Was given a pop up camper, need opinions

[dave_dj1]

Hi all, I was given a pop up camper yesterday. The mice have pretty much destroyed it, canvas is shot, mess every where, cushions are destroyed etc. etc.
measurements are 6'4" wide and 10'5" long, it's a Jayco.
I'm 6'-2", wife is 5'-2" Not sure I want a teardrop but I would like to build one and maybe sell it. Is there any demand for them?
Camper has power inverter, sink, and an ice box. Cabinets and floor are in good shape.
It has small tires on it, i think they are 4.80 x 12's or similar.
Do you guys and gals think it's worth stripping down to the frame, building either a tear or a standy and then selling it? I am a building contractor so I have the tools and knowledge to build pretty much what ever. I have done tons of fab work too. I think it would be a fun project.
thanks,
dave

p.s. I have some pics in the non traditional area of a camper I converted to a toy hauler in case you are wondering about my capabilities.

[rmclarke]

Hi Dave,
If "...I was given" =free...then, I would say it is definitely worth it
This is my pop up frame...before and after:

[dave_dj1]

Cool, thanks for the reply. It looks like I will have a winter project!

[rowerwet]

I just stripped a free tent trailer down and am making a utility trailer out of it. The sink, stove, ice box, lights, door latch, etc. are all reusable on a td. My trailer even has a nice torsion axle.
If you enjoy building, I would make a nice lightweight 5x8 2door td with the items you removed from the pop up built in, while you may not get rich, I'm sure it would sell.

[dave_dj1]

OK, I had some time today to put together a "must have" list for my trailer and some ideas.
1) queen size bed
2) tall enough for me to stand up (I'm 6-2 barefoot)
3) It must fit the frame I have (roughly 7 x 10 not counting tongue)
4) light weight (not a real concern, if the Mercury Mariner won't tow it my Dodge 2500 HD will)
5) insulated for colder (fall/spring) camping
6) I want it to look like a tear
7) L.E.D. lighting in and out
white skinned aluminum sides
maybe one piece rubber roof? (have access to epdm)

I have a rough sketch, I need to figure out how to scan it and post it so you all can give me some of your thoughts.
I'm thinking roll out galley from under the bed (bed in rear cross-ways) maybe a small dinette in the front that would turn into a single for a guest (grandson)
I would like to find a small propane furnace but a disc heater may work, just not in remote locations
is ac that important? (from a resale point of view)
thanks,
dave

[rowerwet]

check out what little guy puts in for standard or optional equipment, if they offer it, it must be due to requests/market, A/C is more driven by the area you live or camp in, some don't need or want it, others think they do. from what you are saying you want as far as height and looks I would check out the designs of T@B, while not a traditional tear, they look much like one.
7' feet is wide enough to require towing mirrors on most vehicles, not impossible, just another bother when packing.

[JuneBug]

check out what little guy puts in for standard or optional equipment, if they offer it, it must be due to requests/market, A/C is more driven by the area you live or camp in, some don't need or want it, others think they do. from what you are saying you want as far as height and looks I would check out the designs of T@B, while not a traditional tear, they look much like one.
7' feet is wide enough to require towing mirrors on most vehicles, not impossible, just another bother when packing.

T@B trailers have interior height of 5'9". I"ve often thought that if they were about 4 inches taller at peak interior height, I'd get one. Mr. June Bug and I are both 5'9" tall. PrincessCraft RV in Pfugerville, TX carries T@Bs and we looked at one to check it out. Just a wee bit to low to be comfortable at the kitchen counter, darn it.

[dave_dj1]

I'm thinking I may have to make it a slouchy...lol
I ripped all the existing camper shell off it yesterday right down to the bare frame. After looking things over I'm not sure that high of a center will look ok. I am thinking I may either take the time to scale it out on paper of take some 1" black plastic water line that I have and make the profile and see how it looks. Nice think about building your own is you can always change things along the way. The sketch I have isn't to scale so it may be skewed.
Thanks for the input and don't be shy.
dave

[rowerwet]

7' would be too wide for my car, or departed ranger, not sure on the van. Whatever works, I just remember pulling my dads tent trailer with an '87 buick century (with the anemic 2.5L engine ), without the mirrors we were blind.
my tent trailer tear down had the roof torn off and then was left that way a year or two, my 10 and 7 yr old kids took most of the sides apart with a pry bar and hammer, the only part that needed anything heavier was the OSB floor.