Kits for sale. Looking for opinions

[Z3R0]

Hey guys, I've been tossing around an idea that's been going thru my head for a little while now. How would some of you feel about buying a kit to build a tear drop. I know most people on here already have one but there are just so many similarities between most of the I guess "standard builds". Just wondering if you guys think a kit would fair well. Of course quality and lead time and cost are a big majority of any product but let me know how you guys feel about possibly a 4x8 kit based off of a harbor freight chassis. Side walls all CNC cut and grooved and insulated (ready for wiring), hatch spars, vent fan, doors and windows, aluminum trim, galley cabinet doors and drawers and instructions. Most of the more tedious stuff taken care of. The roof spars and some other items will be bought at a local hardware store. I've been designing and in the manufacturing world and it doesn't seem to be a hard task just seeing if the need/want is out there. Let me know your thoughts.

[Shadow Catcher]

As with most "kits" the quality of the materials would seem to me to be of paramount importance, and while Harbor Freight trailers are easily available I would not want one (prime reason is lack of brake availability, lower end quality) and limit of 4' width (I would want 5'). If you were to use for example marine grade plywood etc. I can see a market for a well designed tear kit.

[webbaldo]

Some kits are very good quality, others look like crappy Chinese plywood cut with a handsaw!

Try and speak to people who have bought a kit from the people you are looking for. Or even visit the manufacturer?

Regarding trailers, the HF may be cheap in the US, here in the UK it was cheaper to get one welded, and a separate custom axle made. It was still £100 cheaper than HF one! And more solid.

[Z3R0]

Good advice guys. I was just looking into it. I haven't actually heard of anyone doing kits but it looks like there are kits. As for harbor freight trailers. It just seems to be the most widely used on these forums and seem to do their purpose well, never seen at brakes on any tear drop and only thing I would do is bolt it together, weld it together and add some bearing buddies. I guess if you we're going to build your own trailer there would be plans for the layout of the kit. I started thinking that the sides would be a major majority of the kit with doors and windows. If you wanted a 4 tall by 8 or a 5 tall by 10 long then it depends on the kit. The width is really up to you. I've noticed that a grooved side wall to incorporate the roof seems to be the easiest route so that would be incorporated. The hatch part would include the spars. Likely steamed to the profile and as many as requested. Just figured parts for a kit would be make the kits much more versatile. Anyone oppose this?

[Z3R0]

Thanks slow cowboy. I think when I get some spare time maybe I will put a kit together of what I have in mind and sell one on here for a low price and get some feedback or quality and fitment. I just love these teardrops and I know some people who love camping but either tent camping isn't ideal or cost of buying a trailer isn't ideal or not having the right vehicle for a trailer. I think these teardrops are just for those people and there are a lot of them. Also considering you can build one for a fraction of what you can buy manufactured ones is a plus. I would also love to be in the business of making these because its what I would love to do as a designer and hobbiest of anything cool.

[Festus]

If you were going into production, you might do what some of the hot rod kit cars do and offer packages. A person might not have the money for a complete kit, but you could offer the body kit with packages for cabinets, etc. Each package could be a little more profitable for you, but allow a customer to get the teardrop built and upgrade as time and money allow.

Say for instance, offer a body kit that would include the wood parts, edge and door trim and hardware, and galley trim and hardware. I would imagine the basic kit with only a countertop in the galley and no cabinets in the interior. You could offer an interior cabinet(s) kit, a galley cabinet kit, vent kit, electrical package, etc.

Just my .02.

[PKCSPT]

I would love to build my own but have neither the talent or the patience.

With that said
If I were able to buy a kit locally that had the basics done like the sides, roof, hatch, floor, siding already cut and ready to go together. The exterior lights included with the holes cut where they would go and A list of items needed to complete the build with a simple shelf galley like my Little Guy would be tempting. Maybe an additional kit to make a little nicer galley if one went that route. As Festus said upgrade options.

The downside is I am one who does not like to order site unseen so would want it locally where I could check one out. I could still have the pride to say yeah I put it together and designed parts of it chose the colors or left it a woody ( I would consider paying for it to be done for me).

Just my side of it from one who wishes she could build one and knows it likely won't happen.

[Junkboy999]

Zach said one of his friends just bought a kit off line, that is the only person I know of in the forums that has seen one in person. Not sure how far the guy is in the building. It is this kit. They even just sell the hatch kit and template so you can cut your TD sides from your own wood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=347cJ36tAPE

But as far as the demand goes, I’d think it would be slow. but if you has a cnc you can do other stuff and then just make the kits when needed.


Edit OOps I forgot about Frank Bear kits. not sure if anyone has built one

and Oregon Trail'R,Teardrop Trailer Kits

[Z3R0]

Ill have to check out that video at work. I guess what's stopping this whole idea for me is the issues with size. There are so many different sizes of trailers and platforms that its sort of hard to say here's a 4x8 or a 5x10. It's really hard to do this without supplying a trailer for it unless the kit is built around say a harbor freight or northern tool trailer. If you want to weld up your own trailer I can just supply the body panels as well. I think that's the route I would go if needed. Once again this is just a toss up and just seen a market for it. I'm kind of hoping once mine is built I can build some for some friends and I will suggest a harbor freight or northern tool trailer so I can get some ideas. I would of course be going for quality. Actually the Atma trailer build is sort of what I'm looking into as far as quality. I'm from Michigan so trailers and camping are a very common hobby of most around here so windows and door suppliers should be fairly easy to find. I really appreciate your guys input and I think tomorrow I might see if i can run some numbers on an effective price range for these kits. I'd like to be somewhere around half of a little guy fully assembled.

[Z3R0]

Wow so I actually am fairly impressed with their kits as they are CNC cut. Only flaw is its a very basic built sheet an rather expensive if this price is without shipping. My idea of sides is half inch oak ply with either spars sandwiched with a 1/8 birch interior or another piece of half inch skeleton to give room for insulation and wiring. My mind is flying around already. This isn't good. Haha

[Z3R0]

Just a really rough idea of how my kit sides would be going together. I'm a big fan of the exterior sheet sitting on the frame rail and the exterior sheet bolting to the floor. I've ran many of tests in CAD. That is the most durable if your frame allows for it. Each side is composed of 3 sheets which allows for insulation and wiring. This is a 10 foot model so theres actually 6 pieces. Each would be offset to allow for a better sandwiching effect. Let me know what you guys think.