Tactical Teardrop build

You beat me to the reply before I edited my reply...

 

What? lol.

 

I edited my reply with the bullshit meter but you posted to quick to see it. It was a compliment to TX!

 

oh. Thanks, I guess. lmao.

 

Nice build OP.
Thanks for sharing

 

An aluminum framed and skinned teardrop is one of my next projects. Mostly a size thing when I don’t want to pull my bigger trailer. I am constantly amazed at what people do and how they integrate little conveniences. Yours seems very well thought out and simplistic all at the same time. Very nice work.

 

Thank you!

 

Sorry, just now read your quote, here you go, this inside of my sleeper....

 

I'm doing some research for my own (potential) build. You didn't add roof racks, but if you did: Do you have any clue how you would go about bracing the frame to support ~500lbs. I'd like to build a camper with the ability to put a RTT on it (down the road) but I can't find too many people that have done the same thing. I'm not opposed to a metal frame, but since me or my buddy who would be building it with me are welders, I don't know how feasible it would be. Thanks for any help!

 

I decided not to add a roof rack because I’d rather throw my kayaks up on my ladder rack on my truck instead. That way I can still take the kayaks anywhere without having to take the camper. I’m not too familiar with RTTs but I’d imagine they would need more support than a standard duty roof rack. If I were to fit a tent to a scratch built camper I’d work my way down from the top. Meaning I’d buy the tent first and then find a way to integrate it into the camper design if you haven’t finalized a plan yet. The dimensions of the RTT will no doubt determine the size and style of your teardrop. Not sure if you want to permanently mount it or make it removable so you could utilize the rack for other uses like kayaks, bikes or just storage. It’d be a benefit to pull it off on trips you’re not planning to use it to save weight too. Many people who’ve made their own teardrops over-engineered their first ones and they got too heavy and I’m no exception. Mine got a lot heavier than I’d planned being mostly layered plywood. It’s bulletproof but it’s a boat anchor. If I were building another I’d weld up a steel frame and skin it with aluminum on the outside and 1/4” plywood on the inside and insulate it with foam.

 

Thank you for your response!

I don't have a RTT now, I am just trying to plan for worst case scenario. I would for sure use the roof rack for other things (storage box, canoe/kayaks, etc) in the meantime, but I don't want to build it and it can only hold 100 pounds, then I get a RTT and don't know what to do with it. It would be cool if I could fit a Thule Tracker system on it so that I could move the "feet" wherever I needed them depending on the load up top, but that might be asking too much. I REALLY like your idea of building it from a steel frame. I'll have to consider that some more.

 

80/20 aluminum t-slot tubing is your best bet for a modular no weld system that is infinitely adjustable. Just open your wallet WIDE.

 

Very true. You can do more with exotic materials but it’ll cost you. I kept cost down by using common materials like dimensional lumber and plywood but that’s also why mine got heavy.

BrotherBudro if you could keep the roof fairly flat without vents, windows or roof A/Cs that’d make it easier to put up any kind of rack you need.

 

Awesome build.. I'm digging it. I have wanted a teardrop like that for yours and dont have the skillset nor time to build one. I'm jealous.

 

Have you thought about mounting it above your bed? I think thats the easiest way to solve your problem...
Im not an engineer but it would sound like the weight in the trailer would be a little high which may cause it to be more unstable at higher speeds?

 

Thanks! I got a buddy that’s thinking about buying an old camper and rebuilding it into a teardrop instead of building one from scratch.

 

I've got a Leer camper shell over my bed. I've seen some people that put RTTs on top of them but the "official" weight limit from Leer is 150lbs, so I'm skeptical.

 

Flat is doable, but I'll need a window/vent/fan up there. I would assume that it would be low profile enough that the racks would clear it, but I'm still in the VERY early stages of planning this out (if it happens)

 

Mine sticks up about 8 inches fully open but it has an electric fan so that helps ventilation.

 

Got my hands on some steel tubing for the new tongue and next week off work. Getting psyched about tearing stuff apart again!