Building a Sister

[teardrop74]

Hey everyone, I have been lurking around on here for a while and decided to post a fun project I have been working on in conjunction with my FSJ build. This is not my first time building a custom ground off trailer for a vehicle so if you have any questions or are interested in having one built by all means drop me a line and I will share my knowledge.

What you are looking at took about 8 months to build; it is 100% custom ground up build that I did....all frame work and wood work. The Waggy as I call it is built on a 5'x8' 2x2 tube frame with Grand Wagoneer suspension parts and a 3500lb dexter axle.

The entire shell was designed in sketchup and then cut and carved from marine grade materials an anodized aluminum. The exterior has to get its aluminum skin yet so what you are seeing is about 90% complete.

Amenities include: Full A/C and heater, onboard compressed air, solar PV panel, 30A and 15A power charging service. A/V out the ying yang including two TV's Xbox, 3000 Watt Stereo system with Apple TV and its own Wifi system. Full beer tap system, cooler storage, whiskey bar and humidor and storage.

The entire back opens remotly with linear actuators as well as the beer tap raises out automatically from the countertop. It is a man-cave away from home. Anyways Ill post some more up but thought everyone might get a kick out of the project. It has matching wheels as my Wag and will have matching fenders as well as a few other FSJ items.

The last image is the last one I built for a 1974 VW Beetle

[j10jim]

That looks great, and I love the Bug one. So what do you figure it costs to make that one? I have always wanted a small teardrop to pull behind my J10/20. Maybe something with a lift kit to give it some ground clearance and match the truck.

Again a great job!

[teardrop74]

It is completely dependent on amenities; straight materials is about 5,000 for frame body and standard items. This one is about 16,000 with everything but keep in mind that is SS hardware and top of the line everything. The VW one cost about 8,000 finished. But it is a great project to have fun with and be ready to answer where you bought it from because everyone loves to ask about them.

[capdaddy222]

does that tap periscope up and down?

you have to post a video of that! nice project

[teardrop74]

Yes the tap telescopes up and down so you can stow it if your running a normal cooler instead of the keg system. The whole back end moves.....the door, the TV and the tap. Just some simple linear actuators and some patience and it allows you to stow away devices on the fly.

It's not just to be fancy; the previous builds I have done I used hydroshocks but they are a real pain with the stored energy when they collapsed. These do not put any additional pressure on the door when they not moving and much more sturdy in situations like wind.

[joe]

Nice work! I considered a small teardrop to drag behind a sidecar outfit. Really liked the "little guy" brand with the single bunk and galley in the back. For me bunk space isn't a concern, I'm used to boats. Nor is a TV/stereo set up remotely important. A good size camp galley shelf counter top(some storage compartments) is a higher priority along with light weight. Not so much for pulling but rather braking. If your pencil ever wanders into the MC teardrop design realm and you can keep it at 500lb or less unloaded PM me. Again, nice work.

[BGW]

That thing is totally dope! Nice job! The matching turbine wheels are a really nice touch.

[capdaddy222]

Just some simple linear actuators and some patience and it allows you to stow away devices on the fly..

Do you mind posting a link to your source for those linear actuators? I have lots of ideas that could use a push.

capdaddy

[KJ Ryu]

With brow!!! I like!

[teardrop74]

Linear actuators:

http://progressiveautomations.com/

Thank you for all the nice comments. I'll hopefully have some finished pictures in a few weeks.

In regards to lightweight models those are very simple to make especially if you stay to a 4'x8' trailer platform. This unit was designed to show the maximum amenities you could implement....and is my marketing platform at car shows; tailgates and conferences. I get a lot of "could you do this?" type questions and decided to build one so maxed out there wasn't much left to imagination.

[jdaniel83]

That is awesome! Wish I had your creativity/fabrication skills, I would love to be able to build something like that to pull behind my '89. Very nice work!

[teardrop74]

Here are a few more of the last one I built:

[teardrop74]

Pretty much finished with the build other than some small trim. I will roll it out with my waggy as soon as possible so everyone can see them together. Thank you everyone for the great comments and praise.

[Strode]

Nice work. I'd like to see more details about how you built everything.

[teardrop74]

Thank you; if you have any questions feel free to ask. I have built several of them and am pretty knowledgeable on the construction and materials used to make one. This one was a little over the top but I wanted to see if I could make a rolling man cave.