Actual build cost vs markup on US built off road trailers/teardrops.

[dytrdr5]

I can only go by my own build, granted I’m not really going for a super cheap build but once you add all the little parts and things that you didn’t think of, the price for a fully built trailer isn’t outrageous. I’m building my own and barely saving much money doing so vs say buying a Ruger trailer outright. Granted mine will have much better parts in certain areas, I used to think they were way overpriced, but I dare anyone to actually budget one out and see for themselves.

 

[dytrdr5]

Here is a run down of what I had budgeted for my build vs the cost, including equipment that I had to buy to build it

 

[andysgreenxj]

So normally I try not to engage in these discussions, but I would like to weigh in a little bit on the cost to build a teardrop as a commercial production vs home built unit.

I can't make any assumptions about any competitors that I've seen mentioned here (Moby1, et al), but I know the exact costs in material and labor hours to produce our trailers at Timberleaf. We get snide comments on our Instagram posts all the time, "I can build that for $3k!" Etc etc, and it's incredibly difficult not to engage in that.

I understand the price tag of many of the teardrops on the market today seem shocking, especially when you compare them to traditional RV campers, but the cost in materials and cost of labor to produce these really does add up to quite a bit when it boils down to producing a quality product that you're proud to put your name on.

I won't go into detail here on how much our materials cost is per trailer nor how many hours it takes, I'm sorry but I don't feel right in being quite that transparent. But I do wish to chime in this little bit. Creating these trailers is a time-heavy process and using high quality materials with craftsmanship that will last takes time. I'm happy to say that we've gotten our efficiency fairly dialed and that allows us to turn a profit, but I often hear impressions that we must be raking in the profits given our pricing structure, please understand that isn't the case. Once you factor in shop time and bill of materials, trailer cost adds up fast.

I take pride in the excellent fit and finish of our trailers, and we refuse to compromise with subpar materials or finish quality to lower our price. Tremendous time and energy is poured into our products to make sure that we're producing the highest quality trailers that we can, that will last many years to come.

I don't quite understand where someone can state that they can build something compariable to this product for under 3k in cost. I'm currently in the middle a my own teardrop themed trailer, and not even factoring my time as a cost, have just short of 4k in the build, and will likely spend an additional 1.5 to 2k to finish it! I will have the pride of say that I built my own, but to be honest...next time, I'll probably just bitr the bullet, and buy...

 

[ottsville]

I don't quite understand where someone can state that they can build something compariable to this product for under 3k in cost. .

Even @dytrdr5 has almost $4k in his trailer and that's a tub trailer not a teardrop.

 

[Bayou Boy]

Heck, I put over $1000 into a popup doing an axle flip, 15" wheels and LT tires, and a small solar setup. And I already had the trailer!!

 

[opp]

What happen to rent, 7% SS tax. workman conp. gas to go pick thing up,. But no excuse for some of the $20,000 are more rigs. Everyday there a new builder so prices will come down. Sadly most new builder's build same old crap same way .Where in the he** you getting axle nut to nut for $130 I will take 50

 

[Lead Dog]

Maybe you ought to take a breath and read the very first post in the thread. You dont seem to answer any of the questions in the original question with anything pertinent. It wasn't too long after I asked that Moby 1 went under. I would question the price of my breakfast if I paid 50% up front and it was served to me cold on a piece of plywood, and my coffee was in an empty coconut shell. I imagine these small eateries have overhead, payroll, equipment, utilities, and rent as well. Comparing these very small trailer operations to a car manufacturer is ludicrous. When an investor purchases a financial instrument such as a stock, bond, ETF, mutual fund etc, there is an implied risk that one accepts the fact that they could very easily lose money as well, so I don't see the relevance. Right now Off Grid is offering like 8 or 10k off of some 2018 inventory with an aggressive marketing campaign so I guess the supply is higher than the demand at their original price point. Also, you have no idea of what I can or can't afford and making a blanket statement like that is pointless.

Just to chime in as a outsider that works with OGT, Off Grid is moving older inventory as they have released new models for 2019. Yes they are willing to take the loss of profit on perfectly Great Builds that don't quite match up to New Production Demands! Off Grids Loss is going to be someone’s gains! But because there in it to stay they can afford to spend a little to create room for the Future! LD

 

[opp]

I looked at your trailer in sac at a show. When did taking a'' loss become did not get what I
ask for so I had a loss''