Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey everyone!

I found locally a trailer for sale. It is a portable hunting shack.
It is a big box on wheels with a shed roof and vinyl siding. Has a window on each side and a door on back.

I would not be interested in towing this thing everywhere to go camping, but might be ok to park up on some vacant land somewhere.

What interests me is the it is 9 feet long (plus the tongue - 14' altogether) and 8 feet wide. It has standard size (15 or 16 inch) wheels, a straight axel with leaf springs.

The main supports underneith are 2" square tube steel.

For a while, I have considered starting work on a "Vardo" Gypsy trailer. Something big enough to stand up in and cook inside, with a cool, old-world exterior.

Does anyone have any idea what it would cost right now to build a steel 8'x9' frame, including axel, tires, and suspension?

The guy wants $900 for the trailer. I am thinking I could use it as is, or just the huge frame as a start for a Vardo.

Any thoughts? If you could give me a cost estime on a frame like that, it would be great.

Thanks,

-Ben

Hard to tell without a pic, but If the axle, seals, windows, bearings, and frame are in good shape..........You're looking at 300 to 500.00

if any of the wood, or other material is reusable might take your value up to the asking price. Just remember MONEY TALKS.....Especially cash.

I took some photos of the "portable cabin" this afternoon.

You can see them here:
http://web.mac.com/benhdvideoguy/iWeb/shack/Photos.html


I met with the seller. He told me that the walls are insulated 2x2 construction. He said he spent about $800 in materials in the frame.

Does this thing look worth buying to you?

[/url]http://web.mac.com/benhdvideoguy/iWeb/shack/Photos.html[url]

Wow.
Okay, it's as aerodynamic as a brick -- but I've seen "coffee shack" businesses in buildings not as nice.
I wouldn't want to pull it down the road, but ... there's an easy $1,000 in materials there at the prices hereabouts.
Trailer frame
Axles
Exterior siding
Windows
Door
Insulation
Interior paneling
foam cushions
Floor

Now that isn't too bad looking. Just like you said "tow it and park it." It does look too boxy and square. You might ask a local trailer maker what they charge and go narrower and longer.

If I lived in Milwaukee...I'd buy it and get a drop down axle to convert it to a trailer-able ice fishing house. Now were having fun!!!

BTW...Sorry suthern breathern...an ice fishing trailer is like a pontoon boat for solid water!!!

That looks really cool! Especially at that price!

But what's the deal with towing it? I don't see a tag on it like it's a registered vehicle, so do you have to get some kind of temporary permit to move it somewhere? Like towing a mobile home?

Ben, If you are going to use it as is then go for it! Great deal!

If you are buying it for a redo then pass! The 8' width would mean a redo on frame and axle. Take your $900 and invest in a new custome built trailer with torsion axle and you would still have money left for materials.

I asked the guy if there was a hole in the bottom of it for ice fishing.

He told me straight-faced that he considered it....


Seems like a deal to buy if I wanted to keep it as it. I know the cost of the parts in it really add up.

It is a really odd size. I am not sure it would be worth buying for the frame and parts because of the shape.

I have a cousin who complains there is not enough at the hunting cabin anymore. This would be the world's easiest addition to the cabin.

In Wisconsin, you generally don't need a liscence plate for a trailer unless it is a semi-truck trailer or big construction trailer. I think that we have a law that states that your mirrors have to be wider than your trailer, and I think you need additional lights on it if it is wider than a certain size.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

-Ben