traveler building a tiny home on wheels

[kid nomad]

hey everyone, i've been stalking these pages for a couple weeks now, and i'm about half done with my benroyish teardrop. I thought people would find it interesting that i'm planning to actually live in my teardrop for the forseable future. I have been traveling around the US all winter and i've found that i'd like to extend my stay in some places, but you can only sleep on someone's couch or in your tent in their backyard for so long. I started this traveling time in my life with about $2000 to my name, and before i started the trailer i had about $1100. so i decided i could either just keep spending until i had nothing.... or i could get a job having someone tell me what to do all the time. OR i could build myself some prime real estate, and take care of atleast one of my basic needs. allowing me the mobility and residence to find random jobs, and i'm even considering selling this first teardrop and living off of the profit while i build another one to live in.

I've worked on the trailer for a total of 10 days and i'm alreading putting in the insulation and laying luan. I'm feeling really empowered and hopefully i'll make some breakthroughs while i lay in my teardrop every night thinking..... how can i make this better??

looking forward to contributing!

[mikeschn]

Hi Kid,

Welcome to the forum. Do you have a way to take pictures?

Mike...

[hiker chick]

I hope your gumption is rewarded with great experiences and good jobs to tide you through even more great adventures.

Good luck!

[Beachbuggy]

Please post pics of your travels and good luck!

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, Kid. Now that is an idea after my own ideas of yesteryear. Build a teardrop, visit friends all across the US, sleep in the tear whenever you stop, and wherever you choose. Keep on the move, meet new people, make a few bucks on the road and find your life's partner in the meantime. Please don't marry my daughter, she mignt not like the gypsy lifestyle...........naw, just kidding, follow your dream, you will only have one chance to do it.
Roly

[John T. Hodgen]

Welcome Kid Nomad,
I agree with the thought of traveling the states, only until recently I did most of my traveling on motorcycles and camping in tents. I just finished up with my build and plan on traveling to three Tearjerker's events this year.
Sounds like your doing fast work on your T/D. It slows down when all the little details are left to do. For inspiration you can view what I came up with at: http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/
Til later by the fire--John T.
ps-as others have said-Pictures wood be Nice!!! I have about 1600.00 in mine at this point

[Krashdragon]

Welcome Kid Nomad,
you can view what I came up with at: http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/

question... do you pull this with your bike? It looks way heavy for that...anyway, I'm going to make an intro, was just reading the intro page first...
Y'all take care,
mary aka Krashdragon

[John T. Hodgen]

Hey Mary,
No, I don't or am not going to pull my T/D with my motorcycle, BUT, if it had electric brakes I think that it woodn't be a problem, as my bike is 1500 cc. I've seen VW's pulling T/D's and my bike's engine is alot stronger than most BEETLEs!
I pulled it 1/4 mile with a little 350 cc 4-wheeler and had no problems with that. I built it with sandwich wall system and it weights around 700 lbs.
Til later by the fire---John T.

[Krashdragon]

I'm going to try for somewhere are 250-300 lbs.... I think any lighter and it will float.... especially in the wind here in Texas and out west.....
I have a stock 88B, carbed....

Now to just think for a while..... Can't afford to do anything else right now anyway....<BG>
Thanks
Mary

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Kid Nomad. Do you have a real first name? If you can find someone with a camera we would love to share your build and your travels!

We have a few more nomads in teardrops. They are lovin it I guess cause they don't check in often........ Something to do with fishing I think.

Have fun and be safe!

[kid nomad]

i've been busy generating some capital and putting the final touches on my little home.
An online magazine in illinois picked up on my story and made an article about me.
check it out-http://www.smilepolitely.com/culture/the_high_tech_hobo/
i'm spending the summer working as a waiter at a pretty fancy place to save up enough money to travel all fall and eventually move down south for the winter.
i'm considering austin.
recently i've been installing plant boxes on the sides of the trailer so that i can plant herbs.
working on a lexan sunroof/vent
and
building a pantry to mount on the outside wall to hold my mead/hard cider operation.

[FireLion]

You make me wish that I'd found out about teardrops while I was in my 20's. Now it's too late to do the gnomad thing! Good luck with your travels, and keep us informed during your journey.

[hiker chick]

I’m thinking of selling it because I can live in this barn right now and then I can build another one this summer. But I’m getting attached to it now that I have it.


Teardrop sentiment. I'm rather attached to my little hovel on wheels, too.

Best wishes this summer. Good to hear the teardrop is working for you.

[BillandMarijo]

Wow love your story. You are doing what most of us only dream of.
Good luck to you.
Bill and Marijo

[Dagny]

I love your style as well. I too wish I had traveled and taken the road less traveled when I was less grounded by kids.

I have been reading some articles on homesteading lately and read some tips on getting some land cheaply. A little patch could give you an address, a home port and something to build on in the future.

some recommended homesteading sources were eBay and internet land auctions, tax lein sale, caretaking of someone's land, establishing a mining camp on public lands, squatting (I know not all fit your needs but gives you things to research and choose your best option)