Offroad Teardrop

Brooks, this looks great. I am sure your family will love using it.

Turn your trailer brakes down. You don't want the trailer trying to pull you to a stop. That is just going to smoke through your trailer brakes and they are pricey. Plus since it is so light in an emergency stop you may lock up the trailer tires and this can quickly lead to a jack knife. Probably not how you want a trip to end.
 
meaders said:
if you enclosed the inside of the fender i almost wouldn't worry about it. There are all kinds of weather/rubber seals in all kinds of different profiles out there you could use.

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something like the second one is what I was thinking.

what do you mean by enclose the inside of the fender?
 
RClippa said:
Brooks, this looks great. I am sure your family will love using it.

Turn your trailer brakes down. You don't want the trailer trying to pull you to a stop. That is just going to smoke through your trailer brakes and they are pricey. Plus since it is so light in an emergency stop you may lock up the trailer tires and this can quickly lead to a jack knife. Probably not how you want a trip to end.
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I ended up adjusting them on the trip and turned them down. When i first hooked them up the shoes needed some break in I guess. I had to turn it up to half way, but now that they are worn in some i have it at about 1/4" power on the dial.
 
GREASEMONKEY said:
So before you ding, bump, or bang it on the trail I suggest the completely mental approach. Pick an inconspicuous spot, whack it with a ball end of a hammer and you'll never worry about getting that first scratch or dent!
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already took care of that, backed it into Tripps belt sander table in the garage and put a little ding in the back.
 
The springs on the Teardrop have settled a bit since I did the fenders after beating it on washboard roads and trails this past weekend. It got me thinking about adding a bit more height before I finalize bumpstop locations. If I were to go to Spring over right now with the stock springs I would have about 3” of up travel before the leaf springs top plates hit the frame. Currently where it sits now with its 2.5” lift springs in spring under configuration it has 3” of clearance between the axle and the frame. In order to add a bumpstop that is a bit progressive and not too abrupt I think I need another inch or clearance. So rather than doing a spring over, I’m thinking I will drop the front spring mount down 2” which should give me an overall lift of 1”. This would allow me to use a 2” progressive bumpstop between the frame and axle and still have 2 full inches before the bumpstop engages.

I stumbled upon this interesting bracket from shoreland’r trailers that they use for their ATV trailer versions.
http://www.easternmarine.com/shorelandr-black-bolt-on-spring-hanger-6762003

I would probably weld it on vs bolting it. Or I could just go with some short lift hangers.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/TruRyde/28-5.html

I’m thinking about using this bumpstop because of its ease of mounting and its progressive nature.
http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/191306
 
97TJGUZZY said:
The springs on the Teardrop have settled a bit since I did the fenders after beating it on washboard roads and trails this past weekend. It got me thinking about adding a bit more height before I finalize bumpstop locations. If I were to go to Spring over right now with the stock springs I would have about 3” of up travel before the leaf springs top plates hit the frame. Currently where it sits now with its 2.5” lift springs in spring under configuration it has 3” of clearance between the axle and the frame. In order to add a bumpstop that is a bit progressive and not too abrupt I think I need another inch or clearance. So rather than doing a spring over, I’m thinking I will drop the front spring mount down 2” which should give me an overall lift of 1”. This would allow me to use a 2” progressive bumpstop between the frame and axle and still have 2 full inches before the bumpstop engages.

I stumbled upon this interesting bracket from shoreland’r trailers that they use for their ATV trailer versions.
http://www.easternmarine.com/shorelandr-black-bolt-on-spring-hanger-6762003

I would probably weld it on vs bolting it. Or I could just go with some short lift hangers.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/TruRyde/28-5.html

I’m thinking about using this bumpstop because of its ease of mounting and its progressive nature.
http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/191306
Click to expand...

after a bit more looking and measuring, my rub rails mount right where the Shoreland'r mounts go. So I will probably be going with the other simple hangers.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Suspension/TruRyde/28-5.html
 
How tall are the spring perches on the axle tube? Could you make them almost flush with the tube, just high enough for the center pin in the spring to clear?
 
meaders said:
How tall are the spring perches on the axle tube? Could you make them almost flush with the tube, just high enough for the center pin in the spring to clear?
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I could possibly gain about 1/4" there is hardly any gap between the bottom of the perch and the axle tube. I'll measure tonight.
 
I have stayed in it 8 nights now and it's going to bard to sleep on the ground again. Ava loves it and Andrea likes how easy it is to get camp setup now.

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I bought some bumpstops for it, but Im still torn as to whether I am going to install the 2" drop hanger on the front of the leaf spring or just do a spring over.
 
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Been on a few more trips, It's been a fun project. Picked up a power tank propane mount for it I plan to mount behind the tire on the side.

Also did a spring over to get the tires out of the fenders.


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Any plans for jacks on the corners down the road to level it out on light grades?

What's the plan for the grill/propane? You should look into those trailer hitch mounted swing away tailgating grills. To keep it from rattling you can use a nut welded to the receiver with a bolt, that's what my rigidco rear bumper does for the trailer hitch


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I have 3 5000 lb jacks that are removable to level it at campsites.


They store horizontally for travel or are totally removable with the pull of a pin.

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Nice. Are you over 5 figures on this build? Courtney and I have considered something similar, were thinking about a roof rack and RTT on the teardrop. Love this thing though. Your little girl looks like she loves it!


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