Hello from Vermont!

[Tool Man]

I've been lurking here for the last few months, and plan to build a teardrop trailer. I have an old pop-up that I recently stripped to the frame, and a sandblaster on the way from harbor freight so that I can clean it up and paint it. I'm looking at the Benroy design, as it seems to maximize the interior space. Has anyone here made a Benroy profile, but wider, with the wheels under the trailer? I've looked through the gallery a bit, but haven't seen anyone who has done it.

-Tim

[Ageless]

Greetings from the other coast. If you've lurked that long you have had to figure out that nothing is cast in stone. This is a very free-thinking group and you will find support for whatever design you go with. So latch on to that design and modify, modify, modify!

[Wolfgang92025]

Tim,

Welcome to the fun. Must warn you, this is s very addicting hobby.

Like Ageless said, find a design you like change it till it fits your needs.
Nice thing is with the design library you get just enough information to get started.
The rest you make up as you go.
Each trailer one builds has a tendency to be unique. Just like the folks in the form.
IF/when you get stuck, just ask in the forum. You will always get help.

Wolfgang

[BillandMarijo]

Tim
Welcome to the forum
Hope you find all the answers to your questions
Enjoy the build,
Bill and Marijo

[Tool Man]

Thanks Ageless and Wolfgang! I'm already hooked, and I don't mind improvising. I built my house using a blueprint that was evolving in my head as I built, and I'm sure that is what will happen with this project. I just want to see if anyone has done it before for inspiration. I can only see one issue with doing this so far, and that's the fact that I have to lose headroom to raise the floor under the bed above the existing wheel wells.

-Tim

[Wild Bill]

If you have not built it yet, just make the profile taller, I am planning under the bed storage. I am one of the people who feel I need to take all the junque I might want to use on the trip. Keep most of my gear in the trailer so that I am always ready to go. That will clear out my garage of some of my gear. If you have already camped before you know what all you need to take with. If not there are plenty of lists out there to get you going. Hit the estate sales etc and keep you eyes open for camping gear. mine has stalled due to an aging parent that needs care. I still have hope to have a usuable camper by next year. Just make room to store stuff and start putting things together. I just bought a new Air conditioner on close out at walmart for 85 bucks. They were reg $129. I am not a fan of bolt together trailers, not real rigid and light duty. I may regret building heavy but if I were to need to use it in an emergency and need to haul water and food then I have the capacity to do so. Good luck with your build, take your time and do it right the first time and you will not find yourself wanting to build another one in a year or two. Bill

[robertaw]

and a sandblaster on the way from harbor freight

I have it on good authority that this is quite the messy task and you may be finding sand around your home for years to come.


Will you be starting a build thread so we can watch the progress? I never stop being amazed at what people can do with their old pop up trailers.

[Tool Man]

I've sandblasted before, so I know what a pleasant job it can be. I was tempted to just drop a flatbed on my pop-up frame and try to sell it as-is and buy a new frame. Unfortunately this frame needs lots of work whether I sell it as a flatbed or make it into a camping trailer, and with a wife and 2 kids, I might as well keep it and go king sized.

I'll start a build thread once I get a little farther along. Right now it would just be a picture of a rusty old frame with 2 flat tires. I hope to get the bed on before snow flies, then work on small stuff that I can do in the shop all winter and get a canopy so I can start really building once mud season arrives.

[bohemian]

Hello tool man welcome aboard. Check out carter's big drop. You'll find it in the hall of fame. It's on my to do list!