It is possible that lately, you have seen, on the routes and the campsites, the mini-wheels or teardrops ( tears in English, because of the way they have) and we are many who were delighted with this option to travel. If you are suffering from any health issues then you must carry the best folding rollator walker with you in camping.
Melina and Daniel, passionate about camping, made it their goal to have a teardrop … made by themselves! and they tell us (and show us) how the project developed until the inaugural trip.
– How did the idea of making a minirodante come about?
The idea of building a Teardrop arises from the need that we generated after driving many hours, and with the tiredness that implies, to carry the bed armed and not have to arm the camp to rest.
So we started to think of an alternative.
We discarded the conventional draft motorhome, because it exceeds the benefits that we intended. And in those we were walking, until on the Solo Campings page we found the idea of a mini-trailer or teardrop, a couple was putting it together in Chaco, which seemed perfect for what we were looking for.
– Where did you get help in the beginning? Things like plans, instructions or manuals, etc.
Our main source of information was the internet, there we found countless pages, most of them from the United States, and in many of them users published the plans and the step-by-step construction of the different models.
There are also several forums in our country where this topic is being discussed, such as the following:
Forum of minirodantes in English: www.tnttt.com Forum of Rodanteros: www.rodanteando.com.ar
– What are the basic characteristics of your minirodante?
As for the measures, it measures total length, lance included, 4 meters, and width 1.95 meters, with the fenders, allowing it to enter any garage. The approximate weight is 380 kg. Inside it has a shelf and a storage space behind the back of the bed, a general light and reading lights, as well as air conditioning.
The back is dedicated to the kitchen with a stove, mini-bar refrigerator, microwave and also a place to put containers that help transport merchandise and kitchen utensils.
As constructive characteristics we can mention that it is entirely made of wood, with 50 mm thermal insulation, on walls and ceiling, two access doors, interior space for a conventional two-seater mattress.
– During construction, what were the difficulties you encountered?
The main difficulty that we encountered once we had already started to build, was to locate the specific items for mobile homes, so in many cases we had to make replacements for more accessible materials and in others we were left with only patience. and tour.
– Making an estimate, how long did it take to build and among how many people did it?
Construction took us about 4 months to work on the weekends. For the most part only the two of us worked except for the chassis that required the help of a blacksmith.
– What was the investment in materials?
It is very difficult for us to make an estimate of the investment that we made since most of it is leftover materials from works related to our work or that of our families, and the equipment is part of our camp.
– They already released it: where and how did the minirodante behave?
We premiered it on a short trip to Colón, Entre Ríos (Argentina). We were very satisfied with both the behaviour on the road (it was very stable, and had a no greater aerodynamic impact or fuel consumption), as for camping use, we found it extremely comfortable.
– During this trip and first experience: What design things did you think of that you would do differently in the mini-wheel if you had to do it again?
As for any change in the design, we are still so satisfied with the use that we have not found cons, perhaps with the passage of time, our needs change and there if we will contemplate the possibility of some modification.