I was an infantryman in Vietnam (101st Airborne) it read my team spent just over 330 days in the jungle out of 365 day tour. We used our sir mattresses as ground sheets as we couldn't blow them up...they squeaked when we moved around, We ate dehydrated food packets; Long Range Patrol or "LRP rations" (pronounced "lurp") ... (brown bits with white bits). Before my military Service we always went camping in Michigan from childhood on. Upon my return to the world a friend asked myself and another grunt if we'd like to go to "Iron Mountain" in the Michigan upper peninsula? He was just out of the Navy, sounded good until he said we were going to "Back Pack" ... Pass!!! I'm 73 years of age, own a great teardrop, I built, 5' X 8', that tear drop is the greatest camping idea. I have friends in the USA with massive/big motor homes. In Australia where I lived and retired, my 4 cylinder "Proton Jumbuck" Ute tows that trailer fine and gets great gas mileage. I built it with marine grade plywood, mostly 1/4 inch with 1 X 2 inner supports, 2 layers of fiberglass, plus 4 inch wide extra layer on all the corners. One comment; I grew up near the great lakes. there ar plenty of Marine Supply places, which is a great source of latches, brass screws and tons of accessories. Loved you videos ... be safe.
regarding the interior galley hatch light my solution was to pop the lenses off and spray them with VHT tail light spray. Red. They no longer are near as bright but bright enough to make a drink, grab some chips, whatever. The red light doesn't mess with your night vision and it doesn't seem to attract bugs either.
This is absolutely fantastic. I've designed a squaredrop build in FreeCAD (thank you everyone out there) to increase a little space for the galley and sleeping space. I want a thin cushy murphy pull out that can give a hang out space to eat and watch TV with a table inside. The trailer is sooooo key. Love all the little tips. You took many ideas where I needed to go to the next level before I start focusing on the frame. Thank you! I'm getting more motivate by the day. You rock!
Thank you. 10 yrs ago, I was looking at building a teardrop. Well, life happens and timing wasn't right. I really like your rig. The proportions of the your design is spot on. If find myself presently willing to entertain the idea building one. I used to backpack a lot too, and I agree with you about comfort. I'm going to check your page right now. Thank you.
I agree with the issues you have listed, especially not sleeping on the ground especially in wet weather. Took a teardrop, towed by a Jeep, from Arizona to Alaska through nearly constant rain - really great not having to get in a wet bed or worry about leaks. Also when returned to USA(Montana) had to replace the trailer tires as the teardrop axle had bent due to the frost heaves/off road use. I suspect weight of gear and trailer may have contributed to the bent axle which wore the trailer tires out on the inside edges. Had to replace the axle when we got home. Protective band on the front lower edge of the teardrop had significant damage due to the jeep tires throwing rocks into it.
I built one several years ago. I went with the canvas and paint exterior. Also used prebuilt doors like yours. I totally agree with the use of independent suspension. I used a Northern Tool trailer frame. It was a little flimsy and defiantly would use a stronger one. I would be a little more careful about how I placed it on the frame as it was a little tonge heavy and made it hard to move around off hitch. I placed the entry doors too high and it made it difficult for me to get in and out of. I put in lots of electrical, and didn't ever regret that. In face I put in an inverter to have some 110v for my sleep apnea machine. I sold it a couple of years ago and am really thinking about building another one. I did insulate mine pretty much the same as you did, never regretted that. First night on the road with it, it froze out side, I was as snug and warm inside as could be with no heat at all.
thanks; it's nice to see I guessed right on something, even if for a different reason. I used torsion axels because I wanted the bottom to be aerodynamically clean and less stuff to catch anything underneath the trailer. I'd hate to bend the shaft on a leaf spring axel. Nice to see there is another good reason. One down side I'd say is that you have a narrower area of the trailer to react the torque so you might have to beef up the part of the trailer that attaches to the pads on the torsion axels. As to what I would do differently; where do I start? It took me a little over four years.
The easiest thing for me to think of that I would have done differently would be to have spent more time actually designing the wheel covers. I hurried them because I was nearly done and they are a nightmare to remove and replace. They look good though so I'm glad I did them; and I'm still working to improve them. It takes a good ten minutes to put the side covers back on; trying to fix that.
Thankyou for some good information. Living in South Africa some of the things are a bit more difficult to get hold of but going to get going soon on my Build of a teardrop Camper.
