Building vs. Buying (Re: Savings)

[CarlLaFong]

So, for a couple of thousand dollars, you could build a trailer that is worth anywhere from couple of hundred dollars, up to $10k or more. But savings of 50% or more are very realistic with moderate skill and equipment.

Bob has hit it on the head. The only variable is the individual builders skill level, design choices and attention to detail. You can build it out of the least expensive materials or out of solid, exotic hardwoods and the finest appointments available. It doesn't matter. The simple trailer could sell for 8 or 9 thousand if the builder knows his stuff and the one with all the fancy stuff might be only good for parts, if the builder is a hack. All thing being equal, a skilled builder should be able to build a trailer that is worth twice what he has into it. If he is building it to use, with an eye towards, maybe, selling it in a year or so, then the perceived cost of his labor shouldn't be considered. If he's building it on spec, then, of course, labor should be factored in, but don't expect to value your time at prevailing wage

[Wolfscout]

Mine may not be professional.. but it's excellent on functionality for the very modest financial input.

[Mojave Bob]

Hmm... maybe I ought to clarify that I am not in any way disparaging "non-professional" results. In fact, my dad used to say that the main difference between an amateur and a professional is that a professional knows how to hide his mistakes. No, one of the real beauties of teardrops is that they are an accessible project for the masses. Most of us can pull it off successfully. Would it sell for top dollar? Maybe not, but dollars aren't the true measure of the value of these campers. We do our best, design it be what we want, and we can be proud of the results. We enjoy it, and when we are done with it, there seems to usually be somebody waiting in line to love it some more.

By the way, I have been, in a previous life, a professional cabinet and trim carpenter and building contractor. I have the shop and tools. However, I have a Little Guy. My wife felt that I have enough projects on my plate already, without taking on another. She places more value on my time than I do, sometimes...

[Big Dan]

To buy one you pay for 1 part 2 labor 3 profit If you build one there is no labor or profit. whitch do you think costs less.

[Jim Edgerly]

I kept accurate records and all totaled I spent around $4500 building mine, but I could not buy mine for that price. I upgraded to 14" tires, 3500 pound axle, added electric brakes, shocks, electric brake brake-away kit, have 7 fans, low electrical consumption LED lights, and used only new first class materials. My neighbor across the street comments how my teardrop is much fancier than his and he bought a basic Little Guy for $6500. You would be up into the $9000 range to get the bells and whistles model.

Not to mention when I pull into a camp ground I am sure to get more "interest" having a woody vs. a store bought camper. If I bought a teardrop I would not feel the pride I will feel pulling my teardrop into a campground! (my wife says I've got to stop initiating conversations with "you should see my woody")

To answer another question, companies can sell them for more than the cost to build them because not everybody has the tools, space, or wood working skill to build one. You can have a "vision" in your head, but if you can't translate that mental vision to an actual product then you have no choice but to buy vs. build if you want a teardrop.

[Shadow Catcher]

There are commercially made tears that are as good or better than a home built. Lefty Originals here in Toledo is using marine grade plywood triple coated in urethane, frame powder-coated (they won the award for the best manufactured trailer at CAG)... Compass Rose has complexity I could not duplicate i.e. all aluminum frame stress panel walls and it does have
dovetailed drawers. Yes it had problems but they are mostly gone now.
Therefore you can not make any blanket statements about quality or what you can or can not get.

[jerry101jlh]

Does cost or even quality really matter as long as you are happy with what you have? I know I could have built something and it might have even turned out to be the best thing ever, but no space here to do that, so we bought. I have a lot of pride in what we own and so much fun enjoying it. At times I wish I had more, maybe built it myself to add those personal touches, but that doesn't mean I'm disappointed in the direction we went and as far as resale, could care less, was not bought as any kind of investment. Oh and another big point with me, any problems I don't have to fix, just call the manufacturer, explain the problem, take it to a shop of my choosing and not only do I not have to fix it, don't have a repair bill either. Point is what does it matter whether you built it yourself or bought one from a manufacturer as long as you are happy with what you have and it provides the fun you expect.

[Shadow Catcher]

Very good point, if it is "good enough" what more do you need.
I am admittedly a bit more than obsessive about some things but I do understand, good enough!

[Jim Edgerly]

Did not mean to imply that there is no pride in owning a "store bought" teardrop. Just meant that when people say "did you build that yourself?" there is a certain level of pride in being able to say "yup." It also doesn't mean that it is "perfect" or even the same level of craftsmanship of a store bought...just means I took a pile of "sticks" as my wife calls lumber and materials, and glued them together to make something useful that makes other people take a second look. There is no shame what-so-ever in buying a teardrop...the shame, if you want to call it that, is NOT OWNING A TEARDROP, period! I can see a future of lots and lots of good times with the wife and dog in this thing.

As the story goes:
I took a pile of wood and cut it up and glued it all together to make something really nice, but do they call me a MASTER CRAFTSMAN? Nope
I took my creation and bolted it to a utility trailer, added shocks and electric brakes, but do they call me a TEARDROP BUILDER? Nope
But you won't believe what they call you if they find you messing around just once with a goat...

(Given this is a more mature audience, I hope that joke is not considered offensive. If it is just PM me and I'll edit my post.)

[Wolfscout]

Point is what does it matter whether you built it yourself or bought one from a manufacturer as long as you are happy with what you have and it provides the fun you expect.

[Deryk the Pirate]

I was workin on mine yesterday at my marina and an older gentleman pulled up in his truck and said he really liked the way she looks ( and its not finished) asked where I bought it and told him I built it myself. "Where did ya get the plans?" "Plans, lol who needs plans... I designed it all in my crazy little head"

So there is a lot of pluses to build it the way you want it, customize it for your needs. You dont need a lot of tools, I primarily used a 14volt screw gun, a tablesaw and a circular saw. I would rather spend $500 in tools and own them, then buy 1 already built for alot more, yeah my time is valuable to me, but overall I enjoyed doing it...watching friends stop by and stare in amazement.

[cracker39]

I am not looking to find out how much someone spent on their TD, simply what you think the "percentage savings" were, if any.

Chuck

Answering that is no fun. I don't dare look at cost building vs cost buying. If I did, I probably wouldn't have as much fun building stuff. Besides, you can't put a price on pride when somone looks at your trailer and compliments you on your creation.

[crttaz]

Simple.

Do you do your own oil changes and minor upkeep on you cars or do you take it to a dealership?

That alone defines should you build or buy.

Another thought, you hate wiring but love making cabinets, find someone who hates making cabinets and trade them labor and have them wire you up.

Do take time to teach each other so they do gain some knowledge and maybe the courage to go it alone next time.

[terryjones1]

Simple.

Do you do your own oil changes and minor upkeep on you cars or do you take it to a dealership?

That alone defines should you build or buy.

I dissagree.

I take my vehicles in for oil changes.

I, also, am building a TTT.

[Jim Edgerly]

Agree...being handy with cars and handy with wood are two different things. I have not done my own oil change for over 30 years. In that same time I bought an 80 year old home, gutted it down to the studs in every room, and rebuilt it to modern standards...including building my own oak kitchen cabs and bathroom vanities.