Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

New guy, first post. I think this is the spot for it.

Couldn't find an out of the box solution for my needs so I decided to build a trailer that checked all the boxes. I wanted AC, room for 3-4 (2 adults and 2 kiddos), had to fit in the garage and lastly, be really cool. Converted a 5x8 flatbed to a 6x10x5' tall mini toy hauler. This post will be mainly a barrage of pictures. I tried to label most, but if you have questions please let me know. This was a learning experience. I was a carpenter for most my life, and a self taught welder over the last decade or so. I am proud of how the trailer turned out and honestly a little surprised that it turned out this good. I did not make plans for measurements, but I did create a concept mainly for proportions in sketchup.

Trailer is metal frame, plywood substrate, .40 aluminum prefinished skin, 1" insulation in walls, 2" in floor and ceiling. FRP panels on the inside with custom cubbie hole cabinets and AC ducted through the floor and side. LED lights separated by switch for ceiling, downlights in cubbies and exterior lights. TV with iOS input for watching movies from your phone. I had help from a friend with a metal brake for some of the back skin pieces around the ramp. Queensize couch bed, smittybilt awning, step and led exterior turn/brake lights. Probably more that I am forgetting. We have used this several times and it gets down to 68 degrees quick, and is really easy to get set up! I have a small 2000w inverter generator that runs everything no problem.

Anybody have any idea what one of these guys might bring on the market? I really like this trailer but would like to recoup and reinvest what I have in it to the next trailer.

First pics are frame work. Trailer was overbuilt with a 3500# axle and heavy steel. Went back with tub steel and the same angle around the perimeter.

This is the substrate and framing continued

Insulation and exterior skin

inside finishes

Exterior finishes

Pretty much done!

Nice build. Looks familiar. I built the mini version. I wish you luck in your adventures.

Nice

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greygoos wrote:Nice build. Looks familiar. I built the mini version. I wish you luck in your adventures.

The dimensions on mine were terrible for waste. If something 4x8 would work for me that would be a dream to work with. I needed 5' ceiling to get my bikes in there.


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Awesome build!

I like your build. I am trying to design a camper that will hold 5 dirt bikes. One of the designs turned out very similar to yours, but it looks like you could just barely fit a third bike in there. My plan was to build off of a 6X12 utility trailer, so the dimensions would be similar to your set up. Do you think I would need to increase the trailer size (maybe 7 or 8x12)?

GVTrailer wrote:I like your build. I am trying to design a camper that will hold 5 dirt bikes. One of the designs turned out very similar to yours, but it looks like you could just barely fit a third bike in there. My plan was to build off of a 6X12 utility trailer, so the dimensions would be similar to your set up. Do you think I would need to increase the trailer size (maybe 7 or 8x12)?

5 big bikes? The floor space in mine would allow three full-size bikes and one little one. That would mean two full-size bikes facing one way and the third facing opposite. It would be very tight and I don't know if my tire down system would work because you have to be able to lean the bikes. The little bike could be turned sideways at the front, but then you would lose storage space. That's where I put coolers and mattresses.

I think you would really need a 7x12 to get more. Just going to be tight with no headroom to turn the bikes sideways and use all the space.


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Gduck24 wrote: 5 big bikes? The floor space in mine would allow three full-size bikes and one little one. That would mean two full-size bikes facing one way and the third facing opposite. It would be very tight and I don't know if my tire down system would work because you have to be able to lean the bikes. The little bike could be turned sideways at the front, but then you would lose storage space. That's where I put coolers and mattresses.

I think you would really need a 7x12 to get more. Just going to be tight with no headroom to turn the bikes sideways and use all the space.


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Really it would be two big bikes and three little ones (50s, 65s, 110s). That's kind of what I was thinking, there'd be no space for any camping gear, mattresses, coolers, etc. That picture with the three bikes really helps put it in perspective. I will have to go wider and longer I think. Would a 7x14+ still be considered a Tiny Trailer or am I going to be run out on a rail?