If you were to build it all over again ...

[TinKicker-TNT]

Russ, I'm still planning mine too (almost a year now). Been busy getting a 16-year-old into her own wheels.
Maybe 2009...

 

[Russ in California]

Russ, I'm still planning mine too (almost a year now). Been busy getting a 16-year-old into her own wheels.
Maybe 2009...

Aye, my 17 yr old has now been on the 'war path' to get his license. Some how the TD frame got put back on the back burner. If only...
Soon...

 

[Tommy2bits]

There was no choice (albeit a rare one) I didn't want it wider, I wanted it skinner! Exactly 2 1/2 inches skinner! Not a big deal once it is done though!

 

[Muggnz]

I wanted to answer twice.

But ended up only voting once, for longer. I'd also like it lighter. I don't need wider, with it capable of taking a dubble bead.

 

[nevadatear]

So far, only two changes. 1) tongue longer. Made too short for a tongue box. 2) Larger windows, more like on the little guy. Too dark inside in the day time, although opening the fan helps.

 

[Shadow Catcher]

We bought the first Mega-Mini at the beginning of the summer and we were asked for feed back. The subsequent models demonstrate the result of our feed back, that includes two doors and a single galley hatch, among others.
We also decided that there were a few changes we would have liked.
It is not all that often that you get a do over in life, but the guys at Eyes 4 Design are giving us the chance. We will be trading #1 for #6 and it will include our suggestions and a number of additional items (yes they do customize).
Additional drawers in the galley, pull out spray faucet, external shower, 6 gallon gas or electric water heater, (our present 4Gal gas only, uses quite a bit of propane to heat water, and as long as you are on shore power…). 4” deck plate ports for the external 5000btu air conditioner, internal Johnson Control thermostat which will also control a heater. Marine brass LED lights, AGP battery in the rear, connection and controller for the solar panel, awning rail on three sides to accommodate the Kelty car tarps.
The build will start shortly and Eric has promised build photos which I will post.

 

[bve]

I won't vote, because I haven't built yet.

HOWEVER.... The one thing I would change is just going for it once I found the Generic Benroy plans, instead of watching everyone else build for the last 2-3 years learning what THEY would change.

I started out looking for plans for a small travel trailer - I didn't even know what a teardrop was until I started looking. My intent was to find plans and build right away using as much recycled material as possible. Well obviously that didn't happen - instead I got caught up thinking about what I want - and still have nothing built. Had I just gone for it - I'd have a few years of ideas down for the unavoidable teardrop #2.

What I can say though over the past two years I have gone from wanting a Grasshopper design to a Benroy to a Grasshopper to a Benroy to a Grasshopper to a Benroy to a Grasshopper.... but I do KNOW for certain after seeing CaseyDog's CaseyKraft 2 I really do only want very minimal cabinetry - that just seems far too functional to not be good.

 

[john curtis]

I voted other.The next time if I build again I would have the doors costom built.Reason being-#1 time factor #2 cost #3 finding matierals.
But the biggest reason is cost the factory doors are about the same price or abit more.I will find out what I will do different next time in the do's and dont's department when I'am completed the building and start using my TD next summer.
John

 

[canned o minimum]

I'm in a peculiar spot...didn't quite "build "it, but restored it and customized it. Opened it up fer car show purposes with all my "themes'
The next one will have a galley fo sho ! I'm still torn between a woodie or an aluminum skin...Tho I rebuilt it the way "I" wanted it...don't we always want sumthin different ??

 

[canned o minimum]

Now I'm in a peculiar spot...I didn't actually "build" mine. I did RE build it and customize it.
Because I use my TD for car shows as well as campin, I opened it up and took out the galley area.
My next one will have a galley fo sho !
And...I'm torn between a woodie and an aluminum skin...maybe I'll jus put alum. on the roof and wood everywhere else !

 

[FlyerSkip]

We waited this long to build cuz we wanted to "do it right"....but.... time's awastin'. So here's the plan ...just build one stupid... If I wait till the time is right, the moneys there and I have it all planed down to the last screw and nut it will never happen. So we are building now. This trailer is very simple. The thought is to build this one and get camping agian. Then decide what we want in the next one and take our time with it, do all the extra little things that make it slick. But by having done this one we will have a much better idea of what it is we want to have and not spend a lot of time and money on what doesn't work for us. This trailer is a test bed for the one to come. And in the mean time we get to camp.

 

[mikeschn]

If I were to do it again, I think it would be aluminum. All aluminum. So even if it gets wet, there isn't any wood to delaminate...

Mike...

 

[Rlowell]

What a neat thread! Thanks for all the great ideas!
I am also on my first build using Mike's "Weekender" design as it should go well with my Aztek. We'll call it the "Ketza"
I just about have the walls ready to mount to the floor; hopefully this week.
I think that I am probably over building and should lighten up on the next one...we need the 5 x 10 size to sleep three. I have made several mistakes and it does take time to "fix" them. Hope to be ready for the fall camping season as we started in Feb. of this year.
Thanks again for all the great ideas throughout this forum.
Rod

 

[SmokeyBob]

If I had the I would buy a factory TTT.

 

[zkengle]

Whenever I can start another build (probably not for at least another year) I plan on going wider, and doing sandwich wall construction instead of heavy 3/4" ply - will allow for some insulation, possibly lose some weight, and wires will be easier to conceal. It'll definitely be another convertible though!

 

[crumbruiser]

I thank whoever is responsible for starting this post. I will hopefully start my TD this spring after income tax time and I appreciate the valuable information given here. At first I wanted to build a 4 x 8 thinking it would be easier and cheaper. But now, I think the extra room obtained in a 5 x 8 or 5 x 10 would be really worth the expense and problems ( if any ).

 

[doug hodder]

What a trip back in time!...I see lots of members no longer active that posted. It's nearly 7 years old! For me...I build others, cause I've got ideas I want to do, not because I need one. Doug

 

[Kim Armstrong]

Mr. Hodder, Really like all the builds you have done. I know you have to have a new one going on. Any pictures?

 

[LDK-TNT]

If I had to do over I would've definitely made it wider with 2 doors instead on only 1.

 

[Oldragbaggers]

If I build another one I would like to try smaller (no larger than 4x, and much lighter, with laminated foam walls. Everything would be spartan and as light as possible. It would be nice to have something that my fuel efficient Hyundai could handle when we don't want to funnel gas into the Jeep.

And I would start with a frame kit to get that certificate of origin.