Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Mary,
Don't let others discourage you! The only things I ever built before starting my project were a recipe box and a tool box with the cub scouts. I'm learning as I go, asking everyone I know a lot of questions, and carefully following and understanding my plans. You can do it! After they stop thinking your crazy, they'll think it's really cool. And besides, an angle grinder is a great way to intimidate the neighbors!

Hi Mary,
The teardrop folks on this forum have really been kind and helpful to me as I research my build. I am a very slow builder as much of this is new to me and I have to ask a lot of questions until I understand what needs to be done. If I don't understand something I back up to a part of the process that I do understand and start asking questions until I can understand the next piece of the puzzle. So, welcome, and don't waste your energy listening to the people who say you can't do it. You can do it. There are a lot of us here who are learning as we go. Just do the research, ask questions, and take things one step at a time. Along the way be sure to enjoy the process.
Kris
p.s. Oh, one more thing..check out your state's requirements for licensing so you can be sure to do everything they require to get your trailer registered. My state requires copies of all receipts for parts used in the build.

Mary,
Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. Many times folks will try and discourage others because they lack the ability or, more importantly, the courage to do something. Let them sleep in the tent. You're off to a good start with the spread sheet, that'll give you an idea what you'll need.

The one tool I really needed was a pocket hole jig. And I hadn't even heard of one until I found this forum.

Scott F.

I think this requirement is pretty common. In Nevada I believe you need the receipts for the major components; axle, springs, steel and coupler. It make me laugh though because I have this visual of walking into DMV with a big ol' box of receipts.

"This one is for the hurricane hinge. And this one is for the fabric I made the curtains with. Can you believe that it has little teardrop trailers on it? This one is for the gorilla glue. Oh and this one for those little teardrop shaped salt and pepper shakers I bought. Have you ever thought about building a teardrop?"

..."Ok ma'am. Here's you title. Please take you box of receipts and leave!".

Joanne

KA wrote:

<snip>

p.s. Oh, one more thing..check out your state's requirements for licensing so you can be sure to do everything they require to get your trailer registered. My state requires copies of all receipts for parts used in the build.

Hi Joanne,
Your post made me laugh just thinking about going to get the registration with my receipts. I also have a notebook started with all of the licensing requirements, steel strength charts and other info gathered here on the forum and other places. I'm hoping that when they see how thick my notebook is, they'll just wave me through. I also will take along my copy of the Generic Benroy plans, Steve Fredericks shop manual, and my paper profile pattern and chassis drawing from Grant at Lil Bear. It is a good thing I'll have something to tow all my receipts and research in.
Kris

I know this is an old thread, but as far as registering the trailer, I was under the assumption that most folks, (especially with the bolt together trailers HF, Red Trailer, etc.) were assembling their trailers, adding the lights, (even if temporary), then registering just the trailer. Once it was registered, then they removed the lights again and built the teardrop. Renewals were a matter of just sending the the money each year, so the DMV only looks at it the first time. ??? If I don't buy prebuilt, that was my plan. Or does it really vary state to state a lot??

It varies from state to state. In Oregon, I don't have to register or license mine.

clkelley564 wrote:I know this is an old thread, but as far as registering the trailer, I was under the assumption that most folks, (especially with the bolt together trailers HF, Red Trailer, etc.) were assembling their trailers, adding the lights, (even if temporary), then registering just the trailer. Once it was registered, then they removed the lights again and built the teardrop. Renewals were a matter of just sending the the money each year, so the DMV only looks at it the first time. ??? If I don't buy prebuilt, that was my plan. Or does it really vary state to state a lot??

Alabama:
Costs here under Trailer:
Appears to be S12.00 per year or a buck a month _ see chart for Trailers.
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... hedule.htm

Home made trailer rules for Alabama:
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... 57502.html
Permanent trailer licence plates have been eliminated
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... -.240.html
Stagger licencing Rules for Trailers In Alabama:
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... 51483.html
1990 Trailers and newer are registered - older not
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... /5301.html

Rule book & URLS
http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorveh ... index.html

Thanks for the info. It looks like I'll be able to just register the trailer, then build.

However, it also looks like no matter how I do it, build or buy, I won't be able to get a personalized plate for it

caryeastwood wrote:Saw this in a woodworking tip book...

Sawing large sheets of plywood can be done using a circular saw, a straight edge (or another piece of wood) and a sheet of 2" rigid foam insulation. Lay the plywood over on the insulation and only drop your blade only 1/4" below the work.

I'm planing on gluing a piece of 1/2" ply / mdf to the back of mine, just to make it more rigid and in case I mess up. This way I can use it on the ground or on saw horses.

Wood Saw horses (so's you can cut into them and not cry!)
Chalk line (snap)
circular saw
Cut
Done:

That's how I make two out of one.

g
http://woodworking.about.com/od/shopequ ... horses.htm
SAWHORSES: I've watched the contractors here and most of them make sawhorses very similar to this design. Most leave the top 2x4 off cause you have to drive nails in it to hold it on and the saw blade will catch one from time to time (with carbide doesn't matter that much). Top 2x4 is a good idea cause it can be replaced when it gets all sawed up. However, when that happens just make new ones all over again --really easy.

g

I just found this topic but Geron's picture of a contractor sawhorse reminded me of the ones my father-in-law brought home from a finished carpenter job when we first got married (49 years ago).

Dad Croff was a professional carpenter and with his encouragement and advice, I built our first home even though I knew nothing about building a house. We would go often to my wife's home for meals and gatherings on weekends and holidays and Dad Croff would answer my questions.

Anyway when they would finish a job and I needed a pair of sawhorses, he would bring me the ones they just got through using. They were only slighly simpler than the one Geron shows in his picture. I have made dozens like them over the past 49 years. Like some one said, the get sawed up from time to time.

Dave

this is your dream & it really is only your business......it's between "you & your maker" so don't stop dreaming about the "construction of YOUR teardrop"...........i can't wait to see it....
oh,& don't cut yourself with saws. just learn how to be zen with your tools.......go very slow & your cuts will be accurate...be very careful...........take your time & you'll be good to go...