Bill From Denver

[wgwhitacre]

Hi, Everybody

I’m, Bill. I live in Denver and I am looking to make my own 5’ x 10’ aluminum sided teardrop. I have no idea what I’m doing, so I will be asking you all a lot of really dumb questions, especially about wiring.

My first question is: how long is this going to take? What is the average time to build a teardrop?

Also, if there is anyone in Colorado who has advice about where to find parts, I am all ears.

Thanks,

Bill

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Bill,
Welcome to the Forum and glad to meet you...
I like the idea of your base thoughts and off the top of my head, the first thing I can think of (that works for me) is to make a list of what you want and even what you think you want... e.g., how many lights and where you want them placed in the sleeper and galley sections; how tall do you want the trailer to be; are you going to want TV, microwave, stove, frig, ice box, etc.

I can suggest you take in a few gatherings, look at what others build and stop by a visit a dealer to see what they may offer. As you note the different options, list them and flag the ones you may want to add. I can tell you from doing wiring for a house and garage that required inspection, and trailer, a sketch/drawing is imperative to determine what circuits are needed and what voltage (120 vac or 12 vdc), what load is going to be on them, what is the length/or distance from source to load, are you thinking of an inverter and/or a converter, where are outlets and fuse box be located, are you gong to install a radio and speakers?... These are just a few things that come to my over-analytical mind.

Keep posting and adding pics when you get them... Good luck on the build...

[Graniterich]

How many hours per week can you work on it?

[noseoil]

To answer your question, I gave myself 2 years & I'm on schedule.

One mistake people tend to make is to work & set a deadline for finishing. Since none of us have done this before, it's not really something we know until after we're done. I'm getting closer now, but I have 450 hours at this point and still have some finishing left. It's campable, but not finished. I also have a lot of "extra" stuff which isn't necessary but adds to peace of mind in general.

Welcome to the maddness! There's lots of help online here & some really great folks who can share ideas with you.

[wgwhitacre]

Thanks for the input every one.

I will be working on the teardrop on nights and weekends, like the typical weekend warrior. I would be happy if it took 6 months ( two years is a little more than I had planned).

I have already spend a few weeks planning, and I think I have a pretty good idea of that I need and don't need. So that's a start.

Bill

p.s. I would reply to your posts individually, but I don't know how.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Thanks for the input every one.

I will be working on the teardrop on nights and weekends, like the typical weekend warrior. I would be happy if it took 6 months ( two years is a little more than I had planned).

I have already spend a few weeks planning, and I think I have a pretty good idea of that I need and don't need. So that's a start.

Bill

p.s. I would reply to your posts individually, but I don't know how.

Hi Bill,
Don't worry about individual responses (at least for my part), just like to see your posts
As far as the build time is concerned, I think that once you get into the swing, it will will go quicker than you think... That's the way it goes with me anyway...

[Graniterich]

So fifteen hours a week, would take me about three plus months minimum. Mine probably took four, but as many here, I lost track of time, building modules at night [FEARFUL FACE]