Let some air out of your tyres as I suspect you are no where near the rated weight of your springs drop it a few psi each time and as for a bug free kitchen area get some yellow coloured film as the bugs don't see yellow and take a look at some of the aussie videos for some lighting tips Oh Tyres and Coloured are spelt the English way
I just took on a project to help a friend repair/rebuild a 2012 Teardrop trailer that suffered a turning radius accident. The whole front driver's side was crushed. Thankfully, the frame and galley was unaffected. I've started watching a lot of videos and taking lots of notes. Thanks for sharing your experience. After all I've watched so far, no one ever talks about outfitting the inside with a mattress or foam pad. The trailer is complete and then all of a sudden they have a perfectly fit bed. Given there are various sizes, where do you get custom cushions?
I am going to build but my wife and I are both retired and I'll be 70 next March. I must incorporate some type of indoor toilet with shower for her. I'm thinking a larger tear drop. I think I will use aluminum tubing instead of wood for the frame. I do a lot of metal work for the farm. Thx Danny and Page I enjoyed the video
Very valuable and helpful information. Thanks for sharing. Funny how virtually no one's phone has buttons anymore and a glass screen, yet we're encouraged to "smash" the like "button". Safe and happy travels to you both.
Tipp: if your light is way too bright use some cheap masking tape or painters tape (Don't know the proper term) the paper color one it dampens the light significantly without the need to change the intensity or led. It's really good for head lamps too
I was looking around at stand-in trailers like the Scamp and thought they were a little pricey. I looked at small Airstreams on line and was just amazed. Really$$$ Fine video that you two made and has me interested a home made teardrop. Thanks! 4
Thanks for your input! I'll be using it on my build... My 'DIY effort' is a tiny cargo/camper conversion. My 'food prep' is a folding table under the awning. Future Rear galley will be part of a 'room' that bolts to the ramp. I've considered axle/suspension/elec brakes, etc. My 3500# axle has stiff leaf springs! Also, my little Scion tow vehicle may need help stopping all this in the rain.
Glad to have stumble on your site I am starting to develop frame plans for a 11ft 6 inches, that would be a walk in. I already have two trailer under my belt, a ten ft. and 14 ft.6 inch these days with gas prices soaring, your trailer is very interesting. enjoy your camping
Currently building my teardrop. The biggest problem I’m dealing with is I ordered my torsion axle last October and have no clue when I’m going to get it. This is the first woodworking project I’ve ever done. Following Oregon Batman’s video/plan series. Just finished cabin wiring and about to insulate the top. Thank for the motivation! I would post a picture, but I don’t know how to do that.
That’s a great video. Getting off the ground was very important to us. We were tent camping at pedernales state park when in the middle of the night a raccoon got into the tent. I didn’t zip it up all the way. That thing freaked out running all over the tent. We freaked out because we didn’t know exactly what it was at first. It was pretty dramatic for about 30 seconds. On the way home my wife said that’s the end of tent camping for us. And the timbren axles they are hands down the way to go. Smooth and quiet. I built a new trailer for our teardrop about a year ago and and have been very pleased with their product. Y’all are making some awesome videos that are extremely informative. Thank you for posting.
LOL Paige and I are cracking up! I apologize but thats a great story. Imagine if that happened and you had a dog with you! So that experience led you to the teardrop life? It's a pretty amazing upgrade isn't it?
Whenever I'm camping I use red light as much as possible. It doesn't hurt your eyes and doesn't affect your night vision. I figure I don't need to see the full color spectrum if I'm just digging around for a jacket or walking to the outhouse.
Excellent work. I think we all want a little longer once we hit those limitations. I am personally not a fan of the "base camp" style of camper and always want to maximize interior space over exterior accessible tables and tools, but realize I'm in the minority as this kind of camper seems popular now especially with the off road crowd, and if you don't have a pickup then that would be a good place to work at camp.
I built a square drop and I would have done a few things differently. First I used an old Jetski Trailer as the base, which puts the axel about 1 foot too far forward and limits the amount of weight I can put in the galley (no Icechest). Second I built it specifically with a space for my Dog to sleep that was not directly in the cabin area to avoid getting it excessively dirty, so there is a large pass through window in the galley that is the same size as my dogs crate where she sleeps. I would build a box on the tongue that has a pass through channel to the cabin for my dog. Finally I would not have used Filon as the siding material, it warps in the heat and cold no matter what you do, so when it gets hot you get that ripple texture on the sides and it makes the trailer look a little less professional. I would either use aluminum or bite the bullet and wrap the whole thing in Fiberglass as it would ensure no leaks and strengthen the entire thing.
