Teardrop trailer build
- Thread starter Syberia
- Start date
HOTFR8
Banned
You have a couple of Emus! They will eat your nuts and bolts.
HOTFR8
Banned
I know that as I see the odd wild one here. Stomach can be full off odd things to help them digest. They usually eat the parts you need the most.
Braced and insulated the back wall. The two cross pieces on top are in just the right place for a TV mount, and the two vertical ones on the bottom will hold shelf brackets.
Skinned it with the usual 1/4" plywood. Going to stain it soon and install molding to hide the corners.
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Skinned it with the usual 1/4" plywood. Going to stain it soon and install molding to hide the corners.
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Stained the inside. Started installing molding until I ran out. I used the PVC "fake wood" stuff from Home Depot and with a little bit of coaxing from a heat gun, it followed the curves in the roof perfectly.
Did the same in the back. Didn't have enough molding to do the bottom so I'll do that tomorrow. Drilled out the holes for the TV mount the rest of the way and attached it. Also attached brackets for a shelf in the back.
Installed stabilizers on each corner.
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Did the same in the back. Didn't have enough molding to do the bottom so I'll do that tomorrow. Drilled out the holes for the TV mount the rest of the way and attached it. Also attached brackets for a shelf in the back.
Installed stabilizers on each corner.
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madoc1
Well-known member
really well done so far. sure will be followng, especially the solar set up. i know it's late, but i see you have a pool. i wonder if you had dunked the roof liner before instal if it would have helped?
jim
jim
Last edited:
Holy hell man, why would anyone want a big *** bird that would eat your nuts.
The trailers coming along nicely.
$35-50 an egg and they produce up to 80 a year. Hatch the chicks and they're worth about $100. Otherwise they're just awesome.Holy hell man, why would anyone want a big *** bird that would eat your nuts.
The trailers coming along nicely.
Possibly. Unfortunately what you may have seen as a pool in one of my pictures is either a turtle pond or a fish pond. Both full of algae and poop and probably not a good idea to dunk anything in.
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Holy hell man, why would anyone want a big *** bird that would eat your nuts.
The trailers coming along nicely.
The trailer is coming along nicely... but you seem to have missed the humor in LXCam's post
hemifalcon
Well-known member
Just curious.. what are those little stamped steel shelf brackets going to be supporting?
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Finished the molding inside. At the front, above our heads when we're sleeping and between them when sitting, I mounted a tiny shelf. It's the perfect size for charging our phones on; if we stack them they will both fit. I mounted a 12v/USB power socket below it.
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Stained the rear shelf. Still drying so I didn't install it yet.
[URL=http://s925.photobucket.com/user/doubleedgedwombat/media/Teardrop%20Trailer/20170108_160447_zpsxyyvi1cx.jpg.html]
Test - fitting the water heater I got the other day. Didn't install it yet, but got measurements for the height of the countertop.
Built the frame for our counter top. A small sink will go on the right, and a propane stove will go on the left. Both the stove and the water heater will be tied into the trailer's propane tank.
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[/URLStained the rear shelf. Still drying so I didn't install it yet.
[URL=http://s925.photobucket.com/user/doubleedgedwombat/media/Teardrop%20Trailer/20170108_160447_zpsxyyvi1cx.jpg.html]
Test - fitting the water heater I got the other day. Didn't install it yet, but got measurements for the height of the countertop.
Built the frame for our counter top. A small sink will go on the right, and a propane stove will go on the left. Both the stove and the water heater will be tied into the trailer's propane tank.
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Brian_WK
Well-known member
Thats a gas water heater? Got a brand and model? Trailer is looking good!
Brian
Brian
1Garageman
Well-known member
So where are some of the places you are going to take this to?
I see that you live in California, there are a lot of great places out west I'd love to see!
I see that you live in California, there are a lot of great places out west I'd love to see!
If I get it done by Valentine's day, we're going to take the weekend off and go out to Amboy Crater in the Mojave. The mountains in SoCal are nice in the summer, or maybe we'll even give it a try in the winter since we'll have insulation and a heated blanket. A favorite spot of my wife's is the Anza Borrego desert east of San Diego, which has the added bonus of being able to camp anywhere completely free.
The main goal is to have it ready by May, though, when we need to go to New Mexico to pick up some ostrich eggs (they don't do well being shipped, and it's a nice excuse to stop by the Grand Canyon along the way; I've never been).
