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Show us your "traditional" TEARDROP CAMPER...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Junkyard Dog 32, Jan 12, 2004.

  1. Here's one that I built a few years ago. They are really easy to build. I had no previous woodworking experience and it still went really smoothly. The link is to a series of pics showing step by step how I built it.

    http://community.webshots.com/user/robert5656
     

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    robracer1 likes this.
  2. Wheelie
    Joined: Nov 26, 2008
    Posts: 234

    Wheelie
    Member
    from Dallas

    My thread got closed when I said traditional.
     
  3. 41 C28
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,772

    41 C28
    Member

    Here is my home built teardrop. Made it to haul my wife's handicap scooter. Wooden frame work, plywood and skinned with aluminum.
     

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  4. Don I just ran across you post - here is a source for replacement parts for your kit axle:

    @ http://www.teardropparts.com/sub-pages/teardrop trailer-frames-and-axels.htm


    Jim :D
     
  5. ford350
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 169

    ford350
    Member
    from Wi.

    Hi Jim,
    I did not subscribe to this thread and just checked in again and saw your post in answer to my axle problems. Thanks.
    I am still working with George on my original axle. Thanks for your help and emails about the torsion "stubby" axle you provide. Possibly some one here will want information about it.
    I want to try to get some grease in those bushings to try to save my original axle. If not I will be contacting you again about the replacement. I do understand that I need to get the "complete" set up with the drums and bearings in order to use my original 6 x 5 1/2 Chevy truck wheels.
    I will stop in and see you on one of my trips to Louisville, Ky. NSRA 40th anniversary this year and I am going. After that off with Street Rodder Magazine to Bonneville for Speed Week.
    Taking the tear drop also and camping at Louisville.
    Are you going to Louisville or Bonneville?
    Don
     
  6. ford350
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 169

    ford350
    Member
    from Wi.

    [ I own and use a orginal Kit camper as well as build a replica unit as well. My orginal trailer did what yours is doing, i ( took some time) replaced all my orginal axle grease zerts and finally got some grease in the tubes and out the bushings , never hit the sides again....
    www.bubbastrailerpark.com

    Hope it helps...:D ]



    Hi Jim,
    I did not subscribe to this thread and just checked in again and saw your post in answer to my axle problems. Thanks.
    I am still working with George on my original axle. Thanks for your help and emails about the torsion "stubby" axle you provide. Possibly some one here will want information about it.
    I want to try to get some grease in those bushings to try to save my original axle. If not I will be contacting you again about the replacement. I do understand that I need to get the "complete" set up with the drums and bearings in order to use my original 6 x 5 1/2 Chevy truck wheels.
    I will stop in and see you on one of my trips to Louisville, Ky. NSRA 40th anniversary this year and I am going. After that off with Street Rodder Magazine to Bonneville for Speed Week.
    Taking the tear drop also and camping at Louisville.
    Are you going to Louisville or Bonneville?
    Don[/quote]
     
  7. Lancelot Link
    Joined: Oct 26, 2007
    Posts: 83

    Lancelot Link
    Member

    Heres Devon Rods old one ...I bought it unfinished from him and finished it off .....He made a beautiful job of it ....

    [​IMG]
     
    robracer1 likes this.
  8. MountinAsh
    Joined: Feb 1, 2009
    Posts: 6

    MountinAsh
    Member
    from So.Cal.

    Traditional? Hell no! But someone had to do it.
    [​IMG]
    My son drags this one behind his slightly hopped up moped.
    [​IMG]
    MountinAsh.
     
  9. gassman57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2007
    Posts: 194

    gassman57
    Member

    Here is my Teardrop; based roughly on an early one found in Pop Mech magazine a long time ago. The axle and fenders will be changed to a more 'traditional' look as soon as it gets a bit warmer and I can work in the garage. My plans are to have a suitable 'Rod' to be my tow vehicle and get rid of the Jeep.
     

