Ballpark cost?

[frankroadrider]

Hello everyone, I signed up a few months ago and have been reading and checking out builds. There is a lot of talent here along with great builds! Here is my first newbie question...I am wondering what it would cost to build a basic TD. I understand each build is as unique as its builder. I also understand it is the journey as well as the destination, with that said, any ideas on a ball park guesstimate to what a basic build would cost?
Thanks Frank

[Gage]

It cost me $2500 to beruild a 1946 KIT Kamper the right way. You can see how I did it HERE.

[frankroadrider]

You do nice work! Looks great

[nevadatear]

With all the bells a whistles ours was about $3500

[nevadatear]

With all the bells a whistles ours was about $3500

[Kody]

Our TD has cost $1015.00 for building the trailer to the stage it is (see my build pages). New material has been used for all the parts. The finished TD will cost about $3000 to $3500 to complete.

Kody

[ssrjim]

3K is a good figure.

[Esteban]

http://webpages.charter.net/outtahand/littletow/index.htm TNTTT member(s) OuttaHand includes their detailed Cost Log including costs of tools to build on a Northern Tool 5' by 8' trailer. Their cost was $3,692.91. I just came across their site today and will be reading their Building Log too. The Building Log is well documented with photos, time logs, and OuttaHand is very open both about what worked well and shares some ooopsies. Flannel-glassing is a new idea of hisl

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200356494_200356494 is the Northern Tool 5x8 trailer web site.

[grantstew8]

Okay I've scrounged, have a shop full of tools, timber and bits and bobs but here is my cost so far.
My next "big" purchases are
Mattress £100 or so
Epoxy and a little fiberglass should be less than £60
I've got to worry about the doors and windows so there is more in there but in real terms.

As a realistic gut feel on a real budget, "beg, borrowing and stealing" (it's a saying; I don't suggesting stealing) could be as low as £1000 or $1500 and the sky is the limit.....

Excel is great for handing a budget.

[frankroadrider]

Thanks for the great replies. Thats not too bad at for building a TD. Nevadatear, that is a great looking TD. I think a shop like that is every guys dream. Keeping a journal is a great idea. I kept receipts for the trailers I built in the past, but not a journal.
Frank

[Bogo]

If you don't want to spend the $$$ on Excel, there is always LibreOffice Calc which is what I've been using. I've been plugging in the material weights, and costs into my weights calculation spreadsheet for my TTT. I don't have all the expected costs entered, but I'm working on it.

[working on it]

I told my wife "You don't want to know", but the truth is "I" don't want to know. In an earlier posting/thread, I related how the costs kept rising far beyond the $500 I told her at first. I started a cost spreadsheet, and threw it away to hide the evidence! Buying pieces here and there, buying parts I never used, and mixing parts I bought for the trailer with other projects...all this made accounting impossible (and impossible for her to track; I used cash for many purchases, and made purchases of unrelated items at the same time). I can't find that earlier post right now, but I detailed why I did what I did. I used to build and race my vehicles under the same untraceable spending pattern as now. But, I would guess $1k-1.5K, including even the junk trailer I started with ($50).

[S. Heisley]

The real answer is: How much can you afford to spend?

There is a fellow in the UK who spent I think as little as around $260(?) because almost everything was used, recycled, and/or donated.
Some have spent so much that they would be embarrassed to tell you here.
After a while, I stopped trying to add the invoices up and just threw them in a shoebox, where they still reside.

The moral of this story? Maybe it's "Be careful what you wish for?" or "How badly do you want that item?" or "Reclaim and repurpose?" or....

Maybe, like 'working on it', above, my answer is "I don't want to know."

[jonnyo]

i m not sure why people are ashame or feel bad about how much they spend? A normal factory teardrop for little guy would be in the 6000-12000K. So, anything lower than that and your doing good.

I had so much fun building my trailer, it s been one of the coolest thing i have done in a long time. i didnt own any tools so it added up quickly. i must be at the 4000$ range now. Well worth the investment for the fun of building and for the fun of traveling all over the country with it!!!

[bobhenry]

I have been able to keep 3 builds around $800.00 each with good scrounging and scouring craigs list for frames and supplies.