Name's Roger, have filled out my profile, albeit miserly, and am planning a tear build. Am 61.5 YO, and plan to retire at the end of Feb. '19, to start a new chapter of life. Hopefully, this one will let all "my time" actually be my time. Veteran of 21 years, 17 of it Iowa National Guard.
My plan is to build a bare bones tear on a 5'x8' frame of 2"x2" square tubing. (Frame is already together, with slipper spring suspension attached.) The cabin is planned to be 5'x10', but the main space will be 5'x8', with the remaining being a foot of overhang at each end. I do not anticipate an insulated wall or roof, and so far, my plan is completely 12vdc electrical, charged from one or two solar panels. (I'll carry an automotive battery charger as a backup, but don't really plan on needing it.)
I'm also a scrounger, and the frame I have built is a testament to that. Every foot of the tubing for it came out of the scrap metal dumpster at work. I did go though Etrailer for the suspension components, and am currently waiting on my 12" rim/tire purchase. (The local trailer parts suppliers seem to want to fund their retirement rather quickly.) (Shameless plug alert!) I love the free shipping events with Etrailer, as it saves a bunch on hard parts!
This is the second frame I've built, as I didn't think it through enough before I threw together a 4x8 frame, then realized it was going to be too small for my liking, hence the 5x8.
I'll see about getting a pic or two, and starting my own build thread, so as not to trash up my intro.
Roger