My biggest mistake was not sealing the bottom of the sides with epoxy. I had a water intrusion which required replacing about 10" of the lower left side. Luckily before the repair it had just a varnish finish so I could see the rot starting. It was just a matter of being in too much of a hurry. I have about 25,000 miles on it. It is built on a HF 2000# folding trailer. If I were doing it again I would move the axle location further aft and go with 13 or 14" wheels for better ground clearance. . With the small tires things do get jostled around when you travel on backroads.
Tip 0: buy the plans now Tips 8,9,10: buy the plans NOW! As a family who enjoys the outdoors, loves to DIY, and has two kids … the one thing we are (patiently) waiting for are the plans for the 5x10 with the bunks ;). Then we’re off to the races on the build. Looking forward to it!
just trying to learn, too broke to officially start yet. not been camping in many years, but I traveled a lot of the country by motorcycle in my youth, and camped while traveling, but missed most, as I was an alcoholic then, blasted hours non stop, slept under tarps many times, attached to my old Harley, and missed the beauty this country has to offer. now wanting to do traveling in future, but want to be able to pull with small car, or truck, so want lightweight camper. I am qualified to build frame, I built hundreds of trailer frames, from cargo, utility, to car trailers, but never a camper. I do agree on axle choice, but for some people an air bag may be better? but off road, you are totally correct, no chance of puncturing an airbag off road if you use a torsion axle. will want an awning on side, porta potty inside, with a privacy curtain, plus a table to eat on, on rainy days. next, not sure how much battery capacity you use? and didnt see solar? plus need place for 2 propane tanks, 1 for use, 1 for backup, with propane stove top. and heat when needed.
You two are awesome, I am looking to do something similar but include a small “back porch” to haul my Dirtbike, but then enjoy as a porch or portable shower once at camp. My only concern is weight distribution. The bike is about 240lbs, so I don’t want the thing to start wagging all over the place. Had that happen with a 27 ft travel trailer years ago.. No fun😳
My 4x6 cargo/camper conversion has a rear ramp and doubles as a toy hauler, I added a 48"x58" front deck for a second bike and the 4' tongue extension cured all trailer sway! My 'back porch' will haul generator, water and other heavy stuff if the deck is loaded. Otherwise, I can load more gear up front. Hope this helps
It is good to also consider that on the back of trailer, whatever you put back there (besides the weight distribution) will also feel a lot of the affects from bouncing, etc.... the tail will wag the dog, lol. Hence why strongly recommend putting bikes and such on front of trailer if possible
I am planning to build a teardrop camper coming up soon but I have a few things challenging me. First thing is custom frame or a utility trailer and cutting the rails off, second thing is obviously storage space. I don’t want to clutter the galley or cabin with things like fishing gear, a slack line, etc. Third thing is I plan to make mine out of fiberglass, that’s the biggest thing to figure out. Everything is just on paper at this point but I’m doing countless revisions to make sure I get what I want in the end
You’re doing it right. Take your time planning and designing what works best for you. Do you have the equipment to weld the frame yourself? We do sell our trailer frames if you are in the area. Do you plan to fiberglass around a wood structure?
@@WanderTears I do have the equipment to weld a frame, I have just never welded a project of that size. I’m in southern Nevada, not sure if that’s anywhere near your area. I want to try to use as minimal wood as possible since wood can warp with moisture and I plan to take it in many different climates. I was going to make fiberglass molds for each panel and use aluminum to frame the walls of the trailer.
Northern tool makes a nice kit trailer without sides just upgrade the shit tires they give ya with it (not harbor freight ! ) if you want to keep weight down fiberglass isn't the way except for the siding that's called filon. I used weldwood red contact cement to attach and it worked great. If you use sealants wood is fine but use rv sealants like pro flex and dicor not home depot silicone it won't stick and doesn't last
Look for an Australian bloke named Daryl Sheather he built a square drop for his jeep all the way down under and explained the build process and the reason for using which silicones and which adhesives and sheet materials good build videos
You two are awesome and cannot wait to get started upon my trailer; with your inspiration I declare this is the year. Cannot wait to share and hope to see you out on the road. Cheers!!
Here is your script: Danny: Hello, I'm Danny Paige: Hi, I'm Paige Danny and Paige: And we're Wander Tears! See, that wasn't so hard. I just liked and subscribed. BTW, you two are cute, awesome and cute together.
