Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Ok looking at the money side of things with the family and just as I am about to let the saw dust fly the Chief Finicail officer of our family has said i need to find cuts in the project.

While I have most of the parts purchased (water tank pump sink and such) i am thinking i am going to have to just do a bare bones on the exterior and interior and then "finish" the teardrop as additional funds become avaliable.

Has anyone else had this issue come up with thier build. Damn this is frustrating.

Yes, it comes up with other people too.
Sometimes with trailers, sometimes with cars, etc.

Family finances are of course always more important than recreational spending.
It hurts, but it must be so.

There are other options though!

A part time job, mowing lawns, using whatever skills you have to earn extra money helping those with different skills.

Looking for and finding used parts, or discounted parts.

Check Craigslist or similar for free stuff.

And if all else fails, wait a little longer until the money is available.

Rob

I would say save where you can but don't skimp on the outside. Keeping the weather on the outside of your trailer keeps what ever is on the inside in good shape. You can always at a latter date put nice cabinets in and refine the finishes. Many people, my self included, start with a fairly bare box with a well sealed exterior.
Brwbier

I completely concur with the folks above - but a few other things to think about might be options - allow for them in your design even if you don't fit them right now.

For example, if you want interior lights but don't have the cash for them right now, run the wires and mark the breakout points if you want in-wall items. This way, when finances permit, you can then go back and add thing without having to rip up what you already have.

One thing I'm doing in my TTT is leaving small sections of the interior paneling unglued but screwed in place - this way if I want to add things later I can.

A little thought now can save a lot of frustration later when you want to add toys.

Alan

Lack of money and time are causing my build to be longer than I thought. I echo the sentiments above. Don't skimp on the structure - trailer, sidewalls, floor, and bulkhead. Also don't skimp on weather-tightness. Other than the trailer, the expensive pieces are all the extras - vent fan, a/c, lighting, etc. Rough-in framing and/or pre-wire for these and add them later if you want.

We are having to chose our battles too,skimping on the weathering
like epoxy, paint, skin, "not an option". I purchased 2 used awning windows 2 for $30.00 new they are $35-50 each so I clean them up and save, which allows for other things like epoxy. My wife and I talk about the build. What`s important to us, we want more interior space and we realized that the galley wasn't practical for us, but a free standing Kitchen box is.
Our motivation is what works for us, the by product is we are saving on the materials that would go into the galley and we are building with fore thought.
We decided we wanted to camp this summer so we may do interior cabinets and cubby's as we go. We still have a way to go but will get there and enjoying every minute, have fun


P.s. the reason we did without the galley is that we wanted somewhere to
take our shoes off and have a porta potty we will build a reclinable bed to sofa for inclement weather

Yes, money ran out before aluminum went on so primer and paint will have to do for now.

This happened on some of my projects more than once. You might just find that while you are waiting for funding, you will find a better deal on parts, or have a better idea on how to do something!!!

Hang in there !!!!

I thought that's what credit cards are for........ Oh yeah , I forgot.... you still have to pay them back...........

Micro469 wrote:I thought that's what credit cards are for........ Oh yeah , I forgot.... you still have to pay them back...........

Not according to the radio and late night TV adds. Pennies on the dollar it says.