Looking for some DIY advice.

[Eric_]

Hey everyone!

So the wife hates camping (huge bummer) but recently mentioned that she wouldn’t mind it if we had something like a teardrop camper. Unfortunately, budget wise that isn’t really possible for us right now. Most of these are 10k+ or old and beat up. Plus I’d have much more fun building one.

So I was considering building a basic teardrop camper from one of those harbor freight trailers. My concern is that the axles look a little thin, the tires seem tiny, And the frame it’s self isn’t all that confidence inspiring for long road trips. I guess I’m just looking for opinions on which frame to use? Or if the harbor freight trailer is good enough? The dimensions seem ok with me but what do you guys recommend for a frame? Price wise I don’t think I can beat the harbor freight trailer.

I’d like to keep this whole build under 2k if possible.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ExCabSwap]

2k will be really tough.

Sit down and write out all the large milestones you can think of that will lead you to sleeping in your trailer. Then, for each milestone, wrote down what steps you'd need to complete in order to achieve those milestones. Then, for each step, create sub-steps where needed, and put a cost next to each step.

I think once you see this final number of the sum of your project, you'll see 2k might not be feasible.

Would she consider a rtt on a small off-road camp trailer? Redeth has a great build here:
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/redeths-overland-trailer-build.148656/

Best of luck with your build!

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Hey everyone!

So the wife hates camping (huge bummer) but recently mentioned that she wouldn’t mind it if we had something like a teardrop camper. Unfortunately, budget wise that isn’t really possible for us right now. Most of these are 10k+ or old and beat up. Plus I’d have much more fun building one.

So I was considering building a basic teardrop camper from one of those harbor freight trailers. My concern is that the axles look a little thin, the tires seem tiny, And the frame it’s self isn’t all that confidence inspiring for long road trips. I guess I’m just looking for opinions on which frame to use? Or if the harbor freight trailer is good enough? The dimensions seem ok with me but what do you guys recommend for a frame? Price wise I don’t think I can beat the harbor freight trailer.

I’d like to keep this whole build under 2k if possible.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would suggest renting a teardrop for a trail run with your wife before spending the time and money. I can tell you from experience women wants to things that a teardrop does not provide, a toilet and a place to stand for changing.

 

[Eric_]

2k will be really tough.

Sit down and write out all the large milestones you can think of that will lead you to sleeping in your trailer. Then, for each milestone, wrote down what steps you'd need to complete in order to achieve those milestones. Then, for each step, create sub-steps where needed, and put a cost next to each step.

I think once you see this final number of the sum of your project, you'll see 2k might not be feasible.

Would she consider a rtt on a small off-road camp trailer? Redeth has a great build here:
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/redeths-overland-trailer-build.148656/

Best of luck with your build!

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

That actually looks like a very cool build and I don’t think she’d mind it too much. I do have a truck, technically I could just put a rooftop tent in the bed but I’d hate to pack it every time I head out. With a trailer I’d be able to leave it at the camp site. I also never thought of using another vehicles chassis. I appreciate the advice! Definitely a cool build.

And yeah, I know 2k is a bit of a long shot. I figured I’d start low and push my budget a bit.. as apposed to starting high and end up wasting close to 10k


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eric_]

I would suggest renting a teardrop for a trail run with your wife before spending the time and money. I can tell you from experience women wants to things that a teardrop does not provide, a toilet and a place to stand for changing.

Very true, the toilet is another issue.. I still haven’t figured that one out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Very true, the toilet is another issue.. I still haven’t figured that one out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do over think it as this low cost option has worked for me. I have used it inside for overnight use in our Venturcraft trailer to keep everyone happy including the dog.

 

[Eric_]

Do over think it as this low cost option has worked for me. I have used it inside for overnight use in our Venturcraft trailer to keep everyone happy including the dog.

View attachment 477796

Bunch of dumb question may follow.. I apologize lol.

So when someone goes (let’s say someone poops), do you keep the bag until it fills or swap out per person?