You guys Have Done It! The Modern Minimalist American Dream! You built your Own Tear Drop! I have tremendous admiration for your fortitude and collective ingenuity. Question: What is the particular Technique did you use to Bend and shape the Galley Wood Door? Thanks
Is it possible to get softer leaves made..? The rubber torsion sort will get worn quickly and then the tracking will not be straight so issues from tyre scrubbing will occur. No experience with tuther version. 🤔
I’m currently building a very rough “Square Drop/toy Hauler” as a 5x8. Kinda a cool concept that I’m surprised I’ve never seen done before. I wanted the ability to take a small motorcycle (Honda Trail 125) with me but still have a small camper that could in theory be towed by a Honda Civic. Anyway I’m thinking of going more rustic and not even running tons of electrical but just using LED battery lights and extension cord with Jackery 1000 and solar panels. Thoughts?
My 'DIY effort' is a 4x6 tiny cargo/camper conversion. It has a rear ramp and doubles as a toy hauler, I added a 48"x58" front deck for a second bike and the 4' tongue extension cured all trailer sway. Future Rear galley will be part of a 'room' that bolts to the ramp. I've considered axle/suspension/elec brakes, etc. My 3500# axle has stiff leaf springs that I may change! Also, my little Scion tow vehicle may need help stopping all this in the rain. So far I added a/c, roof rack, awning, TV, AM/FM-CD/DVD player, Solar panel, inverter, and furniture...
Ive done some research along with comparison trail rides with friends offgrid trailer with the timbren axle and the independent suspension bounces and really has not proved any better than my leaf spring trailer with how light these trailers
With all of the portable electronics & rechargeable power stations, why install a somewhat dedicated and permanent power & charging systems into a teardrop? We decided not to install as the portable elements can be moved to a vehicle, tent, or even our home as a backup. What even pushed us more towards a mobile component system is the tech is changing so fast these days.
I have done a lot of research on making a teardrop camper. One of the guys I watched said/showed that the timbren axle off road wash boards will destroy themselves relatively quickly. Torsion axle maybe good, I have no research on that....As for the Solid Axle, do you have shocks on it?
@@WanderTears Do it! It will change how it rides a lot! You will still have the issue of the clearance in the middle but I doubt many trails that a teardrop is going on is running into that problem. If you have onboard air maybe a air shock to help with weight and the off camber stuff....
Seriously considering building an Overland Camper, but my truck is already built out with drawers/storage/cooking so only benefit it would add is sleeping more comfortably. Wondering if that’s worth the limitations it’s going to cause on where we can go….
I disagree with the immediate jump to independent suspension (I call it "ITS") from typical trailer leaf springs in pursuit of a softer ride. As I frequently point out on a trailer sub-forum, people are not riding in the trailer (at least I hope not!), once you've stopped foaming the beer and breaking the eggs do you really need it to ride any softer? You are correct that typical trailer leaf springs are very stiff. They are made that way so that ride height does not change much regardless of the loading. Being that stiff they are also not really in need of a damper. By using different leaf springs you can achieve a softer ride. This will require fabrication skills and they will also require dampers (AKA "shock absorbers"). Ultimately leaf springs suffer from a fairly high level of internal friction. There are tricks to reduce that, but I can't see the effort being worth it on a trailer. But you CAN achieve a supple ride on a trailer by using leaf springs that are longer and not made for trailers. Jeep YJ springs are one semi-frequently used application. A downside to ITS systems can be nearly unsolvable camber and toe adjustment problems. Some designs seem to work well, others are a never-ending battle. They could, but I've never seen a Torflex have this problem, but lots of home built ITS systems do. It was a battle that Adventure Trailer fought with their design. Holding tight tolerances with their design in production proved to be difficult. Torflex axles really, really need dampers for wash-board roads. They're fine as-is when mostly used on pavement, but when camp is multiple tens of miles down a wash-board road the rubber in the axle is working as a spring and a damper. That gets it really hot. Potentially hot enough to pull the vulcanizing loose. Just don't go there, add a damper at each tire. They're designed to radiate the heat generated into the air. That is what they do. Our little off-road tent trailer has 1000's of miles over wash-board roads under it's belt, all logged with dampers on it's Torflex axle. No experience with the Timbrens, but from looking at them I think that they too will greatly benefit from adding dampers. I once towed our little off-road trailer about 300 miles with 5 psi in it's then 33-12.50R15 tires. I could not tell and it made no noticeable impact on fuel economy. The tires weren't even warm over the duration of the trip (I put a hand on them at every stop). The point is that a light trailer on big tires doesn't need 50 psi in the tires. Finding an appropriate lower tire pressure can make a big difference in the ride quality.
