New to everything

[feastpile]

Hello, I'm from the USA. I'm in my late 30's and looking to transition into a new hobby. I've been a computer gamer for way too long, and I'm itching for something new and adventurous.

I don't know anything about drafting, or CAD, or DIY tiny campers, teardrops, electrical, insulation, or anything really when it comes to building something myself. I'm looking to improve my skills with all of that while creating my first teardrop camper. My goal is to have it drafted in the next month or so, and then start piecing everything together over the winter for use in Spring 2026 and beyond.

I'm open to any support or help for absolutely newbies in the space of DIY builds. Feel free to let me know what I'm missing out on.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Understand there is a very good chance this will take way longer than you think. So having a place to keep it while you work. That is out of the weather, is very important. Not having that place. Or losing that place. For whatever reason. Has stalled or failed many projects.

You make no mention of any tools you have. Or skills with those tools. While this can be done with very some basic tools. As an example, it can take a bit of practice to get good with a router. If you decide to use one.

Be wary of mission creep. You think of or see a neat idea. Then decide to incorporate it into your build. Not realizing how much time, money or complexity you just added to your build

It will cost more than you think.

Think aircraft not tank as you build. Weight really matters. Many builders overbuild. House construction and camper construction are very different. Big thick and heavy does not mean quality or longevity.

I don't wish to discourage you. Just make you aware. This is more of a ground up build is a huge undertaking. It took me years to buld my teardrop. I was quite proud I did it. Yet I would never do it again.

I am now 100% on board with converting a cargo trailer. Wish I had gone that way right off the bat.
With the cargo conversion. You are just building an interior. Worlds quicker to have a road worthy vehicle from the onset. It's also weather tight on day one of purchase. You can store tools or supplies in it while you build.

I hope you enjoy building yours as much as I did. If you get jammed up. The good folks here will help out any way they can. Thats huge.

Tell us what you have in mind to build.

 

[feastpile]

I appreciate the reply! And the honesty of it! I do not have much experience with tools, no. One thing I have going for me is a great eye for detail. I'm a bit of an artist and understand patience and finesse. I'm hoping those traits will translate over for a good foundation to stand on.

I will be building this out of a garage my stepdad owns. He runs a motorcycle repair shop, but has a huge area he does DIY projects in. He has agreed to let me use the space to build my teardrop. He has tons of equipment there, unfortunately I don't know exactly what yet. I'm going over this weekend with my laptop and he's going to sit down with me and we're really going to get the plan started.

Thinking aircraft over tank makes a lot of sense, and I'll keep that in mind.

I plan on building a foamie for my first teardrop. I feel like this might be the cheapest option for me to "get stuff wrong" during the build, and then use what I learn from this experience when I build something a bit more involved.

Something like this youtube video I posted here. This is actually how I found these forums!

 

[Pmullen503]

A foamie is a good starter. Naturally light and requires only simple tools. A design with all flat surfaces is easiest though curves aren't terrible, just fussy. Foamies are also naturally well insulated.

Mr Lahey's warning about mission creep should be heeded. It's easy to get excited and up the complexity (and cost) in a hurry.

Unless you plan to camp solo, go with at least 5' wide. Not an efficient use of 4' wide material but MUCH more comfortable for two people.

 

[pchast]

Welcome to the madness.

A lot depends on the people you yourselves are. I strenuously recommend that you mock up the camper. Test out whether you need a 4' or 5' wide.

Remember the walls of the camper will touch the sides of the bed providing support to the mattress and restriction for a sprawled out sleeping style.

 

[Mr. Lahey]

Yep....the width advice is golden as far as comfort goes.
I'll add this little info gem I picked up here. Back when I built my tear.

2 people in the camper should equal 2 doors. Soooo much better than 2am gymnastics over the other person in order to use the restroom.

In any case good luck. I hope to encourage you to start a build thread as well. We would love to follow along.

 

[DrewsBrews]

I always saw foamies as an advanced build style rather than beginner. Everything relies on the joint quality, and it seems adapting from foam to other matherials (such as plywood for cabinets) can be tricky. But I haven't done it so I could be wrong.

A galley hatch seems to be the most tricky part of a tear. You can get around that by building a squaredrop style and using a large premade hatch door instead.

Where are you located in OH? I'm in Southwest OH and have a mountain of unused parts from my defunct squaredrop build to offer for cheap. Doors/windows/exterior lights, a whole roll of canvas for PMF, much more.

 

[Tony Latham]

A galley hatch seems to be the most tricky part of a tear.

I'd argue for the word 'intimidating' vs. 'tricky' when it comes to hatch building. At least for first-time builders.

However, I have seldom seen a hatch on a foamy. That may be tricky.

Tony