Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Green Horn** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:12 pm

Hello all new to the board and new to Teardrops seen the rv crazy show last week on the travel channel and cant stop thinking about them.My wife is really getting sick of me talking about it i think.We love to camp and have a popup ,But i think i would love to get into the teardrop camping.I have also already downloaded the Kuffel Creek Press plans for the 8' cubby just to get some idea of what im doing ,Great plans but i see several changes i think i will make .My question is do you really need two doors?I was thinking of just one door and for my window in the door putting like a porthole window.Anyway im open to any ideas anyone has and comments, And any problems you think i may have along the way i need to look out for ...

Thanks Guys ,,,
John

by **mikeschn** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:04 pm

No you don't "Need" 2 doors. There are many people who have built teardrops with just 1 door. But when you consider that a teardrop is really a bed on wheels, it makes more sense to have 2 doors. It's easier for your partner to climb into bed if he or she doesn't have to crawl over you.

I found, using my small teardrop that it was easy to just sit on the edge of the bed, kick off the shoes, pivot and laydown all in 1 motion. We could not both do that if there was only 1 door.

So why do you want just 1 door?

Mike...

by **campadk** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 2:22 pm

Personally... maybe its phsycological or something... but one door would bother me. It is a small cabin and having that second door was important to us for exit. As Mike said its a hassle for one of the partners to climb over the other to get out. As well the bed will be MUCH easier to make with access via 2 doors.

by **Green Horn** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:08 pm

Yea thats true ,No reason for not wanting two doors just thought it would be alittle easier and another place where i won't have to worry about a possable leak.I will prob. go ahead with two doors.I just called Harbor Frieght they have there 1800# trailers on sale for 299.00 but there out thill next week but they do give rain checks which is good so i can save a hundred dollars there ,Every little bit helps....Thanks for the input..In the plans they talk about cutting 2 1/8 inchs off the side rails to make it shorter for the front curve at the bottom i don't think i will do that ,I think i will just start off with the squared plywood at the front, then start the curve ..Also they say to add a wood cross brace ,Am i right when saying this is just if you want to put the hatch in the floor?

Thanks Again
John

by **beverlyt** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:05 pm

John,
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but no, the wooden brace is not for the dropped footwell, it is there for support since you move the axle back further than the original trailer calls for.

As for two doors... I would definitely go with two. It's just too small a space in my opinion to go with one. It just makes life so much easier with two... making the bed being one!
Bev

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:22 am

Regarding the wooden cross-member... I don't feel it's necessary.

With the smaller channels bolted inside the larger side channels, there is little chance of the siderails bowing out. With the subfloor bolted down to the siderails, there is virtually no chance of the siderails bowing out.

The subfloor also helps keep the floor from sagging. As you can see, I did not use a wooden crossbeam in mine, and suffered no adverse affects! :thumleft:

Mike...

by **George T.** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:02 am

Two doors!

Making the bed.

Accessing storage cabinets.

Ventilation.

Comfort.

And you haven't lived if you have two people in a teardrop with one door and and one of you HAS TO GET OUT OF THE TRAILER!

Build with two doors. You will be glad that you did...

George

by **Green Horn** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 1:13 pm

Two doors it will be thanks everyone for all the great info. this board really has alot of helpful information..Thanks again..

by **mikeschn** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:32 pm

I'm sure we're ALL glad to help!!!

:smilecolros:

Mike...

by **jlrelp** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:05 pm

I got the same plans. Was also thinking about putting on one door and a large window. My wife has a thing about sleeping next to a door so she can just craw over me. could be fun!!

also was not going to cut the 2 1/8 off. just go with square sides at front then round. was thinking about using 2 x 2 in. angle iron inside of the wood. But from what i had read it is not needed.

Already have my trailer was a HF in El Paso, and got it on sale to..

maybe we can keep in touch on the built. John

by **Green Horn** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:49 pm

Yea sure thing im waiting on Harbor Frieght to get some more trailers in should be in wed. they said .I have a harbor Frieght about 8 miles from my house love that place cheap tools but work ok for all that i do.Cant wait to get started my wife says that all i talk about ,ever since seeing that rv crazy show on the travel channel acouple weeks ago.Good luck in your teardrop keep in touch...

John In Bama

by **Lefty Lucy** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 8:55 pm

You should always have two doors in case of a fire. If you can't get to one you can run to the other.

by **Gage** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 12:25 am

"If you can't get to one you can run to the other."
Mr Lefty Lucy. I need to know. How do you run in a teardrop? Oh wait a minute, I know. The tear is going to be 8 feet wide and 6 feet high. :lol:

Have a good day,

Gage

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