I have some questions: * how to change clothes inside the mini-camper. * how much space is there for the two inside. * and is it comfortable to make love or do you have to be creative. * How about the heat, do they use a/c or just let the wind pass.
It is a queen size mattress. So for the first 3 questions imagine a boxed in queen mattress. And for the last, we don’t need AC because you aren’t in there during the day. A vent fan works well.
Curious question on the decision to go with the traditional tear drop design vs a square drop design. Was that decision the two of you made or you never considered a square drop design?
4:01 Maybe your leaf spring are too stiff? A torsion axle too stiff will not solve your problems. A properly sized torsion (or leaf or coil or airbag) would be an improvement to a trailer that is over-sprung. Longer leaf pack with more leaves might be nice too, they can be a bit more progressive
The leafs springs were definitely too stiff. We have switched to 2000lb leafs But the Timbren and Torsion absorb bumpy roads much better than the springs do.
@@WanderTears Do you think that 2000 lbs leafs are more bumpy than 2000 lbs torsion? Is the main advantage of timbren the dampening provided by the rubber?
I'm new here but just wondering.... It 's made with Plywood but what kind? Are they using marine grade and something like the West system or just epoxy over fiberglass....???
I am curious as to the total cost of this tear drop when done. I see the cost of some of the store bought ones and no thanks. Also i see the different styles, which is the most efficient to pull. I would have to guess the tear drop style. And the others less efficient but more space trade off. Thanks to you both. A very interesting build to watch.
Yeah you could spend $4000-$10k on a diy teardrop. Our teardrop shape led camper cost around 6k but that was in early 2020. Prices have changed. Looking around 7k or so. It can be done for way less with some resourcefulness and patience.
Ok. This might be a bad question, but I noticed that if one had anything loaded on the roof rack, the vent fan opening up would bump into whatever you had loaded. Any comments appreciated. :)
I want to build a tear drop trailor max weight 600lb. I need galley and a cartridge toilet would like a foldable double bed, couch durring the day. I will pull it with my 2019 Harley triglide Ultra. Need help.
May I ask you how much the materials cost is ....ballpark. I am 73 and just can't set up and break down a campsite everyday and sleeping on the ground is becoming a problem. Wife hates camping, so I solo all over the states.
These make camping so much more enjoyable. To set up, tear down or drying out your tent. Costs are fluctuating as you can imagine but it remains worth it!
I'm constantly wondering why people don't build their tear drop campers over the wheel arches? So then to have fold up timber boards on the side so as to manage items better Inside the camper as well as giving you a few extra feet in the galley?
My most challenging part is i'm Not a Carpenter Or a Electrician !! I'm a Welder ! (Retired Navy Hull Tech)I can weld up the Crack of Dawn an a Broken Heart 🤣 But Not a master with wood! I built the trailer already Guaranteed Not to brake !! 2"x3" C channel.. #3500lb. 5on5 lug pattern to match my jeep brake axle ( Under the springs) an 285x70 17's off a Jeep ( Love Facebook Marketplace) AND i Don't have a Sweet Wife To Help 😉.. Keep the ideas Comin !!
I did not realize people built these. Seems like the cost would be higher than those that can be mass produced. Wonder what kind of tooling is required and if anything special required, other than skill!
![[#2024MAMA] ROSÉ (로제), Bruno Mars - APT. | Mnet 241122 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgGqD28J6aQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I was an infantryman in Vietnam (101st Airborne) it read my team spent just over 330 days in the jungle out of 365 day tour. We used our sir mattresses as ground sheets as we couldn't blow them up...they squeaked when we moved around, We ate dehydrated food packets; Long Range Patrol or "LRP rations" (pronounced "lurp") ... (brown bits with white bits).
Before my military Service we always went camping in Michigan from childhood on. Upon my return to the world a friend asked myself and another grunt if we'd like to go to "Iron Mountain" in the Michigan upper peninsula? He was just out of the Navy, sounded good until he said we were going to "Back Pack" ... Pass!!!
