Teardrop Trailer Manufacured by my Dad

[Roger]

Back in the mid-1950's my dad and a partner had a business manufacturing teardrop trailers. They were located in Burbank CA. As a very little kid I only remember going to the plant once.

My cousin sent me this photo and when I saw it I instantly remembered what they looked like. My dad and mom are both gone now so I can't ask them about them. I sure would love to find one if any are still in existance. I'd at least like to talk to anyone that owns or owned one.

I don't know the name of their business.

The man in the picture is my uncle and as a side note, his car was on the cover of the March 1954 Hot Rod Magazine. There was a big write up about his car in that issue.

[curtis]

I had one back in the late 60's. I think there is a club for them. they are a collectors item.

[screwball]

'KenSkill Kamper'?

Originally located at 126 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA.
Relocated in the late 50's to 11321 Goss Street, Sun Valley, Califorina

Is your fathers name Bill Kenndy?
He made about 200 'teardrop' trailers by hand during the Summers of 1946 and 1947…


Or

Ben-Roy Trailer Company
1102 Isabel Street, Burbank, California

Roy Greenwood & Bennet Petersen

[Roger]

'KenSkill Kamper'?

Originally located at 126 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA.
Relocated in the late 50's to 11321 Goss Street, Sun Valley, Califorina

Is your fathers name Bill Kenndy?
He made about 200 'teardrop' trailers by hand during the Summers of 1946 and 1947…


Or

Ben-Roy Trailer Company
1102 Isabel Street, Burbank, California


Roy Greenwood & Bennet Petersen

Hey thanks Screwball,

No, his name wasn't Bill Kennedy, and those years would have been too early. I remember going to the factory only once and that would have been between 1954 - 1956 I'm sure.

The trailer in the photo I'm sure is a Ben-Roy but in reading up on the company, my dad isn't mentioned as a partner. Knowing my dad, if he was involved with Ben-Roy, he would have been selling them to dealerships. I'm thinking maybe he got a piece of the action from the sales side.

[sarah]

Too cool! That's a neato pic.

[igofshn]

As most on here know, I built one for off roading.




Ended up selling it last year.

[Roger]

Igofshn,

I have been thinking about building one. In fact your design is exactly what I had in mind. Going for the angles but not rounded would be much easier and cheaper, not to mention more room inside & in the galley.

Did you design it yourself or did you buy plans?

How much did it cost you to build?

Did you build the frame??

Do you have any other photos of it?

Thanks,

Roger

[Mitch]

Roger,

I don't remember that company, of course I wasn't born till 1959! (Sorry just had to do that). There are several "Teardrop Trailer" clubs and vintage trailer clubs out there. Wrightwood hosts a vintage trailer and camping weekend every year and the California State Chili Championship Cookoff has a "Teardrop trailer" show at the same time as the cookoff. That one is in May in San Bernardino.

Mitch

[cweed]

Roger, google tear drop trailers and you find all finds of plans for free to build your own. Check out Wal-Mart and Costco, they sometimes have utility trailer kits for as low as $400. That would make a good base frame to start with.

[Roger]

Roger, google tear drop trailers and you find all finds of plans for free to build your own. Check out Wal-Mart and Costco, they sometimes have utility trailer kits for as low as $400. That would make a good base frame to start with.

Thanks, I found Harbor freight has a trailer for $299.00 rated at 1,700 lbs.

Do you have any other photos of yours? Like the galley or the interior?

[igofshn]

Igofshn,

I have been thinking about building one. In fact your design is exactly what I had in mind. Going for the angles but not rounded would be much easier and cheaper, not to mention more room inside & in the galley.

Did you design it yourself or did you buy plans?

How much did it cost you to build?

Did you build the frame??

Do you have any other photos of it?

Thanks,

Roger

I started with 60' of 2x2x3/16 square tube and built the trailer in my garage. got the axle from northern tools. The design is my own. I kind of winged it. scribbled some things down and then went to town. the framing is 2x4 ripped in half and the put 1 1/2 foam insulation sandwiched between 1/2 plywood. the total cost was about 2K and that include the windows and vents and everything else.

[Ol Man]

Roger, found this on Craig's list:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/922072946.html

And this guy rents them:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/908617923.html

[Roger]

Roger, found this on Craig's list:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/922072946.html

And this guy rents them:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/908617923.html

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[chris142]

The Route66 museum on D st in Victorville has a nice one inside on display. I don't know who actully built it.

[needsrepair]

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/index.php