Jay's Caravan under 750kg Build UPDATE 28/07/13

[mk1joe]

awesome idea mate, looks wise it doesnt matter as im sure you will make it look better than this.
http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/d-i-y-p ... an-caravan
i had high expectations for that thread aswell...

[Anton]

Jay - I wanted to do a teardrop too - but time isn't on my side. Can't find time to finish getting the SJ going, not sure where I'd find the time to build a teardrop.

I think it will be hard to make something strong and light. Generally DIY stuff is over engineered and heavy.

The home-brew teardrops I've seen have been plywood over welded steel frames. Heavy for what they are, but probably still well under 750kg, and strong as hell.

There are a couple of GRP ones out there though - ali chassis, then a bolt-on GRP teardrop. Done right, that'd be as strong as you'd ever need (are you going to roll one with you inside???) and feather light. To the point where it literally bounces down the road kind of feather light.

the problem with caravans is the aerodynamics i regularly tow with my sj it is a 1.5td conversion and will easily pull 1.5ton car on an a frame but i once tried to tow a friends horse box and on the local bypass was flat out at 40mph and it didn't take long befor my temp was getting near the red

Seconded. A man who looks a lot like me, and who owns an identical TD Yaris, found that he can flat tow his SJ (900ish KG) far more easily than he can tow a tiny caravan (ABI Adventurer, 650kg) - all because of the additional surface area acting like a parachute.

It's the main reason I want to (eventually) do an Ignis 1.5 litre engine swap like ladaman.

[Jordi]

I'd be concerned. This doppelganger of yours seems to do some dubious stuff when your not looking.

[Anton]

Used to, before he found out that it's illegal. He's much better behaved these days.

[windsor]

Teardrops are easyer to tow with them being more aero dynamic

[justaddmud]

Here is a bit of inspiration for you, and a good build thread to boot :-)

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/ ... eted-build

should be able to view without being a member.

Wish i had the time, space, money, and skill to undertake building one, they are very cool

[Jay18]

didn't think this would get so many people's interest lol, just printing and laminating all the plans now ready to start building it, probable wont e for a couple of weeks as the zuk is in need of some tlc, so will keep you all updated on this build..

[dan_2k_uk]

Got me looking at them now!

I know Helen would far prefer it to getting a new tent too!

Would have to be a super pimp one though.

[Jay18]

ive got a trailer chassis for £50 and got the plans to build the caravan, it is small but will have everything i need in it, toilet, firdge, hob, wardrobe, bed (obviously), cupboard's, all lights will be LED strips like what i have in the back of the zuk, the bed will fold up to a seating area like in most caravans..

need to do a few bits on the zuk before its ready for towing a caravan, one of the things is a 1.6 8v to help the zuk pull it..

here is the link to the plans of the caravan i am building...

http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear48.htm

[Anton]