Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hello, my name is Robert. I'm considering a foamy build. I'd like to say it's because I want to keep weight down and other cool factor reasons but I'd be lying to you. Let's be honest, the reason is because of the budget. I'm looking to build a standie more than likely. It'll be big enough for us. By us I mean my wife(when she wants to go along) my son (7) and myself. He's in scouts and I'm his den leader. I like that I could probably put a foamy shell together in a long weekend and finish up as needed and not use a bunch of power tools. A little about me-I'm an emergency dispatcher right now and former police officer. I partially amputated my left middle finger in a shop accident a couple of years ago. Which explains my reluctance to use power tools. I'll use them but I don't own large power tools anymore like the jointer(the one that got me)or a table saw(the one that got my Father-in-law).

I'm planning to put an AC and some other things in, but mainly it's shelter. Good to be here and in such company.

Welcome, I totally understand the power tool issue, any how, enjoy looking thru all the posts and all you have to do is ask a question. Just curious, what size unit length ,width, height? What shape, rounded, squared off ? Good luck and post some pictures as you build. Richard

Just realized I said standie in my first post. Sorry, I meant a simple. Standard shape but just a bit longer. Thinking more than likely the body will go about 10 feet overall. Tow vehicle is a non issue.

RS, best of luck to you , always remember we’ll be here to lend assistance should it be required...

Robert,

I feel ya on the power tools. I've been had, my dad had been had.
My brother got had BAD, back in March. Lost half a finger on a router table.

There's good advice here. Welcome!

Mark

Safety First.

It's a good idea to spend some time poking around on the different forums on this site (I lurked for about 2 yrs. before starting my build thread). There is a wealth of knowledge that can help better prepare you for the journey that you are about to start. Make sure that you know what you are getting into, plan ahead, realize what your whole budget will be before starting (no matter how simple you plan your build, there will be an accumulation of costs and unforeseen expenses...the experience of the others that have gone before you will help you immensely).

Decide if it is more important to finish and get camping, even if you may not be totally satisfied with the end result, or, if you want to build for the long haul and hope that you can realize your vision the first time (rare, but we can at least dream).

Recognize your skills and limitations. If you are unable to use power tools, you will need to allow more time, and/or farm out those tasks. Budget this in your schedule or planned costs. Don't underestimate. (Emphasis on the period.)

I am not offering these sentiments as a discouragement, but rather as a reality check to make sure that you get the most out of your build and to help you achieve your goals realistically. I struggle with my own build on a regular basis, wondering if I can really do it in the time that I have set for my goal, if I can achieve the quality level that I have envisioned (no matter what that level is or is not). Only you can decide if this is right for you. We are here to help.

Sorry if this sounds sappy, but I have struggled with all of these issues and have gleaned a huge amount of help from those that have gone before me. This is a major undertaking, no matter how simple you intend it. Plan, plan, plan.


You may want to start by looking at the "Trailer and Chassis Secrets" section, and then read the big "Thrifty" thread in the Foamie section (there's a lot of character in there...sort of a rite of passage, but it will help you understand what a basic Foamie is and is a leaping off point to all of the other Foamie information).

Good luck.

BTW, I tend to be wordy.

millstone wrote:Robert,

I feel ya on the power tools. I've been had, my dad had been had.
My brother got had BAD, back in March. Lost half a finger on a router table.

There's good advice here. Welcome!

Mark

I can relate. The thing with the jointer happened so fast I'm not even sure what happened. I THINK I hit a knot and was using a tool that I had no business using. I lost a quarter of my middle finger. As an emergency dispatcher it sounds really weird listening to instructions and finishing them for the dispatcher. Then I dropped the phone because the pain started and the phone got slick. When the FD showed up and found the skin(all that was left-bone got pulverized) they put it in a baggy and one guy(a captain-I think) says "You should always use a push stick". My reply was "Really, Bob Villa? Where were you 15 minutes ago?" The other guys got a big kick out of it. My wife on the other hand, was not amused.

i know from experience that a foamie build does not require power tools. i started out using what i had on hand at the time, which was a kitchen steak knife. i cut out my shapes using that. i also used sand paper that i just held in my hand, til someone told me to tack it to a piece of wood.
.. i will admit, i now use a jigsaw. maybe you could invest in a cheap electric turkey knife. that would work also. makes cutting easier and smoother. other than that, basically all you need is glue. seriously, you might need a little bit here and there, but its a cut and glue build.

read thur our threads and get to it. we will be here to help you out. welcome to our foamie world.

Don't get me wrong guys. I'll use power tools, I just don't use tools that are stationary while I'm pushing the piece into it. Table saws, jointers, band saws even. Jig saws I'm fine with. I also still have my lathe. I'm not totally primitive about it.

Robert: Too funny!

BTW, Why's it always the middle finger that's sacrificial in the shop?

M

Sorry to hear about the finger. By profession I'm a safety guy and formerly a paramedic but it still turns my stomach to hear about people losing fingers and toes. Saw my fair share of them first hand as a medic and will occasionally see them in my current job but for some reason those injuries bothered me more than the others. Gun shot wounds, stabbings, broken arms and legs, no big deal, but losing fingers and toes. YUK!!! Anyway, good luck on your build. Haven't had to use a joiner or planer yet in my build so maybe your in luck too. You can always use a miter saw or standard power saw instead of a table saw. I think you can get away without pushing any lumber into any powered tools. If you get stuck, just ask we're full of advice. Other stuff too but let's not go there!!!

atahoekid wrote:You can always use a miter saw or standard power saw instead of a table saw. I think you can get away without pushing any lumber into any powered tools. If you get stuck, just ask we're full of advice. Other stuff too but let's not go there!!!

Welcome to the foamie side. My build is without any major power tools. As a matter of fact, my favorite cutting device is a hand held saw thingie. Looks like a hack saw with a single handle.

Bonnie

Cut out mine with a handsaw ... simple design assured not many cuts... Cut like butter , then the edges were sanded with a long block/board with an opened belt sander belt glued to it ... The only power tools needed were a belt sander, palm sander , drill and small jig saw to cut the roof for the vent .. Still was careful with them ...
Like Eagle says , you can build a Foamie with a serrated kitchen knife ... and a pair of scissors (and not the GOOD scissors either )

I'll throw you my welcome too, Robert.
No problem admitting you're on a budget. If that's what it takes to get out camping, it's all good. Though I'm using epoxy and glass on my standie, I'm doing everything else on the cheap to pay for it.

Foamies are quick and easy to build and really easy to correct or change if you change your mind. Just keep a shape in mind that you can lay cloth over and have at 'er.
Have you got the trailer frame yet ?

Wobbly Wheels wrote:I'll throw you my welcome too, Robert.
No problem admitting you're on a budget. If that's what it takes to get out camping, it's all good. Though I'm using epoxy and glass on my standie, I'm doing everything else on the cheap to pay for it.

Foamies are quick and easy to build and really easy to correct or change if you change your mind. Just keep a shape in mind that you can lay cloth over and have at 'er.
Have you got the trailer frame yet ?

Not yet. I've been scanning Craigslist for one locally on the cheap.