Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm new to teardrops, being as it sounds like most of you have lots of experience under your belt. I am wanting to build a teardrop trailer for my ag projects class. I'm looking at more of a squared weekender design as it would be easier. I was also wondering about the frame work for the cabin itself. My Ag teacher suggested builing a 1 inch steel tubing frame and then riviting sheet metal to it and paneling on the inside with insulation in between, but i haven't see any designs with anything like this. I'm thinking a 5x8 trailer size which i would weld together , hoping to save money there. Think I can do it for under $1000 with no electric lights, just cabinets, bed, and maybe a stove?

Welcome to the fun. It is great to see a youngperson get going on a lifetime of enjoyment. Sounds like yoou have a good plan and a teacher to provide support. So look through the designs and build a good one.

You are not the only one to use metal as a framework. You might look at
This One Big DE is in progress on.
You can look at the Hall of Fame pictures of builds that other have made metal frames and covered with metal as you describe. I have made a wooden frame and in progress of covering it with steel sheeting
as you can see a small part of the left front corner of my trailer in progress.


Pat

Hi Kansasman,

That would be a great project to undertake! Lydia, who has a ladybug TD,
built hers when she was in high school (2005) and did a fabulous job. I'm sure you will be quite surprised at how many "teachers" would come on board from this forum to help coach you to build one. As far as price goes, you could make it within your price range, especially if you solicit materials from local places. You may even see if you can find a local sponsor (builder's supply, etc.) that could chip in or donate items for your tear. How about it folks? What other suggestions can you recommend to get this newbie started on the right track?

TDN Joanie

kansasman13 wrote:I'm new to teardrops, being as it sounds like most of you have lots of experience under your belt. I am wanting to build a teardrop trailer for my ag projects class. I'm looking at more of a squared weekender design as it would be easier. I was also wondering about the frame work for the cabin itself. My Ag teacher suggested builing a 1 inch steel tubing frame and then riveting sheet metal to it and paneling on the inside with insulation in between, but i haven't see any designs with anything like this. I'm thinking a 5x8 trailer size which i would weld together , hoping to save money there. Think I can do it for under $1000 with no electric lights, just cabinets, bed, and maybe a stove?

Kansasman,

If your school has a wood shop, talk to the teacher he may be able to get you a good deal on wood to use for the faming and plywood for walls, remember if you don't insulate the walls you can use 3/4 inch plywood for the walls. As far as the stove check out your local goodwill or thrift store, don't forget about estate sales and garage sales. If, there is some homebuilding going on around you talk to the construction company to see if you can get some of there leftovers or rejects. You might get a nice counter top that you can use in the rear or they may have so kitchen cabinets from a remodel that they were doing.

Checkout junkyard for windows and other accessories, you might even find some lights you could use.

to the playground Kansasman.

Sounds like you have a good plan. Check back in and let us know how it is going. Maybe the teacher will give you extra credit for keeping our bubble oil level with lots of Pictures.

Thanks for the help guys. Im wondering how much heavier it will be to have a metal frame verse wood? When you don't have a metal frame do you usually build a frame out of wood and cover it with plywood or do you just put walls up. I am having somewhat of a hard time visualizing it. The weekender plans i see on the site are for a 4x8 but im really wanting a bigger 5x8 so how would i need to adjust the palns? thanks for all the help

kansasman13 wrote:The weekender plans i see on the site are for a 4x8 but im really wanting a bigger 5x8 so how would i need to adjust the palns? thanks for all the help

Look up at the top of the page at the Generic Benroy plans. All you do is adjust a little for whatever width and length you want. They are pretty thorough. And you could probably show them to your shop teacher as well and I'm sure he could give you some advice on how to integrate what you want into those plans.

kansasman13 wrote:Thanks for the help guys. Im wondering how much heavier it will be to have a metal frame verse wood? When you don't have a metal frame do you usually build a frame out of wood and cover it with plywood or do you just put walls up.

Look at some folks build albums, you will start to understand how most (not all) trailers are put together. Joanne's is a good example.
Just keep in mind that nothing is set in stone, except maybe that you should really enjoy building something for yourself and then using it afterwards.

After you've spent some time looking at the different build processes feel free to ask about the steps you don't understand, folks here are happy to help.
The more you read and the more pics you look at the better understanding you will have when someone answers your questions.

kansasman13 wrote:I'm new to teardrops, being as it sounds like most of you have lots of experience under your belt. I am wanting to build a teardrop trailer for my ag projects class. I'm looking at more of a squared weekender design as it would be easier. I was also wondering about the frame work for the cabin itself. My Ag teacher suggested builing a 1 inch steel tubing frame and then riviting sheet metal to it and paneling on the inside with insulation in between, but i haven't see any designs with anything like this. I'm thinking a 5x8 trailer size which i would weld together , hoping to save money there. Think I can do it for under $1000 with no electric lights, just cabinets, bed, and maybe a stove?

Hi Kansasman!

Great idea for a project. There have been a number of builds where people constructed a complete frame out of square tubing, then skinned it. Building for under $1,000 is going to be a challenge, but you can probably do it if you scrounge parts. If you were closer I would donate an axle for your project, but shipping it wouldn't make sense from Las Vegas.

You can add inexpensive lights by getting the battery powered "stick up" lights that are used in closets. You can check with your local hardware store. One in the cabin and one in the galley would provide enough light that you wouldn't be bumping around in the dark or having to use a flashlight all the time.

You might want to take a look at my website. I documented my build of a trailer that looks similar to the weekender. Just my opinion, I don't think it's any easier to build a weekender than a traditional shaped tear (at least in wood. Metal would be easier with a weekender). The challenges are just a little different between the two trailers.

Depending on how important building your own frame is to the overall project, you might be able to locate an old boat trailer cheap and start from there.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts. Good luck on the project. We have a lot of folks here who will gladly help you with information and advice.

Joanne

Welcome. What part of Kansas are you in?

Scott F.

thanks for all that advice. Ive never seen so many replies on a forum before, its good know that theres people i can ask and who are truly helpful. Im in the far Northwest corner of kansas...way up there where the trees dont go and the just blows..thanks for the help.

Anything you need help with just ask. A little reminder, we keep a pretty open group here but young people really should not give out their names, school names or town of residence over the internet. That includes your teachers name. Even here.


Kansasman13 when you get this done have your parents take you to a gathering. Even before you get it done. You will be amazed at what you see.

You can keep it light weight by watching what you put in it. Minimal framing and light materials everywhere else. You might try a salvage/scrap yard for metal too.

Enjoy and keep it safe.

Best of luck to ya !!!! I was wondering what part of Kansas too.... I think there are some forum members/teardrop builders that are likely up your direction. Hopefully you'll be able to hook up for a look-see and some real help from WarPony or Waliczek or s4son or ????

Best of luck to ya !!!! I was wondering what part of Kansas too.... I think there are some forum members/teardrop builders that are likely up your direction. Hopefully you'll be able to hook up for a look-see and some real help from WarPony or Waliczek or s4son or ????

We may be having a campout in Missouri this December... you should drive over and come see us!

Depending on what you'll tow with, you may find you want a slightly sturdier trailer frame.