Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi yall,

I'm new here and just ordered my first CTC from a dealer here in Hampton roads, VA. The trailer I ordered is a 6x14, single axle, black, freedom trailer. I got a lot of options put in the trailer so all I really need to do once its done is insulate, cabinets, floor, paint, bed, and slide my window ac unit in. I had the factory install 2 4ft LED lights, exterior light by the door, RV door, Ceiling panels, 24x24 access door, stabilizing jacks, complete 30 amp electrical package, 5 receptacles, and a 30x30 window. Now I was cautious about the 30 amp system but they said they will include an adapter that will plug into 15 amp sockets for use at home or other places that do not offer 30 amp service. They also said I should be able to run the AC, fridge and lights with no problems. Does this sound right? I have been lurking around here for awhile now and have read literally all the way back to the 32 or so pages of threads. I believe I got almost everything necessary from the factory that one could need when converting a CTC. If I am missing anything please let me know! Also.... what kind of tv antenna are yall using? I deer hunt which is right in the middle of football season lol so I need tv to watch the games. Thanks!!

Gunman9 wrote:Hi yall,

I'm new here and just ordered my first CTC from a dealer here in Hampton roads, VA. The trailer I ordered is a 6x14, single axle, black, freedom trailer. I got a lot of options put in the trailer so all I really need to do once its done is insulate, cabinets, floor, paint, bed, and slide my window ac unit in. I had the factory install 2 4ft LED lights, exterior light by the door, RV door, Ceiling panels, 24x24 access door, stabilizing jacks, complete 30 amp electrical package, 5 receptacles, and a 30x30 window. Now I was cautious about the 30 amp system but they said they will include an adapter that will plug into 15 amp sockets for use at home or other places that do not offer 30 amp service. They also said I should be able to run the AC, fridge and lights with no problems. Does this sound right? I have been lurking around here for awhile now and have read literally all the way back to the 32 or so pages of threads. I believe I got almost everything necessary from the factory that one could need when converting a CTC. If I am missing anything please let me know! Also.... what kind of tv antenna are yall using? I deer hunt which is right in the middle of football season lol so I need tv to watch the games. Thanks!!

Gunman, welcome to the fun. Yes, your 30 amp service should do all they said, including adapt to run off standard plug.

Planning ahead is the key to getting the trailer you want. I also used a lot of blue tape to mark windows and outline cabinets to we could visualize locations for everything. Lots and lots of good stuff on this site, and there are lots of folks always ready to fill in the gaps with extra questions.

Gunman9, welcome to the forum and your build of the trailer. Don't forget the pics when you get started, there is a lot of help on here.

Where in Hampton Roads, big area, add it to your profile, I am in Va. Beach if you want to look and ask questions.



Bob

Thanks guys,

Ya I'm going to tape everything out when the trail arrives. I'm in Yorktown by the way. So I shouldn't need to worry about anything immediately as far as electrical goes? At some point I am going to install a 100w solar panel kit with deep cycle batteries but that will be in the future. Spotman know of any local places that sell cheap cabinets or is Lowes and home depot my best bet? Looking at the unfinished ones there.

Gunman9, one point you may want to consider is that if you build the cabinets in place, you have a better chance to lessen the weight added to the CT and it can be easier to customize the depth and height to your trailer's needs.

I plan on doing my own with my 6x14 unit for these reasons. Plus I believe I can do what I need for less money then for Lowes or HD cabinets.

Irrowe,

I have considered building my own. I would what the cost difference is between buying them unfinished and building them. I look at it this way by time you buy the lumb and screws it may be just as cheap to buy the pre made and then frame in for the more difficult angles. Have you looked to see what the cost difference is? I know the unfinished cabinets run anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on size.

I have not analyzed them lately, but I have built my bar cabinets before using maple 1x3's and the Kreg screw system approach. I just believe instinctively from past experience that by using Poplar 1x3's, Kreg screws and then only 1/4 to 3/8 in panels on the front or exposed surfaces that I will use less material, lighter material and it will be done exactly the way I want the right from the start. And I will know I have no particleboard panels in the trailer.

But let me back stoke a little. Many posters here have used the premade cabinets with great success. So to some degree, it is what you, the builder, want and are the most comfortable with. I am in no way trying to get you to do it my way.

Irrowe,

I hear ya man! I can understand that. I always worry about particle board and MDF getting moisture on it and molding or falling apart. I have the kreg jig set actually and build a lot of farm house tables. I thought about going that round and building a custom cabinet set with a farm house table top. Here is a picture of one of my recent tables.

