I've been putting plans together and trying to source parts for going on four years. A health issue has set me back, but I will start next spring. My biggest problem as a Canadian and fellow British Columbian, is sourcing parts that seem to grow on trees in the States. Finding a teardrop door is like winning the lottery up here, and my do we pay!!!! Dometic and ARB fridges the same. It isn't just the exchange, the suppliers know that they have us!!!!!
Thanks for the comment. Ya we certainly are somewhat limited on what we have easy access to. To stay within a modest budget i found a used door from what I assume was a fifth wheel and cut it down by 18 inches. I've talked to people who spent 400 dollars per door. I also bought my Dometic CFX 50 fridge over 3 years ago before the craze really took off, it's crazy how much they cost now. Check out the Thunder Egg teardrop build blog if you haven't already. The guy started at around the same time as me and meticulously documented the build including a spreadsheet of all the parts and costs.
Thanks! Ya it's more basic than I imagined it to be when I was building it. The upside is I save some weight and get to learn from experience what additions would really enhance usability and enjoyment.
I love that trailer build, I think for my first trailer i'm just going to go simple with a tub and RTT that way I can still haul all my mining gear then over the course of using a trailer i'll decide what will work best for me as a future build
Thanks! Ya originally I was torn between taking the utility trailer and putting a rack and tent on it. I thought for the price of the tent I could build something that was warmer, quiter, etc. The worst part was I lost the use of a utility trailer so had to buy another one haha.
I saw an ad that a trailer place in West Kelowna had a used trailer part 'garage sale' so went and found the windows and door. It looked like they always had some used stuff for sale. My windows didn't come with the inside trim so we had to make some tabs to hold them in place. If you are looking for new windows there is a place in Summerland I think that manufacturers them.
Fantastic build! I’d love to hear your thoughts on having a heater in a teardrop in winter. Do you use it often? Would other heating solutions have worked out just as good. I’m still undecided for our trailer.
We don't typically camp in the middle of winter due to many campsites being difficult to access, however the heater does do a great job helping to extend the season making early spring or late fall camping that much more enjoyable. I think the best option for heat would be something like a Propex heater that runs on propane. Its still forced air but would use less battery and I think less prone to carbon build up inside. I'd installed this heater as an afterthought and as such it does take up storage room. Had I planned it from the beginning I could have integrated it much more cleanly. I also went this route as it was about $200cad which is far cheaper than most other options. We had used a buddy heater successful before it but it's a lot more dangerous as the combustion is actually in the trailer, as well as direct heat that can start a fire. Also a buddy heater gives off moisture as a byproduct of the combustion making it not quite as nice of quality heat.
@@OkanaganOverland Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are thinking of buying an Escapod and the Propex heater costs 1,300 and takes up drawer space in the galley. It's a hard decision to spend that much and use that much space. I've heard from other channels that teardrops tend to warm quickly with body heat, 12v blankets, and smaller heaters.
@@brianvanaski3862 ya it's pretty true. We have camped down to about -5 celsius and once the trailer is warm we tend to turn off the heat and can stay warm enough overnight in bed. It's nice having the remote control so I can turn the heater on to warm up the trailer before crawling out of bed in the morning.
@@OkanaganOverland thanks again. This is very helpful information. It would make for a great video. Lots of people like me are struggling with decision.
I caught your build on one of the forums (T&TT?) and was very impressed. If you can link this to that and that to this you would probably get more looks at both. I saved some of your build pics for inspiration for my next build. I like the overall shape and in particular the foot well in the floor; very practical. Good job!
Thanks! Weighs about 1500lbs fully loaded. Could have made it much lighter had I built the trailer frame myself. Since it has no kitchen or water it helps to keep the weight down. The Jeep pulls it great, most of the time you don't notice it much as it handles really well, however you do notice it going up hills.
Nice build with an original design . Great innovation
I've been putting plans together and trying to source parts for going on four years. A health issue has set me back, but I will start next spring. My biggest problem as a Canadian and fellow British Columbian, is sourcing parts that seem to grow on trees in the States. Finding a teardrop door is like winning the lottery up here, and my do we pay!!!! Dometic and ARB fridges the same. It isn't just the exchange, the suppliers know that they have us!!!!!
