What do you consider included in the cost of your TD/TTT?

[cracker39]

What items do you include when you tally up the total cost of your trailer? Do you include the cost of tools you have to buy? Other extras that don't actually go into the trailer or tow vehicle itself?

I see some really high figures for a TD...like up to $5K. I hope to keep the cost of my TTT around $2K. I am keeping my TTT very basic though. I already have a tow vehicle set up with hitch and connector. I don't think of tools that I buy as part of the cost to build, since nearly any tool that I buy will be added to my workshop to use on a lot of other projects. I have spent quite a bit already for small hand tools (biscuit joiner, pocket hole jig, folding work stand, cordless drills (2), bench disk/belt sander, clamps, etc.), and plan to buy a 6" bench planer/jointer soon. These are tools that I need and want anyway. But so far I have bought nothing that will actually go into the TTT except the jack stand for the tongue, a float charger and some shrink wrap for wiring that was on sale.

The items that I consider a part of the trailer costs will include all materials for chassis and body, and interior equipment like AC unit and any appliances I might buy (e.g., a Microwave...I aleady have a propane camp stove). In other words, it if doesn't go camping with me, and a tool that I buy can be used for other projects, I don't consider it part of the cost to build and equip my TTT. I like woodworking and tools are an investment in my hobby, not the trailer.

That's how I see it. What's your take on the cost to build?

[s4son]

Dale,
I started an Excel spreadsheet and have a catagory for tools, frame, body, electrical, accessories, etc. I figure I can remove any catagories necessary to get the cost down to where the wife won't get mad. Seriously though, it does let me keep track of anything I might not have purchased otherwise but can easily remove them to get an accurate cost of just the trailer.

Scott F.

[doug hodder]

I don't count tools in total on boats or on a tear....just materials and consumables...sand paper disks, glue etc....and tool sharpening....Doug

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

Cracker,
I figured everything I needed to build or put into the tear; the wood, metal for the frame and a new drill, jig saw, and skill saw. And I am in for about $3200.00

[larryl]

Cracker:

I kept a spreadsheet of everything from frame to stainless screws to TV/DVD player. Did not include my tools, sandpaper nor drill bits.

Have $2800.00 + or - and still have the air conditioner to purchase.

I feel it has been one of my best investments I made and would do it again with slight modifications to save time.

By the way it is a 5X8 Cubby.

Larry

[Arne]

I don't consider tools, they usually get used over and over, and some are things I've wanted for years anyway.... and I'm not sure I bought anything new.... bought a lot of sandpaper, though, and that is a tear cost.

One thing that really got me was how the little stuff added up. Paint, lights, sandpaper, screws, etc...... we tend to accept (or I do) the lumber/plywood costs, but glue, windows, vent, readling lights, etc. add up very, very quickly.. then you get into microwave, a/c, heater, tv, vcr player and the old m/c bill just zooms right on up there.

[asianflava]

I don't include tools either, just what is rolling on the 2 wheels. If I included the tools and stuff I bought for experiments, this thing would probably cost twice as much.

[cracker39]

Tell me about all the little things. I began a spreadsheet today for all of the materials, hardware, equipment, etc. I haven't filled in a lot of it, but it has reached over 2 pages so far, and I'm sure I have missed a lot of the little things. My TTT is larger than nearly all of the TDs, but the design is really simpler but not much more expensive to build in some respects. I don't have the rear galley and hatch to build and equip. I will have just the one 5' wide cabinet and counter top inside and under-bed storage. Still, I can see that I won't hold it down to $2K....closer to $3K is more like it.

But, today I managed to save some money on plywood. Actually, I spent more than I would have for the 5.2mm luan for the outside skin. I went to HD to get some bolts and stuff for my router table I am building, and saw 8 sheets of 5.2mm red oak plywood marked down from $25.95 to $15.00. I brought them all home. The surface is smoother than the luan. It will be a shame to paint it, but I'm using 6 sheets of it for my side exterior skins and interior cabinetry. I'll save the other two sheets to use if needed, or for other projects and I'll use the luan for the top, front, and back exterior skins. I think if I seal it REALLY WELL, it won't be affected by moisture.

My spreadsheets for project costs tracks both my estimated prices for materials and my actual prices I pay in separate columns. This way, I can see at the end how my estimates compared with my actual costs.

[Arne]

Dale, how's the ole estimate vs. cost looking so far.?/g/..... I finally gave up and just kept throwing money at it till it was done..... I knew at some point I could close my wallet (I almost said 'pocket book', but that would date me)...

[cracker39]

Dale, how's the ole estimate vs. cost looking so far.?/g/..... I finally gave up and just kept throwing money at it till it was done..... I knew at some point I could close my wallet (I almost said 'pocket book', but that would date me)...

I went ahead and threw estimated prices into the spreadsheet, really guessing at the wiring and breakers. I did check lumber and plywood prices today, so they are pretty accurate for price, but maybe not for quantity. I also put in 6 whole boxes of screws (different sizes and types for different applications) at $5 per box even though I will probably use only part of each box. I also added $50 for consumables (sand paper, paint thinner, etc.) and $100 for miscellaneous stuff that I can't think of right now. I didn't price the expensive paint products like the Easypoxy and related undercoating, which I may decide to use (there goes the budget!!!).

At the moment, it's up to close to $2600. That includes nearly $500 for my chassis (steel, torsion axle, 13" wheels/tires, coupler, jack stand, etc.). I'm sure there are items I forgot and will have to add later on. My problem will be keeping up with receipts and what I spend and getting it in the spreadsheet before I lose them. I'd rather just run out and get to work after I buy materials.

I haven't even tried to keep up with my spending on tools as they aren't part of the trailer cost. I meant to keep up with the cost of the router table I am building, but already got behind and misplaced some shipping invoices for parts. Still, it will be a LOT less than buying one and just as servicable. I'm really putting everything into this one...T-tracks for miter and fence, a REAL featherboard, and spent $8 for a hose adapter which I will fit onto the fence to suck up the shavings with my shop vac. It also has shide outs with holes to insert my bits and two drawers for wrenches, template guides and other stuff. It's got 3 coats of gloss varnish on it and my wife saw it and asks why I don't build her something nice for the house. I didn't tell her that the reason is Priorities, Babe.

[smarttech]

I decided not to keep track of the costs. This way, I spend a little here, a little there, and the wife doesn't notice how much this thing is costing because each of the purchases is fairly small. It has allowed me to get some good tools though which I ordinarily would not have gotten.

[weasel]

I always keep a runnin' total of what I spend. Try to list as I buy. Use a legal pad date it and total at the end of month. When on a trip to a swap meet I carry index cards for prices, parts,wants, needs etc. I like to see where the $$$ goes.

[bledsoe3]

Tell me about all the little things.

Alcohol and first aid supplies tend to add up as a result of the build, but technically not part of the tear itself.

[Arne]

It would seem that alcohol and first aid supplies might be directly related/g/..

I usually start my first martini after all power tool use is done and I'm starting cleanup....... usually...

[bledsoe3]

My first drink start after the cussin' and blood.