If you were to build it all over again ...

[crumbruiser]

I thank whoever is responsible for starting this post. I will hopefully start my TD this spring after income tax time and I appreciate the valuable information given here. At first I wanted to build a 4 x 8 thinking it would be easier and cheaper. But now, I think the extra room obtained in a 5 x 8 or 5 x 10 would be really worth the expense and problems ( if any ).

[doug hodder]

What a trip back in time!...I see lots of members no longer active that posted. It's nearly 7 years old! For me...I build others, cause I've got ideas I want to do, not because I need one. Doug

[Kim Armstrong]

Mr. Hodder, Really like all the builds you have done. I know you have to have a new one going on. Any pictures?

[LDK]

If I had to do over I would've definitely made it wider with 2 doors instead on only 1.

[Oldragbaggers]

If I build another one I would like to try smaller (no larger than 4x8), and much lighter, with laminated foam walls. Everything would be spartan and as light as possible. It would be nice to have something that my fuel efficient Hyundai could handle when we don't want to funnel gas into the Jeep.

And I would start with a frame kit to get that certificate of origin.

[travis midgley]

Hi everyone I built my teardrop in 3 weeks in July of 11 I am very happy how it turned out i am planning to build another one just because i want to try some diffrent ideas. Me and my wife have enjoyed the teardrop greatly and hope to for years to come.

[PKCSPT]

I would have loved to build but knew I would get too impatient. I admire the beautiful work others have done but didn't find any for sale around here when I wanted one so bought my Little Guy. They called it the Econo, just a shell with the galley shelf. I pull it with a beetle and wanted as light as possible so it is exaclty perfect for me. And like Slow said at 4 wide it fits into some tight places.
When I buy my next trailer I am hoping for a 13 ft Scamp as the one thing I really want is an indoor potty.
So my vote was to buy.

love these really old threads

[nevadatear]

Sorry slow but there is no way as part of a couple I would ever give up two doors. I would venture to say that being single has a lot to do with you not missing the second door. As a couple over 50, not having to crawl over each other in the middle of the night for the bathroom run was a prime reason for two doors and an advantage over a tent. Build what is right for you!

[campmaster-k]

I would have made it 5 wide instead of 4. I would have installed the fantastic fan FIRST instead of thinking just a vent would be enough. I would have done it 20 yrs ago if I had known how much fun it is to have one.

[Ron Dickey]

I am building a new trailer and find some mistakes that I now have to reinvent new ways to get back on track.
My front studs should have been longer then the sides because I will need to add more wood to the front to bring the front bow up to the height of the cross beams and the top will be level. I have no plans it all comes from that brain of mine inside my heard. And sometimes I skip a step.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=54108
Ron

[Donutboy]

I don't know that I would want to build it all over again, however, I'm getting interested in restoring an old airstream or similar trailer, and my wife is interested also. Of course her involvement ends with approving me to do it, and then periodically asking when it will be done.



At some point, I was sitting in my trailer about half way through the project, staring at four blank walls, and had the realization "Man, I'm having to make EVERYTHING"!


For anybody looking for advice, don't buy plywood from the big box stores. Seek out the lumber supply places that local woodworkers frequent, and use those. It's more expensive, it's usually harder to get home (farther) but worth it in the long run.


Oh, and that Kreg's pocket jig thingy is your new best friend.

[GerryS]

LOL! I'd do what I did the last time....bought a commercial unit . I envy people who have the time to build!!'

[rowerwet]

my next build will be foam, super light, much cheaper, and it will never rot, any wood inside will be epoxied entirely. I would also like 10 feet instead of 8 long, but that isn't to big of a deal to me.

[Oldragbaggers]

My next build, if there ever is one, is probably taking shape somewhere in Elkhart Indiana.

[KennethW]

If I build a 2nd tear, It would be 4x8 on a HD trailer with the axle above the spring. (center leaf removed) The trailer would have the 2nd and 3rd beams installed below the side rails so that the below floor storage floor have a slot to slide into and would be made wide enough to fit the spare tire. The 5th and 6th beam would be also below the side rails to lower the galley floor. I would store the cooler on the galley counter. (A cooler always have to be remove to open anyway) And when not cooking the counter is empty(a armless camp chair makes a good cooler stand). I would build it with FRP glued to pink(or blue)foam.(little or no wood). For heat I would use my homemade radiant tube propane heater and for cooling I would build in a swamp cooler pad in the galley wall and use a fantastic fan in the roof to move the air thru the pad. Cooling using very little battery power!