So I don't forget, hello from MN

[perche]

Am overwhelmed trying to soak up info here, so before I get distracted again, hi. I'm female, fairly clueless about mechanics and still would like to build a trailer/mobile puppet theatre for my daughter, son (autism) and dog to go camping and entertaining. I have a local family member who's mechanically able but hope to learn and do as much as I can. Aiming to be on the road within two years.

Have some special considerations with my son, but have a rough idea of what I need. Absolutely love the look of the tears but don't think I can make the shape work for us, so still thinking about a gypsy caravan shape (but wondering if the front needs some rounding for aerodynamics). I've never towed a trailer and not sure that I'd be traveling over 55-60 with it. Currently driving a 3.4L V6 minivan with 1400 lbs towing capacity; but will learn to drive a truck if needed.

More questions later. One now though...thinking to incorporate a side double stable door, with lift up top window set for showtime (which would also function, with fill-ins, as headroom for a third single bed extension, similar to a slideout). The doors (at least one) would require side as well as top hinges. Would this be possible with a construction of bolts/pins to engage/disengage top and side hinges as needed?

Have so been enjoying reading this site...you're all quite amazing to me.

[doris s.]

Look at some build jounals for ideas. My husband and I didn't use many tools to build our teardrop, a table saw, a jig saw, a curcular saw, a drill, and screwdriver. We actually borrowed the tools from my brother and dad; saved a lot on money that way.

You can do it!

Doris

[perche]

Thanks for the encouragement, Doris. All very good suggestions. There's month's/year's worth of inspiration at this site, which I'm working on...

Will have to make something as I've got a bee in my bonnet. The tandem bike is proving very good for my little man as it frees us from a fenced in existence (he's a runner). The bike is loved to the degree that he runs toward it and stays with it, which is what I'm hoping to achieve with the trailer.

I got the hang of the circular saw with the tepee and fence and have a drill (use it regularly for repairs). A jigsaw looks essential. First, time to clear out the unused half of the double garage....will give me time to mull over layout, hinges and frame mods...must fit it under 7' clearance for the garage door and would like a section at least of standing room. Although he's half-size now, expecting a 6'er and don't know at this point if a tent will ever be a safe option.

For light relief, I think about trying to "go girl." Hmmm, things you learn...yeah, I can do it.

Very nice tear you built.

[Shadow Catcher]

Go for it. Do look at other than the conventional tear shape i.e. grasshopper, easier to build more interior room etc. one other design that would fit you need to a T is Mikes weekend worrier which would give you a ready made stage in the rear.
There are a good number of ladies on the forum that are doing their own trailers and lots of folks more than willing to help with knowledge, much of which came the hard way.

[perche]

I had a look...not sure I found it but found a number of WW/Winter Warrior types in the Hall of Fame. If that's what you meant it's a neat design, with the upwardly expandable hatch. I like it. There is something to be said for easy to build.

It is encouraging to read a large amount of posts from ladies. And they're smart and competent at building too.

I did a few drawings today and felt better.

Thanks, Shadow Catcher. Will get there.

[mcspin50]

Hi perche,
I'm another newbie from MN. Joined late last fall. I'm just trying to figure out how to build my own teardrop/tiny trailer, too. Think it's going to be a Benroy.
Made the first step and bought a hitch. Hoped to install it myself...well actually with my 21-year-old 235-lb. "baby" boy's help, but the bolts had him and the wrench set beat, so I took it into my local mechanic and paid him $60 to install it and the wiring harness. Good thing too. One of the bolts sheared off and he had to drill it out. Now just waiting for the 5x8 trailer at Northern Tool in Fargo to go on sale.
This forum is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G for all the info and ideas and fun reads.
Re: go girl...tried 'em and like 'em. Takes getting used to tho. I'm actually thinking I'll sell them in my shop when it gets closer to "tourista" time. Lotta lakes around here. Where isn't there in MN?? Are you close to Perham?
I love your idea about insulating with felted wool batts. Gosh, you could design a mural, have your own one-of-a-kind sheepy wallpaper...even in natural colors. BTW, I own a fiber arts store in Perham where there is lots of fiber.
You might want to head over to www.tearjerkers.com and join up with the St. Croix Chapter of Teardroppers. They're getting together in a couple weekends. I hope to make it over. There's also another gathering planned in early June.
Take care and hope we get to meet sometime,

[Steve_Cox]

For light relief, I think about trying to "go girl." Hmmm, things you learn...yeah, I can do it.

Gives a whole new meaning to Way to "Go Girl" doesn't it? Only on TD & TTT's


Gypsy trailer fits under the garage door.....just barely.

[perche]

Hi perche,
I'm another newbie from MN. Joined late last fall. I'm just trying to figure out how to build my own teardrop/tiny trailer, too. Think it's going to be a Benroy.
Made the first step and bought a hitch. Hoped to install it myself...well actually with my 21-year-old 235-lb. "baby" boy's help, but the bolts had him and the wrench set beat, so I took it into my local mechanic and paid him $60 to install it and the wiring harness. Good thing too. One of the bolts sheared off and he had to drill it out. Now just waiting for the 5x8 trailer at Northern Tool in Fargo to go on sale.
This forum is just A-M-A-Z-I-N-G for all the info and ideas and fun reads.
Re: go girl...tried 'em and like 'em. Takes getting used to tho. I'm actually thinking I'll sell them in my shop when it gets closer to "tourista" time. Lotta lakes around here. Where isn't there in MN?? Are you close to Perham?
I love your idea about insulating with felted wool batts. Gosh, you could design a mural, have your own one-of-a-kind sheepy wallpaper...even in natural colors. BTW, I own a fiber arts store in Perham where there is lots of fiber.
You might want to head over to www.tearjerkers.com and join up with the St. Croix Chapter of Teardroppers. They're getting together in a couple weekends. I hope to make it over. There's also another gathering planned in early June.
Take care and hope we get to meet sometime,

Hi Lil. Nearly fell out of my chair reading your message....ummm, we've already met, just this past winter. Yup, the same one who wants to learn to spin on a Lendrum and who has the two kids who can't leave Ms. Maple (nor the fantastic creations and gizmos) alone.

