Teardrop travel trailer

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

Update: Pictures of the trailer I bought can be found in post #78: http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showpost.php?p=411350&postcount=78

There have been a few threads on here about pulling a small camper behind the Patriot, but I figured I'd start my own since I'm getting one.

Basically my wife and I enjoy camping and being outside, but from about May until September its too hot to even sleep comfortably around here. Last spring I started to see some teardrop trailers on eBay and found one in particular I really liked, but didn't have extra spending money to get it at the time. Well after missing out on camping this summer I contacted the guy that makes the trailer I like and found out that he is local.

The trailer is built on a 5x8 frame, has air conditioning, aluminum exterior, 2 inch insulated walls and ceiling, screened windows, roof vent/fan, and a rear hatch for cooking. The trailer should come in at around 900 lbs, and they run about $3500. For the rear hatch and options we picked it added about $500, and should be done in about 3 more weeks (4-5 total). I'll post a bunch of photos when we get it and give the guys contact info to anyone that is interested. This is some of his work:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51728468@N03/sets/72157631145071020/

Terasec · Sep 4, 2012

$3500 sounds like a bargain
i would be interested , just no $$$ anytime soon

FailWheelDrive · Sep 4, 2012

Looks neat.

Any pics of the interior?

Murman · Sep 4, 2012

Hmmmm... Can't see the pics at work. I was looking into one of these too.

I found a day by day weblog of a guy that built his own.

Terasec · Sep 4, 2012

Murman said:
Hmmmm... Can't see the pics at work. I was looking into one of these too.

I found a day by day weblog of a guy that built his own.

looks very similar to the one MrJ posted

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

Terasec said:
$3500 sounds like a bargain
i would be interested , just no $$$ anytime soon

Agreed. Many months after finding it we have enough money and are excited to get one

FailWheelDrive said:
Looks neat.

Any pics of the interior?

If you click on the photo's it should take you to the flickr account which has more photos

Murman said:
Hmmmm... Can't see the pics at work. I was looking into one of these too.

I found a day by day weblog of a guy that built his own.

I wasn't sure if flickr would let me post it the way I did, but it sounds like others can see it. Try clicking on the photos to open the page for more detail when you get home. I saw one on eBay that looked very similar to the one in the blog you linked. I've basically gone to a guy like that and I'm buying the trailer off him, but this will be at least his 9th trailer to build. We are way excited and have big plans already!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using AutoGuide App

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

And from the white and blue trailer:

Murman · Sep 4, 2012

Uncle Sam will not let me open the site...

"The site you are attempting to access has not been approved by the Information Assurance Team.

If you believe this site should be on the approved list, please fill out the Website Access Request Form and submit it to the Information Assurance Team

If you believe you have reached this page in error, please check your link and try again. If you continue to experience problems please submit a trouble ticket by calling x1234."

chethro · Sep 4, 2012

That is a nice unit! I like the fact you can have a AC unit and customize it to your liking. It would be nice if you could get a rack on it for canoes!

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

chethro said:
That is a nice unit! I like the fact you can have a AC unit and customize it to your liking. It would be nice if you could get a rack on it for canoes!

I was thinking about that. Maybe at some point I'll add a rack if I get a couple kayaks

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snokat · Sep 4, 2012

That is a fine price-point. I looked at the more known version several years back for $10k. I like your find MrJeep.
Not for CVT owners doing a long haul though. This would work nicely on a 5-speed.
My only problem is my wife might call this camping. lol

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

snokat said:
That is a fine price-point. I looked at the more known version several years back for $10k. I like your find MrJeep.

Thank you! We are excited

snokat said:
Not for CVT owners doing a long haul though.

That is exactly my plan. I have low gearing and a oil cooler for a reason! Besides at 900 lbs. and having less frontal area than the Jeep with thin 80 psi tires, I doubt the Jeep will even know its pulling one

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Double D · Sep 4, 2012

Your Patriot will pull that just fine. You will have a lot of fun with it.
Post some photos of it hooked to your Patriot.

jaybee · Sep 4, 2012

If you are at all interested in teardrops and the like:

http://www.tnttt.com/

is the forum for you. I've been following for years, just never got to the point of starting a build.

Medic311 · Sep 4, 2012

mrJeepr44 said:
Thank you! We are excited

That is exactly my plan. I have low gearing and a oil cooler for a reason! Besides at 900 lbs. and having less frontal area than the Jeep with thin 80 psi tires, I doubt the Jeep will even know its pulling one

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does the FDII package come with an engine oil cooler or a CVT fluid cooler? (or both? does the cooler radiate the heat from both fluids?)
i know for towing, you definitely want a transmission fluid cooler.

i apologize for what might seem like a stupid question, i'm not too familiar with what the FDII package comes with

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

Double D said:
Your Patriot will pull that just fine. You will have a lot of fun with it.
Post some photos of it hooked to your Patriot.

I agree. I've towed a uhual for 250 miles twice now and it did well. As far as photos, I'll post a ton when I get it near the end of the month, or beginning of next

jaybee said:
If you are at all interested in teardrops and the like:

http://www.tnttt.com/

is the forum for you. I've been following for years, just never got to the point of starting a build.

I visited it before, and it looks great. I have no resources for building which is why I've opted to buy one from someone who has experience doing it

jgg204 said:
does the FDII package come with an engine oil cooler or a CVT fluid cooler? (or both? does the cooler radiate the heat from both fluids?)
i know for towing, you definitely want a transmission fluid cooler.

i apologize for what might seem like a stupid question, i'm not too familiar with what the FDII package comes with

I've read all CVT's started coming with a tranny cooler since '08 or '09. todde would have a better idea. FDII does come with the engine oil cooler/tow prep standard

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Terasec · Sep 4, 2012

mrJeepr44 said:
I agree. I've towed a uhual for 250 mikes twice now and if did well. As far as photos, I'll post a ton when I get in near the end of the month, beginning of next

I visited it before, and it looks great. I have no resources for building which is why I've opted to buy one from someone who has experience doing it

i have thought of building my own,
but pretty sure if i do it would look like a portable dog house more so than a camping trailer

MrJeepR44 · Sep 4, 2012

Terasec said:
i have thought of building my own,
but pretty sure if i do it would look like a portable dog house more so than a camping trailer

For your viewing pleasure, this one sort of resembles a doghouse:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Made-Gypsy-Vardo-Wagon-Caravan-Teardrop-Trailer-/140843165692

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marvin02 · Sep 5, 2012

Here is a design that just about any DIYer can handle. :doh:

MrJeepR44 · Sep 5, 2012

marvin02 said:
Here is a design that just about any DIYer can handle. :doh:

Yeah, I've seen that. I'd rather sleep on open ground then drag that behind the Jeep on the highway

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Teardrop travel trailer

MrJeepR44

Terasec

FailWheelDrive

Murman

Terasec

MrJeepR44

MrJeepR44

Murman

chethro

MrJeepR44

snokat

MrJeepR44

Double D

jaybee

Medic311

MrJeepR44

Terasec

MrJeepR44

marvin02

MrJeepR44

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