Best products from r/TeardropTrailers

Gladly. I bought 1"x4"x8' clear-heart redwood boards. I also borrowed a router and router bench and bought a [tongue and groove set] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KZM2AIS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and ran all of my boards through the router. You can definitely buy wood already tongue and grooved which is a lot easier, but I was really specific about the wood I wanted to use so I had to do it myself. If you're going to do it yourself and haven't done it before, definitely test it out on some throwaway wood to practice before you start cutting into your stock.

Once they were all t&g'd I started mounting them against the plywood walls and they just stack on top of each other. I cleaned off all the wood sticking out past the walls with a router template bit. I used Lexel to seal the edges between the redwood siding and the plywood, then cut some 1/8" plywood as trim to cover the gap, you can see me clamping the trim on here. I also had to cut out my doors/windows, etc.

For the outer roof and hatch, I used 1/8in Marine grade plywood. It's super durable, and bent easily over the frame. For the inner roof I used 1/8in maple plywood, and in-between both those layers I filled it with insulation. You can kinda see the process here.

I finished the siding and redwood with Waterlox Sealer & Finish. It's a tung oil sealer, and the finish is marine spar varnish that protects against water, UV...etc. The best part is if it ever needs a new coat you don't need to sand, you just add on a new layer and it kinda 'burns' in.

As for cost....I'm not sure, I stopped keeping track :P - Redwood can get expensive, but I really liked it so I splurged. You can get just as beautiful a finish with pine, which is much easier to find already tongue and grooved. Pine is great as long as you seal it.

Here's some photos of the process and the finish. Please let me know what other questions you have!

I searched for hours trying to find other examples of people putting front racks on their trailers and didn’t come up with anything useful for me, so I’m just putting this out there to help other people who might be looking to add a rack one day.

When I bought my teardrop trailer it came with the connections to hook-up a ClimateRight A/C unit, but didn’t have a rack to store it on or transport it. I tried a few things:

1. The trailer manufacturer wanted $200 for a rack and they were in another state, so I had to pay high shipping costs.
   
   
2. Local fabricators wanted $200+ to custom make a rack
   
   
3. Most commercial “trailer tongue racks” were smaller, triangle shaped designs without the capacity I needed, specifically to carry my generator, ClimateRight AC unit, and ideally a gas can outside of the trailer.
   
   
4. I looked at a few “hitch racks” and actually bought one like this cheaper Highland model. The problem is they were very wide, cutting in to my turning radius, and they were structurally weak without the “hitch” beam running down the center, which I would have had to remove to mount it to my trailer frame.
   
   In addition, I really didn’t want to have to drill holes in the trailer frame as I don’t have the tools for drilling in heavy duty steel.
   
   My solution was this- Titan Universal ATV Rear Back Cargo Basket, $79 with free prime shipping at Amazon.
   
   It came with mounting bars that are designed to clamp an existing rack on the back of an ATV, and the 22” x 39” size were almost perfect for holding my Westinghouse Generator (last years design of this model), AC unit, and a 5 gallon gas can.
   
   The only thing I needed to do was go purchase longer bolts for the bracket from my local hardware store (I used ACE instead of a big box so I could buy single bolts instead of large packs, cost me $2.50 total) and in about 30 minutes I had a steel rack clamped down to my trailer tight. Unlike the “hitch” style racks, the ATV rack had a full tubular steel frame that is rigid and strong and required no additional supports or drilling- I simply used the existing mounting holes and brackets to clamp it to the frame.
   
   Of everything I tried this is by far the simplest and best option out there.

1. This looks like way overkill to me. It's designed to heat up an entire room, some 800 - 1400 ft^3. A teardrop is going to be way less than 200 ft^3. More like 90 for an interior than is 6'x5'x3'. Remember also that you are a heater. A human body at rest generates about 250 BTUs / hr. So how much heating do you need? Take the 6,000 BTU heater you linked, which is able to heat a 10x12x8 room. The volume of the teardrop is 0.075 as much as the room, so you'll need roughly 0.075 as much heat. If we accept 6,000 BTUs as necessary for the room, then the teardrop will require about 450 BTUs. But remember that your body generates 250 at rest. And if there's two of you in the teardrop, you're generating about 500 BTUs of heat, which exceeds the capabilities of the heater! So you really just need a little heat boost to take the edge off the cold before you get in the trailer (say in the evenings), and your own body heat should keep things cozy the rest of the night.
   
   
2. This is a natural gas heater. Will you be carrying NG?
   
   Consider a very small electric heater. You shouldn't need to use it a lot, and a very small amount of electricity should go a long way here. Couple it with a marine battery and it should last you for days, if you don't leave it on when it's not needed.
   