I'm 73 years of age, own a great teardrop, I built, 5' X 8', that tear drop is the greatest camping idea. I have friends in the USA with massive/big motor homes. In Australia where I lived and retired, my 4 cylinder "Proton Jumbuck" Ute tows that trailer fine and gets great gas mileage. I built it with marine grade plywood, mostly 1/4 inch with 1 X 2 inner supports, 2 layers of fiberglass, plus 4 inch wide extra layer on all the corners. One comment; I grew up near the great lakes. there ar plenty of Marine Supply places, which is a great source of latches, brass screws and tons of accessories. Loved you videos ... be safe.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!
regarding the interior galley hatch light my solution was to pop the lenses off and spray them with VHT tail light spray. Red. They no longer are near as bright but bright enough to make a drink, grab some chips, whatever. The red light doesn't mess with your night vision and it doesn't seem to attract bugs either.
That is a great idea. I can’t believe we didn’t think of that. We just never use it. Thanks! Maybe I’ll paint one side and leave the other clear.
When I had my boat , I had lights with a red and white lamp and a selector switch.
This is absolutely fantastic. I've designed a squaredrop build in FreeCAD (thank you everyone out there) to increase a little space for the galley and sleeping space. I want a thin cushy murphy pull out that can give a hang out space to eat and watch TV with a table inside. The trailer is sooooo key. Love all the little tips. You took many ideas where I needed to go to the next level before I start focusing on the frame. Thank you! I'm getting more motivate by the day. You rock!
Thank you! And thanks for watching. I’d love to see your build!
Cut holes for the larger drinks. Better stability and they'll fit better.
Thank you. 10 yrs ago, I was looking at building a teardrop. Well, life happens and timing wasn't right. I really like your rig. The proportions of the your design is spot on.
If find myself presently willing to entertain the idea building one. I used to backpack a lot too, and I agree with you about comfort. I'm going to check your page right now. Thank you.
I agree with the issues you have listed, especially not sleeping on the ground especially in wet weather. Took a teardrop, towed by a Jeep, from Arizona to Alaska through nearly constant rain - really great not having to get in a wet bed or worry about leaks. Also when returned to USA(Montana) had to replace the trailer tires as the teardrop axle had bent due to the frost heaves/off road use. I suspect weight of gear and trailer may have contributed to the bent axle which wore the trailer tires out on the inside edges. Had to replace the axle when we got home. Protective band on the front lower edge of the teardrop had significant damage due to the jeep tires throwing rocks into it.
This was awesome!
Don't know you guys but you two look like you actual like each other. Good to see! Loved the video.
I love how y'all have actually used the product that you make, and used your actual experiences using it to make improvements to the product.
I built one several years ago. I went with the canvas and paint exterior. Also used prebuilt doors like yours. I totally agree with the use of independent suspension. I used a Northern Tool trailer frame. It was a little flimsy and defiantly would use a stronger one. I would be a little more careful about how I placed it on the frame as it was a little tonge heavy and made it hard to move around off hitch. I placed the entry doors too high and it made it difficult for me to get in and out of. I put in lots of electrical, and didn't ever regret that. In face I put in an inverter to have some 110v for my sleep apnea machine. I sold it a couple of years ago and am really thinking about building another one. I did insulate mine pretty much the same as you did, never regretted that. First night on the road with it, it froze out side, I was as snug and warm inside as could be with no heat at all.
Add a shock to each side with the leaf spring. Will ride as good as a timbren system. Works for you pickup, will work for your trailer.
I’ve seen those. Just haven’t had the chance to install one yet.
Glad this popped up in my feed. I am in the planning stages of building a teardrop and this was extremely helpful. Thank you.
thanks; it's nice to see I guessed right on something, even if for a different reason. I used torsion axels because I wanted the bottom to be aerodynamically clean and less stuff to catch anything underneath the trailer. I'd hate to bend the shaft on a leaf spring axel. Nice to see there is another good reason. One down side I'd say is that you have a narrower area of the trailer to react the torque so you might have to beef up the part of the trailer that attaches to the pads on the torsion axels. As to what I would do differently; where do I start? It took me a little over four years.
The easiest thing for me to think of that I would have done differently would be to have spent more time actually designing the wheel covers. I hurried them because I was nearly done and they are a nightmare to remove and replace. They look good though so I'm glad I did them; and I'm still working to improve them. It takes a good ten minutes to put the side covers back on; trying to fix that.
Thankyou for some good information. Living in South Africa some of the things are a bit more difficult to get hold of but going to get going soon on my Build of a teardrop Camper.
That’s exciting! I believe we have one or two DIYers in South Africa in the private Facebook group who might know where to get things.
Thank you so much for all you do for those of us still thinking 👍
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching.
