KCStudly wrote:Adirondackersouth wrote:4 months?
I will answer with a question. Can you find any other build thread on this forum that completed a ground up build in that amount of time (that wasn't a production shop or retired person... even including those...), and if so, was the end result to the level of detail and quality that you have in mind for your build?
How many times have you read a thread that said the first time builder expected to assemble their trailer-in-a-box "today"; then it took three days to get it sorted out; and the bearings had still not been repacked, the wiring wasn't done, it wasn't level, and they had some other gripe that the store couldn't resolve the same day?
I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but it is better to have a realistic view. Yes, things may go swimmingly well for you, and I hope that is the case; but I advise that you be prepared for a longer trip. Even on a simple build.
Not trying to be adversarial, just trying to share my experience and the overwhelming evidence that I see posted all about this place. I budgeted from 3 to 5K and from 1 to 2-1/2 years. I haven't added up the receipts since crossing the 6.5k mark (probably closer to 7.5k with all of the epoxy/FG supplies and misc. stuff adding up... so far). After a year in design the actual build crossed the 4 yr mark in February (5 yrs and counting). Yes, mine is a much more detailed design with a self built trailer and what I hope can be considered a high level of fit and finish, but everything is relative. I am not alone in this hindsight. Very few get built on time; fewer within budget. Just saying.
Maybe you can use this dissenting view as motivation to prove me wrong. I'd like that. Go for it!
Hi there
Newbies like myself are full of exuberance and wanting to get it done fast. I bet your teardrop is killer cool and I admire things done right. The trailer in a box is one way to approach it, but it was not what I had exactly in mind. I was thinking of buying a pre-built, pre-wired job and go from there. I met a guy back around Christmas who was selling his VERY large teardrop. I could almost stand up in it. It was missing windows and the back galley hatch did not secure properly. The cuts that he had made in the plywood for the roof and the back hatch were not all clearly secure to the side walls in the case of the roof, but the back hatch it needed some kind of trim work to conceal the mistakes he had made with the circular saw. The roof as done with large sections of metal siding that had been seemed pretty well. The sides of the camper were made of wooden siding which looked sharp. I do not think I can add photos here otherwise I would show you. The whole thing he was selling for 2000.00. I guess divorce and needing money was on his mind. At the time I thought there were some real issues with it I could not address in the middle of winter. I passed on it too long and someone snatched it.
What do you think about the repairs ? Doable under 500 bucks?