$$$$$

[McTeardrops]

I stashed all my receipts in a big envelope, but recordeded in Quicken. Just hadn't had a reason to look... thank you. Biggest expense was $270.97 for wheels and tires. Most common item: oak. Total, minus fenders, some trim, some weatherstripping, and shore connection: $4007.

[Juli n Bill]

We built our own trailer frame and bought some major items on Ebay (vent fan, stove, windows, etc.)and scrounged some plywood from work for the sides and floor. We figure our tear will come in at around 1,500.00 - 1,800.00 max. It's a 5 x 10 Modenaire design. It looks like a big rolling egg and the tow vehicle is a Ford Escape, so we have named it the Eggscape.
Juli n Bill
Almost done!!!!!

[Juli n Bill]

oops, meant $2,500.00-2,800.00 estimated total

[xe1ufo]

If they are charging you tax AGAIN when you title it, then demand a refund on the sales tax you paid for the $2,700 in purchases!


Steve, Central Old Mexico
Sub-Assistant to the Director General of Unimportant Affairs

[Chris C]

Nice thought, but it doesn't work that way, in the US, Dr. Steve.

[xe1ufo]

Then the other option is: Finish your teardrop to the minimum needed to pass inspection, then go title it, and then add the extras.

Steve, Central Old Mexico
Sub-Assistant to the Director General of Unimportant Affairs
_________________
Dr. Steve
Central old Mexico

[Arne]

When I built mine, I built a good, basic box. I knew the a/c would have to be done this year, but I put in the windows I wanted, the roof vent I thought I wanted, some cheap, workable lights, and internal wood to cut in a hatch.

I didn't get all nutty buying marine lights (till this year/g/), and the doors were just cut into the side with no fancy trim (good gaskets, ala SteveF)...

So, it isn't fancy, but the uniflex coating is very durable, the doors don't leak and it is 5 feet wide..... bottom line, I had a simple design and I didn't go for fancy.... and even though I built it fast, enough thought went into it that I'm still 90% satisfied... except for that extra 6" I'm going to cut down...

Fantasitc fan and uniflex 255 are on order.... after mystic, I dive in..

[Woody]

In Florida, I registered the trailer frame with the "Certificate of Origin" and purchase reciept (Retailer) from the trailer manufacture as a utility trailer. Since people (as far as Florida was concerned) modify these trailers all the time into all kinds of things. Once the trailer frame is registered and titled and tag is issued, then I built the teardrop on it. It may not work in all states, I don't see why not. The only stipulation might be insuring the trailer with a trailer frame registration not listed as a registered camper. Even so it can be done and bypass the inspection if required by state guidlines. After all it might save you some time and money

[IraRat]

My girlfriend asked me, on the way home from Minden, "just how much is this tiny trailer going to cost?" I've spent my life "quoting" things and my guess was "between $2,500/3,000". I don't think I've heard anyone mention what their tears cost to build. I realize that no two tears are the same, nor would their cost come out the same, but surely with as many tears as this group has built, there must be some sort of approximate cost comment from the forum. Anyone willing to share their figure?

You just HAD to bring this up Chris, didn't you!?

Why, I think I should wait a few days, print all of the responses here, and show them to my WIFE! She would LOVE to see this!!!



Just joking, of course--but you couldn't have posted this at a worse time:

I am expecting SIX deliveries this week, mostly small, inexpensive stuff except for my bendy birch--but it's still SIX deliveries!!!

She works nights, and if anyone makes a joke about this I'm getting on a plane and will track you down until the day I die.

[Woody]

Is that a one way TICKET, sure sounds like it to me

[IraRat]

Is that a one way TICKET, sure sounds like it to me

Hey--I'm glad it was YOU! Now I don't have to buy a plane ticket!

I'll just use my Sunpass and look for one of the few remaining non-Venezueans in Weston!!!

Just kidding--I actually never got the darn Sunpass thing. I think it's a government conspiracy.

[Woody]

Ya gotta hafta find me first don't you?

[Denzagrad]

Just sent in the insurance paperwork; had to add up all the trailer receipts - $5,074.00. This include the walnut, ceramic tiles, solar panel, etc.

[KZ76017]

Regardless of how much I spent, I wouldn't tell the DMV the actual total amount if that is what they are basing the cost of my tags every year.

[GeorgeT]

I built pretty much the camper I planned to build using the planed 1x2s and birch ply. Bought what I needed to do and dang the cost. Some things cost way more than I anticipated but most was pretty much what I expected. I quit counting at $3,700. My biggest expenses had been purchased by then and I was mostly finished. I figure $4.200 would cover the whole package. That figure does include all the extras such as porta potty, microwave, toaster oven, AC, EZ up, Sportz tent, nice reclining chairs, towels, mattresses and covers, pillows and so on. My original guesstiimate was $3,000. Going over doesn't bother me as I got pretty much the camping arrangement I wanted. It can be pulled by my little Honda CRV. It sleeps 3 confortably. I can pee in privacy and clean up and change clothes standing up. I can cook and eat in it when it rains. AC for the Texas heat. And most of all I feel secure in it at night. Was it worth the dollars and time. For me, yes indeedy!