Well the news is out so here's the build: Expedition Portal So-Cal Teardrop

[Titanpat57]

Just noticed you did the Trail wheels on the trailer...nice touch.

If they make a zip on room for that awning it sure is nice to have a place to get out of the weather/get dressed.

 

[Chris Cordes]

Just noticed you did the Trail wheels on the trailer...nice touch.

If they make a zip on room for that awning it ure s nice to have apolace to get out of the weather/get dressed.

Oh come on, and miss the fun of trying to change quickly out in the rain? Jk haha. No walls yet but Im hoping they come out soon. Matching tires are being installed now. Ill upload the picture as soon as they're done

 

[calicamper]

Not sure the awning would be tall enough on the tear drop. too bad there isn't some type of rack device that would flip up letting him increase the head room on the awning?

 

[fubar]

Not sure the awning would be tall enough on the tear drop. too bad there isn't some type of rack device that would flip up letting him increase the head room on the awning?

AT Awning Towers would work. I have them on my Conqueror Compact. Pricey but perfect.

 

[Chris Cordes]

I actually relocated the awning to be below the bars. The k9 adapters put it up higher but it looked goofy sticking up that high with nothing next to it IMO. There is nothing under the awning which requires me to stand like a kitchen or prep table so I put it lower for sitting. I've dragged too many branches and other things across the roofs of my car to attempt to have an awning sticking up all on its lonesome.

 

[Chris Cordes]

mmmm new shoes

 

[Yulli]

Yeah I'm trying to figure out which way I'd pull through more if I went to camp spots where I can just pull through and park it. Kind of thinking driver side just so I have a better eye on it when out and about in a forest.

 

[fireball]

Wait until you put the RTT on top, then you can raise the awning to a "walk-under height" !!

 

[Chris Cordes]

Yeah I'm trying to figure out which way I'd pull through more if I went to camp spots where I can just pull through and park it. Kind of thinking driver side just so I have a better eye on it when out and about in a forest.

It is handy to keep an eye on for sure. I know this will sound really ridiculous to you guys but part of the reason i placed it on that side was photos. If you place it on that side of the car its going to be the same side as some various accessories that will go on the truck. It also keeps my drivers side open and away from the awning when I jack knife the trailer for camp. It sucks being cold and half asleep walking to your car and then running into a pole haha.

Wait until you put the RTT on top, then you can raise the awning to a "walk-under height" !!

Yaaaaaa definitely not doing a RTT haha.

 

[Yulli]

It is handy to keep an eye on for sure. I know this will sound really ridiculous to you guys but part of the reason i placed it on that side was photos. If you place it on that side of the car its going to be the same side as some various accessories that will go on the truck. It also keeps my drivers side open and away from the awning when I jack knife the trailer for camp. It sucks being cold and half asleep walking to your car and then running into a pole haha.

What do you mean by photos?

I don't have any accessories on my truck so I guess it doesn't matter what side it's on.

 

[Chris Cordes]

Sorry I meant its only in my case that I chose that side because I have to photograph products and accessories used on the truck and trailer. It's very helpful to have them all together haha. Like i said before it makes zero difference for most people. Just depends on your personal setup and preferences.

 

[calicamper]

I still wonder if there is a slick pivot arm set up you could rig up. So when in road mode the awning sits like you have it now, but at set up you pop a pin at both mounts and the awning lifts up with two kick stands giving you added head room? I like tear drops rented one many years ago really enjoyed it though part of the really big advantage of the awning is having some standing head room under some shelter especially with the tear drop where your in crouch wiggle mode to dress and do things in the drop ;-)

You remember those old school ski racks? They would flip up from center line and the parking lot was full of cars sprouting wings? What if you had a beefy arm like that with the awning attached to the end and pinned down for road mode and when you park you pull two pins lift it up and there is a kick stand at each cross bar bingo you have standing room?

 

[Chris Cordes]

Thats a really interesting point and concept! Ill have to do some looking into it. You also have to remember that while the awning is fixed at that point to the trailer, the other side is adjustable meaning you can put it at a greater height. Ill do some testing today to see what kind of room I end up with... if it ever stops raining that is

 

[STREGA]

You could do something like AT does with their awning mounts on the horizon/chaser trailers. I use a ezi-up and park the teardrop under it which gives good cover for the galley and some side protection, this set up also works great when in full sunlight the teardrop stays much cooler.

 

[Chris Cordes]

The more I look at it, the more I think its actually a decent height. It will let me slant it just enough to avoid water gathering on top in rain.

Strega: Any photos of your truck with the trailer? I aways thought an FJ with a teardrop would be sweet.