The main goal is to have it ready by May, though, when we need to go to New Mexico to pick up some ostrich eggs (they don't do well being shipped, and it's a nice excuse to stop by the Grand Canyon along the way; I've never been).
willymakeit
Well-known member
I used to work in the Anza Borrego desert in the late 70's. Out by Borrego Springs if I remember correctly about 30+ miles N of Calexico. Was desolate then. There was a campground/ retirement area there. Would like to visit it again.
We framed a house for the owner of Flying Tiger Air Freight there and a polo pool house on Black Mt.[?].
We framed a house for the owner of Flying Tiger Air Freight there and a polo pool house on Black Mt.[?].
HOTFR8
Banned
Holy hell man, why would anyone want a big *** bird that would eat your nuts.
Nuts, Bolts stones any thing like that can be on the Emu Stomach as they swallow to help with the digestion. As my Uncle found they always swallow a part most valuable to you. On the other side of that the Emu is a different bird to farm than the Ostrich.
Teardrop is looking good.
My dad had an emu farm in the 90's, actually two emu farms with several thousand emu, a breeder pair of ostrich, mini horse that thought he was a dog and a bunch of fainting goats. When the price dropped out, they bought a commercial dehydrator and made emu jerky. The poor ostrich male killed itself trying to get away from a neighbors loose horse, they sold the female shortly after.
Anyways, awesome job on the teardrop, can't wait to see it finished!
Anyways, awesome job on the teardrop, can't wait to see it finished!
HOTFR8
Banned
Any money made should be spent on that Teardrop. 
Looking good.
Looking good.AirJunky
Well-known member
Cool build.
Any reason you didnt go tankless? Smaller, less expensive, lighter weight, built in pump. Seems like a slam dunk.
1Garageman
Well-known member
That sounds awesome. I bet those trips will be real nice. I have been to the Grand Canon and it is one of the greatest places to go to! I loved it!
After having gone to the Grand Canyon a couple dozen times here's my rendition of a typical trip.
Drive.........drive...........drive.............drive.........
Oh look at all the pretty trees..............
Oh look it's the Flintstones village lets stop and not accomplish anything.........
Oh goody we're finally in the village lets find a parking spot...........
Oh I forgot we got a trailer behind us lets keep looking for a parking spot.........
After 2 hours of finding a place to park or walking for an hour after you found a spot you finally make it to the south rim.
For the next five minutes you OOOOOOO and AAHHHH and maybe even drop a quarter into the site glass and spend another minute going OOOOOOOOOOOO and AHHHHHHH
OK, lets go.
LOL, it's gorgeous bud and something everyone needs to see once in their life. I don't suggest you go during the summer. Over the last 15 years it's become hit and miss on catching a good clear day, yes smog has gotten into the area. But if you can truly find the time I suggest you take a trip to the bottom. Also since you're somewhat close I suggest after you're done at the canyon you take the 64 east then the 89 north and take a lake tour of Lake Powell out of Wahweep then head north to Zion and come back via the 15 out of Saint George. Now that's a trip you'll never regret.
Drive.........drive...........drive.............drive.........
Oh look at all the pretty trees..............
Oh look it's the Flintstones village lets stop and not accomplish anything.........
Oh goody we're finally in the village lets find a parking spot...........
Oh I forgot we got a trailer behind us lets keep looking for a parking spot.........
After 2 hours of finding a place to park or walking for an hour after you found a spot you finally make it to the south rim.
For the next five minutes you OOOOOOO and AAHHHH and maybe even drop a quarter into the site glass and spend another minute going OOOOOOOOOOOO and AHHHHHHH
OK, lets go.
LOL, it's gorgeous bud and something everyone needs to see once in their life. I don't suggest you go during the summer. Over the last 15 years it's become hit and miss on catching a good clear day, yes smog has gotten into the area. But if you can truly find the time I suggest you take a trip to the bottom. Also since you're somewhat close I suggest after you're done at the canyon you take the 64 east then the 89 north and take a lake tour of Lake Powell out of Wahweep then head north to Zion and come back via the 15 out of Saint George. Now that's a trip you'll never regret.
Update from this weekend:
The one thing I never liked about this trailer was how flimsy the tongue is. The C-channel they use has a tendency to twist when the weight distribution is uneven, such as due to the tongue jack on one side. I decided to fix that with some 1/4" steel plate. In addition to preventing flex, the large piece in the back will hold my battery box, while the propane tank will sit on the smaller one in front.
Re-did the framing for the back countertop. Had to cut out part of the rear 2x3 in order for the sink not to sit all the way forward.
