Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Teardrop camper trailers?

Dan Williams · Active Member

My neighbor two doors down built one a couple of years ago, but he is kind of like the rest of us, several projects 99% done and there it sits. Came out prety cool for being his first time at it. I know he got some of the RV only type stuff from Bago at a decent price. (Gina is in charge of that kind of stuff). I remember while he was building, there was a lot of good sites/info on the net that I akipped through. I am sure he would show you his if you are down this way.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Dan Williams wrote:
My neighbor two doors down built one a couple of years ago, but he is kind of like the rest of us, several projects 99% done and there it sits. Came out prety cool for being his first time at it. I know he got some of the RV only type stuff from Bago at a decent price. (Gina is in charge of that kind of stuff). I remember while he was building, there was a lot of good sites/info on the net that I akipped through. I am sure he would show you his if you are down this way.

I'd like to check it out next time I'm around... not saying mine would ever exceed 99% completion either though.

Dave Seitz · Mega Poster

Just start searching the web for one. A place I drive by on HWY 10 has them all the time new it looks like. You may rethink the camper and shoot for a coach to convert and trailer a couple of cars.

Lost in the 60s · President

4 people plus all that equipment and you think a teardrop is big enough......dude, you need a 20 ft airstream....

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I want to pull it with the Chevelle... safely.

You should see how much stuff we manage to take without a trailer. ;)

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
I want to pull it with the Chevelle... safely.

You should see how much stuff we manage to take without a trailer. ;)
My Grandparents had a 20' Airstream in the 50-60's that they pulled with their 1937 LaSalle. Airstreams are light and aerodynamic.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

At 6'2. There is no way I could sleep in the ones that I have seen. They all look way too small.

Lost in the 60s · President

YIKES, I was surfing for older Airstreams and they are NUTS for what they want for them...

Chris R · 2K+ Club

I know of at least 3 different Air Streams around the western subs, that have been just sitting in the peoples yards. All in seperate locations in a driveway and in yards. I think one may have been moved though, I havent noticed it for a while but I havent really paid attention driving my much lately. One other I havent been past to see if its even still there. And the other hasnt moved in the last 15 plus years I have seen it.

My old scout master when I was a kid had a small trailer called a Scamp. It was a very tidy camping trailer that could be towed by anything. Seemed quite small but slept very confortable from the looks of it. I never got to sleep in it. He never brought it with on scouting trips, he was also an RV'er so he would bring it with as a guest place to sleep when going up to the RV park where he had a campground space. Might be worth checking into the small sized Scamp trailer. Jamie owns a nice Scamp. His is a 5th wheel model, Scamp makes several different size travel trailers.

John D · 2K+ Club

2nd looking into "Scamp" trailers, they are made in Backus MN (about 1 mile from my cabin, 35 mins north of BIR).

(If you pull the trigger on one of these let me know - you could stay at my place and watch it being made every day!... if it's April or later )

Derek69SS · Founding Member

The idea started as just a simple tire & tool trailer for swapping to R-compounds or drag slicks at the track... then decided it should be "covered" so things of value aren't out in plain sight to be stolen while parked in motels and such... then figured it would be nice to have room for luggage and a big cooler too... then the idea of sleeping in it seemed useful, and a custom built teardrop seemed like something that could do all that.

Its primary use will still be tires & tools, and I'd be towing it to local autocrosses and to the drag strip.

I can get aluminum pretty reasonable through work, so it shouldn't cost too much to build, the only thing is that I can't weld aluminum unless I buy a TIG first... so it also gives me an excuse to buy a TIG.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

The "Scamp" trailers look nice, and that little 13' one would probably work, but I'd either have to stack tires inside (and set them outside when sleeping in it) or build a tire rack on the outside.

I should have just built a wagon instead of a coupe.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Derek69SS wrote:

I should have just built a wagon instead of a coupe.

Parkhurst will be the first to tell you, you sold the wrong car.

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
The idea started as just a simple tire & tool trailer for swapping to R-compounds or drag slicks at the track... then decided it should be "covered" so things of value aren't out in plain sight to be stolen while parked in motels and such... then figured it would be nice to have room for luggage and a big cooler too... then the idea of sleeping in it seemed useful, and a custom built teardrop seemed like something that could do all that.

Its primary use will still be tires & tools, and I'd be towing it to local autocrosses and to the drag strip.

