© 2006, 2007 by Man of the Cloth Productions
I wanted to see if I could design a Teardrop with sides that were no taller than 4 '. I also wanted to be able to have an interior cabin that allowed standing up. In this design a simple galley, some storage, a bunk, a stand up door at the rear, and side doors were included.
Dimensions: 10' long, 5' wide, interior headroom in the foot well 6'6". It Could be build on a 5'X10' bolt-together trailer.
With the top raised it almost looks like a cabin cruiser...
The back would have a Dutch door, so the upper half would fold down when the top is closed.
One adult can sleep in the bunk as designed. With the side door the bunk can be used with out opening the top hatch. This could be expanded to a double berth..
The Teardrop Cruiser I is an original Teardrop trailer design. This design is under © copyright 9/15/2006.
Please contact me if you are interested in developing the Teardrop Cruiser I design.
For ease of construction I made a few changes to the overall size and to the top of the design. This version of the Cruiser is built on a 5X8' frame. The cabin extends over the frame and the lifting hatch is for the clerestory top, so it weighs less. The clerestory is 4 ' wide.
The box at the front is for the air conditioner. This shows the way the clerestory closes and meets the overhand at the back.
The Cruiser's top lifts up. Two triangular side panels drop down on hinges, and the small top of the Dutch door lifts up.
A small galley on one side provides the basics for cooking and the clerestory windows open allowing for easy ventilation. On the other side of the foot well is seating for two.
When the top is closed, there is still easy access to the galley area. Open a top window and make a cup of coffee while you watch the morning news on TV!
The Cruiser II has two bunks. Clothes can be stored under a lift lid below the cushion or in the cabin's cabinets. There is over a foot of room between the bunks. One or two side doors make it easy to enter the Cruiser if the top is down and also provide a quick exit in case of a fire near the rear door. Larger Cruiser pictures.
The Teardrop Cruiser II is an original Teardrop trailer design. This design is under © copyright 9/15/2006.
Please contact me if you are interested in developing the Teardrop Cruiser II.
Is it possible to design a Teardrop that has an area for a stand-up dressing room or private porta-poti use? This Stand Up Teardrop shows that it is possible. Although the space may be small it should be adequate.
The view below shows the basic layout with a small vanity and a commercial porta-poti. The woman in the picture is 5' 10" tall.
The sketch shows how the side gusset encloses the stand up area and also provides some shade and wind protection to the galley.
Dual, bolt-on torsion axles could be used. These could be placed along the mid-point axis of the foot well, providing better overall balance and trailer performance when on the road. Moving the torsion axles a few inches toward the rear would adjustment the over all balance and yield the correct tongue weight.
Another version of the Stand Up TD includes an inside table. The vanity and porta-poti are replaced with two trunk seats with storage below. Between them is a table top.
This design also includes a pass-through window. A drop down screen, held in place by simple Velcro fasteners, keeps the bugs out. This window provides great ventilation as well as a view when seated inside. Lift the screen and pass a sandwich through or a glass of ice tea.
In the morning when you want to stand up to pull on your pants, just drop the table top. It is hinged to the back wall. After you are dressed, you can have breakfast inside if it is raining or cool outside. Larger Stand Up TD pictures.
The Stand Up Teardrop is an original Teardrop trailer design. This design is under © copyright 11/ 1/2006.
Please contact me if you are interested in developing the Stand Up Teardrop design.
I wanted to see if I could design a small trailer using some of the elements of the Vardo wagon. These were historically used by the Roma of Europe. Their vardos were examples of ornate craftsmanship and wood working art.
The Vardo would not be an easy trailer to tow. The height and the flat ends would reduce gas mileage in the tow vehicle. Its shape is more suited to the speed of the horse-drawn era. But it makes a nice tiny cottage, especially if it only needs to be moved occasionally. Larger Vardo pictures.
The Vardo is an original tiny trailer design. This design is under © copyright 11/1/2006.
Please contact me if you are interested in developing the Vardo.
What would a Teardrop design look like if it was pushed to the limit? Your idea might be different than mine. But I wanted to see what a Teardrop would look like with a nose that curved in two planes, and included a spacious clerestory that lifted to provide interior head room. The result was the Optima TD. I think it is very futuristic.
The Optima is an original tiny trailer design. This design is under © copyright 12/22/2006.
Please contact me if you are interested in developing the Optima.
Mike, at the Teardrop and Tiny travel Trailer Forum, has developed a the first version of this kind of Teardrop. He called it the Winter Warrior. Then he added the two side doors and called it the Escape Hatch. His next step was to design a version that has curved lines. In my version of Mike's design, I have bench bunks and a different interior, including more windows. (I do not have the Traveler design under copyright.)
All images © 2006, 2007 by Man of the Cloth Productions
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