Newbie from WA State - Can I really build one of these?

[djdawg]

Hey everyone! I found this site almost by accident and have been lurking for awhile but thought it was time to dive in...I'm north of Seattle in an undisclosed corner of the state...hee hee.

Here are some questions that I think are dumb but maybe others don't....

Can I really build one of these? I actually built my own hot dog cart and it turned out quite snazzy...(heading out soon to work it!) it has a battery, 12 volt water pump, built in cooler, sink, fresh water tank, waste water tank, 2 burner propane stove, etc and built on a HF trailer.



I had a friend tell me that I could build one for $1k but that sounds a bit low to me....I guess it depends on what features a person has in it...I'm not looking for anything fancy. I'd like to have somewhat of a galley...area to sleep....storage....

When I first came across Teardrop trailers what caught my eye where the T@b trailers...I'm not sure if they are thought of in a negative manner in this community (you never know what people might think is cool and not cool...ha ha) but they seemed to be really layed out ingeniously but maybe all teardrops could be done that way. And I'm learning that maybe the T@b is a certain style?

Are there any dvds that anyone sells that take you through the whole building process? I only ask because that's how I built my hot dog cart and they were great...someone should jump on that market!

Has anyone ever covered part of their teardrop with corrugated steel? (like is on my HD cart) I know a ton of sealing would have to be done beforehand but it really is a neat product. $13 for a 4x8 sheet...fairly lightweight...tough in the weather...but it may be a stupid idea for a trailer....it would be unique though!

Thanks for the time everyone!

[djdawg]

My whole point of bringing up the T@B trailers was I wondered if there were plans available to build one like it?

[atahoekid]

If you can build that hot dog cart, you can build a TD. It's the same skill set. As far as using corrugated steel, you can use most anything you want, it's just an issue of making the whole thing watertight and preventing any rot and corrosion issues. I know there is a DVD about teardrop building. Just don't know who sells it. Don't know of anyone who sells t@b plans but there are some great generic plans on this forum

[Dean in Ct.]

Welcome, you're gonna like it here! Clearly you can do it nice hot dog stand. The way I look at it they are all basically the same, galley in the rear, sleeping in the front. ALL the rest is up to you! and that's assuming you want a some what traditional tear. There are other ways to go too...
Good luck!

[capy235]

If you can build that you certainly can build a Tear.

There are lots of designs on here and I recently downloaded the complete Benroy plans from here. Lots of different designs and ideas. As for using the corrigated siding, not very practical but it could be a nice accent, maybe in the Galley and shelf support areas?

Good luck and do lots of exploring on each topic. So much to learn!

[KevinC]

Wow! I continue to be impressed in this forum. Nice hot dog trailer!! It looks like you could do it.
I would be interested in the DVD as well. I am sure I could do it without the DVD but maybe I would save some mistakes.

[djdawg]

Thanks everyone...that's encouraging! Hey capy235....thanks for the tip. I'll have to find the Benroy plans and do some downloading....

I know that I'd also like maybe to have a built in heater? AC is no really a huge deal here in the NW.....but a heater and a way to convert the bed to a sitting/table area would be great. Is that too unrealistic?

[sid]

Steve Fredricks has a great shop manual that will take you through the steps.....

http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html

[djdawg]

Steve Fredricks has a great shop manual that will take you through the steps.....

http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html

Thanks Steve! Looks good....I'll check it out more later today. Love your "Side by Side"....I can't imagine being able to build anything close to that...it's very nice!

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum.
And Yes! If you built that Hotdog cart yourself, you will have no problem building a Teardrop.
Especially if you dig in to the information and suggestions available here on the Forum.
Good Luck with your build....and have FUN!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[djdawg]

Well here I am 7 months later and I'm no closer to owning or building a teardrop when I first posted this last Nov. Sigh...I guess perseverance will have to prevail with this dream. It's not for lack of desire...it's lack of $. I still love reading all the updates and new posts that people put up...keeps me driven.

[Mary C]

dj, It has taken me a few months to acquire the materials for building. My son's friend has been selling hotdogs for the past 2 years in addition to his regular job and has been saving his money to buy a new house. he and his wife have lived in apts for 6 years and now his hot dog cart made a heafty down payment. I know that I found a ACE hardwear going out of business and bought a hundred dollars worth of stuff for $24. I used a 20% coupon when the hf trailers were on sale. I just missed getting a pop up for $75.00 by hours. I scrounged the wood from dumpsters. I have been going to the cloth store and getting the Cotton material they have on sale. I asked a known company if they ever had any canvas that they had which was unsaleable because of flaws or stains and yep, sight unseen I bought it for 3.00 a yard. I went by a yard sale and the man had some wood beside the barn and I bought it for a dollar, an old top sheet for 50 cents.

There are lots of things that you can find that will be free, on junk piles on the curb. I found two 1x4s = trim for windows. a nice thin board from a tv stand I can use for a shelf.

Designate a little place in your living space and start collecting, You can probably find something you can use in the future. Maybe not what you need to start with but something you will later. I found the 1x4s back in December. and I cut them today. Get busy and start finding things, You will git her done!!!!

Mary C.

[djdawg]

dj, It has taken me a few months to acquire the materials for building. My son's friend has been selling hotdogs for the past 2 years in addition to his regular job and has been saving his money to buy a new house. he and his wife have lived in apts for 6 years and now his hot dog cart made a heafty down payment. I know that I found a ACE hardwear going out of business and bought a hundred dollars worth of stuff for $24. I used a 20% coupon when the hf trailers were on sale. I just missed getting a pop up for $75.00 by hours. I scrounged the wood from dumpsters. I have been going to the cloth store and getting the Cotton material they have on sale. I asked a known company if they ever had any canvas that they had which was unsaleable because of flaws or stains and yep, sight unseen I bought it for 3.00 a yard. I went by a yard sale and the man had some wood beside the barn and I bought it for a dollar, an old top sheet for 50 cents.

There are lots of things that you can find that will be free, on junk piles on the curb. I found two 1x4s = trim for windows. a nice thin board from a tv stand I can use for a shelf.

Designate a little place in your living space and start collecting, You can probably find something you can use in the future. Maybe not what you need to start with but something you will later. I found the 1x4s back in December. and I cut them today. Get busy and start finding things, You will git her done!!!!

Mary C.

That's cool Mary! I love that...then I can feel like I'm still working towards a goal....thanks!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi DJ, get that trailer frame and get to building. 6 months from now, you will be glad you did. Now, regarding that table within the teardrop. I have a footwell that is big enought to handle the feet of 4 adults. Out of the floor, comes a flip-up table which elongates from door to door. If the mattress cushions are made in 4 sections, 2 can be stacked forward and 2 to the rear, to accomidate seating for 4 within an 8 foot teardrop, like mine.

However, my interior cabinet at the rear of the cabin, folds down flat, providing enough room for 2 couples to feast on their primerib dinner, out of the rain, within a bug-proof enclosure, with elect heat or AC, if needed. Check out my build pics, stop dreaming about your build and make that sawdust fly. From hot dogs to camping delight....no problem. you can do it, like many others have.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif woody guy ~~ (PS, build lilghtweght, use thin Big-Box store plywood and give HF frame a try)

[celticquetzel]

Mary C. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going next door tomorrow to beg the two rusted car windows from probably a 1955 car that are this awesome shape with vintage handles. I could design a whole tear around them. Giving myself a year to "hunt and gather"'. I think the trick is to make it part of the fun and creative process. And isn't there a cool retro rusted tear with corrugated steel online. That could be a whole theme.