99 lbs. There will be maybe 20 lbs. of framing, including the 1x2 sills and the cross-ribs in the roof, plus some hardware, so let's call it 125 lbs for the complete shell, looking as it does in this photo/drawing (I've drawn on the plywood):
jscherb
Expedition Leader
Someone shared this Austrailian trailer with me last night, he said he thought it could provide lots of ideas: http://uev.com.au/440-2 There's a video on the site - seems like this trailer is the "Swiss Army Knife" of offroad trailers. Lots of ideas there for things that fold out, pop-up, store away, set-up, etc. 
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Here's a drawing from the site, along with a TrailTop version of it drawn to the same size:
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Here's a drawing from the site, along with a TrailTop version of it drawn to the same size:
Last edited:
bonomonster
Adventurer
Can you replace the Jeep in that pic with a FJ Cruiser
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jscherb
Expedition Leader
bonomonster
Adventurer
Sweet.... Thanks
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bonomonster
Adventurer
Awesome concept drawings
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jscherb
Expedition Leader
If you're wondering why I haven't made any progress on the TrailTop proof-of-concept build in the last week or two, it's because I'm "spring cleaning". I just can't stand to work in my workshop or garage anymore, I've got too much clutter and mess. So everything's getting organized, and lots of stuff is going into the trash or on Craigslist. Lots of mold masters from old projects will get cut up and trashed (I'll keep the molds of course). And lots of "pattern parts" (parts I picked up for dimensions, fit testing, mold making, etc.), such as Wrangler tailgates are going to be sold on Craigslist or taken to the metal recycler.
When the cleanup is done (maybe another week), I'll put a plywood skin on the TrailTop teardrop proof-of-concept, take it out of the basement workshop, and install it on my yellow trailer. It'll look something like the photo/drawing below. I'll also probably test mounting the roof-top-tent and the cargo rack on top of it. Maybe I'll even tow it around the block once or twice.
That's probably as far as I'll take the teardrop proof-of-concept build before I move on to another project, at least for now. Anyone know someone who wants a ready-to-finish TrailTop teardrop top for a Dinoot/Jeep-tub trailer?
When the cleanup is done (maybe another week), I'll put a plywood skin on the TrailTop teardrop proof-of-concept, take it out of the basement workshop, and install it on my yellow trailer. It'll look something like the photo/drawing below. I'll also probably test mounting the roof-top-tent and the cargo rack on top of it. Maybe I'll even tow it around the block once or twice.
That's probably as far as I'll take the teardrop proof-of-concept build before I move on to another project, at least for now. Anyone know someone who wants a ready-to-finish TrailTop teardrop top for a Dinoot/Jeep-tub trailer?
jscherb
Expedition Leader
I'm not in a hurry to get rid of it, I just thought if someone wanted to finish it off that might be a better use for it than me keeping it around here in my collection of proof-of-concept designs.
I've also still got the prototype of the Safari Cab based camper top I did some years ago, here's a comparison of the two, both on the same Jeep-tub trailer. Not sure which one I like best, the Safari Cab one goes well with my Jeep
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Not sure which one I like best, the Safari Cab one goes well with my Jeep
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