hmmmm memories.
You kinda are right and wrong. If you have the basic tools and understand the basic skills, done the research, looked at ones that had been built already,and have pre bought your supplies; it can be done in a wkend. When I started I had skills, I did not pre plan, it all came out of my head as I watched others build, went to trailer gatherings, listened to people talk who had been there and done that. I have seen the Maxitear, a double axel boat port windows, went to my first gathering up in Northern California slept in a tent. Where I met Dean, Doug, a pioneer Grant Whip, I think even Martha was there too, and saw trailers that had been built by both women and men. Then I was ready to start. But I let everything get in my way. and I had no Trailer frame to put it on it almost became a truck camper. 5 years it took me. Mike did not believe it could take that long and almost kicked me off, till other pointed out that it can take that long.
Now I could build one in a wkend. But first I need to find a set of wheels to put it on. Doors are my week point and Mike pointed out that you can buy the doors, just cut out the place and drill them in. The boxkite had the famous Gun Ports, One hangs in Deans fire house. they were made out of one sided framed plywood and only one side had the gun port the other had no window at all. Piano hinges with outside padlocks kept them closed. I Pulled it all the way to New Mexico that way and it was not until several years later that Steve B. Pulled out his table saw and showed me how to make one. Hanging a door is yet another skill all together.
Tools needed saber saw (I used a dremel with a wall cutting bit) a power drill, Wayne across the street gave me a air compressor (WWII vintage from an aircraft carrier) I got a staple gun from Harbor Freight 60 mile to the south, Got my plywood and 1x2 frame sticks from HD (before I worked there) Set down my floor, attached a 2x4 frame to it painted tar on it, flipped it over framed out the unit like I would a house, drew out the side walls on one side pc, clamped the other to it and cut them both at the same time. With a dremel! all the frame parts were glued together and stapled and then I put glue on the out side and stapled the walls to the ribs. attached sticks to keep the sides up and apart. figured out where my wires would go for the lights sound and set new sticks in to sandwich junction boxes too. Steve B. gave me some strong wood for my cross overhead bars holding up the roof. attached on the roof, cut insolation Styrofoam in between all the ribs and frame. Then put on the inside walls starting with the roof, then the walls.
Now 1. take pictures of every thing you do. you may what to know where the wires are, or if you are drilling what you are drilling into.
2. if you can find anyone that is doing a build near you even if it is a hundred miles away go help or observe it will help. Touching, seeing, and helping makes all the difference. It was not until Steve B. had a gathering just over the hill from me that I found who had a Teardrop near me. John Goes to my Church. So talk it up you may have find the guy next doors father built one in WWII.
I did not have the trailer wheels and frame until I was a Wayne's moms and there sat a boat trailer that hat sat there for 10 years. I had to grind, paint, and put on new wheels, tires, and build a frame on it. it was just a T trailer no front support.
Trailer frame, wood, wires, plan and replan and replan, tools, and free time.
I am now looking at maybe building a second even if the one I have is not done. And it is rear when you find one finished. You see what another did and you know that has to change.
But all in all it is the fun of doing it. The Learning, and going to the gatherings that makes it all the perfect project.
Now I can do mine in a week, if I do not let anything get in the way.
Good Luck
You will want to attach the floor to the trailer frame before putting on the walls. Steve B. started his (which is how I know that part).
by les45 » Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:06 pm 
