Teardrop Trailer Build

iVolkswagen · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject: Teardrop Trailer Build

Well, I have wanted one of these for a while, and have been sketching out and searching here how to make one.. SO, we (my Dad, and Uncle) decided to just go for it.

And here we go.

I knew we had a Type 3 Squareback trailer (we call it the Halfback), so we played around with it and tried to figure out what to do with it.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

*No worries. We bought the Halfback the way it was, and bought the Beetle top as it was.

The Bug top was going to be the front.. Razz

but the idea got thrown away.

So then we scoured the property for a trailer we could use. .

We found this! Dancing

So after playing around with ideas for it (adding a single cab wood slat canopy, a boxed in room-ish thing), we finally decided that it was best to just go ahead with the teardrop idea. Wink

First off, its too high for my car. Second, its 4 lug wheels.

Strip down!
Flipped over to suspension work

Some neat lights.

Suspension..
It needed to be lower.
So, we just reverse the leaves. Which lowers it about 2 inches. Very Happy

Fitting the 5-lug adapter.

We had some trouble with the adapter because the lugs on the trailer were larger than the holes on the adapter, so we would have to drill out the adapter and such.. Evil or Very Mad

Eh, a little better. Think

Placed some plywood to see how it looks. Cool

Ok so, we got a little ahead of ourselves.. Wink

Messing around with Beetle fenders

Can you see the teardrop outline?

If not, I outlined it in Paint. Smile

Notice: We ended up deciding to do a 'body drop' on it so that it will not tower over my slammed car. We dropped it about 8 inches.

Testing the height

Back to the adapter...
Turns out, after a little looking, we found another set of adapters.
Guess what.

They fit! No drilling or welding needed. Brick wall

Only thing we had to do to these adapters was grinding the inside of it so it will sit flat up against the hub.

Up next:
Cleaning, and painting the frame. Also, making sure the wheels and adapters fit just right.
_________________
TJ
\/OLKSWAGEN
- 1963 Beetle - 1987 Cabriolet

type2vw · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:05 am Post subject:

Wow! Looking great. Keep the pics coming. I've wanted to make a VW based tear drop. I wonder if a single cab rear bumper would fit? There are a lot of VW parts that can be used. I look forward to your progress! Applause

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No more VW's. Just a garage full of toys and literature.

carlos_magnum · Samba Member Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 591

Nice project. Wink

Can't wait to see what it looks like.

Keep us posted.

alex608 · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

Have you seen the websites for teardrops? Here is one link and dozens can be found with tips and even complete plans. Some of these folks have spent serious time planning where everything goes and using every avaliable square inch for storage.

http://www.teardrops.net/index.html

www.tinytearsteardroptrailers.com/
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'71 FI square...The daily driver

" At times It is better for one to keep his mouth shut and be thought of as a fool...

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Anchovy · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:27 am Post subject:

This is my favorite VW trailer hack. Nicely done and plenty of windows:

iVolkswagen · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject:

simon34 · Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

iVolkswagen · Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

Still kickin!

Work on the trailer slowed down, but is now up to full speed again. Smile

So, with the suspension..

We ended up putting the leaves back the way they are supposed to be, for safety. So now, we are going to use 2 inch block spacers to lower it.

Work today:

Putting up the side main support walls.

Underneath:

*hasnt been cleaned/painted yet.

Backside:

Cut out the mock-up walls.

I wanted to keep this thing as VW related as possible.
So, we found out that early Ghia bumpers fit perfectly on the back and give it a nice vintage look.

We are playing with the idea of putting split windows in the back of it. *not real split windows, but split window shapes cut out and using plexi. Wink

Also, if we can find one for cheap, a single-cab roof rack would be nice on top of it. Cool

Hoping to have it done by Circle Yer Wagens, Oct. 8th.
_________________
TJ
\/OLKSWAGEN
- 1963 Beetle - 1987 Cabriolet

carlos_magnum · Samba Member Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 591

Nice to see the progress of your work. When it is done, I'm sure it will look great.

werksberg · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:07 am Post subject:

IVW..I have a fiberglass mold to make the rear split windw section and I know I have several rear split PC windows laying around here. For rubber mounted or as on Monster garage split window drag car, flush mounted?

I would like to donate at lest the PC windows to the project and shipping for free too!

IM me an address and let's talk.

JM
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metalchomper · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:

I believe plywood is lighter than OSB as currently shown on the sides. OSB swells when it gets wet. Keep up the good work!
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Devil Dog Dubs

I live vicariously through me

'62 Beetle, "Zombie Mojo"
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iVolkswagen · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject:

Mike Fisher · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject:

Make Sure your bed is Long enough or your legs will cramp up trying to sleep in it! BTDT! Mad

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iVolkswagen · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

hot-air · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:45 am Post subject:

hey man

what happened to the steam here?

ed

72KYLE · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:11 am Post subject:

this is a really cool one, I'll be watching this if it picks up again Smile

iVolkswagen · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:19 am Post subject:

Hey, all.

Well progress stopped because after going to a few shows and seeing other trailers, we realized ours was going to be way to heavy. So now we are trying to get together better materials. Plus, It getting closer to the holidays, schedules have been busy.

Sorry that this has been all talk, no action.. But nothing is perfect.
_________________
TJ
\/OLKSWAGEN
- 1963 Beetle - 1987 Cabriolet

werksberg · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

Dang, I keep forgetting to send you the rear split PC windows...I hear ya on other life factors!

Juts because others have lighter trailers....slightly heavier but weight in the right places tow better! Wink

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Follow my new products on my Facebook Werks Berg
Click the below ADs link for products & feedback.
Search "werksberg" on Photobucket for products photos & Please remember to buy "American made products!"

Anchovy · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

You should target less than 500 lbs if you hope to tow it regularly with your VW. Buy a Heilite in the mean time.

iVolkswagen · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:


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