Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Recently on the Travel Channel there was a show about teardrops and it got me to thinking that a person could build one and now here I am. I have been reading lots of sites, checking things out and I saw Tom Swenson's site and his project. He said he'd build a Cubby on a 5' trailer for extra sleeping room.

It got me to wondering if it would be possible build a 5' wide trailer on a 4' wide frame. I think there would be issues such as a bigger box to clear the wheel fenders, etc. Does anyone have any ideas or has anyone tried this especially when using Kuffel Creek's plans? Does anyone have suggestions for others' plans, free plans, etc. Sorry to ask so many questions and I appreciate all and any help.

Welcome to the world of tears, kdf!!! That show was RV Crazy and I taped it too... it's what I saw about a year ago and thought "I could do that!" but just recently got serious. I am a 42 yr young soon to be single again woman and have gotten the Kuffel Cubby plans and probably will get the Harbor Frieght 4x8 trailer , but plan on doing a 5' wide tear.
I too , wondered about extending the frame and floor out about 8" on each side, and cutting a "frame" for the wheels. I recall someone in the Hall of Fame having done that.
I'll look again and post the link if I can find it. I want to go ahead and do a 5' wide for the comfort factor even if it's just me for now , or a partner later on! teehee! That's the biggest thing people would change on their tear is to do 5 instead of 4.

Have a great time here ! Everyone is SO helpful and supportive!!
Julie

Well, I'm not finding it right off... I clicked up above on the Hall of Fame and found one or two , although they look to be longer than what I will do and the cabin is nothing like I will make. I plan on a lightweight, maybe even a simple tear to start with until I really decide how I want the inside shelfs, the galley cabinets etc.

By the way, where are you located? we have helpful tear builders and owners all over, in fact I'm going to the Clinton Lake gathering this coming weekend just to see some in person ! Can't wait.... I'm near Oklahoma City.

Julie

Located in Nebraska. Know anyone up here building their own?

kdf5 wrote:Located in Nebraska. Know anyone up here building their own?

Where at in Nebraska? If it's western Nebraska, I'm in the Black Hills (Rapid City).

There are several here in Kansas City. How far into Nebraska are you?

Scott F.

I'm in Kearney.

I'm building one right now that is a5x10 on a 4x8 frame from Tractor Supply. I have the exterior at about 85% and it's super strong. This is my 1st tear but if you have any ?'s I'll help were I can.

Jon

Mine is 5' wide, 4'9" tall, 11' long. It is built on a frame that is 4'x11' with "wings" of steel framing.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... C&start=24
and
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=3964
I've have it out once, but so far so good.

Looks good but if I'm wanting to use a queen size mattress how do I build the floor above the wheels using your wing idea? It looks like the cabin and mattress must sit forward of the wheels. Please forgive me for asking so many questions but I'm not the most mechanically inclined person.

That's why I want the 5' wide, to have a wider "mattress" in case two people are using it. And also why I will definitely have two doors.

For the mattress, I don't know if I'll spring for the memory foam but something like a 4"-6" foam 'mattress' and where the wheel sorta bumps up inside the cabin, I would think I can trim away the foam a bit to accommodate that. I don't see that the bump of the wheel would be much in the way......

hmmm.
Julie

kdf5 wrote: Does anyone have suggestions for others' plans, free plans, etc.

Try here. http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=34&sid=8f90bd8ea02e20ceb2833b04af434d0c
I'm currently building this one. You can see pictures here. http://tnttt.com/album_ ... er_id=1098 Jim

I also had to have a Queen size. My mattress sits on a raised floot and that is why my sides are 4'9" high. I didn,' want too wide of a wheelbase so I went with a narrower axle and built over them. This also gives me storage space under the bed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twisted76017/sets/138594/


I found what I was looking at .... Twisted76017's photo album... you will see that he cut out for the wheels and put a box to cover... of course, I would undercoat that box with the same asphalt roofing or whatever I coat the rest of the underside of the floor with...

I think "twisted" might even be coming to the MO KAN camping this weekend... if so, I'll be so glad to see it in person!! We'll be at Clinton Lake, KS near Lawrence... is that close for you to come down and visit ?

Julie [/url]

I'm just curious:

If you want 5 feet wide, and you have to buy a trailer anyway, why not just buy a 5-footer? Does he extra width of the wheels bother you?