Great looking table, and I see the nice saw in the background. So you are clearly well on your way to do it your way. Keep us posted on your progress.

Gunman9 wrote:Irrowe,

I hear ya man! I can understand that. I always worry about particle board and MDF getting moisture on it and molding or falling apart. I have the kreg jig set actually and build a lot of farm house tables. I thought about going that round and building a custom cabinet set with a farm house table top. Here is a picture of one of my recent tables.

OK, you've got the skills to build your own, no problemo...

In my mind, price is not the only factor to consider:

1. Weight is a big consideration, especially if you are putting you cabinets in the front to maximize rear room, as all that weight is going to go to the tongue. I built mine in place using low weight construction material, and still had a problem with tongue weight. This is amplified with a single axle trailer, as the axle is essentially a fulcrum much like a balance scale, unlike the characteristics of a tandem axle trailer which will act to take some of the load.
2. Counter depth. If you make your own, you can adjust your counter depth much shorter than standard kitchen counters. I set mine at 19 inches to increase the floor space in the kitchen. 5 inches doesn't sound like much, but with a 72 inch wide trailer, it makes a noticeable different.

The one drawback is that building the cabinets are not plug and play, but then again, you obvious enjoy the building process, so I doubt this will be a factor. For me, even if there were no money saved, the two issue above are enough to make the decision.

professorkx wrote:

Gunman9 wrote:Irrowe,

I hear ya man! I can understand that. I always worry about particle board and MDF getting moisture on it and molding or falling apart. I have the kreg jig set actually and build a lot of farm house tables. I thought about going that round and building a custom cabinet set with a farm house table top. Here is a picture of one of my recent tables.

OK, you've got the skills to build your own, no problemo...

In my mind, price is not the only factor to consider:

1. Weight is a big consideration, especially if you are putting you cabinets in the front to maximize rear room, as all that weight is going to go to the tongue. I built mine in place using low weight construction material, and still had a problem with tongue weight. This is amplified with a single axle trailer, as the axle is essentially a fulcrum much like a balance scale, unlike the characteristics of a tandem axle trailer which will act to take some of the load.
2. Counter depth. If you make your own, you can adjust your counter depth much shorter than standard kitchen counters. I set mine at 19 inches to increase the floor space in the kitchen. 5 inches doesn't sound like much, but with a 72 inch wide trailer, it makes a noticeable different.

The one drawback is that building the cabinets are not plug and play, but then again, you obvious enjoy the building process, so I doubt this will be a factor. For me, even if there were no money saved, the two issue above are enough to make the decision.

I'm thinking about building my own the more I think about it. I can customize it to fit my accessories and to give it a lot more character. I know weight will be an issue since I'll be towing it with a 2009 ford ranger v6. What length kreg screw did you use?

I went with the unfinished ones and painted them myself. I have no experience building them and I didn't want to try, nor did I have the proper tools haha.

When I painted, I went with an oil primer, sanded that, then painted semi-gloss latex with added Floetrol paint conditioner. it pretty much eliminates brush strokes. It's awesome. You can see my build thread for pics on how they turned out.

I went with these:
http://www.menards.com/main/c-14242.htm ... nished+Oak

Gunman9 wrote:
I'm thinking about building my own the more I think about it. I can customize it to fit my accessories and to give it a lot more character. I know weight will be an issue since I'll be towing it with a 2009 ford ranger v6. What length kreg screw did you use?

1 1/4 was the right ticket, and all joints are glued. Of course, you can change your depth on the tool to use 1 1/2 inch screws so they don't come out the front, but it was just easier to use the shorter screws since I used the same screws in other places besides the cabinets.

With a V-6, weight should be a concern. In addition, I think your trailer was a single axle, and it's probably rated at 3500 pounds, another weight limitation...

Ya the trailers ratings are:

Gross Vehicle Wt Rating (GVWR) 2990
Curb Weight 1200
Payload Capacity 1790
Axles 3500

I should be good with weight since it will rarely be used to haul my 07 Honda recon 250 for hunting. I actually considered just hauling the ATV in the bed of my truck since hunting camp is 40 mins away.

I'm ordering parts for the build. The trailer will be here in 2 weeks. That's the build time at least. I ordered my sink so far I know not much lol. I'm looking at getting a TV mount as well. What is everyone using? An rv style or regular style and how are you securing it?