buy, build or sell, we are here to help!
|
buy, build or sell, we are here to help! |
|
If you are looking for a different way to travel, check out http://www.trikesaustralia.com |
|
| Chassis | 50X50X3mm square tube. All Mitre cut and welded at home by my son in law and myself. |
| Tow Tube | 75X75X3mm square tube. Cut to length and welded by myself. |
| Axle | 45MM square, 1.5tonne, with 6 stud Hilux hubs and heavy duty bearings |
| Springs | 750kg Universal Springmakers with rebound spring (no shocker required), eye to eye. |
| Hitch | Treg off road hitch |
| Wheels | 31X10X15 with rims to suit Hilux |
| Lights | All exterior lights are LED type. Allows between 10-30volts. |
| Mudgaurds | Custom Made |
| Extras | Bumper to rear consists of 50X50X3 tube attached directly to rear of chassis. More of a bump stop than a full bumper. Bracing to tow tube from just in front of main chassis back to just in front of each spring hanger. Chassis bracing at each spring hanger. |
| Walls | 16mm ply with 50X16 studs and apple rose veneer interior cladding. Fully insulated |
| Roof | 6mm waterproof MDF with 50x32 stringers and apple rose interior cladding. Fully insulated |
| Floor | 16mm ply with 30X16 spacing studs covered with 12mm waterproof MDF. Fully insulated. Exterior cover: 1.6mm fibreglass sheeting glued with contact adhesive. |
| Windows | Fiamma double insulated with inbuilt curtain and flyscreen Roof vent: Fiamma with reversible 12v fan Inside lighting: 12v quartz halogen caravan lights with inbuilt switch Radio/CD/MP3 player with 6" speakers for entertainment. |
| Battery | 12v1000A/H Deep discharge wired through a master switch to Marine style switchable fuse panel. 1 only 12v cigarette lighter style accesory plug in battery area( for extra lighting or fridge) |
| Jockey Wheel | Old Style with inbuilt side winder purchased from Maytow Caravans. The underside of the chassis and floor has been double coated with Orminoid Brush on roofing/sealing tar. |
As this was my first build, and I relied on my own wits to fathom most of it out, a lot of what I did was trial and error. I would not use the 6mm MDF on the roof again as it is too heavy and does not like being bent too tightly. I would probably go for 12mm on the walls rather than 16mm to achieve a lighter build. Even though our trailer will be used offroad, I do not think that heavy equals strength. With the axle, my next build will definitely have some form of braking. Only to limit the amount of push from the trailer when negotiating steep terrain. I will also be having a full galley on the next one. The only reason I did not do it on this one is because our main touring vehicle is fully equipped in this regard.
I must thank Larry and Diane Sorrensen in the States. Because of the offroader they built I was able to see that what I wanted was possible and practicable. (see Larry's web page)
At this point in time we have baptised our van by taking it to Beachport (South Australia) for our first time out. Over the next few months we will be doing the Offroad thing with it to see how it stands up to the rigours of rough work. What surprised me with building our own was the help available via the Web for any problems that I needed to sort out.
| Storage and power |
 |
 |
 |
| Exterior |
 |
 |
 |
| Interior |
 |
 |
 |
Paul has since made another two teardrop campers. Here are some pictures of #3, built in 2007.
Paul Cotter's Teardrop, built in Adelaide, South Australia, 2005.
Email Paul
|
This site has borrowed images from
tear-droppers around the world. |
