LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

We call her "Fern".

Okay, so this project isn't completely made of wood, but it's mostly wood. This is a 4 ft. by 8 ft. cedar Teardrop trailer. I used a rusty old homemade trailer frame I found in field as the foundation for this project.

My goal during the building process was to preserve a "vintage" look. I tried to build this much in the same fashion as the pioneers of this genre did back in the thirties and forties. Nothing fancy. No extras, just simple form and function.

The floor is three quarter inch plywood, with laminated cedar stripping. The walls started as half-inch plywood with eighth-inch cedar strips laminated on both sides to bring the thickness to three quarters. The pattern for the sidewall and door profile was taken from a late forties trailer, and was purchased online.

The walls were attached to the floor and one-inch by two-inch oak support spars were fastened every 12 inches from the front bottom of the sidewalls, up and over to the hatch opening. I used quarter-inch by two-inch cedar strips for the headliner as well as the roof. The strips were bent into position and screwed at each spar.

I love the beauty of cedar, however, if I ever do it again, I'd be more inclined to use a wood that is a little more flexible. For the most part the cedar cooperated but in some spots, I took it to edge of what it could do!

The hatch frame was constructed from three-quarter inch oak plywood. Four main ribs make up the frame. The same quarter-inch by two-inch cedar stripping used in the headliner and roof made up the inside and outside skinning if the hatch.

The shelves in the galley and the cabin are solid cedar. All moldings were fashioned from my raw cedar stock along with the shelves and cupboards in the cabin. I suppose I could have made my own cabinetry in the galley, but I could just imagine some old codger, back in the day, robbing an old sewing machine cabinet and installing the drawer sets, which is what I opted to do.

All surfaces were finished with four coats of varnish, which I've discussed in previous posts. The small vented cabinet inside the lower left of the galley area, houses the electrical service for the trailer.

It was a fun project and took roughly nine months to complete. It tows like dream.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
2,201 Posts
I would love to see a blog as to how this was made. This is awesome!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
281 Posts
This IS awesome - and beautiful. I love the vintage look and the wood takes it over the top. How much does it weigh? I bet I could pull it with my car :)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
100 Posts
Fantastic, that is what camping is all about, simple and natural, what a masterpiece, Have lots of fun and get out there, thanks for sharing
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,340 Posts
this is cool….:)
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3 Posts
Lumberjoe,

I have written a book about the build. Not yet ready for publication. 251 pages and over 731 photos. Will keep you posted when it's ready.

Kookaburra,

Teardrops of this size usually weigh in around 900lbs or so. Admittedly, mine weighs a bit more, probably because I used a little more wood and my trailer is beefier than most. Probably 1100-1200 lbs or so. Still, I pull this with a 4 cylinder Ford Escape and barely notice it back there.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
0 Posts
Agree with LumberJoe, a blog will be nice.

Your work is just beatifull, Awesome!!!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
55 Posts
The grain selection you incorporated gives it the feel of being in motion while it is sitting still. Anyone fortunate enough to tow that masterpiece would automatically sit up a little straighter and smile a little wider while driving. I think your left arm may grow tired from waving at the folks who give you a 'beep beep' of appreciation.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
5,529 Posts
Pretty darn cool! You won't have to worry about moths w/ all of that cedar.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
172 Posts
What a wonderful job on the cedar. For me no other wood is as beautiful.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,090 Posts
This is super cool!
I keep thinking someday I'll build me one of these and redefine the genre.
You did a pretty good job with that cedar instead of aluminum.
Neat-o, groovy and all that…
 

· Registered
Joined
·
112 Posts
Now this is a dream project. The cedar brings this teardrop over the top.This is the nicest one I have ever seen. You have to be so pleased at how this came out. Great craftsmanship. From cedar Adirondack chairs to a cedar teardrop.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
72 Posts
Hey Dawg,
Please put me on your list for your book. I will happily buy one. I have wanted to do a tear drop for years and got revved up again last month when Sunset magazine showed one. Yours looks like just what I have been looking for.
Very nice work sir.
Cheers
Bibb
 

· Registered
Joined
·
581 Posts
Absolutely Beautimous!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
949 Posts
Someone already said but I'll say it again!!! Fantastic!!! And what head turner! Very attractive!!! Sharp looking too!!!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
271 Posts
You forgot the Kitchen sink! Awesome!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
479 Posts
Absolutely stunningly beautiful. What a showpiece.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
224 Posts
Great project! I love the cedar, great attention to details; thanks for sharing.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,088 Posts
Beautiful! I remember when trailers were trailers and not houses on wheels. Did you anticipate any trouble getting it registered with the state DMV or will you be OK with it as is?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
24 Posts
Really cool! I want to build my own camper someday and this is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3 Posts
Knothead62,

Oklahoma does not consider a teardrop to be anything other than a utility vehicle, therefore, they do not require a license. I can travel freely throughout the state. I am planning a cross country trip later this month to my cabin in Washington State. Several of the state's I will pass through may consider it differently. Some will allow you to pass unmolested, however, it's a crap shoot.

I decided to Title and license it for a couple of reasons. Here was the process:

I had to fill out a form through the Oklahoma Tax Commission. My trailer frame was a rusty old "home build" and, as such, had no certificate or origin or VIN number on it anywhere. I had to supply my bill of sale for the trailer frame and all my big receipts on the lumber and such. Sent it in. In a few weeks, they issued me a VIN number, which I had to stamp into the frame. After inspection at the local tag agency, they issued Title and Plate.

Here's why I did it:

Having a clear title obviously makes selling it easier. I don't plan to, but you never know. More importantly, I will someday soon retire to Washington State. The Governor there will most definitely insist that I license it. I'd rather go through the process in Oklahoma. My sense is the "hoops" aren't as high out here in the midwest. It will be a simple matter to register it in Washington later.
 
Top