Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:07 am**

I have built two foamie trailers and have started the third. To help promote the foamie build, I decided to put together a series of videos that will show you step by step how to build your own foamie.

This build will be as simple of a build as I can make with the emphasis on novice builders looking to build their first foamie trailer. For example, I did this same build last fall to figure out time and costs, at that time the build took 50 hours and material cost where $1200.00. I think this build will be a great beginner build and/or a great introduction to foam constructed trailers.

To help the beginner, I also am including basic tools needed as well as materials for the general build. These videos will give a basic idea of what you will need, where you can get materials, and if you really think you can do it yourself.

I feel if you can glue things together, bolt things together, install wall paper and paint you can build this simple Bug Out design.

As of right now I do not have a video series for a completed Bug Out build. With winter closing in and no heated shop I am not expecting a completed video series till next spring/summer. I was going to wait till I had a completed series before promoting this endeavor, but thought by posting up the videos I have already completed this fall it will give people a chance to prepare for the next years build.

So now the selling point. I am giving away these videos for free so anyone can build their own Bug Out. I ask you though, how much are people selling trailer plans for online? I have seen them from $5.00-$250.00 and what do you get? Paper or digital prints. I am walking you through a build using video! Take a moment and view a few videos and ask yourself what would you pay for plans/content like this? I have a Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/join/1268724 where if you would like to help you can support my work for as little as $1.00 per video per month (click custom pledge at bottom). Yes that cheap! Also, if I don't make videos I don't get paid so there is nothing to loose. So help me help you.

Or donate to PayPal: https://paypal.me/migecoe?locale.x=en_US Thanks for supporting the channel!

This thread will take some time to populate with videos that I have already made so please be patient. BUG OUT! George.

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:14 am**

So by now you are wondering what is a Bug Out Trailer? The Bug Out is a simple design foamie that is quick to build, economical and novice friendly. Here is a video of the Bug Out that I made last fall. Material costs where $1200.00 and labor time was 50 hours. The weight of this trailer is 371lbs. so just about any vehicle can tow this trailer.

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:25 am**

Last fall I built this Bug Out. I originally was going to do a thread using pictures to guide a person through the Bug Out build. After building the trailer, and putting these time lapse videos together, I though wouldn't it be better to just put together a video series to instruct a Bug Out build? Well wouldn't you know it, I only had time lapse video so it was time to build another Bug Out for instructional videos.

So these time lapse videos will give you the general idea of how a Bug Out goes together.

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 10:14 am**

I got the see the "Bug Out Trailer in person during the Land of Mordor v3.1 gathering.
Strong and simple built and it survived the Idaho back country. :thumbsup:

I think it is a great 1st time built and can be customized with just a little time and effort and not a great deal of cash.
Great project to cut your teeth on.

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:03 pm**

Wolfgang92025 wrote:I got the see the "Bug Out Trailer in person during the Land of Mordor v3.1 gathering.
Strong and simple built and it survived the Idaho back country.
I think it is a great 1st time built and can be customized with just a little time and effort and not a great deal of cash.
Great project to cut your teeth on.

Thanks for the kind words Wolfgang.

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:22 pm**

Tools Used In The Bug Out Build

This video covers most of the tools I use in building a Bug Out. There are a few missing, but it will give you a good idea of what is needed for a build.

Trailers to use for the Bug Out Build

Materials used in the Bug Out Build

Hardware Used In The Bug Out Build

Step 1 Floor-Part 1

Step 1 Floor-Part 2

Step 2 Building Floor Spacers

Step 3 Door and Window Cutouts Part 1 and 2

Step 4 Cutting End Walls

Step 5 Prepping Interior Walls For Canvas Application

Step 6 Canvasing Interior Walls Part 1

Step 6 Canvasing Interior Walls Part 2

Step 7 Trimming Canvas For Panel Glue-up

Step 8 Door And Window Cutouts After Canvasing

Step 9 Installing Side Walls

Step 10 Installing The Roof

Posted: **Sun Sep 23, 2018 10:30 am**

Trailers to use for the Bug Out Build

Ironton Folding Trailer Kit 4x8 https://amzn.to/2nw6Xec
Ironton Heavy-Duty Trailer Kit 5x8 https://amzn.to/2OZ7n9D
Ultra-Tow 4x8 Aluminum Trailer Kit https://amzn.to/2OqVhFg
Ultra-Tow 5x8 Aluminum Trailer Kit https://amzn.to/2vBMo4v

Posted: **Fri Sep 28, 2018 3:36 pm**

Nice job on the budget build. And THANKS SO MUCH for posting so much detail about it. Will be a HUGE help for those wanting to do something on the cheap.

Would love to see more pictures (I lack patience to sit and watch multiple videos)

There is something to keep in mind though. Just because something can handle a trip or 2 into the back country doesnt mean it will hold up repetatively. These cheap trailers wont hold up to the abuse for terribly long. Steel is cheap stamped steel and bolted together. Fatigue rate is far faster than actual structural steel. As well as even more pricet trailers use almost no bushing/dampening anything in the leaf springs, so they will grind the bolts right out of them (or seize them and break them off).

Perfect for basic camping and knowing you can get to the backcountry if needed, but simply expect frame to have problems after too much offroad use.

I'm in the same boat mainly, building a camper on a budget, weight matters a lot so a foamie (not to mention far cheaper) but I'm building my trailer. Chased down steel from metal fab shops, they always have left overs from other projects laying a around. So they sell it cheaply. But that also requires a welder (I simply borrowed one, but I weld a lot for work so know how).

