It's time to build a new model of the Drop trailer.
This model has significant differences from the traditional Teardrop model. The new model of a homemade trailer does not have a back door, and inside you can easily sit on a sofa (or bed - depending on the modification). Another advantage is the huge luggage compartment under the berth. Hello everybody!
I am exhibiting a new model of a homemade Drop type trailer.
I won’t tell you everything in detail, since much is clear from the photographs.
- Trailer frame
- Trailer suspension
- Trailer walls
- Ceiling and roof
- Furniture and equipment
- External wall cladding
- Photos of the finished trailer Drop
- Windows and doors
What is a tent trailer and its features
A tent trailer is a lightweight version of a mobile home for outdoor trips. They take it with them on fishing, hunting, hiking and expeditions. From the outside, the motorhome looks like a huge tent on wheels. During the journey, it folds into a compact trailer.
Inside the tent there is a standard set of living conditions. Under the awning there are sleeping places and a kitchen. Some models have a dry closet, washbasin and shower. There are U-shaped seats at the back of the tent.
A tent trailer is an excellent alternative to motorhomes. A tent assumes a low level of comfort. For long trips with all the amenities, a caravan trailer, that is, a equipped van, is better suited. But this type of trailer is no longer suitable for camping.
Camping using trailed tents is relatively new. Similar devices can be seen in many places equipped for camp holidays.
Start of construction
The main rule of assembling a campsite is to assemble the van from the inside out. It’s not the other way around, otherwise you won’t be able to get the inner lining through the door. .
We make the base of the van from timber. Its dimensions are 150*240 mm, fastening is carried out with corners. Then we screw moisture-resistant plywood (12 mm) to the bottom with self-tapping screws in increments of every 10-15 cm.
Do not rush to lay the floor - treat the plywood with a special anti-rot and insect repellent. We used “Senezh Aquadecor”, color “Mahogany” (No. 113), average price 340 rubles. You can buy other brands cheaper, but they are liquid and cost 1.5 times more.
Then cover the bottom with galvanization and paint it, let it dry (in the future the structure will become much heavier and this will be problematic). You can use regular metal enamel “PF-115”, it’s still not visible below. Attach the base to the trailer with reliable, powerful bolts and wide washers; holes are drilled in the timber, which coincides with the iron beams.
Important! Do not make holes in the trailer's sheet metal or just in the plywood - it will vomit! Do not use Chinese “plastic” fasteners! We asked the car service center for used hardened bolts from the cylinder head cover (they are disposable and they throw them away anyway).
Then we cut out the inner sides from 10 mm plywood of the required shape, make openings for the doors - the width is at your discretion, but not less than 55 cm. We selected a ceiling height of 120 cm for ourselves - it allows a person 190 cm tall to sit fully.
We screw a 50 mm beam along the periphery, level it with a grinder in places where it is rounded and polish it. Don’t worry that the design “plays” - the outer skin will give rigidity to the van.
Then we adjust the plywood for the floor (12 mm) to the internal dimensions and cover it with impregnation. We lay the foam tightly.
We fasten the floor with self-tapping screws, drill holes from below for fastening bolts, which will be accessible from the camping interior. We fix the base to the trailer until the end of construction. Then we treat the internal walls on both sides with impregnation.
Next, we lay the wiring, install cigarette lighters, lamps, and insulate the walls with foam plastic. We bought a lampshade from Niva; it is an external type and easily attaches to plywood. The remaining components were purchased at a radio parts store. We draw the conclusion to the trailer socket; in the future there will be an additional wire from the car battery. You can run a second wire and make a spare battery compartment in the trailer itself so that you can detach it from the car and use the light.
We cut 3 mm thick plywood onto the ceiling, gradually bend it, and screw the beam to the sides from the outside. At the back we separate the kitchen. Take into account the two distances circled in the oval in the figure - you should lie fully at your full height and not reach the top shelf when bending your knees.
We insulate everything with polystyrene foam, then cover the outside with plywood (sides 10 mm, ceiling 3 mm), which is pre-treated with impregnation.
Then we make a frame for the large back door (it will open upwards), we begin assembling the kitchen - there is room for your imagination, as you wish.
According to the plan, wiring, lamp for lighting, cabinets, washbasin tank and drain. In any country store you can buy a tank and a faucet, a set of double-sided nuts, and plumbing sealant. We won’t describe the little things, just work them out locally.
You can put the kitchen aside for later and work on the galvanized exterior cladding. The joints are degreased and generously coated with silicone sealant, we used “Moment”. The metal overlaps and is painstakingly stitched with an aluminum strip.
Modify latches and handles locally. Let's move on to the side doors - here it is better to use 40 mm timber. We cut in plastic windows, fill everything with foam plastic, and insulate it.
