We decided to build a teardrop trailer after watching the Travel Channel special, "RV Crazy" in December, 2003. I had looked at teardrops on the web in passing, but my wife had her heart set on either a Class C motorhome or equivalent-sized travel trailer. After recording the television segment and watching it over and over, we started an Internet search in earnest for more answers to our questions. The wealth of information and pictures available excited us even MORE and led us to beginning our construction project detailed below.

Each teardrop builder/owner has a goal (and a vision) of how a trailer will meet their needs for a comfortable camping experience. OUR GOAL was simple in theory but much more complicated to make a reality; retain the classic teardrop shape and functionality but upgrade certain systems and amenities to 21st century standards. As much as we admire the teardrop purists out there, our definition of "primitive camping" in a teardrop trailer included:
   1)  A modern frame and suspension system capable of sustained, high-speed travel to and from our camping destinations;

    2)  An upgraded electrical system (both 12 VDC and 120 VAC) for safety and comfort;

    3)  True food and beverage refrigeration that is reliable and energy-conscience, instead of an ice box or cooler;

    4)  A propane stove A-N-D oven to allow the "camp chef" a wider variety of menu selections, especially on week-long outings;

    5)  Modern electronics and lighting that matches our 21st century lifestyle but retains the "feel" of the '50s;

    6)  The ability to be fully self-contained, including water and power, for three days - as long as we think we want to be "primitive"!

 AND --- we wanted it all to "look" authentic, without the modern amenities being the focus, when viewed by an interested, casual spectator. You can judge how well we did! We hope to share the teardrop experience with new friends and inspire others to build your dream too.

Here is our construction journal by month and year. We chose to collect (i.e., purchase) nearly all of the bits and pieces for the teardrop before we cut a piece of steel for the frame or wood for the cabin. Our thinking was to mock-up critical sections of the trailer to ensure everything "fit" and try to eliminate the "should-a, would-a, could-a" syndrome. Here is how we did it:

January 2004
February 2004
March 2004
April 2004
May 2004 June 2004
July 2004
August 2004
September 2004
October 2004
November 2004
December 2004
July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005
January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006

If you would prefer to view our "how-to" sections, follow construction from the ground up in the chapters listed below. This section is NOT intended as a substitute for construction plans and drawings. Rather, it pictures key steps that we took to construct our teardrop, incorporating changes that were important to us.

Frame
Cabin
Galley
Electrical
Finishes Everything Else

I know what you're thinking, "Nice construction journals --- but how much did that thing cost to build?" One thing is certain: no two teardrops cost the same to build as each trailer is as individual as the owner(s) who built it. I also chuckle when I see some of the plans sellers hawking their plans and a promise you can build one for "$1,200 - $1,500 average cost". We must be W-A-Y above "average" because ours cost considerably more than that!

 I suppose one could build a "bare-bones" teardrop for a figure CLOSE to the one above, but to do so makes some
B-I-G assumptions about the builder, their preferences and his/her skills. For instance, I think the plans sellers make the assumption that:

     1)  You are a welder. Unless you can make repeated safe welds, you probably shouldn't attempt to use anything other than a bolt-together frame and axle for your teardrop. I'm not debating the subject, just making a point about costs. Otherwise, an added expense;

    2)  You are a woodworker. I know the difference between a saw and a chisel, but my woodworking skills would never allow me to earn a living as a carpenter or cabinet maker. Mistakes will be made during this phase of construction, albeit less critical then those you might make welding;

    3)  You are an electrician. How many qualified electricians are amongst us? Certainly not me. Again, an added expense of paying someone to check (or DO) the electrical work or pay for the damage the first time the 120 volt outlet is used or the 12 volt power supply is energized;

    4)   You are a sheetmetal worker. Be honest, until you built YOUR teardrop, when had you ever wrestled a 4' x 10' sheet of aluminum into ANYTHING? And let's not forget all of that aluminum trim added to unfinished edges and openings;

    5)  You and your camping partner R-E-A-L-L-Y want to "rough-it". This may be the largest monetary unknown of teardrop construction. How many "creature comforts" will it take for you and your partner to enjoy a camping experience in just 40 square feet? 

So, how much DID ours cost to build?  Go here to find out.
As much satisfaction as there is building our "perfect" teardrop, we were both anxious to enjoy the fun and adventure of camping in a teardrop NOW!   The short road to that goal was to purchase a completed teardrop and begin enjoying the great outdoors while construction progressed with our modified KIT profile project. To that end, we purchased a 2005 Deluxe LITTLE GUY teardrop trailer to use immediately. Here are some pictures of our LITTLE GUY teardrop, improvements we've made to personalized it and information you might find useful if you're considering buying instead of building one:

For much more information, please the follow link below to The Little Guy Teardrop Trailer Discussion Board. Owners and dreamers share their thoughts and experiences about this versatile recreational vehicle, with plenty of specific tips about owning and using a LITTLE GUY trailer and teardrop camping in general.


Our 1961 Trailorboat travel trailer and boat embodies the best of both worlds --- camping and boating on a very small scale! As scarce as these units are, in the same week in mid-2005 I found a nearly-perfect 1962 Trailorboat on eBay and this pristine 1961 outside San Diego, CA. Although I was high bidder on the eBay unit, I didn't make the seller's reserve and wouldn't pay it after the auction ended. If the second-high bidder was offered the trailer, and paid the price, he got a great looking trailer that was located in Rainier, OR. Our Trailorboat shows signs of 44 years of use and storage, but overall is a definite "keeper" and a solid foundation to refurbish to our tastes.

The links above will become active as work begins on the Trailorboat and we gather more information about the history of the company that made them. I'm in no hurry to have another "project" underway, but enjoy the pictures as they're posted. We've begun to collect bits and pieces for the "restofurbishment" and detail how they'll be used.

If you follow the link below, you'll see some of the places we've been camping with our LITTLE GUY teardrop. Not too many photos on each page, but a summary of the facilities (if any) at the campground we chose and a brief narrative of the area, points of interest and recommendation to visit again. If these pages don't make you want to go teardrop camping, perhaps you should consider another hobby! Enjoy the show.

Copyright © 2004 - 2006 by Dan Imming.  All rights reserved worldwide.