Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:21 pm

Im fed up w factory built crappy travel trailers! Travel 5-7 months a year for work and have experienced most all of the usual problems. Leaky roofs, leaky slides, bad pulling trailers, and my last was a blowout that TOTALED a $10000 trailer!! Took out the floor, part of the slide, and some of the outer skin!!

So I've decided to build my own design, while MUCH smaller, will b much better built and easier in my travels!!

Pics coming soon...

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:34 pm

Here is my new platform. A new 2011 interstate pro series. 7x16, with a few options, RV door, roof vent, tortion axles, full LEDlight package and some shiney stuff!

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:42 pm

My shopping list included

13.5 advent roof air
Prefab cabinets
48x 34 shower pan
Rv toilet
1" foil back foam insulation
lots of 2x4's and sheets of OSB
30 amp elec box with 45 amp 12v and charger
stainless sink
white bath paneling
6 gal water heater

And the list goes on...

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:47 pm

I've been at it for about a week now,
Most of the framing is done, only lack mounting the cabinets.
Starting on the plumbing and electric tomorrow

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:52 pm

The area in back is the bed frame, but I had to lower it 6" since that pic. But I still have 36"x 80"x 55" of storage under there!!
Storage was one of my main concerns since I carry a lot of crap with me because I'm away so long. It will also house the water heater and most of the electrical.

This is my first attempt, so any and all suggestions are WELCOME!!!

by **parnold** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:58 pm

That's a heck of a lot of storage! I like the cabinets too. Do you have a drawing of the floor plan? What do you do that keeps you away for so long? Do you need to incorporate an office in the space too?

by **5pwelder** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:17 pm

parnold wrote:That's a heck of a lot of storage! I like the cabinets too. Do you have a drawing of the floor plan? What do you do that keeps you away for so long? Do you need to incorporate an office in the space too?

Lol! I carry a lot of stuff! I have a bad habbit, I mean HOBBY, radio controlled cars/ boats. I carry them.along for my entertainment wile away!

I'm a pipeline welder, but don't hold that against me!!!! Lol.

I only have some rough sketches of the floor plan, but ill get a better drawing and post it soon.

by **pete42** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:23 am

First of all let me say your trailer looks great nice neat job.

you said you are a Pipeline welder, I love pipeline welders; well let me clarify that!

I love one, my 73 year old brother who was a pipeline welder

before he became the person who qualified pipeline welders to weld on Columbia gas system's pipelines.

so don't get the wrong idea :lol:

pete

by **b.bodemer** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:21 am

Your build looks cool.

I've got a 7' wide too but only 12' long. It's amazing just adding another 2' in length vs. my 6' x 10' Scotty. The 7' wide actually feels spacious!

I added some box store base cabinets too! They worked great and hold plenty.

Have fun with the rest of your trailer project!
Barb

by **5pwelder** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:21 pm

Thanks a lot for the compliments!

Another $1000 spent today on wall board, 10 gal water heater, electrical and plumbing supplies!!! This won't b a cheap build, but will b 1000% better than a factory built camper!

I have tested for Columbia gas in the past, but can't remember who tested me, lol!

by **Pyrofish** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:29 pm

Lol on the cheap build. I had told my girl that I had another $1000 to go in walls and insulation. That was before I decided a shower, and a real bed would be nice touches. Now I'm thinking $2k more... just don't tell the boss :lol:

by **David_L6** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:51 pm

Looks like this is going to be a very nice trailer.

I'm very interested in how you do the water tanks / pump(s) / water heater / etc. for the shower and toilet. Please post lots of pictures. Also, if you can and don't mind, please post links to where you bought / buy the parts you are installing.

by **5pwelder** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:24 pm

I won't tell your boss if u don't tell mine!!
she just keeps saying I should have just bought another travel trailer...
Nope.... done w them...

As far as materials and parts, most from home depot/ lowes, whoever had the best price.

The air unit, tanks, and other Rv specific stuff came from my local Rv dealer, some how they know me all too well....

After u spend several thousand over the years they will actually give u a lil bit of a deal. He claims to b giving me 25% off the shelf price, not quite onlineprices, but close...

And no shipping cost!

by **pete42** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:22 pm

I found here in ohio that the tax sometimes is cheaper than buying on line and paying shipping.
unless I get more lazy then it's on line front door delivery.

he only tested in ohio worked for them around 50 years or more.
he like you may have done welded on live gas lines, one blew him out of the hole only hurt his pride and shinged his hair, very lucky.

by **5pwelder** » Thu Sep 08, 2011 10:02 am

Got the cabinets mounted, countertop cut, finished hanging the wall board, all of the inside plumbing, and about 1/2 of the wiring done yesterday. Hoping to finish enuf to test camp this weekend. Ill out another 12-13 hrs in today! Nobody has the black Formica I want in stock, so I'm gonna leave the coyntertop bare till I can find some.

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

newbie, 7x16 build

newbie, 7x16 build

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