Please note that the windows should open to the street - this is more convenient, since there is too little space inside. Here a problem arose: such “devices” are not produced. We cheated: we remove the handle from the outside and install a plug. We drill a hole on the back side, attach a homemade “grab” and make a support from a beam. A special “key” is obtained from the handle using a grinder. It is better that the window opens upward - this will protect you from side rain.
Be sure to provide minimal ventilation in the doors. In such a small room, even in the cold season, after a couple of hours there will be nothing to breathe. It is better to install air ducts (from a sewer pipe) at an angle of at least 30º, so that side rain does not make a puddle on you on the very first day. We degrease all joints from the street and coat them with silicone sealant.
We cover the outside with galvanization, install handles and latches. Then painting. We used Chinese KUDO spray cans, pre-primed by the same company. After the coating has dried, be sure to seal all three doors with rubber insulation (you can buy it at a building materials store).
Advantages and disadvantages
A tent trailer is a practical type of camping accommodation that is suitable for accommodating a large number of people. This device combines the properties of a tent and a full-fledged motorhome:
- Easy to ride. Thanks to its small dimensions, the trailer can move on any road without any problems.
- Easy to install. To learn how to quickly unfold a tent, you only need to do it once. Each model comes with instructions.
- Easy to store. The trailer does not take up much space, so it can be kept in a garage or under a shed.
- Capacity. The tent can accommodate several rooms and sleeping places, allowing the whole family or a large group to stay.
- Possibility of coupling with an SUV. A 4x4 tent trailer can get through the toughest places.
- Price. Motorhomes and campers are more expensive.
A compact tent trailer is easy to drive and park
One of the disadvantages of a tent trailer is the need to disassemble and reassemble it. Another nuisance is the minimal set of amenities.
Is it worth buying a tent trailer?
There is no clear answer to this question. To make an informed decision, you should carefully familiarize yourself with all the features of a tent on a trailer. A design of this type is suitable for camping enthusiasts who want to improve living conditions in the camp. A car tent is more bulky than a regular tent, but in terms of comfort it is inferior to a full-fledged motorhome.
To try and evaluate such a unit, you should use a rental service. A store trailer may cost a little more than a homemade one.
Before deciding to purchase a motorhome, it is recommended to use a rental service
Necessary materials
What are skis for a snowmobile sled made of? Let's consider the construction of a simple version of a snowmobile sled from a metal pipe. In order to make such a design, you will need:
- profiled metal pipe 20×20, wall thickness - 2-3 mm;
- round plastic pipes for making skis;
- Metal sheet;
- plywood sheets 10-15 or more millimeters thick.
A sled with a metal frame is much more reliable and durable than structures made from plastic pipes.
Their disadvantage is their greater weight, but they will serve for a long time and without failure. The only thing that may be needed when operating such a design is periodic replacement of plastic skis, which will wear out over time or may be damaged when hitting rocks and roots.
Popular models
Let's look at different models of tent trailers from well-known manufacturers. Each has its own technical features that affect the cost and popularity among buyers.
Camp-let
The Camp-let tent trailer is made in Denmark and is designed to accommodate four people. The front and side panels are quickly removable. The base is made of fiberglass; there is a rubber-band edging along the sides. The model has three varieties:
- Camp-let Basic is made of gray cotton and acrylic. The awning is supported by reliable hinge elements. On an area of 17 m2 there is a living room and two sleeping compartments; there is no kitchen module. The veranda has a waterproof floor. There are curtains on the windows.
- Camp let Classic. A kitchen module has been added, which has the following equipment: a stove with three burners, a 13-liter tank, a 12-volt sink pump, compartments for dishes, a countertop. There are mosquito nets on the windows in the kitchen and bedroom. The awning is made of durable and breathable acrylic fabric, which creates a pleasant climate inside the tent. The area of 18 m2 can be expanded by adding a guest module with additional beds. The Classic set includes a wardrobe with a rail, a lambrequin with pockets, a sun canopy, and wind protection screens.
- Camp-let Premium has a reinforced structure and sophisticated design. New features include latex mattress covers, a canvas luggage compartment, roof rails, recessed headlights, and a canopy over the tent entrance. The color of the awning is dark blue, the roof and windows are blue. According to the test results, this model was recognized as the best of the entire line.
Trailer tent Camp-let Basic
Trailer tent Camp let Classic
Trailer-tent Camp-let Premium
Without cargo, the trailer weighs 250 kg, the loaded weight reaches 550 kg.
Rapido Flyer
Travel trailer from a French manufacturer. The weight of an empty trailer is 400 kg, when filled it is 650 kg. The package includes six beds, a gas stove, a dining table and a clothes locker. There is a spare wheel, a gas cylinder, and a wrench for supports. The frame is galvanized, the trailer is equipped with a brake mechanism.
The tent is designed for the summer season and is painted beige.