Also, what do you do with the bags? Do you store them until you get to the nearest dump site?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Teardropper]

Unless you two are skinny as marathon runners, I suggest you build a 5-wide 'drop --the HF trailers are 4' wide. (I had a 4-wide for a decade. A foot in a teardrop is a mile.) And yes, those tires are tiny.

Northern Tool sells a 5'x8' trailer and you could extend your cabin out another foot to give you a 9'-long cabin which would give you enough room for a queen sized bed and a cooler in the galley.

$2k would be a real challenge. Cutting corners such as a fan is workable because you could run the wiring and install the same-sized fanless vent. But don't scrimp with one door.

T

 

[Eric_]

Unless you two are skinny as marathon runners, I suggest you build a 5-wide drop --the HF trailers are 4' wide. (I had a 4-wide for a decade. A foot in a teardrop is a mile.) And yes, those tires are tiny.

Northern Tool sells a 5'x8' trailer and you could extend your cabin out another foot to give you a 9'-long cabin which would give you enough room for a queen sized bed and a cooler in the galley.

$2k would be a real challenge.

T

That’s a beautiful trailer, pretty much what I had envision. is it your own custom build with the northern tool trailer you mentioned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ottsville]

Take a look in the forums over on tnttt.com also. You'll find more budget builds over there than here.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Bunch of dumb question may follow.. I apologize lol.

So when someone goes (let’s say someone poops), do you keep the bag until it fills or swap out per person?

Also, what do you do with the bags? Do you store them until you get to the nearest dump site?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Normally 1 poop per bag if needed. For us most of the time (at night) its just pee. During the day for normal dumping hours we use the seat combined with digging the hole system if permitted in the area. It really is not as big of a PIA as it sound. I carry the above toilet in my Land Cruiser at all times and get no complains when needed.

 

[Teardropper]

That’s a beautiful trailer, pretty much what I had envision. is it your own custom build with the northern tool trailer you mentioned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope, my wife and I welded that chassis. That trailer was a wedding gift for her son. Welding isn't a mystery.

Go to a bar. Make friends with a guy that looks like a welder. Culture that friendship. Dump him if he doesn't weld. (Don't you have a weird uncle that welds?)

T

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Nope, my wife and I welded that chassis. That trailer was a wedding gift for her son. Welding isn't a mystery.

Go to a bar. Make friends with a guy that looks like a welder. Culture that friendship. Dump him if he doesn't weld. (Don't you have a weird uncle that welds?)

T

Wow Just wow. Not sure what I liked more the story, build, or video. All very very well done Bravo!!

 

[mudraider]

Yeah, huge savings of you weld up the frame yourself. If you already have the welder

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[tatanka48]

the following answers are not in order of importance by any means

Bunch of dumb question may follow.. I apologize lol.

So when someone goes (let’s say someone poops), do you keep the bag until it fills or swap out per person?

Also, what do you do with the bags? Do you store them until you get to the nearest dump site?

no apologies necessary

if using the bag system(which is a very functional system) you can go either way

1-bag per use or place a lid of sorts over it until it's full or you're ready to move

the bag system is by no means the only portable one

simple composting toilets can be created that can accommodate a couple for about a week w/o odor

just requires the space of 2 - 5 gal buckets(one to use and one to store the "mix"

goto Roy Schreyer's website for the plans/instructions

http://www.roydesignedthat.com/composting-toilet.html

a BTW, i have been on their boat in warm weather after they'd been using their's for about a week and i didn't find it offensive

Take a look in the forums over on tnttt.com also. You'll find more budget builds over there than here.

this website/forum HAS the answers to the majority of your puzzlements

once you get there be ready to do a bunch of reading and looking at pics

as for the undercarriage/frame might i suggest looking at a used jet ski trailer off CraigsList

singles(4') can be had in my area for $250 - $350

doubles(5.5') run about $300 - $450(i picked up a nice double for $250 by lurking for several weeks)

the above ^^^ suggestion to rent a teardrop for a weekend or so is quite sound advice

then rent a tiny travel trailer for a weekend

the TV in your avatar looks like it would do well w/ either

BONNE CHANCE

T