Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Ok, I've been a member for several years and have always talked about building my own teardrop. Well the idea of something that small was not going well with my wife, so I kept putting it off . So I got her talked into a CTC. Well I work as a trailer technician for a company that sells enclosed trailers (and services), so I just purchased a new Bravo 6x12 cargo trailer with rear double doors, standard interior height of 6', with just a roof vent.

Well wanted windows for the sides, now I could get them through work with a discount but even with that they were more money than I wanted, so I headed to my little salvage yard that is my oasis and found they had an rv. Bought 2 slider windows that I took out that are 24"x60" for $10.00 each. Score!! Then got home tonight and noticed a slide in truck pop up camper that I have been watching on C.L. for $50.00 went to a status of FREE!! So I called, met the gentleman, and arranged pick up time for Saturday. All the interior appliances: fridge, 2 burner stove top, forced hot air furnace with thermostat, water tanks, pump, convertor and power all good. Woo Hoo.

So needless to say I hope to get around in the next couple of weeks to be able to purchase my other materials and get started on converting the trailer over. I will post pictures of the trailer this weekend when I get a chance and the progress as I make it. I have the plan I want drawn out, fairly simple but it will be a huge step from our tent.

Thanks to many who have posted their pics as I have stolen some ideas.

Keep watching for updates.

(Can anyone tell I'm excited) LOL

Hi ilbigredtruck, Hey cool, yes, I can tell you are excited, as many of us are when we find what we can do with our trailers. Sounds like your on your way picking up what you need so far. Will be watching for pics, they helps us all, with a little info added with them. Pics speak louder than words. Have fun with your conversion.

ilbigredtruck,

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your conversion progress. Might I ask that you post your messages signed with at least your first name? Doing so makes it much more real and enjoyable when we know we're talking a real person and not just an impersonal user ID.

Best regards,
Don

Welcome I also have been on here for yrs built 1 cargo already sold it waiting on my next 1 to get here Sunday (i hope) Great find on tuff that will be nice in your cargo.

Thanks for the notes so far. Raining here tonight, but still on track to pick up the "donor" tomorrow afternoon. Working on the floor plan tonight to re-adjust for items out of the donor camper that we were not really planning on putting in. Hopefully we will have nice weather so I can get pics of our new unit to be able to post the stock-before pics. I did de-badge the trailer of all the stickers the other night and it makes it look cleaner and sleeker. I will keep updates as I go along but they will probably be posted a little longer than average as we have to do this on a very tight budget and I have to save up to get the new metal supports for the windows, insulation, etc. Was hoping by Memorial Day to have it done but in realty it may be closer to July 4th. But it is sure to be a fun adventure.

Jake Musselman

BTW "Trainman 45" just out of curiosity do work for the railroad or just a fan. This conversion of mine actually started out as a project for a buddy and I to use when we go out to photograph trains. Unfortunately for my buddy, my wife has decided it is for us to use primarily as a camper for getting away..

Jake Musselman

Hi Jake,
I am a retired Lightrail Controller, I got to play with the Trains. Commuter trains for Denver, we operated street level, sorry no Heavy Rail. Although I did work for the Soo Line in Minneapolis during the summers to help pay for college. I use to build switches, that was very cool. My job in Denver was to keep them on different Tracks !! lol. Good luck with your build, and keep an eye out for the Trains.....

Tim

As promised here are some pics. The first set are of the new trailer at home (tight space) and then the "donor" and the parts I salvaged. Plugged in the fridge and it is cooling.


Interior of new CT with the windows I obtained out of a motorhome. The windows costs me some time and $10.00 each, not bad of deal I think

Fixed window for the rv door



Interior of donor showing the convertor, furnace and fridge

Interior of donor camper

Donor parts waiting to be plucked

Welcome ilbigredtruck. Always good to seen another hoosier around. Particularly from Indy. Looking forward to seeing more pics of your build.

Tom

Have finally been able to buy some supplies to start working on the new conversion. Bought the metal studs for reinforcement around the windows. Started work on one side by installing the first window. Just got it done tonight. Took me longer than I had hoped but I only am able to work on it a couple of hours a night. Here are some pics for you guys (and gals).


Jake

Nicer weather this weekend for working on the project, highs around 70-75, a lot better than the 93-98 last weekend.

So this weekend so far I finished up removing the rest of the plywood and then insulating the walls. Re-installed the plywood and then put the paneling up, finished putting back up the stainless corners, and laid the front section of flooring that will be visible. Next on the list is building the platform for the bed. I hope to have the roof insulated and bead board ceiling put up next weekend or during the week. Project is going just a little slower than I had hoped but i have to keep waiting to build up some money working other odd jobs (besides my full time job) to buy materials. So far for those wondering, I have $ 10.00 a piece in windows, the furnace, sink, cooktop, were from a free donor camper, and I have roughly 350.00 in other materials for insulation, paneling, flooring, and lumber for the platform and trim. Still trying to do this on a really small budget but not sacrifice the quality. Here are some more pics taken tonight after wrapping up the flooring and paneling, I still have a small piece (visible in the pic above the door) of paneling to put up but ran out of brad nails Hope you enjoy









Jake Musselman
Indianapolis, IN

I like the looks of your flooring.

Did you use sheet vinyl or the vinyl planks?

Thanks

It is actually a laminate snap together floating plank flooring, we got the only 2 boxes that were in clearance for 20.00 per box. What you see took the 2 boxes. I think it was called hand rubbed butterscotch maple but will have to look.

Jake Musselman

That looks really nice and you can't beat the price of your material!!!!

Welcome ilbigredtruck. Always good to seen another hoosier around. Particularly from Indy. Looking forward to seeing more pics of your build. Tom

I like the looks of your flooring.

That looks really nice and you can't beat the price of your material!!!!

Thank you all.

Well the work continued on Sunday night but it was too dark to take pictures, so I finished up a couple of things tonight and took the following pics.

The pictures are showing the platform that the queen bed will sit on. The front 36" is hinged to gain access to the front storage area that will be used for linens, interior needs, rugs, etc. The back area under the bed will be for outside needs storage, the coolers, water tank, etc. Making good progress slowly but surely. We are hoping to take a maiden voyage in 3 weeks.

P.S. We actually agreed upon her name: FAITH "Walk by faith, not by sight"

Jake Musselman
Indianapolis, IN