Can an Oregon Housewife build a Teardrop?

[triker45]

Sure you can. Just go for it. Jerry

[Gary W]

You need to go visit the teardroppers at The 2nd Fall Brigade at the Oegon City Elks Park. Oct. 9- 12. There will be lots of ideas and info. This a good group of NW teardroppers. Yes this is something you can do. You really should take a look and its not far from where you live. Saturday is always the best day to go and there's a potluck that evening with dutch oven cooking going on.

[rebapuck]

Start with a circular saw, jigsaw, sander, drill.

I have a small Craftsman 5 1/2" circular saw and I love it. It has cut everything I ever needed around the house and is lighter than a 7".

Battery or corded tools is up to you. I tried battery when they first came out. I was not impressed and changed to corded. But battery tools have improved.

[hausfrau60]

Thanks everyone! I've listed my Jayco tent trailer for sale on craigslist, and maybe I'll get lucky and find a buyer soon. In the meantime, thanks for the tips and encouragement. I have to convince my husband, but I think he'll be supportive.

As for the gathering coming up in October, awesome! I'll put it on the calendar and drag the whole family down there for a look-see.

I'm looking at plans now, so will venture off to other topics. See you around the forum!

[Roly Nelson]

hausfrau60, as a professional woodworker for over 60 years, I can't imagine anyone in Oregon could even contimplate building a teardrop trailer, without many years of professional experience, a whole shop full of woodwoking tools and highly skilled professionals standing by to help you in your efforts...............You must move to Caifornia, to make it work. Naw, just kiddding!

Now that I have your attention, you can absolutely build a fine teardrop trailer, all by yourself, with minimal tools and relying on us to guide you along the way. Really, it is not much more than a wooden box, with a few alterations, easy to do and all you need is the positive attitude that will git-er-done. Remember, many of us here on the board are first time builders, me included, and without the advice and encouragement from the many helpful former teardrop builders, it would have been much harder, with probably many mistakes. All you gotta do is ask and low and behold, answers will come your way, right away.

We do request that you capture your build with pics, that we all love to look at when you post them on the board. Next, we look forward to meeting you at a local campground, as you proudly show us the fruits of your efforts. You will be so happy that you got rid of the Jay Co, and being a teardrop builder and user will absolutely change your life. Good luck, we're pulling for you.
Roly

[hausfrau60]

Wow, Roly! That's a lotta wood. It looks so awesome, and if I can even do a fraction of that to give my td some charm, I'd be happy. It looks like I have to buy about a million clamps, though. I intend to bother my neighbor on occasion for advice since he has a nice shop in his basement and likes to build things. My stepdad, also, has an interest and is willing to help. My son took a woodworking shop class last summer ... maybe that's one summer camp that'll give a little payback!

Thanks for the encouragement. This forum is going to be my lifeline.

[NutmegJoe]

I had my trailer frame custom built and got it home the first week of Jan 07 and started my build. I went to the Dam Gathering 4 months later. It was a little crazy there at the end.

I worked on it most days after work for a couple of hours and most of the days on the weekends. When I was in the middle of the build, I was just so focused on it that I found the time necessary to do it. Right now when I look back, I'm not sure where the time came from, but when it's your priority it all works out in the end. The first time I towed my tear it was to go the 1700+ miles out to Shasta!! And...it's still going strong. I easily have over 10,000 miles on it now and still loving it every time I go out.

I say go for it!! And...I'll be right there with you as I'm going to start my second build before the end of the year and am planning on taking it out to the IRG in July.

[hausfrau60]

Thank you Shelly. I was thinking that I'd have a trailer custom made as well. I'm not into the whole Flashdance welding scene. Is there a thread somewhere about costs? What should I expect to spend on, say, the trailer (5x10) ?

[Senior Ninja]

Hausfrau60
One of the nice things about building your own teardrop is that it'll be paid for when you finish. Just buy the materials you need at the time and spread the cost over several months.
Oh yea, you CAN do it. Any time you have a question about your build look here on this site. Your question may have already been asked and answered, if not just post the question and you'll soon have several answers.
You'll find this the most encouraging, kind, helpful group of people anywhere on the net.
Steve