Rough Cost to build my first tear Drop.

[Arne]

I've built 2. With a/c, microwave, mattress... in short, everything I wanted, neither cost more than $2,500 (all new materials, no dumpster diving).

Both had h/f 1,800/1,740# trailers as a base.

Link below shows second build.

[halo1]

I like the way the walls slide down over the Subfloor very nice work indeed.
What was the height and length of your trailer? I wanna find some 6 lug hubs for my trailer as well but thats in due time.

[Arne]

outside wall height is 4' (typical ply) and length is 123". Joint is at front of door at hinge.

[halo1]

If you guys built your trailer 5" wide what aluminum sheet did you use?
All I can find is 4x10 stuff around here.

[Alfred]

Hey Jason,

The cost of building a TD is going to vary depending on what materials you use, whether you come across them used or pay full retail, etc.

Here is a great thread from a member who built his entire camper for less than $300: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30779

On the other hand, my camper will probably end up costing more than I thought it would initially, but I bought most of the materials full retail at Home Depot/Lowes and I had to buy some tools. Not counting the tools, it will probably end up costing me about $1500 before it is over, but I've stopped keeping track, actually.

Sometimes there is a dilemma, I could probably find a component less expensive if I waited and looked around for it, shopped the internet for the best deals, but if it is a Saturday and I'm building and I need it that day, then its Home Depot or Lowes. Some things you may want to splurge on, like a good vent fan or vintage style windows or hardware.

It is easier if you think of it as a 'payday' project, which means it costs a little bit every payday as you continue your build, a little here a little there, with a big chunk every now and again (for the trailer, or the 5x5 baltic birch, etc.). Usually, I don't have to spend a large amount all at once.

Of course, I'm just hammering nails (figuratively) there are some folks here who have built real works of art, and like anything else, one gets what one pays for. Some folks on this list have advocated well for spending the cost for quality.

Keep us posted as to your progress!

AL in Asheville

[halo1]

What kind of undercoating do you guys use>?

[Rigsby]

On the underside i use several coats of auto underseal. On the top before i skin with the ally, i use several coats od thinned down yacht varnish, this soaks in well and hardens the wood, it also builds up in the woodgrain, so when sanded down gives a good smooth surface for the paint. I even went cheap on that, using a matt finish paintas it cost less, then covering it with warmed up and sprayed on yacht varnish
steve

[Miriam C.]

I used Henry's asphalt evil smelling black goo...It will get everywhere but is cheap and works wonderfully. Sold at box stores.

[halo1]

Will this dry to a hard coat or stay soft and sticky? I was thinking of using
Deck paint or floor paint then buy some spay undercoat and shoot that on the underside for added protection. Check this link out at home depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Interior ... ogId=10053

[Arne]

I've said it b4 and I'll say it again... the bottom gets very little abuse and no sun..

I used one coat of roof coating on both tears.

it dries but is still soft enough to form a great seal between floor and frame.

Total mileage about 55k... and never a problem.

[urban5]

To the original question I spent a total of $867, and 30 hrs of labor to build mine. I used all new materials from a box store.http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=746498&highlight=#746498 Check it out.

[halo1]

So I built the Platform and it came out nice!! I used Kills Latex for the undercoating should work good. next I move to the walls, I found some
1/4x4x10 Sheets of A/C plywood for 35.17 a sheet. So the walls will have
a 1/4 outside skin 1.5 frame and polystyrene insulation and 1/8 luan inside so should be pretty strong I think.
The reason for the 4x10 is so I can get the shape I want and not have any seams to deal with.

[halo1]

Here is the bottom floor being put together after the V rails and top sheet this
sucker was solid.
We also used some duck tape for a added seal.