A Design and Build Journal of How I Built my Tiny Teardrop Trailer

Teardrop Links

Related Links

CAD Programs:

Download Turbo CAD Learning Edition 2D for free at http://www.al-ki.com/tcad/download.php#TurboCADLE

Download CADStandardLite for free at http://www.apperson.org/cadstd/lite.php

Download AllyCAD v3.4 for free at http://www.allycad.com/

Information:

Batteries - Frequently Asked Questions http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq7.htm

Batteries – Phred’s Poop Sheet http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html

Batteries – Tech Tips http://www.blueskyenergyinc.com/techtips.htm

State Towing Laws http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm

US Department of Transportation http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/Equipment/towing/index.htm

Electronics:

All Electronics http://www.allelectronics.com

Jameco Electronics http://www.jameco.com/

Super Bright LED http://www.superbrightleds.com/

General:

Austin Hardware - Door Hardware http://www.austinhardware.com/

DeWalts RV - RV Incidentals http://www.rvlifestyles.net/Order.aspx?Magic=AKBVX0206051811673

Harbor Freight Sales- Source for Basic Trailer http://www.harborsales.net/index.cfm?categoryID=3

Hatch Gas Lift Hardware http://www.spdhardware.com/index.htm

J C Whitney http://www.jcwhitney.com/

Red Trailer – Another Great Trailer Source, especially 5'x8' http://www.redtrailers.com (A Sponsor)

SPD Hardware - Door Hardware http://www.spdhardware.com/ml16.htm

T J Trailer Parts http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/

West Marine http://www.westmarine.com/

Windows and Hinges – Great Teardrop Source http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/parts.html

High Tech Wood Preservation Products:

Rot Doctor http://www.rotdoctor.com/products/product.html

Liquid Roof Products:

Ames Research Labs - Elastometric Roofing http://www.amesresearch.com/roof%20coatings.htm#mx

Kool Seal – Roof Products http://www.koolseal.com/

Snow Roofing Systems - Elastometric Coating http://www.snowroof.com/

Things 12 Volt:

12 Volt Side of Life and Battery Information – Great Information http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

Optima Deep Cycle Batteries – Cutting Edge Battery Design http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/

Batteries – Poop Sheet by Phred Tinseth http://www.phrannie.org/battery.html

Woodworking:

Woodworking Plans http://absolutelyfreeplans.com/WORKSHOP%20PROJECTS/workshop_projects.htm

Teardrop Plans, Parts and Ideas

Kuffle Creek:

If you want to buy any other plan, I recommend that you consider the Classic Camping Trailer Series by Kuffel Creek Press. The Cubby Teardrop Plans, written by Kevin Hauser, are among the best. This plan is a true step-by-step guide for building a Teardrop on a 4 x 8’ Harbor Freight Trailer. No welding is needed. Many people have successfully built a Cubby Teardrop from these plans. Each step is covered. It is a complete build guide including a water system, ice box, detail shop drawings with measurements, and more. There are over 100 pages and lots of pictures. The plan comes on CD or in a notebook. I purchased the CD. Contact Kevin at www.kufflecreek.com

Others:

Teardrop Parts – Vintage Parts and Reproductions http://teardropparts.com/parts.htm

Li’l Bear Teardrop Parts – A Nice Supplier http://www.teardrops.net/lilbear/parts.html

Desert Teardrop Plans http://www.desertteardrops.com/

Teardrop Plans http://www.teardrops.net/plans01.html

CAD Designs of Teardrops and Other Tiny Trailers – a hobby of Andrew, from England

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/teardrop/tear00.htm

Tiny Teardrops - Lots of links and examples here. http://www.tinytears.cc/links.html

Outback Tear Drop - Construction Pages http://www.outbackteardrop.com/

Retro Teardrops - Other examples http://www.retroteardrop.com/builders_links.php

*Tiny Travel Trailers - My Favorite Teardrop Forum http://www.mikenchell.com/

Yahoo Teardrop Group – Sign In http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/teardropcampers/links

Teardrop Trailer Web Ring http://q.webring.com/hub?ring=teardropper

Free Scans of Vintage Plans:

There is an eBay seller with multiple auctions and web sites containing headings such as:

        "75 Hotrod Teardrop & Vintage Travel Trailer Plans"
        "75 Camper Teardrop Vintage Travel Trailer DIY"
        "Teardrop & Vintage Camper Trailer Plans CD Hotrod $$$"
        "Hotrod Teardrop & Vintage Camper Trailer Plans CD"

These CD's contain pictures and text taken from other web sites, which the seller of the CD is using to put money in the bank. Please don't fall for this questionable effort to part you from your money. If you buy these CDs you will find images of old magazine articles have been scanned and converted to Adobe Acrobat Reader © format. This has decreased the quality of some of the images. You will also find that this vintage information that does not meet today’s standards for highway safety when building trailers.

Did you know that almost all of these historic articles and images can be viewed for free for private use. If you want to study the history of Teardrops, or research how early Teardrops were built, visit the free web sites firsthand. Put your money into your Teardrop.

http://www.tinytears.cc/scans.html

http://www.jpjennings.com/home/TeardropTrailer/MechanixTD/TrailerforTwo.htm

http://www.bobsteardrop.com/Other_designs.htm

http://www.socalteardrops.com/Adobe%20PDF%20Files/MechanixIllustratedTeardrop.pdf

Teardrop Manufacturers and Builders

Aero Tear Company http://www.aerotear.com/

Camp Inn http://www.tinycamper.com/

Cozy Cruser http://www.cozycruiser.com/

Dakan Mountain http://www.dmtears.com/

Happy Trails http://www.happitrails.com/

Hunter Shadow http://www.mrglobal.com/teardrop.html

Lil Guy http://www.teardroptrailersexpress.com/

PT Snoozer http://www.ptsnoozer.com/

Steve Frederick Custom Builder http://www.steve-frederick.com/intro

L. Daddona a "Bare-Bones" Builder http://www.geocities.com/len19070/Bare_Bones_Trailers.html

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