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  10. hayden-cole
    Joined: Dec 2, 2009
    Posts: 5

    hayden-cole
    Member
    from nor cal

    here is a picture of my new teardrop 5 x 9 almost done
    and my tow rig 37 ford
     

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  11. Patrick46
    Joined: Nov 26, 2008
    Posts: 565

    Patrick46
    Member

  12. Blown Mopar
    Joined: Oct 14, 2009
    Posts: 272

    Blown Mopar
    Member
    from abc

    Here's mine. It's black now with tires, wheels, and hub caps to match the car. Pretty plain Jane. We have a coke cooler and a propane stove in the back. Never have slept in it. The room service is crappy and there's no cable TV. Like someone said earlier, it tows great, at least up to 100.
     

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  13. ratster
    Joined: Sep 23, 2001
    Posts: 3,588

    ratster
    Member

    cool!! i'm building one right now
     
  14. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    I'm wondering if anyone has ever considered reversing the design of the traditional tear drop, ie.. putting the pointy-er end into the wind and making the clamshell door for cooking on the taller, blunt end. Seems it might be more aero... would take some getting used to, eh? Gary
     
  15. Frankie47
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,877

    Frankie47
    Member
    from omaha ne.

    Aircraft wings are curved on the top and flat on the bottam...you might get a little more "lift" than you want, it won't take off:D:Dbut it might handle poorly.
     
  16. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,775

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    My 47 Kit Trailer has only one door on the LH side rather than 2. The original axle under it was a swing axle with a coil spring wrapped aound the axle on each side. One spring was broken, couldn't find any parts so bought a brand new axle duplicate of original at a trailer place. Wheels/hubs are 5 on 4 1/2" circle.
    Typical 4X8 floor construction using 3/4(?) plywood for floors, walls, back hatch ribs and perimeter frame, kitchen cabinets, door, bookshelf and a thin plywood for the inner skin from lower front up to the hatch hinge, and lining the inside of the hatch.
    Under the rear deck is the kitchen: stainless round water tank( sadly I'm missing this piece) from side to side at top under the hinge, filler outside on the LH side, small stainless sink mounted to tank on RH side above cooler lid. Cooler is top-opening with latch and zinc-lined box with bottom drain and just below the top on the face of the cabinet a genuine Coca-Cola bottle opener. On left of cooler is a open frame cast iron 2 burner propane stove on a steel-covered asbestos tray. The face of the cabinet under the cooktop has two doors which access storage beneath the cooktop.
    Exterior is aircraft aluminum as were most of these postwar creations.
    When I got it, it had an upper deck added to it for sleeping quarters for the PO's kids while camping/fishing in OK. It also had 32 Chevrolet rear fenders and runningboards and a 47 Chevrolet rear bumper with guards and a splash shelf between the bumper and body for stowage. The no-door side had an expandable Model T era luggage rack(fence) along the runningboard. I won't be keeping any of that except maybe the upper deck.

    We'll be getting started on the rebuild pretty soon. These darlings don't like to outside unattended for 40 years, but she'll be back as good as new or better and on the road again.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2012
  17. jez95xj
    Joined: Sep 23, 2008
    Posts: 19

    jez95xj
    Member

    Here is my teardrop we just took it and teh 51 on our honeymoon 5500 miles. Route 66 from KS to CA then up highway 1 / 101 to OR and back home to KS.
     

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  18. BeatnikPirate
    Joined: May 21, 2006
    Posts: 1,416

    BeatnikPirate
    Member
    from Media, Pa.