I can get aluminum pretty reasonable through work, so it shouldn't cost too much to build, the only thing is that I can't weld aluminum unless I buy a TIG first... so it also gives me an excuse to buy a TIG.
When I was looking at them last night it seems you are asking too much of a trailer that size. The teardrops are cute with the rear galley but to have a matress in it and sleep there, would mean everything would have to go out at night. Probably not the best plan. You would either need to build one longer to accomodate everything or just build a nice little trailer for all the car goodies and sleep in motels for comfort.

Scott Parkhurst · Super Poster

You'd be wiser going the 'other' way-

Get an RV and a proper race car trailer for the Chevelle behind it. Even a lightweight open trailer can be accessorized with a secure tire rack/toolbox/aero nose. You already have a decent trailer- trick that sucker out.

A nice used little RV will have plenty of room for the family and even a decent place to cook basic meals and shower etc.

I'll never go to enough events to justify it, and I'm fine with cheap hotels.

Oh- and I have a wagon...LOL!!

Derek69SS · Founding Member

We wouldn't really be doing much "camping", just driving until we're tired and pull off and sleep comfortably in the trailer at a truck stop or rest area along the road... Basically like a sleeper cab on a truck.

I really don't want to trailer the car, especially on something like a Route 66 trip. Having to drive the truck and trailer to RTTH took a lot of the fun out of the trip, compared to the drive to Cleveland a month before. The car is more fun, and there's some pride in driving it instead of hauling too.

When traveling with 2 kids I don't have enough trunk space for all their luggage and my tools, and I don't get to win that battle. We've done all our traveling with no spare tire, and minimal tools. I've been wanting a trailer for traveling anyway, and something with a bed would be nice and the classic styling of a teardrop would add some coolness also.

SteveS · Super Poster

What about a pop up camper? You lose some of the cool factor of the teardrop, but gain a lot of sleeping area. I think you could get a couple of tires in them when they are folded down?

Or maybe find a pop up that is rough and use it as the foundation of your teardrop. That way you can incorporate the hinges and slides into what you build.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Here's a quick sketch of what I'm thinking... 12' is a little bigger than I wanted to go, but looks to be about the minimum to get all the stuff in it that I want.

No kitchen, and not really good for anybody but a car guy who likes to drive his "race car" long distances pulling a trailer with it... crazy, I know.

Lost in the 60s · President

That looks like a sensible design, Derek !! Etch the aluminum and paint to match the car...

SteveS · Super Poster

I like it . The generator would help offset the weight of the tires & Tools in the rear. You could start with a 4 place aluminum snowmobile trailer, I think you can get them in 12 or 14' length. Although they usually have the deck over the tires, which would make it taller.

-- Edited by SteveS on Tuesday 10th of January 2012 07:58:04 AM

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I'm thinking if I make it about a foot taller, I can cut about 2-1/2' of length out of it by putting the luggage in big "drawers" under the bed and stacking the tires more upright... should I sacrifice wind resistance for making it easier to store, and get around in tight places??? Hmmm...

I potentially see it having a couple racing Karts strapped to the roof, so maybe additional height is a bad idea.

Chris R · 2K+ Club

Derek69SS wrote:
I'm thinking if I make it about a foot taller, I can cut about 2-1/2' of length out of it by putting the luggage in big "drawers" under the bed and stacking the tires more upright... should I sacrifice wind resistance for making it easier to store, and get around in tight places??? Hmmm...

I potentially see it having a couple racing Karts strapped to the roof, so maybe additional height is a bad idea.

How would you get the karts up there? Some sort of ramp?

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
I'm thinking if I make it about a foot taller, I can cut about 2-1/2' of length out of it by putting the luggage in big "drawers" under the bed and stacking the tires more upright... should I sacrifice wind resistance for making it easier to store, and get around in tight places??? Hmmm...

I potentially see it having a couple racing Karts strapped to the roof, so maybe additional height is a bad idea.
How far would you be taking the karts ?? If local, you could make the side door a fold down ramp and put them inside. OR, make the partition removable for more interior space when not traveling and have a ramp to load them from the rear.....

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Lift the front wheels up onto the rear gate, then lift the rear while rolling it up the slope. They're pretty light.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

I don't know if I'd ever go long distances with the kart, but I wouldn't want it on my bed. ;)

Lost in the 60s · President

Derek69SS wrote:
I don't know if I'd ever go long distances with the kart, but I wouldn't want it on my bed. ;)
Ummmm...... the mattress would not be removable....mice would LOVE that.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Unless they're made of something thinner and way less comfortable than a normal mattress, I don't see how any of the teardrops can have removeable mattresses. I'm assuming they go in through the rear door before the cabinetry goes in.