   Edit: It strikes me that a decent electric blanket would be an awesome solution. It's exactly the right size, puts out a good amount of heat for that amount of space, and they come in both AC and DC varieties. Just turn it on half an hour before you plan to go to bed, and I bet your trailer will be toasty warm by the time you're ready for it.
   
   Edit 2: For example, this Queen sized electric blanket produces about 560 BTUs/hr, takes about 15 minutes to warm up, and has an auto shutoff feature.

Here is a discussion on tntt, several people seem to like it, but there are some concerns about added weight. They talk about pros and cons of a couple different products.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=65559&start=15

After much deliberation and research I choose boat paint. It does not hide imperfections they way liner will, but I am really happy with the results (durable, waterproof, looks good).

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-206999-Marine-Topside-1-Quart/dp/B000BZTJT2/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_200_bs_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SPC07SGY5Y37MAC979BG

Good luck

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I found these on Amazon, looks like a good price but i think they are for a Right Hand Door, my teardrop will have 2 doors so i will need a Right hand and a Left hand

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00IV1ZVL8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&psc=1

Charging the battery while driving is pretty simple but took me a year to figure out how simple it was. Hopefully you are planning on using a trailer wire junction box. If so, run a 14ga wire from the junction box (that connects to your truck) to the positive side of the battery. Add something like this inline between the junction and the battery for safety. https://www.amazon.com/Fastronix-Automatic-Reset-Circuit-Breaker/dp/B07NSD3KYH

For shore power, I used one of these on the side of the camper which then runs to a 2 amp charger that charges the battery. In hindsight, I should of done a 4 or 5 amp charger.

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GCP1-16-Inch-Integrated-Extension/dp/B009ANV81S

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Solar, do as other have said and get a controller.

I bought this and absolutely LOVE it. I cut it to the shape of the inside of the teardrop and covered it with the shallowest fitted sheet I could find (9" deep) and its really, really comfortable. What I like about it a lot was there are two firmnesses put together into one mattress. Helps a lot with support.

10/10

I have a 4” (2 1/2” of it is soft high density foam and 1 1/2” is memory foam”) and it is perfect and SO comfortable. Easily cut it to the shape of the space and it’s awesome.

This is it

I built off of the harbor freight trailer as well.While the tongue wheel is great for moving it around, Don't make the mistake I did and use it as a support while you are in the trailer, I bent the frame of the tongue! I bought kick down jacks that are just great.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008G5AA7E/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I would personally recommend one of the offerings by Gazelle Tents. Gazelle is the tent brand from the same company as Eskimo ice shacks. Clam and Eskimo both have their origins in popup portable ice shacks. I have owned both, and was much more impressed with the quality and performance of the Eskimo. Eskimo tends to be more highly-regarded in the product segment, as well. At least around here in the general region where both companies are located they are. I bought a Gazelle with the idea that my experiences with the ice shacks from both would carry over, and I’ve been very happy with my purchase. The prices and specs were similar for both. This is the one I have.

There is a fan in the vent which does a surprisingly good job of pulling air in the windows to cool it down. It's not nearly that hot here though. :)

I also bought a clip-on 12v fan to use in the camper.

As far as mods go:

• I added a tongue box (as you can see in the photos and here)
  
• I added an electrical panel
  
  I'm also going to add some more shelves and a pair of reading lights.

Welcome to the club! I have a 6 wide. You’re gonna love that storage in the front. I wish mine had that!

Check out these lights for the roof of the back hatch : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VBQY8Q/

> 1) What are the must have /favorite features in your trailers? From what I have seen options on the gallery are a bit divided. I want to make sure I consider all the options when I plan it out.

I thought I NEEDED to have a built in stove but looking back I'd much rather have a place to store/use a standard 2 burner propane stove.

Also I like the built in sink options in theory, but most are just too small to be worth it. I'd much rather have a space for a 5 gallon jug to sit on it's side with a closeable spout like this: http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Water-Carrier-5-Gallon-Blue/dp/B00168PI4S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464199433&sr=8-2&keywords=5+gallon+jug

Thanks, wish I could claim credit for it, haha.

The table is from KingCamp. Last minute impulse buy before our trip. Bamboo top, adjustable legs, very stable, sets up and folds away easily. It also fits very nicely in the tongue box. We used it a lot more than I expected.

We were going to get the REI Co-op folding table, but it was out of stock when we finally decided to get it, and I don't think the legs are adjustable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7228V9/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_v2foDb7DXGFX9

Amazon has them I believe.

I like this design as you could even put one of the van tents attached to the back door a sitting area. Pretty sweet.

Edit:. Here are some 36" 500 lbs ones. https://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Slide-Extension-Heavy-Capacity/dp/B0009OBPH4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_328_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31jBKOPgl7L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL480_SR480%2C480_&refRID=XQDMWSYA2V0GB3H6Q8G4

We bought the following 5" and it's REALLY nice. We don't hit the bottom with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M6Z033T/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1