    Junkyard Dog 32,
    Teardrop trailers are cool, especially when towed behind a hot rod or old car.
    Pictured below is my Kit Camper reproduction which I've used a lot for 10 years.
    Based on my personal experience, here's my $.02 for your consideration if you're gonna build or buy one:
    Most of the older ones and new repros are built on a 4X8 sheet of plywood. That's great for one person but pretty narrow inside for 2 people, unless you're very skinney and/or very friendly. Some newer ones I've seen are 5 ft. wide. That's better.
    Some have only one door. 2 doors is way better, for convenience and for airflow.
    A roof vent is important. Some have fans built in. Mine doesn't.
    My windows only slide open about 3 inches...not enough. Teardrops can get hot as hell inside. Go for bigger windows.
    I had snap-in screens made that cover the whole door opening, so I can open the doors for airflow at night, but there's a trade-off for security.
    I'm 5 ft. 9 inches tall. That's just enough room to stretch out because 2 ft. of the 8 ft length is taken up by the rear kitchen/storage area. If you're taller, consider a longer unit or shrinking the kit./storage area.
    One big drawback is that you can't stand up so changing clothes is a pain in the butt. If I were to design one, I'd consider some way to pop up the top.
    A Shasta or Scotty would be more comfortable, but they're a lot heavier than a teardrop. Mt t.d. weighs 600 lbs w. a 100-125 tongue wt. You hardly know it's there.
    Hope some of these suggestions are helpful. Good luck!
     

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  19. Stitchn
    Joined: May 28, 2008
    Posts: 88

    Stitchn
    Member

    My teardrop, been going camping in it since 2006.
     

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  20. yekoms
    Joined: Jan 21, 2007
    Posts: 1,088

    yekoms
    Member

    Good old thread
    Smokey
     
  21. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,345

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    True, but wings are also round on the leading edge and pointed on the trailing edge, producing lift as the air takes the longer distance over the top of the wing. So if they (in aero for dummies) the wing or the teardrop, were reversed wouldn't it make less lift (hence give better drag figures?). I doubt it really makes much difference, I was just wondering. Also, you would put your feet in the small end (which would be up front if the whole deal was reversed) when sleeping and sit up inside / cook outside on the taller end, making things a bit more comfortable.

    Later, Gary
     
  22. MO_JUNK
    Joined: Jan 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,197

    MO_JUNK
    Member
    from Rolla, Mo.

    I'm building one this winter. The frame is done and the sides and floor are together for a test fit. Mine is built on a 4x8 base. I am not building a rear kitchen. I don't want to deal with the hatch leaks. All of the cooking supplies will ride on a system of shelves inside. We'll cook outside. I'm also running early ford 16" wheels with motor cycle style fenders (made from a 35 ford spare tire cover) mounted to the axle. Since there's no rear hatch, I mounted 32 rear frame horns, a spreader bar and a vintage luggage rack back there. I'm going for a patina'd vintage look. We'll be on the road with it in the spring 2010. I'll post some pictures soon. Sam
     
  23. Frankie47
    Joined: Dec 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,877

    Frankie47
    Member
    from omaha ne.

    I gotcha Gary, really didn't have visions of it flying:D!
     
  24. hayden-cole
    Joined: Dec 2, 2009
    Posts: 5

    hayden-cole
    Member
    from nor cal

    here is a couple pic of my teardrop

    fully loaded
     

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  25. studhud
    Joined: Jan 6, 2006
    Posts: 1,403

    studhud
    Member

    Heres a pic of my 1947 Kenskill
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Dave Hitch
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2009
  26. ford350
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 169

    ford350
    Member
    from Wi.

    Hi Jim, is it?
    I did the same as you with the grease fittings and forced some grease in the tube, bounced it, shook it and greased it again and finally got some grease out of each end so I feel it is well greased now.
    I am comfortable with it on the trips again!
    Don
     
  27. ford350
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 169

    ford350
    Member
    from Wi.

    I will stop in and see you when I pass through on the way to Louisville in 2011 August.
    Don
     
  28. Dadstoy 2
    Joined: Nov 20, 2010
    Posts: 245

    Dadstoy 2
    Member

    Our 1947 "Tourette" teardrop trailer.
    [​IMG]
     
  29. BONNEVILLE BOB 95
    Joined: May 1, 2010
    Posts: 1,093

    BONNEVILLE BOB 95
    Member

    1-7-2011 6;38;51 PM.jpg Anybody got any info on this lil gem?
     

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