Thank for the info i will try to find you plan to guide me thank you
Good advice, thank you
We're glad you found it helpful!
Awesome work and thanks for this video. I am working on a trailer myself and I'll share some pics whenever I get to it again
Live and learn, you need to build a few to get them perfect. Nice work and thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for watching!
Great video guys ,
Thank you for the tips,,
The hardiest think to build for me is the galley back door
Молодцы!!!!! Самая положительная и веселая девченка!!!!!!!! С удовольствием подписываюсь на ваш канал, ваши видео всегда приятно смотреть!!!
Since your teardrop is built already, add shocks to your axle. Smooth the ride out immensely! Old school tech for leaf springs
I actually looked into those a while back. Are they pretty easy to figure out?
@@WanderTears just look under the back end of any pickup truck for ideas, same setup. Probably many videos on the upgrade as well. Happy camping!
You might look into Sumo Springs instead of shocks. Thanks for your video.
Let some air out of your tyres as I suspect you are no where near the rated weight of your springs drop it a few psi each time and as for a bug free kitchen area get some yellow coloured film as the bugs don't see yellow and take a look at some of the aussie videos for some lighting tips Oh Tyres and Coloured are spelt the English way
I just took on a project to help a friend repair/rebuild a 2012 Teardrop trailer that suffered a turning radius accident. The whole front driver's side was crushed. Thankfully, the frame and galley was unaffected. I've started watching a lot of videos and taking lots of notes. Thanks for sharing your experience. After all I've watched so far, no one ever talks about outfitting the inside with a mattress or foam pad. The trailer is complete and then all of a sudden they have a perfectly fit bed. Given there are various sizes, where do you get custom cushions?
I am going to build but my wife and I are both retired and I'll be 70 next March. I must incorporate some type of indoor toilet with shower for her. I'm thinking a larger tear drop. I think I will use aluminum tubing instead of wood for the frame. I do a lot of metal work for the farm. Thx Danny and Page I enjoyed the video
Thanks for watching! Yeah you’ll need to make it a bit taller and longer as well. Good luck with the build!
4'-10" inside is tall enough to make a sit down shower area with a porta-potty and still get less wind drag.
Very valuable and helpful information. Thanks for sharing. Funny how virtually no one's phone has buttons anymore and a glass screen, yet we're encouraged to "smash" the like "button". Safe and happy travels to you both.
Lol very true! Don’t break your screen!
Tipp: if your light is way too bright use some cheap masking tape or painters tape (Don't know the proper term) the paper color one it dampens the light significantly without the need to change the intensity or led. It's really good for head lamps too
I was looking around at stand-in trailers like the Scamp and thought they were a little pricey. I looked at small Airstreams on line and was just amazed. Really$$$
Fine video that you two made and has me interested a home made teardrop. Thanks!
4
Well Done Guys! 👍🏾
Thanks for the tips. Lol
You inspire. Have fun out there
Молодцы Ребята! Кемперы Класс!
Thanks for your input! I'll be using it on my build... My 'DIY effort' is a tiny cargo/camper conversion. My 'food prep' is a folding table under the awning. Future Rear galley will be part of a 'room' that bolts to the ramp. I've considered axle/suspension/elec brakes, etc. My 3500# axle has stiff leaf springs! Also, my little Scion tow vehicle may need help stopping all this in the rain.
Glad to have stumble on your site I am starting to develop frame plans for a 11ft 6 inches, that would be a walk in. I already have two trailer under my belt, a ten ft. and 14 ft.6 inch these days
with gas prices soaring, your trailer is very interesting. enjoy your camping
Currently building my teardrop. The biggest problem I’m dealing with is I ordered my torsion axle last October and have no clue when I’m going to get it. This is the first woodworking project I’ve ever done. Following Oregon Batman’s video/plan series. Just finished cabin wiring and about to insulate the top.
Thank for the motivation! I would post a picture, but I don’t know how to do that.
So how did it turn out?? 😃
@@lynchcreekmuzzy5759 still working on it. It’s mounted on the frame, doing edge trim next.
@@zx10danny1 awesome....hope all goes well. 👍
That’s a great video. Getting off the ground was very important to us. We were tent camping at pedernales state park when in the middle of the night a raccoon got into the tent. I didn’t zip it up all the way. That thing freaked out running all over the tent. We freaked out because we didn’t know exactly what it was at first. It was pretty dramatic for about 30 seconds. On the way home my wife said that’s the end of tent camping for us. And the timbren axles they are hands down the way to go. Smooth and quiet. I built a new trailer for our teardrop about a year ago and and have been very pleased with their product. Y’all are making some awesome videos that are extremely informative. Thank you for posting.
