cheap teardrop offroad camper build

[rlargarticha]

so im new to the forum here. came to look for ideas on my little trailer build and figured id share my own.
im starting out with a old coleman vesras that i picked up for $50 bucks

 

[rlargarticha]

got the trailer cleaned it up and stripped it. now cleaning off the rust spots and painting total spent $50

 

[rlargarticha]

buddy had some rusted trailer wheels sitting around, sanded and painted them. picked up new: trailer hubs, stainless steel hardware, spindles, paint, berrings, lights, elctrical wiring, plug adapter, and chains for 150. then went to the metal yard got some tubing, welded it up and started to put it together. total cost so far $220

 

[jim65wagon]

Looks like the start to a fine project! A fine first 3 posts and welcome to the forum!

 

[Mark Harley]

Great start and very nice work you have done.

 

[rlargarticha]

Looks like the start to a fine project! A fine first 3 posts and welcome to the forum!

Great start and very nice work you have done.

thanks guys!

 

[rlargarticha]

got some wood today, let the fun begin! total so far $300

 

[TheThom]

Nice! Subscribed!

 

[rlargarticha]

cut out two sides and top today, then framed them. what to do next the slides or window and door?

 

[wingysataday]

Looks good! Nice work for so little money!

 

[rlargarticha]

yeah im trying to keep it a budget build theme. broke the budget a little today, but i found the pefect little window. i got lucky to find one that was the perfect size to fit with the slides in, and was the perfect thickness to secure it in with 1x3. figured i would also try to make the camper more appealing to the girlfriend by making some curtains out of old bed sheets, and buying a "cute" door handle for it. also looking to do some cabinets for some stuff at the foot of the camper, any ideas or pictures. thinking about doing something like a box in my jeep, but from the roof. total spent so far $370

 

[wingysataday]

lowes sells unfinished cabinets for pretty cheap. They have tons of different sizes. They just need a little sanding and a stain.

 

[rlargarticha]

got the body all laid out today and painted it every thing with black deck sealer. now to assemble
thanks to generous brother sealer was free

 

[highlandercj-7]

I have one of those trailers I ended up using it as a yard cart. The trailer is a unibody trailer without a frame. I cut a bunch of 2x2 to build a frame for it (never got to that yet) You may consider that as the flexing of the tub could destroy your hard work. Looks like it's going to turn out nice.

 

[rlargarticha]

fot the sides all put together today

I have one of those trailers I ended up using it as a yard cart. The trailer is a unibody trailer without a frame. I cut a bunch of 2x2 to build a frame for it (never got to that yet) You may consider that as the flexing of the tub could destroy your hard work. Looks like it's going to turn out nice.

yeah i was thinking about building this up, but i figured id keep this as is for now, use it as long as possible while saving money. then start a new trailer project with frame / aluminum side, pop up, water tanks, heater, frig ect. if it does start to fall apart later down the road ill prob just renforce it with angle iorn