Bounce dryer sheets supposedly work to keep mice out, and don't stink like mothballs. Dunno... I'll worry about that subject once I start actually building onet. For now, I'm not completely sure it'll even make it past the drawing board.

Lost in the 60s · President

Maybe an inflatable mattress with a foam top that can be rolled up for storage would work. I hear ya on not being comfortable when trying to sleep. Most mattresses can be folded into enough of a U shape to fit thru a narrower opening too. Much more difficult to fold a box spring...

Dryer sheets only last for about 30 days and then loose their effectiveness. As long as you change them out regularly, they will provide deterrence.

SteveS · Super Poster

Most camper matresses do not match standard sizes either. I have a small 19' travel tailer that they claim has a queen size bed, but it is smaller than a standard queen when you buy sheets. It's amazing what they do for space, I've seen some that had a corner cut off the matress for walk space.

There are places like Rest Assured in Rochester that make matresses in store, I bet they could make any size & shape you want.

Dan Williams · Active Member

Winnebago's have pretty much all gone to an air bladder bed, mostly for the weight saveings. Our 25 year old water bed turned our bedroom into a lake over christmas so we ordered a huge King size from them. Top quality Innomax at a heck of a discount. Love the bed!Anyway, being the holidays etc, it took a couple of weeks so we dragged out the blow up mattress we use for overloaded guests. One of the best mattresses I have slept on. It was more money then the ones you see at Target and such, but I was suprised how solid it could feel. We have probably had people on this thing 40 times and it looks like new. Takes about 2 minutes to set up and maybe 3 or 4 to pack it in a bag about the size of a sleeping bag. Not sure on the brand and it is packed away where I can't get to, but could have Cathy look. That would be the only way to go as they store up small and still sleep pretty darn good. You will need 110v unless they make a 12v adapter that I am unaware of. Just my

67ss · 1K+ Club

I just got the latest line chaser and there is one for sale in there. Says it is from the 50's and needs some work, $800.

Lost in the 60s · President

67ss wrote:
I just got the latest line chaser and there is one for sale in there. Says it is from the 50's and needs some work, $800.
I was just going to post that too. Phone number 715-235-8450. Claims it is a factory built camper from CA.

Derek69SS · Founding Member

Interesting... but without a house or finished car, I'm in no position to be bringing home more projects right now.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

It was a lot of fun landing on this thread for the first time and reading it through. I am right there with you in that I want my Chevelle to do everything and it actually does what I want it to do! My 1970 Starcraft Stardust 8 pop-up camper weighs in at 1350lbs with a 20 pound propane tank and a full size spare. It trailers quite well but you really do have to pay attention to the extra weight.

You are on the right track Derek with good plans that keep changing so keep at it and just keep having fun! (like I need to tell you that?!?)

Tim H · Mega Poster

I may know where you can get a trailer that used to be a 24 foot camper and was shortened to 18 feet. The camper is gone so it is a bare frame. The only thing is that it is a tandem axel and is heavy duty on the hitch end. It probably would be free. I can check if you are interested.

-- Edited by Tim H on Wednesday 11th of January 2012 08:13:27 AM

Derek69SS · Founding Member

No thanks, if I build one it will be very light-duty wherever possible.

Tim H · Mega Poster

Just thought I would ask. It was offered back to me a while ago and I didn't have a need for it.

4-door Chevelle · Super Poster

If you would check for me I would possibly be interested in it, maybe for Up North.

Lost in the 60s · President

I saw this trailer at the Woodbury Northern yesterday. It's been sitting for a while and is on clearance for $379. The trailer is 5X8 but is modular and you could add 2-4 ft with just more C channel and a couple crossmembers. Shipping weight is just 265 lbs. They also have coupons right now to save $50 off any purchase of $250 or more. Be hard to buy all the components for that price. I used mine last week but there should be someone with a coupon laying around. That would be a sweet start and you could stand it on end in that shop you are renting till you're ready to build.

Customer pic of what they built. Seems you're not alone in going back to small campers. Appears they pull it with a PT Cruiser !

-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 12th of January 2012 10:17:29 AM

-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 12th of January 2012 10:18:42 AM