Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Been running around a bunch of websites and out of all of them I found this one to be the most fun and helpful. I did some research and was looking at buying a manufactured TD, but what fun would that be? So I finally came to the conclusion that the family and I would build our own.

What pre-fab trailer would most of you get?(5x8) Tractor Supply, Red...
I like the look of the woodside and aluminum roof and would prefer not to see the frame...is that possible with pre-fab?

What is the easiest TD to build? I've been looking at the Cubby and the Benroy? I am not a complete knuckle dragger, but I don't want to get in over my head. I will be pulling this behind a 1970 Blazer if that helps with the decision.

Thanks in advance for any help! You'll probally be seeing lots of me for awhile. My next project is to figure out my new digital camera so I can post the progress.

Elmer

Elmer,
Welcome aboard!
I'm finding that building is easy, making decisions is what's tough.

elmo wrote:What is the easiest TD to build?
Elmer

Hi Elmer, Welcome to the phobia, oops! I meant forum . The easiest TD to build is yours

Check the generic Benroy plans(link at the top of this page). Mike and others have done all the hard part. This means that all you have to do is follow instructions.
Cheers
Paul

Elmo...I can only offer my experience and opinion...I built mine, wood sides, aluminum skin on the top, frame is not visible...for me, I prefer to build exactly what I want, and if it doesn't turn out well, then I'm to blame...nothing against buying one, but for me, it's the project and the satisfaction of knowing that I did it...It ain't perfect...but I did build it and that means a lot to me...good luck on whatever direction you take, either way, you'll have a ton of fun and meet some great people...keep us all posted on the pictures...in case you haven't heard from MadJack yet....don't worry, you will!!! Doug

hey all,
howdy,welcome,come on in look around and find somthin you like and get to makin some sawdust.then lets go campin.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I am definitely looking forward to this and also a little apprehensive at the same time. I bought a 34' Jayco last year and I'm more excited about building and going camping in something 8' long...go figure.

Paulc what size tires are on your trailer and is that a Benroy?

elmo wrote:Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I am definitely looking forward to this and also a little apprehensive at the same time. I bought a 34' Jayco last year and I'm more excited about building and going camping in something 8' long...go figure.
Paulc what size tires are on your trailer and is that a Benroy?

That's alright Elmo. I have a 10' travel trailer and a 15' travel trailer, also a 32' Rockwood Motorhome besides the Teardrop. Guess which one gets used the most.

Have a good day.

well tickle me Elmo and welcome to the board...virtually all standard profile TD's are built the same way (more or less)...you can use the Generic Benroy plans at the top of the board and easily(or fairly so) modify them to the profile of choice...hiding the frame with the side is not that big a big deal...glad you said that about the digital camera, since we charge for advice, and pics are the medium of payment...why, because we luv da pics is why and want and expect to see plenty of them...have fun, you are on TearDrop Time now
madjack

Tyres: 31x10.5x15 and yes it is a facsimile of the Benroy style sort of, round about, maybe.
Cheers
Paul

Gage wrote:That's alright Elmo. I have a 10' travel trailer and a 15' travel trailer, also a 32' Rockwood Motorhome besides the Teardrop. Guess which one gets used the most. [/color][/i][/b]

The Orphan?

elmo wrote:What pre-fab trailer would most of you get?(5x8) Tractor Supply, Red...
I like the look of the woodside and aluminum roof and would prefer not to see the frame...is that possible with pre-fab?

What is the easiest TD to build? I've been looking at the Cubby and the Benroy? I am not a complete knuckle dragger, but I don't want to get in over my head. I will be pulling this behind a 1970 Blazer if that helps with the decision.

Hey Elmer,

Welcome to the forum. You've definitely come to the right place.

The only way you are in over your head is if you lose interest and stop building before you finish your teardrop... Otherwise the things we do here, you can do. You need to be able to use a table saw, a jig saw, a drill motor, and a few other little tools...

Yes, you can build a teardrop and hide the frame. That's what the Generic Benroy is all about. You'll want to pick up an inexpensive chop box at Harbor freight so you can cut the frame...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=44829

I've made the Generic Benroy as easy as I could, without removing too many features. Study the plans a while, and then ask us some questions.

Have fun!

Mike...

Elmo,,, welcome to the group,,, Jump on in and get to building,,, put together a trailer like you want,, size, shape etc,,, they all go together pretty much the same,,,

ya might want to go ahead and put a "fer sale" sign on the Jayco,, after ya get hooked on teardrops ya aint a gonna use it enough to justify the space it takes up,,

chipper

welcome, Elmo
I built my body to fit ontop of the frame. but the way I built my frame you can only see about 10" of it the fenders cover the rest. I figured I built that frame I want to see it. Good luck.

Hey, Elmer. Welcome to the nuthouse.

I hope you enjoy our facinating debates here about the merits of carpenter's wood glue verus poly glues, and that you learn a lot so you can be the life of your next party!

Mine is a modified Cubby. I didn't round in the front, and I'm not following their cabinet or galley plans at all. I just followed their basic shell plans and even modified THOSE a lot.

That's what's so much fun about building these--you can design them just about any way you want.

And as far as getting in over your head, don't worry about it. I'm the poster boy for all thumbs, and although it ain't perfect, or finished yet, it's all mine. Plus, I did it with sparcest of tool arsenals.

Ever try to strip 14 gauge stranded wire with just your teeth?

Elmo:

Welcome. This is a great site for the DIY teardrop builder. We built a Cubby on a 5X8 TSC frame. If the generic Benroy plans were available last year, we would have built the Benroy.

Ours was a family project. Began with my youngest daughter helping, then my father-in-law became involved. Wife would have nothing to do with the project. She thought we were all crazy, until she sleeped the first night in the queensize bed. Our class B motorhome only has a double width. Now she prefers the TD.

Larry

PS

One of our daughter's is Elmo for Sesame Street live. She tours 10 months out of the year. Just a bit of trivia. See where a college education can lead you.