I'll have close to the same as what a budget 5x8 would cost new, maybe slightly more but will be built of 3" and 2" structural steel channel. Will weigh a bit more, but piece of mind is worth it since I intend to go off the beaten path any chance I can.

BTW I LOVE THE TV!!! Always a fan for more classic 4wd vehicles, built when being 4wd meant something not just for show and conversation.

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Posted: **Fri Sep 28, 2018 6:46 pm**

Tigris99 wrote:Nice job on the budget build. And THANKS SO MUCH for posting so much detail about it. Will be a HUGE help for those wanting to do something on the cheap.

Thanks and that is what I hope to do. Get people excited about a easy, economical build.

Would love to see more pictures (I lack patience to sit and watch multiple videos)

I will have to dig some up.

There is something to keep in mind though. Just because something can handle a trip or 2 into the back country doesnt mean it will hold up repetatively. These cheap trailers wont hold up to the abuse for terribly long. Steel is cheap stamped steel and bolted together. Fatigue rate is far faster than actual structural steel. As well as even more pricet trailers use almost no bushing/dampening anything in the leaf springs, so they will grind the bolts right out of them (or seize them and break them off).

I agree the HF trailer in stock form is a bit weak for a back country trailer. Stiff springs, light axles and tongues in need of reinforcement for off road use are the weak points of these trailers. Steel is adequate if supported properly. You can check out this forum https://tventuring.com/trailerforum/index.php that mostly revolves around using the HF trailers for back country travel. All the necessary upgrades for the HF trailer for off road use are discussed. Soft ride springs, 3500lbs axles and a 2"x2" steel tube for extra tongue strength will get these trailers up to snuff for back country travel. Yes it does drive the price up, but you can do it one piece at a time to suite your needs. HF trailers are hard to beat to get you on the road.

Perfect for basic camping and knowing you can get to the backcountry if needed, but simply expect frame to have problems after too much offroad use. See above

I'm in the same boat mainly, building a camper on a budget, weight matters a lot so a foamie (not to mention far cheaper) but I'm building my trailer. Chased down steel from metal fab shops, they always have left overs from other projects laying a around. So they sell it cheaply. But that also requires a welder (I simply borrowed one, but I weld a lot for work so know how).

I'll have close to the same as what a budget 5x8 would cost new, maybe slightly more but will be built of 3" and 2" structural steel channel. Will weigh a bit more, but piece of mind is worth it since I intend to go off the beaten path any chance I can.

In general you could build the Bug Out body for any trailer(/) that you might have. It is just a basic body that is 4"x8"x4" to make it simple to build. If you put the door on the back you could easily slide it into a pickup bed, or a landscaping style trailer.

BTW I LOVE THE TV!!! Always a fan for more classic 4wd vehicles, built when being 4wd meant something not just for show and conversation.

My Jeep has it's own YouTube Channel. Not only is it a classic, it also gets used for what it was intended for. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYuRx2 ... subscriber .

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Thanks again! George.

Posted: **Fri Sep 28, 2018 7:10 pm**

Here are some shots of the Bug Out on a HF style trailer.

: Bug Out Shots; Bug Ourt Shots s.jpg (392.25 KiB) Viewed 14247 times

Posted: **Sat Sep 29, 2018 9:49 am**

looks like you did similar to what I am. Making the camper itself "modular"it's easily removed off a trailer. Like the simplicity there too, cant weigh much at all!

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Posted: **Sat Sep 29, 2018 10:47 am**

Tigris99 wrote:looks like you did similar to what I am. Making the camper itself "modular"it's easily removed off a trailer. Like the simplicity there too, cant weigh much at all!

Completed trailer came in at 371lbs. HF listed trailer weighs is 253lbs. That puts the body weight around 118lbs. Seems a bit light with my my materials calculations though. Should be closer to 125-130lbs.

Posted: **Sun Sep 30, 2018 1:18 am**

wish mine would be that light. Trailer will come in close to 350lbs (that includes using rims and tires that match size of my TV). Wont know until completed, weight is calculated only atm. Hoping design changes have reduced that a bit. 75+lbs of my trailer weight is the expanded metal grate I'm considering welding on (may bolt down so I can remove it when camper is being used)

Your weight did you remember to recalculate for vast majority of the weight of the paint evaporating away. over half the weight of paint is the liquid which evaporates as it dries. That in itself can be 50lbs off.

Camper completely empty I expect 150-175 lbs. But I'll have a "galley" as well. Add full load for camping (food, clothes and such for 4 of us as well as 70lbs in mountain bikes) and hopefully at or below 1000lbs. Full bug out load out will be about 1200lbs give or take. TV is rated for 1500lb and I have am expensive stacked plate trans cooler installed as well in case fully family and full load out exceeds OEM capacity.

At least you have one of the "perfect" bug out vehicles. I'm doing the full set up with my Honda CRV (at least until I can afford a Toyota pickup/4 runner). Not done yet, have to get tires for the rims I bought and repaint it then done.

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Posted: **Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:47 am**

Just remember any weight you add to the TV besides the driver takes away from the tow rating. 3 people that weigh 150lbs each in the vehicle with you will remove 450lbs of towing capacity!

Posted: **Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:53 am**

Tigris99 wrote:Your weight did you remember to recalculate for vast majority of the weight of the paint evaporating away. over half the weight of paint is the liquid which evaporates as it dries. That in itself can be 50lbs off.

Basic calculations of know materials. 1 7/16" OSB sheet 46lbs., 4 sheets of 2"XPS foam 40lbs., 1 Door 28lbs, 1 window 10lbs. = 124lbs. No canvas or paint included. These where web listed weights so they may be off.

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)

Re: Bug Out Trailers (A simple foamie)