Serious and planning my first Teardrop

[be_a_jayhawk]

Hi my name is Eric and I'm from Olathe, Kansas (KC suburbs). I have 3 young boys and took them camping for the first time with boy scouts this summer and they loved it so I am looking to do more in the ways of camping (plus I just got suckered into being a den leader next school year). Also my wife who regularly goes out with her best friend/neighbor (one house down the street) says I should go out with my best friend/neighbor (one house up). Well I don't think she didn't realized that guys don't do dinner and certainly don't go paint their toes...so when I told him (he's a mechanic and serial tinkerer of all things) what we were going to do he was all on board. So here I am looking for trailers and trying to modify the Benroy. I will be towing with my 2001 Sienna that is rated at towing 2000 pounds. Plus Kansas Law says under 2000 doesn't need titled or tagged! Oh yeah, did I mention I work for the DMV, so if you have any questions fire away!! I can look up other states laws in our reference book. Right now I am looking at the Harbor freight 1750lb trailer since there is a coupon for 299.99, only $30 more than the 950lb, but still concerned about the puny tires and highway travel, so my mechanic is hitting up some connections for a cheap used homemade type. Also looking for good plans to sleep me and at least 2 of my 3 boys, as my youngest is only 3 and not camping ready yet (and by that I mean 100% potty trained!). I have some pretty solid design plans for how I want the exterior to look but that's too far out still. Ready to read all comments and suggestions, and thanks for having me!

[Mary C]

Eric, Welcome, I hope to see your build on a build thread in the future. All the information for building is here on the forums. if you cant find go to the search and see if you can locate or go to the thread closely related to your question. I did a lot of reading before I started my build. Because of the money situation (none) I decided to use what I had and to scrounge what I could. There are lots of people here willing to be supportive so you can do it. Check out all the builds and designs and you will find all the necessary help. Good Luck!!!

Mary C.

[Junkboy999]

Welcome to the forums.

I’m Wichita myself.
The small tires do ok for a few season. It is the bearing you need to repack when you buy a HF trailer. Very little lube is put in them at the factory. Check out other people build for ideas and see about installing bunks for the boys. There are a few bunks ideas already posted. Just have to search for them.

[RandyG]

The smaller wheels do more rotation than larger so it eats up the bearings even more. What type of bunks are you planning on doing? Your youngest will fit width wise in there for a few more years.

[Forrest747]

We did a short queen size and a small twin loft as we call it. It is working so far taht we can sleep 4 if we have too inside. Cubemate is a Jayhawk fan, so i will let him watch this build.

[be_a_jayhawk]

I'm trying to be patient and find a better used or homemade trailer on CL. Every time I see a great deal it gets snatched up too quick of course. I haven't eliminated an old pop-up to tear down either, it has the advantage of a lot of free parts to recycle but also will have more hoops as it would be a "specially constructed vehicle." Where a flat trailer would still just be a flat trailer. As for bunks I am planning on the trailer being a 5 ft wide so I can do queen on the floor and put a twin loft probably on the front. I wanted to get in 2 lofts (maybe an L shape) so there would be space for my 3 yr old as the boys grow, but I don't see how I can do that with out it getting a little claustrophobic. I will definitely be checking out your floor plans for tips!

[Forrest747]

i saw a trailer on here that had a child hammock so that might be a way to go.

[be_a_jayhawk]

Sounded like a good idea at first but then I remembered my kids are rollers and I would probably be rudely awoken by the thud of a child landing on me.....
On a positive note I scored a trailer hitch for my van on Craigslist this week for $50 and will buy the wiring harness for it tomorrow.

[be_a_jayhawk]

The trailer hitch has been all bolted and wired up for awhile now, but I have not had great luck trailer hunting on craigslist. Think I will try to searching farm auctions and garage sale listings. It is amazing how many used trailers are out there that people are more than happy to sit and let rust instead of making a couple bucks to get rid of.

[Junkboy999]

Ya I know the feeling. I got a used one in OK city last year. I have been using it to haul trash and tree branches to the dump. It seems to me that people hold on to them forever if the trailer is not costing them money every year to register it like other states.

There was a pop-up trailer frame at a junk shop here in wichita a few month back. I can take a look to see if it is still there. I think it was $280. I can get a picture of it if it is still there.

I wonder if you could build a TD like this one but 5 wide.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=55299
Two bunks up front for kids and not bikes. Just an idea.

[be_a_jayhawk]

It is funny I have almost given up on craigslist after this morning I got attitude and cussed out by a guy listing one because I was wasting his time asking questions like how big is it? Do you have a title? And what part of the city is it at? Then a neighbor told me he bought one this week at the trailer dealer for 200 that was traded in. I didn't even think they did trade ins! So now I'm going to focus on dealerships and rural estate sales. The search goes on.....

[bc toys]

welcome eric glad to hear there are still people out there that go camping with their kids good to hear they enjoyed it reminds me of the 1st time I got to go with my dad many yrs ago well keep it up and enjoy the build with them as well

[be_a_jayhawk]

Thanks, my boys really love it so far. I am at the boy scout complex now with my oldest. In August we are going to do the minor league game where you can camp in the outfield after the game. Looking forward to building the tear but still struggling to find a used trailer.

[be_a_jayhawk]

Found a trailer! 5x10 for $165, not much surface rust, 15 inch tires. Teardown and cleanup shouldn't be too hard.

[Junkboy999]

Nice score.

Hell you almost there. Put a door on the front, throw some plywood and a tarp over the top, a sleeping bag or two and you’ll be camping next weekend.