Thanks for the comment. Ya we certainly are somewhat limited on what we have easy access to. To stay within a modest budget i found a used door from what I assume was a fifth wheel and cut it down by 18 inches. I've talked to people who spent 400 dollars per door. I also bought my Dometic CFX 50 fridge over 3 years ago before the craze really took off, it's crazy how much they cost now.
Check out the Thunder Egg teardrop build blog if you haven't already. The guy started at around the same time as me and meticulously documented the build including a spreadsheet of all the parts and costs.
@@OkanaganOverland Thank you!
Nice job!
So good well done! How long is the trailer minus the younger? Cheers 👍
you've done a nice job on that trailer...basic and functional...i like it (my canopy conversion is really basic but it gets me out there)
Thanks! Ya it's more basic than I imagined it to be when I was building it. The upside is I save some weight and get to learn from experience what additions would really enhance usability and enjoyment.
I love that trailer build, I think for my first trailer i'm just going to go simple with a tub and RTT that way I can still haul all my mining gear then over the course of using a trailer i'll decide what will work best for me as a future build
Thanks! Ya originally I was torn between taking the utility trailer and putting a rack and tent on it. I thought for the price of the tent I could build something that was warmer, quiter, etc. The worst part was I lost the use of a utility trailer so had to buy another one haha.
Good job buddy. Where in the Okanagan do you live. I live in Princeton. BC
Thanks! I live near Kelowna.
@@OkanaganOverland Where did you get your windows from.
I saw an ad that a trailer place in West Kelowna had a used trailer part 'garage sale' so went and found the windows and door. It looked like they always had some used stuff for sale. My windows didn't come with the inside trim so we had to make some tabs to hold them in place. If you are looking for new windows there is a place in Summerland I think that manufacturers them.
Fantastic build! I’d love to hear your thoughts on having a heater in a teardrop in winter. Do you use it often? Would other heating solutions have worked out just as good. I’m still undecided for our trailer.
We don't typically camp in the middle of winter due to many campsites being difficult to access, however the heater does do a great job helping to extend the season making early spring or late fall camping that much more enjoyable. I think the best option for heat would be something like a Propex heater that runs on propane. Its still forced air but would use less battery and I think less prone to carbon build up inside. I'd installed this heater as an afterthought and as such it does take up storage room. Had I planned it from the beginning I could have integrated it much more cleanly. I also went this route as it was about $200cad which is far cheaper than most other options. We had used a buddy heater successful before it but it's a lot more dangerous as the combustion is actually in the trailer, as well as direct heat that can start a fire. Also a buddy heater gives off moisture as a byproduct of the combustion making it not quite as nice of quality heat.
@@OkanaganOverland Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We are thinking of buying an Escapod and the Propex heater costs 1,300 and takes up drawer space in the galley. It's a hard decision to spend that much and use that much space. I've heard from other channels that teardrops tend to warm quickly with body heat, 12v blankets, and smaller heaters.
@@brianvanaski3862 ya it's pretty true. We have camped down to about -5 celsius and once the trailer is warm we tend to turn off the heat and can stay warm enough overnight in bed. It's nice having the remote control so I can turn the heater on to warm up the trailer before crawling out of bed in the morning.
@@OkanaganOverland thanks again. This is very helpful information. It would make for a great video. Lots of people like me are struggling with decision.
Thanks for the info regarding the doors and windows. I will check it out
Klasssssssssssssssssss super 🤩👍👍👍👍👍
I caught your build on one of the forums (T&TT?) and was very impressed. If you can link this to that and that to this you would probably get more looks at both. I saved some of your build pics for inspiration for my next build. I like the overall shape and in particular the foot well in the floor; very practical. Good job!
Great suggestion! Thanks! And glad you found inspiration in the build.
Nicely done! How much does it weigh? The jeep pulls it ok?
Thanks! Weighs about 1500lbs fully loaded. Could have made it much lighter had I built the trailer frame myself. Since it has no kitchen or water it helps to keep the weight down. The Jeep pulls it great, most of the time you don't notice it much as it handles really well, however you do notice it going up hills.
If I had caught you anywhere I would have asked “where did you buy that?” Very we’ll put together.
Thanks!
Pretty impressive build Brad! Have fun winter camping
Thanks!