Newbie - Wannabe Canuck (Victoria, BC)

[navydiver]

Just bought me a used 2001 Jeep TJ Sport 4.0L (believe they are just called Wranglers in the US) in great condition with low mileage. It came with a hefty hitch which is useful for my light utility trailer which has been handy for hauling firewood. I have been thinking about getting a camper trailer after spending last season in cold tents with my youngster and with only a 2000 lb tow rating am somewhat limited as to what I can haul. So I started looking on the web and am quite impressed with these teardrop trailers. Have looked at old Bolers and Trilliums as well but fancy these as being much cooler. Not really looking for an overpriced tent trailer either - just a utilitarian camper.
Anyway, I am out hunting for inexpensive options - have even downloaded the Benroy plan here to consider building. I am 6' 3" so will need space to handle my gangly frame - son is 11 and loves to camp. Wife not much interested in camping but still working that issue...
Will see how my hunt goes.
Strength in Depth!
Navydiver

[Mary K]

Welcome!!!

You have come to the right place to learn. Read through the Generic Benroy plans and get a feel for the building process. Then check out sdtripper2's Index at the top. You will find a TON of info there. And Andrew's Design Library link.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress. Oh and don't forget to take lots-o-pictures for us.


Mk

[Miriam C.]

Well Navy Diver, you have found the place to get information. If you can't find what you need just ask. Someone is sure to know. Your pretty tall so your son is sure to catch up with you in the next couple of years.

Building allows more flexibility and is lot of fun.

Enjoy and please contribute to the level bubble oil fund. And a sense of humor.

[navydiver]

Wow! - quick responses. Thanks for the well wishes all. Seems like quite an active site, eh! (had to throw a Canadianism in). Before I commit to a build I would obviously like some opinions.

Me being the anxious type, and wanting to get out of the gate fast, was wondering if there are any 5 X 8 or 5 X 10 pre-fab kits available out there at a reasonable cost - also open to different design options (novice builder/fabricator with only minor home renno skills to draw on). Was in contact with a person in Surrey (actual builder) who has a fully built hoot for $3500 CDN (his last one) but in 4 X 8 size (same as Hall of Fame pic). Maybe small but not sure since it would be quite a hike to go to the mainland to see it. Seems though, like much of the culture here is centered around the satisfaction of building it yourself. Would hate to see someone on the road some day and have the stigma of "Oh he just bought his outright..." wink, wink, nudge, nudge...
Anyway any helpful hints to decide my path would be appreciated - My moto: Go big or go home, but not too big ;-)
See you on the bottom!

Tim

[Mary K]

Don't know if they have Harbor Freight where you are, but they carry a bolt together 4x8 trailer somewhere around $250 USC. I on the other hand purchased a 5x8 bolt together trailer from RedTrailers.com for $530. Its a folding trailer but I modified it to be ridged following the Benroy Plans.

As far as building or buying, its all up what you feel is right. I speak for myself, but I think the others feel the same. Built or purchased, Teardrop, Box shape or Tiny Travel Trailer, your part of the community.

Please check out my Build Pic's Linky and see for yourself what someone with no experience can do. It's not impossible, If I can then anyone can. You just need a few power tools, but the more the better.

Good Luck!!

Mary K.

[martha24]

Welcome!! navydiver

I don't know if there are any low cost kits in a 5' wide. In the end it is hard to say how much the kits save you or not. Before we started building I looked into kits as well. The other thing with kits, the plan is predetermined versus deciding what works for you.

One thing I want to say about this group, it doesn't matter if you buy the trailer, add on to or remodel, restore or build from scratch, everybody is part of the family.
If you build, you can find where you can get parts here as well.
I've listed links to 4 teardrop builders & suppliers worth browsing so you can see what sorts of parts are easily available. Also worth noting if there is a particular profile you like Lil Bear will do a copy of plans for $5 USC if you provide shipping costs and container. There are also plenty of plans on this web site as well.

http://www.teardrops.net/LilBear/index.html
http://www.socalteardrops.com/
http://www.teardroptrailers.net/
http://teardropparts.com/index.htm
Good luck on whatever you decide to do.
Martha

[catrinka]

Hi Tim and welcome from another fellow Canadian. I remember when I first started researching that there was someone up island from you that was building teardrops and selling them, at the moment I can't remember the name of them, but I think they were up around Nanaimo. Even if they aren't exactly what you want they would give you some ideas.

[Ira]

Welcome, Tim.

The reason most of us build is because we can do it much cheaper than buying--not counting the sweat equity, of course, which is substantial. But just as important, you can make the exact trailer you want.

And of course, you'll achieve what we call the Kewl (cool) factor, of having something totally unique out there on the road.

Finally, with an 11-year-old son, don't forget the fun you're gonna have building this with him. It's really gonna give him something to brag about to his friends, and you'll be the hero of the neighborhood.