The Rapido Flyer tent trailer is designed for summer holidays
"Picnic"
Motorhome from a Russian brand, adapted for Russian roads. Capable of transporting loads up to 750 kg. Under the awning there are two rooms with double beds. The kitchen has a two-burner stove, a pull-out stainless steel sink, and a 12-volt pump.
The interior is protected from drafts, rain, insects and dust. It is possible to install three types of suspensions and reinforced hubs on the galvanized frame.
The impact-resistant fiberglass material from which the body is made does not transmit ultraviolet rays, does not require special care, and is easy to repair.
Trailer-tent “Picnic” from a Russian manufacturer, capable of transporting loads weighing up to 750 kg
How to choose
When choosing a tent, you should focus on the conditions for which it is purchased and the needs of tourists.
There are roomy models that can accommodate up to a dozen people, and there are very compact trailers. Different tents have their own set of amenities. The second thing you should pay attention to is the technical condition of the trailer tent. It is worth inspecting the condition of the zipper - it should not unravel. Poor quality tailoring is indicated by protruding threads. Sometimes they get caught in the zipper slider along with pieces of fabric.
When buying a car tent, you should carefully study its technical condition.
Features of assembly and disassembly
To make it yourself, you will need assembly instructions and drawings. The drawing diagrams accurately describe the process of creating a tent structure:
- We install the support posts on which the sleeping compartment will be attached.
- We unclench the fasteners used for transportation and assemble the frame of the structure.
- We stretch the awning and secure it to the ground, driving wedges along the edges of the canvas.
- We furnish the interior of the tent. We put a bed, table, sink, stove, cabinets, shelves.
Diagram of a trailer with an automatically erected tent
To get a more detailed idea of assembling the motorhome structure, you should read the detailed instructions.
Dismantling the tent is carried out in the reverse order. Before assembling, you need to clean the surfaces of the tent from dust or dry it (if the tent was standing in the rain).
Registration procedure
To obtain an official document of design conformity for a homemade PVC boat trailer, we register with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate or other organizations that are licensed to test vehicles. We confirm the conformity of the product quality in a specialized service. The organization will carry out the necessary tests and tests. If the decision is positive, a document will be issued confirming that the device is suitable for use. This trailer must not be used to transport people.
Be sure to save the drawings of boat trailers. At the end of the registration procedure, you are presented with a license plate and a document confirming the passage of maintenance. The boat trailer should only be used with these documents. If you are stopped by a traffic police officer and there are no documents for the trailer, a fine will be issued. Boat trailers will be confiscated if they do not have a license plate.
After all procedures you will receive a vehicle registration certificate
Registration of a trailer involves providing evidence that the design is safe for road users. Certified parts will require a torsion axle and a coupling device. We save receipts and certificates.
Do-it-yourself master class
To make a trailer tent with your own hands, you will need drawings, materials and a main platform. A flatbed trailer or a flatbed trailer can be used as a base. Let's make a trailer from a scooter:
- We separate the front and engine from the scooter.
- We attach the drawbar of the mechanism, the adapter unit for the clutch, struts and reverse braces, the bumper, and the frame for the awning.
- We sew and stretch the fabric onto the tubular frame.
- We install wheels from a wheelchair.
- We attach two transverse plates for the tabletop to the drawbar.
- We make the front pillars from steel pipe.
- We make the middle and rear pillars from pine beams.
- We make a canopy from durable fabric. We attach thirteen steel hooks and four nylon guy wires.
- We install the grill. We make the stainless steel body, reinforcement grid, and tubular legs.
Option for making a trailer tent with your own hands
A homemade wheeled house can be in no way inferior to a ready-made motorhome made in a factory. To study the process of assembling a structure in more detail, it is worth familiarizing yourself with visual materials on this topic.
Have you ever traveled with a tent trailer? Or maybe you have experience making such a house yourself? Share your experience in the comments.
Results
Since a homemade sled for a snowmobile with your own hands will be used in winter, you need to carefully select materials and components that should withstand the lowest temperatures well.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account that the structure will be subject to shock quite often, therefore, they must also be very durable.
If you choose materials and components not carefully enough, the sled may simply fall apart on the move after a few months of use, or even earlier.
If you decide to make a passenger sled rather than a cargo sled , you need to approach the issue very carefully. Safety must come first - this applies both to the choice of materials and to the care with which all parts must be connected.
Speeds when traveling on a snowmobile can be high, and encounters with obstacles usually occur unexpectedly, so you need to think through all the important points to ensure that the design of your passenger sled is as reliable as possible.
The presence of a sled provides many additional possibilities, and making such a structure with your own hands is not so difficult. Its construction will not require large expenses and will not take much time.
At the same time, it is important to take into account that there is no universal sled for all occasions - and this means that ideally it is worth having a set of several different designs, which will be enough for any situation.
If you make them yourself, carefully approach the choice of materials and the work process itself. In this case, the sled you make will be reliable and durable and will serve you for many years.
