Teardrop trailer for the Miata
07-19-2013, 02:42 PM
#1
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Teardrop trailer for the Miata
Recently, I have been strongly considering building a Teardrop Trailer from a utility trailer for transport of my race gear and more importantly as a place to sleep when I go to overnight events or a road trip.
For those who don't know what this is, it's essentially a 4-500 pound 4x8 or 5x8 trailer that can fit a (twin size) mattress inside, cabinets mounted on top (inside) and room for a Galley on the back side. I want to put a propane tank on the front behind the tongue for the galley and build in a single burner range for preparing food. I also want to put a plugin in so I can charge my phone while sleeping (who doesn't hate waking up to a nearly dead phone battery?) and a light inside as well as above the galley.
Partially constructed model, so you can get the general idea (not my work, of course):
This is kind of what I'm aiming for with the galley, though I want mine to have the cabinets/range in the back removable in the case I want to haul something large (and light):
I'm still ironing out the plans, but I think the Miata should easily be able to tow something in this weight range. Working out braking, would I need to bother worrying about brakes on a trailer under a thousand pounds? Has anyone tried this, and if so can you post anything you found needed work?
For those who don't know what this is, it's essentially a 4-500 pound 4x8 or 5x8 trailer that can fit a (twin size) mattress inside, cabinets mounted on top (inside) and room for a Galley on the back side. I want to put a propane tank on the front behind the tongue for the galley and build in a single burner range for preparing food. I also want to put a plugin in so I can charge my phone while sleeping (who doesn't hate waking up to a nearly dead phone battery?) and a light inside as well as above the galley.
Partially constructed model, so you can get the general idea (not my work, of course):
This is kind of what I'm aiming for with the galley, though I want mine to have the cabinets/range in the back removable in the case I want to haul something large (and light):
I'm still ironing out the plans, but I think the Miata should easily be able to tow something in this weight range. Working out braking, would I need to bother worrying about brakes on a trailer under a thousand pounds? Has anyone tried this, and if so can you post anything you found needed work?
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02-25-2020, 01:05 PM
#5
Neat project. 1k behind a 2500lb car is notable. Trailer is 40% of the cars weight. Also the surface area of the camper can be a large factor to affecting the tow vehicle. You might scale it up to 1/2 ton truck size to compare your idea to RV towing solutions that are out there. I tow 20k equipment trailer behind my 9k dually. And I have RVs on the side. equipment trailer with 6.5k trailer & 10k tractor on it is not affected by crosswind. 7k Campers I feel. All are within my setup. Just noting how much those walls affect how it feels. I think you could have some trouble with trailer sway. All depends on the trailer surfaces, length on tongue, axle width etc.
I have considered something small myself. But really only to get a decent size trunk.
I have considered something small myself. But really only to get a decent size trunk.
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02-25-2020, 09:47 PM
#6
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Neat project. 1k behind a 2500lb car is notable. Trailer is 40% of the cars weight. Also the surface area of the camper can be a large factor to affecting the tow vehicle. You might scale it up to 1/2 ton truck size to compare your idea to RV towing solutions that are out there. I tow 20k equipment trailer behind my 9k dually. And I have RVs on the side. equipment trailer with 6.5k trailer & 10k tractor on it is not affected by crosswind. 7k Campers I feel. All are within my setup. Just noting how much those walls affect how it feels. I think you could have some trouble with trailer sway. All depends on the trailer surfaces, length on tongue, axle width etc.
I have considered something small myself. But really only to get a decent size trunk.
I have considered something small myself. But really only to get a decent size trunk.
Having towed a couple different motorcycles behind my miata, with probably ~700lbs trailer weight, it was hardly noticeable weight wise. Wind would be a different story.
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02-27-2020, 10:28 PM
#7
I am a dunce. Totally missed date. It was up front in my phone for some reason. Doh!
He did say less than 1,000lb. Campers always scale heavier than listed or intended once loaded with gear. Anyway, good to hear it our cars can handle a trailer well even though the short wheelbase and quick steering are not ideal. For campers wind tends to be THE tragedy factor. It is unexpected and difficult to plan for. His teardrop design has much less frontal and side area than boxy designs. Wind forces on camper sides behind the wheels induce large momentum arm on the back of the tow vehicle. 5th wheels are much less affected than bumper pulls because those left right forces are near Center of the rear axle reducing the arm part of the equation. Weight and balance vary as well. Toss a few bags or car part in last minute the back becomes lighter on the hitch. Most campers are more open space in the back. Being single axle it actually pivots the axle location and body mass causing Cg to move with trailer tilt. Cg foward further amplify w&b. Small things that add up to a ride in the ditch with winds.
I apologize to all for reviving a dead thread. I have become that guy. Sigh...
He did say less than 1,000lb. Campers always scale heavier than listed or intended once loaded with gear. Anyway, good to hear it our cars can handle a trailer well even though the short wheelbase and quick steering are not ideal. For campers wind tends to be THE tragedy factor. It is unexpected and difficult to plan for. His teardrop design has much less frontal and side area than boxy designs. Wind forces on camper sides behind the wheels induce large momentum arm on the back of the tow vehicle. 5th wheels are much less affected than bumper pulls because those left right forces are near Center of the rear axle reducing the arm part of the equation. Weight and balance vary as well. Toss a few bags or car part in last minute the back becomes lighter on the hitch. Most campers are more open space in the back. Being single axle it actually pivots the axle location and body mass causing Cg to move with trailer tilt. Cg foward further amplify w&b. Small things that add up to a ride in the ditch with winds.
I apologize to all for reviving a dead thread. I have become that guy. Sigh...
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02-29-2020, 08:03 PM
#9
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As long as you drive at towing speeds and have a proper towing system, you should be fine. There are a couple of threads about this, and the general consensus is that you the miata is capable of 500lbs but not more.
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Last edited by markano; 03-01-2020 at 07:59 PM.
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