The jPod Back-Country Teardrop Trailer
This project started in late 2007. I sold one of our Subarus and purchased a Jeep.
The Jeep
I have enjoyed the off-road possibilities of the Jeep and have told my wife (a.k.a. Senior Management) about all of the modifications to the Jeep I would like to make (lift kit, cool air intake, bumper dumper, etc). Senior management seemed to frown upon these ideas. She made comments about how ridiculous some of my ideas could be (which some of them are!) and something about how our bank account is empty…bla bla bla. Finally, I presented my best idea to her: A roof top tent for the jeep (which would first require a new roof rack!). A friend found a design that was inexpensive and could be easy for our camping needs (It can be found here). Again, Senior Management nixed the idea citing the difficulty of climbing on to the roof of a Jeep in the dark just to go to bed -although it would be easier with a bumper dumper. Since this is a marriage, I kept searching for the solution to my desires for convenient and inexpensive camping.
At last I stumbled upon several websites for teardrop trailers (What is a teardrop trailer?). Senior Management was interested in this proposition. I have researched teardrop trailers for about nine months and finally decided to build a back-country 5′X10′ teardrop trailer for our camping needs. In the end, I believe she is right. A teardrop trailer will fit our needs better at this point. Good job Senior Management. Plus, this is a great opportunity for us to work together on the same project.
This site presents the process of building this trailer. Senior Management dubbed it the “jPod” because it is quite small and being pulled by a Jeep. I liked it so it stuck. Also, this pod will be dust and water tight. This will provide me an escape from time to time from my harsh environment -yes, I am allergic to wheat and live in wheat fields. The runner up name for this trailer is the “Escape from constant sickness and eventual death by wheat Pod” but it is just too difficult to say.
If you decide to make a trailer based on my designs…good for you -and me. However, I do not take any responsibility for design failures or injuries you may inflict upon yourself or others. I am simply presenting my project. Be smart kids, wear a helmet, ear plugs, underwear, goggles, and other forms of safety protection. Keep it safe and legal.
Fantastic! You are really moving along on this. What an awesome project. I think we’ll want you to build us one too! Thanks for sending me the link.
Looking good. I like the additions of the Dutch Oven cooking.
Looks great. Some questions: What was final weight? What was final tongue weight (easy to move around by hand)?
We have looked at pretty much everything and have decided to build this. It seems the right combo of comfort, convenience, quickness and ease of getting going and won’t require a tow vehicle change.
Anythings of note you’d change?
I’m considering 5×10 plywood but need to evaluate 4×8 for potential cost savings vs hassle of scarfing.
Thanks,
John Clay
John,
Thank-you for checking out my trailer build. I am really having a lot of fun with it. I am excited that you’re looking to do the same.
Here are my answers to your questions:
What was final weight? I haven’t finished building but my estimates are that I only need to add about 100 lb of material/galley equipment. I think it will be about 1000lbs. There are a few ways I could have made it lighter. Using only a 3/4″ plywood for the walls (but being in the NW I wanted instillation) or making a thinner framework with 1/8″ luan on either side. I have a friend who followed my advice & is making his walls an 1/8″ luan skin on a thinner framework. His problem is keeping the wall even. So pick your style. They will all have some problems to solve.
What was final tongue weight (easy to move around by hand)? My calculated tongue weight is projected to be about 115lbs. I move this trailer around by hand all the time. It is easy to move.
Anythings of note you’d change?
* I plan to make a horizontal plate behind the fenders to hold a propane bottle & I’ll move my tail lights up above that to protect them more.
* I’d also like to plan, ahead of time, to sink my camp chef oven into the bulkhead in the galley instead of having to go back and re-do that part of the build.
* I am very happy with the way I chose to attach my walls to the floor. I’d probably seal the bottom of the floor with roofing tar next time. I already had undercoat & paint but it was time consuming & probably overkill.
* The next time I do this, I’ll plan my outside roof skin so that there isn’t a seam over the sharpest part of the curve at the front of the trailer. I fought that for a long time & if the light is just right, I can still see it (grrr). I thought I’d save time by not having to make as many cuts but that was a bad decision. Just cut your roof luan so that your seams land on straight edges where they can easily lay flat. It may seem like a waste of time but the final product will be much more satisfactory.
* Other than that, I am very pleased with my design.
I’m considering 5×10 plywood but need to evaluate 4×8 for potential cost savings vs hassle of scarfing.
I’d scarf the floor. It’ll save you money & won’t be seen. If you want more of the natural wood finish for the sides, I’d go with a 5×10 ply. If not, it only takes an extra 2 hours to scarf – dry for the walls. In my city, that was much easier than forking out for the larger plywood.
Happy Building,
Mark
jpodbuild.wordpress.com