Since I live only about 5 blocks from your shop, I think maybe some tool sharing is in order.

Also can't wait for you to stock those Go Girl's in your shop...let me know when and I'll be right over! Just love it that you're here and planning a build as maybe we can convoy to the St. Croix gathering in future. It's surely a small world to re-meet you here. Great minds and all that...

Just ordered my first bits for the build on ebay yesterday so I guess that makes me officially committed, for anyone who had doubts about my sanity. Am lining up some help for welding a trailer. Contemplating that hitch thing as well.

Still mulling over the details, but pretty certain that it'll be a vardo, as much as I adore the tears. The vardo is much more functional for our needs. Looking into "Waterlox" for a wood finish and casein/borax/gallnut cement for glue. Still contemplating the wool but the weight may be a concern although my trusty washing machine can easily cope with a number of felted panels. So I have a few experiments to do before I do something stupid. If the "natural" alternatives are poo, there's happily always the tried and tested plastics to fall back on.

Rootin' for you and the Benroy!!!

P.S. H. is having a great giggle that you want to build a camper at the same time as us...will be over soon.

[perche]

For light relief, I think about trying to "go girl." Hmmm, things you learn...yeah, I can do it.

Gives a whole new meaning to Way to "Go Girl" doesn't it? Only on TD & TTT's


Gypsy trailer fits under the garage door.....just barely.

Too right...I just can't bring myself to utter that phrase the same way I used to!

Spent today's spare moments inching my way back through your build and making notations. Hope you don't mind if I copy the structure to a large degree. I kept trying to work out space issues and convinced myself that a slideout was necessary but after more consideration I've managed to KISS and return the plans to a more manageable format. Hooray! No need to reinvent the wheel, just gonna appreciate it.

WRT the garage door, 3/4" is plenty for me. Hope I manage such a nice fit. Not planning to do any cooking inside and have to leave space for hauling the Granny Bike so think ours will be a bare bones creation initially. Maybe in time it'll make sense to deck out the interior, but I'll wait until my monkey is well past his current stage of testing the tensile strength of my brick house. A strong and secure attachment to the exterior of a door will be necessary though...I'm not having him peeing all over my hard work!

It's good to be a lady builder with priorities.

[hiker chick]

Welcome aboard, Perche, and best wishes with your build!

You'll do great and your son and daughter will have priceless memories.

[Steve_Cox]

Spent today's spare moments inching my way back through your build and making notations. Hope you don't mind if I copy the structure to a large degree.

It's good to be a lady builder with priorities.

Randi,

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thanks for your considerations of my design. One way to gain more space with this design is to not build as a ledge gypsy wagon but to go with a wider floor more like the reading gypsy caravan. Also the drop floor could be much wider too. I think this sums it up pretty good.

[mcspin50]

Hi Lil. Nearly fell out of my chair reading your message....ummm, we've already met, just this past winter. Yup, the same one who wants to learn to spin on a Lendrum and who has the two kids who can't leave Ms. Maple (nor the fantastic creations and gizmos) alone. Very Happy

Since I live only about 5 blocks from your shop, I think maybe some tool sharing is in order. Laughing

I *thought* it might be you! Great minds think alike.
See you soon.

[kayaklover]

Perche,
Welcome to the forum. Did you see Pigcooker is selling his trailer for only $750.00. It might make a good start for you. The back hatch pops up so it might be good for your theater and it looks like it might have 2 beds in there. I have a son with cerebral palsy I camp with on occasion . He loves it.
We are having a gathering in a couple weeks you might want to attend. You will learn a lot . Or, you can stop by and visit us anytime. We have a home built and a manufactured tear you can check out. We live in St. Paul.

Lori

[hotrod]

Hello from an hour west of you!!

[perche]

Thanks for the welcomes and kind words hiker chick, kayaklover and hotrod.

Perche,
Welcome to the forum. Did you see Pigcooker is selling his trailer for only $750.00. It might make a good start for you. The back hatch pops up so it might be good for your theater and it looks like it might have 2 beds in there. I have a son with cerebral palsy I camp with on occasion . He loves it.
We are having a gathering in a couple weeks you might want to attend. You will learn a lot . Or, you can stop by and visit us anytime. We have a home built and a manufactured tear you can check out. We live in St. Paul.

Lori

Lori, hi. I did see Pigcooker's most excellent trailer. Like most I see here, I look, salivate, covet and slap myself, in that order. It's too gorgeous for me Not to exaggerate, but joyful destruction is still too much a part of the little man's MO. It's part curiosity but also the beginnings of asserting his will in that even when I try to repair/reestablish his doings, it doesn't necessarily stay fixed for long. First the blinds came down, then the curtains...well, it's certainly freedom from convention, if nothing else. I couldn't conscientiously purchase the hard work of someone else, knowing what I sort of expect from my little man.

I hope to meet all the wonderful people in the St. Croix group as soon as possible. We'll need a bit of local practice in camping first. You can trust me in that you'll all be much happier knowing that he's safely padlocked in for an evening and not "cooking" (dumping out the contents of cupboards in a big heap) at 3 AM, singing included! It's been about 6 months since his last effort, so there's hope....

Well done to take your son camping. Bravo! We'll get there. And I'll look forward to meeting you and yours.

Randi