Drilled holes for wiring and propane hose for the stove
Test-fitting the sink
The one thing I never liked about this trailer was how flimsy the tongue is. The C-channel they use has a tendency to twist when the weight distribution is uneven, such as due to the tongue jack on one side. I decided to fix that with some 1/4" steel plate. In addition to preventing flex, the large piece in the back will hold my battery box, while the propane tank will sit on the smaller one in front.
Re-did the framing for the back countertop. Had to cut out part of the rear 2x3 in order for the sink not to sit all the way forward.
Drilled holes for wiring and propane hose for the stove
Test-fitting the sink
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matt_i
Well-known member
Really nice build. I am looking forward to seeing it all finished up.
Its been a few years since my early 20s and I was more fearless, but I have walked/hiked the grand canyon top to bottom from both north and south rims. Very nice (long) trip if you are in physical condition to do so. North is approx 1 mile elevation change from the colorado. They used to have burros on the south side to do the walking for you, I believe, if you fit within a certain window of body weight.
Its been a few years since my early 20s and I was more fearless, but I have walked/hiked the grand canyon top to bottom from both north and south rims. Very nice (long
) trip if you are in physical condition to do so. North is approx 1 mile elevation change from the colorado. They used to have burros on the south side to do the walking for you, I believe, if you fit within a certain window of body weight.Started on the electrical. First I attached a scrap piece of vinyl to the top of my toolbox to prevent the battery accidentally shorting against the metal (it's very tall and almost touches)
Drilled holes in the back and attached 1/2" male (1/2" female on the inside) pvc conduit fittings for the wires to enter through. 2 on each side.
Here are the wires routed into the box:
Cut holes in the toolbox and attached soffit vents to provide airflow for coolijg my inverter and allow the battery to vent gas while charging. Sealed with silicone to prevent leaks.
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Drilled holes in the back and attached 1/2" male (1/2" female on the inside) pvc conduit fittings for the wires to enter through. 2 on each side.
Here are the wires routed into the box:
Cut holes in the toolbox and attached soffit vents to provide airflow for coolijg my inverter and allow the battery to vent gas while charging. Sealed with silicone to prevent leaks.
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customtronic
Well-known member
Awesome looking trailer! It's coming out great! I'm also looking forward to seeing the finished product.
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
Subscribed.
Thanks. I just need to go to the store today and get a few more connectors and I think I can finish most of the electrical, get the battery installed, and make sure everything works. I just got the water tank today so I'll be making a mounting cage for it this weekend, though it looks like I'll have to drop the axle to get enough clearance to install it. Then I've just got to hook up all the plumbing, vinyl the sides, make a door for the back, and I should be done. Haven't been doing much lately because it's been cold and rainy. Which wouldn't be a problem if I had an indoor shop... *wishful thinking*
Today I finished as much of the electrical as I could.
Started connecting up the wires inside the toolbox. I used #8 wire for my main feed from the battery to the fuse panel with a 50 amp circuit breaker. From there, one wire branches off to the kitchen area in the back to another fuse panel (not installed yet). Grounds all return to the bar on the far right. The Romex hanging in the corner hasn't been attached yet because I don't have all the parts I need.
Used another 30 amp circuit breaker on the power feed from the hitch connector
Had to extend a bunch of wires that weren't long enough...
Way-too-big and way-too-heavy battery is in place
Made a hold down clamp for the battery out of some 1/2" threaded rod and some 1/4" x 1" bar stock.
...and we have light!
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Started connecting up the wires inside the toolbox. I used #8 wire for my main feed from the battery to the fuse panel with a 50 amp circuit breaker. From there, one wire branches off to the kitchen area in the back to another fuse panel (not installed yet). Grounds all return to the bar on the far right. The Romex hanging in the corner hasn't been attached yet because I don't have all the parts I need.
Used another 30 amp circuit breaker on the power feed from the hitch connector
Had to extend a bunch of wires that weren't long enough...
Way-too-big and way-too-heavy battery is in place
Made a hold down clamp for the battery out of some 1/2" threaded rod and some 1/4" x 1" bar stock.
...and we have light!
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1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Syberia, Just an awesome project and well executed..
Regards
Regards
madoc1
Well-known member
nice work!
jim
jim
HOTFR8
Banned
Is it a deep cycle battery ? What plans do you have to keep it charged ?
HOTFR8
Banned
OK, got it. Solar Panels when out and about and a battery tender when is storage would work well. Any plans to run a charge wire from the tow vehicle?
You could do that from the positive side of the battery through the tow coupling.
You could do that from the positive side of the battery through the tow coupling.