Very new, very ignorant TD hopeful

[Brianm1836]

Hello.
I just bought plans for a teardrop tailer, I hope to build it this summer and perhaps camp in it for the first time in about...October, this year. I have never built anything of any value in my life, I have no real wookworking, metalworking, or trailer building skills, I do not want to mess it up, so, any advice you fine folks could give will be much, much appreciated. I don't have alot of money either, so, I'm on a Ramen noodle every day-type budget. Heh, that sounded a bit dark, didn't it? Anyway, I live in Oklahoma City, OK, and just recently got bit by the camping bug. I don't like tent camping, not to good for it, I just don't like sleeping on the ground. I can't afford to buy a large(or small for that matter) travel trailer, or a vehicle capeable of towing it. So, enough of my whining, Thanks for reading my ramblings. I look forward to conversing with you folks.

[Roly Nelson]

Hello Brian, welcome to the forum. Since you already have plans, the next logical step is to go out and obtain a trailer frame. Harbor Freight is probably the cheapest way to go, unless you can find someone who just wants to get rid of an old trailer that they no longer need. What shape and size do you have in mind, and can you build inside in a protected area? Most folks don't follow their TD plans to the letter, so feel free to make any modifications in size and shape, that suits your fancy. Take some pics and post em, and remember, we are here to help, so just ask. Try to make it to a local gathering, you will meet many friendly people and get great ideas from them. Good luck on your build.
Roly

[parnold]

Welcome to the forum and the madness! You'll find plenty of helpful people here, so don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a wealth of information in the build threads to, so plan on spending some late nights reading what others have done. Most of us have borrowed an idea from one another.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum.
Build the best you can and it will last for a long time and provide you with a lot of "Good Memories"
Good Luck and enjoy your build.
Good Roads
Brian

[RAYVILLIAN]

Welcome to the forum Brianna. there's a few of us pretty close to you down in OK that would probably help, they'll be along sooner or later, and a lot of cool folks to camp with in your area. Hope to see you out and camping this fall.

GAry

[Ravenous]

Hey there Brianm,
The low budget thing is almost a given these days. I don't know if you've checked out the "Design Library" but it is a really good place to start figuring out what your requirements might be. Something you can tow with your current vehicle. I think one is always better off choosing or creating the minimum design to meet your needs.
One thing I have discovered is that used trailers, that one might build on, are hard to come by in my area. People who have them keep them forever. But I think if you have more time than money, your best bet might be keeping an eye on local classifieds, craigslist, and the like for someone who wants to get rid of a utility trailer or a pop-up in really poor condition that you could perhaps buy and then tear down to the frame. Once you have a trailer to start with, you can find a design that fits it or just make your own. If you are not sure about where to move your axle or what thickness of plywood for your sides, or what size framing is sufficient, just ask us.
Because of economy of scale, you can really nice up a small teardrop, on the cheap. And hunting around for lights, windows, etc. at yardsales, fleamarkets, and junkyards can be almost as much fun as camping!
Welcome. And hope to hear more from you.
Peace,
Rhett

[Shadow Catcher]

Ignorance is curable and many here will be more than willing to help. Teardrops can be as simple or elaborate as you wish to make them, however one thing to remember is to build for what you might want to do with it in the future not for what you think you want starting with no experience. As an example run wires to lights or a radio or... in anticipation, or build so that it can be added later.

[bc toys]

Brian there is a gathering at Beavers Bend today drive down there and meet them and ask for there ideals and take pics of trailers you will find one you like and go with that plan and modify it so it works for you Oh welcome to site From Bobby in las Vegas Nv

[Oldragbaggers]

Welcome to the forum Brian. There are many of us on the forum at the same stage as you in one respect or the other. But the people here are beyond kind and generous with their knowledge, advice and assistance. Ask anything. You will get answers. Most of all, have fun building it. It's a big project, but it's a series of small steps to get there.

[jdarkoregon]

Hello Brian,

By now you have been losing sleep, don't worry, we all have done that. Brian, Stay with the basics, your goal is to get off the ground and go camping with a pretty cool trailer in tow.

If you can, avoid trying to take all the good ideas and put them into your trailer, All you need is a box to tow around, it doesn't have to be perfect and it doesn't have to get any awards. Leave the plumbing, the recliners and most of the closet at home and not in your build. All you'll need is a roof, four walls a few shelves.

You will be amazed by what Paint will do for you

Go simple and keep it simple, Your next build can be built like a cabinet maker builds, the first is just to get you out and camping

Have fun and start collecting wood and friends to help with the build and show us your progress, please

I like the trailers that are works of art, but my favorites are the ones made by people who have little to no money, there is one here somewhere where the guy used sections of old garage doors.


John

[Oldragbaggers]

EXCELLENT ADVICE JOHN!!!


I have already started ditching a lot of the more complex and fancy ideas I thought I "HAD TO HAVE" when I began my build. It's easy to get mesmerized by all the beautiful and very skillfully crafted trailers you will find on this and other sites. We have some talented people here, and a lot of them with a full skill set, that could build any darn thing they wanted to. I am not one of them, so for me keeping it simple is going to be the way to go.

With a little advance planning, you can get the teardrop completely campable and then incorporate those other nice things later, in between trips, as you acquire more skills and have the time and money. And that is what I will most likely do. Most people here say that the teardrop is "never done". I'll probably always be coming up with things I can add or improve. But I agree with John, keep it simple at first and get out there and start having some fun.

[hoytedow]

Welcome and enjoy the adventures that lay ahead.

[suckerpunched]

Darned good advice I'm seeing here,,,you can always improve it as you go along...