How to Restore/Build a Teardrop Trailer

Same deal here. Mine weathered the hail real nice.

 

I feel like I am watching a traditional camping camper's thread

 

Great stuff, definitely on my to do list.

 

That is very cool! On a side note, your elcamino has the perfect stance. How did you lower it? I would probably wreck my car if I saw you cruisin' down the highway...

 

....................................................................Heavy lifting..................That's why I have to sit down to pee.....................

 

nice work for sure....

 

very informative thread , thanks for taking the time to post.

 

Very cool. Nice work flt-blk! I've always wanted a teardrop, but at 6'7", there's no way I can fit in one unless I build one myself.

 

Awesome work Tyler!!!!

 

Very nice job and excellent descriptions. I know you are lighting a fire in a lot of readers! Can you provide any details on your hitch for the Elco? I'm curious on that as I am still researching how to install on my 59 wagon.

 

Nice build. FYI...there is a huge gathering of these in July in Southern Indiana...141 trailers registered so far. Here is my latest restore...a '47 Kit Mfg Sportsmaster with aluminum galley

 

Bones,
The trailer hitch I used on my 59 ElCamino is a generic universal Sport Utiltiy/ Mini Van unit I picked up new for $145 at Tractor Supply.
I had to do some cutting on the brackets to get 4 bolts into the frame, but it is strong. I also notched the rear frame brace behind the bumper, but figure the hitch itself should add more strength than I removed.

I'll try to remember to take a picture next time I'm under the car.

Dan,
That's a good looking trailer. I just got my fenders for my 46 and it appears the axle is too far forward by about 8" I may email you for some dimenstions on yours.
TZ

 

For anyone who is interested there is a great teardrop forum at
www.mikenchell.com Thousands of members and build threads. Flt-blk, that axle and wheels are not original to a 1946 Kit. They came with a double torsion axle. My most recent one also had early Ford 16" wheels. You should be able to move that dropped axle back so the fender can clear the door. There was only a couple of inches clearance to begin with.

Jerome

 

we also have a Kit teardrop trailer, ours is coil sprung with a unique twin axle set-up. one side rides forward of the other. started much like yours and a complete teardown with very little salvaged. If you build another one you should consider a second door makes it easier to crawl out without disturbing the other person.

when we first bought ours I contacted Kit manufacturing and actually got a reply from the original owner. He was surprised that there was so much interest in his original product. Mine has what I believe are the original 6 lug 16 inch wheels and tires. Someone still makes the correct style fiberglass fenders. Which they were from the start. In fact he ended up marrying the office/counter girl from the shop that produced them.

they switched from making kits to building complete trailers as it was costing them a fortune answering the phone from customers who bought the kits and then couldn't figure out the build.

Sometime later they moved from so-cal to Idaho, but was told they shut it all down in the last couple years.

You can spot a KIT teardrop instantly by their unique sweep of the frame tubes as they rise forward to the hitch.

It does get mighty cozy in a teardrop so you need to be on friendly terms with whoever you spend a night with. No room in one for animosity.

 

Good to know, I wasn't sure since it is such an early model, VIN is in the low 600's. Not sure If I'll pull the body off to move the brackets rearward or just do it from underneath and try not to catch anything on fire with the welder.

PS. my Fenders came in yesterday, woo hoo. Supposedly they are off the original molds.

 

good - now take this on over the right forum We don't allow street rodders, knitting or yeast infection talk here either

I'm only kidding -

 

On the road and it sleepsvery comfortably

How do I post s pic from the I-phone?

 

Very cool.

 

A quick update. First trip from Chicago to Lemmon SD went great.
One minor issue with the vent leaking during a monsoon but that's all.

2157 miles of trouble free camping and fun.




A little early for Bike week, but we passed through Sturgis.

 

You are back on my "list". Did you bug out before we got back to town?

 

Nice build! It's on my 'bucket list' too.

 

I'm happy for you brother. My wife don't want any part of one of those. I think it would be killer to have one of those but it would be too expensive to get rid of the wife just to have a camper, I think, I'm still doing the calculations.

 

That looks great. I am planning a custom built using a utility trailer I have sitting behind my shop. I am wanting to make a storage area for my race tires and have a cool sleeper area. Nice job!

 

We rolled through on Sunday when you were out and took a straight line heading home on Friday afternoon. Sorry we missed you.
I'll see you at the Drags in Joplin, and maybe on the next trip to SD.

 

Thats OK, knew that would happen. We didn't return until Monday.

No drags this year but the Tudor is getting a scattershield to be ready for it

 

Geez......how did i miss this?????

Tyler, your work is excellent, that trailer rocks.

Did ya pop them PBR signs off the wall?

 

Man! That thing turned out super. Good job and I'm glad you had the drive to finish it.

But, Tyler, what happened to the little two burner grill and the neat old narrow propane tank?

 

Bringing this one back. STILL need to finish my pickup....but would love to pull one of these and they look like a fun (challenging) project.

Any new ones?

I'm thinking a spare set of '37 Ford pu rear fenders and wide 5 wheels, dropped trailer axle. Low cg.....

Bulls is really cool, flatblacks is neat too.

 

Man I'm glad I saw this again. Your roof vent kicks Ass.. I just scored a trailer frame, axle, springs, and rims a few weeks ago for $50!! The scrappers had already started cutting it into 3 peices, but I had it back together in a weekend. I scored some nos 13" 560 tires here on the hamb and I'm in less than $150 so far..I'm debating on either making it a utility trailer or a tear drop. After seeing this again, its definitely got me thinking..

 

I realize this is old thread but great info,I thought the fenders on my 46 were homemade but guess not,my bin is in the 11 hundred range and is on tag mounted on that swooped tongue.