LOL Paige and I are cracking up! I apologize but thats a great story. Imagine if that happened and you had a dog with you! So that experience led you to the teardrop life? It's a pretty amazing upgrade isn't it?
Very clear....you guys are adorable....
Whenever I'm camping I use red light as much as possible. It doesn't hurt your eyes and doesn't affect your night vision. I figure I don't need to see the full color spectrum if I'm just digging around for a jacket or walking to the outhouse.
The most challenging thing for me is knowing where to begin. That’s why I was wanting a blue print of some kind lol
Great info, dynamic-duo‼️😃 you compliment each other well, informative, tonality, keeping it upbeat. God bless you.
For the galley lights, use red LEDs.They make them to fit all types of car light sockets. Go to you local auto parts store to get them!
Thanks for the input ,,love your videos,,and love our teardrop ✌️
Excellent work. I think we all want a little longer once we hit those limitations. I am personally not a fan of the "base camp" style of camper and always want to maximize interior space over exterior accessible tables and tools, but realize I'm in the minority as this kind of camper seems popular now especially with the off road crowd, and if you don't have a pickup then that would be a good place to work at camp.
The electrical system. That is the challenging part for me
Ok I’m planning a build thanks for this great advice! Gave ya a huge like and share
In Australia we use amber or yellow LEDs ,they don't attract the insects.
Nice! We use the same for our porch lights and LEDs in the cabinets.
Enjoyable video. I'm building a TD trailer and will us some of your suggestions. Thanks for links.
Thanks for watching! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
I built a square drop and I would have done a few things differently. First I used an old Jetski Trailer as the base, which puts the axel about 1 foot too far forward and limits the amount of weight I can put in the galley (no Icechest). Second I built it specifically with a space for my Dog to sleep that was not directly in the cabin area to avoid getting it excessively dirty, so there is a large pass through window in the galley that is the same size as my dogs crate where she sleeps. I would build a box on the tongue that has a pass through channel to the cabin for my dog. Finally I would not have used Filon as the siding material, it warps in the heat and cold no matter what you do, so when it gets hot you get that ripple texture on the sides and it makes the trailer look a little less professional. I would either use aluminum or bite the bullet and wrap the whole thing in Fiberglass as it would ensure no leaks and strengthen the entire thing.
Thanks for sharing. Good idea with the pass through. Our dog takes up a good amount of space when she's sprawled out.
Great video. Thanks
My biggest mistake was not sealing the bottom of the sides with epoxy. I had a water intrusion which required replacing about 10" of the lower left side. Luckily before the repair it had just a varnish finish so I could see the rot starting. It was just a matter of being in too much of a hurry. I have about 25,000 miles on it. It is built on a HF 2000# folding trailer. If I were doing it again I would move the axle location further aft and go with 13 or 14" wheels for better ground clearance. . With the small tires things do get jostled around when you travel on backroads.
How with a harbor freight trailer when they are only 4 feet wide?
@@abepeterson 48" is more than enough room for one person. You really need to think of a TD as a hard sized tent on wheels.
Tip 0: buy the plans now
Tips 8,9,10: buy the plans NOW!
As a family who enjoys the outdoors, loves to DIY, and has two kids … the one thing we are (patiently) waiting for are the plans for the 5x10 with the bunks ;). Then we’re off to the races on the build. Looking forward to it!
lol we are working on it. It takes so much time! If you'd like to share some ideas shoot me an email daniel@wandertears.com
Saludos desde Argentina
Salam très belle Mini roulout bonne route enchallah
just trying to learn, too broke to officially start yet. not been camping in many years, but I traveled a lot of the country by motorcycle in my youth, and camped while traveling, but missed most, as I was an alcoholic then, blasted hours non stop, slept under tarps many times, attached to my old Harley, and missed the beauty this country has to offer.
now wanting to do traveling in future, but want to be able to pull with small car, or truck, so want lightweight camper. I am qualified to build frame, I built hundreds of trailer frames, from cargo, utility, to car trailers, but never a camper.
I do agree on axle choice, but for some people an air bag may be better? but off road, you are totally correct, no chance of puncturing an airbag off road if you use a torsion axle.
will want an awning on side, porta potty inside, with a privacy curtain, plus a table to eat on, on rainy days. next, not sure how much battery capacity you use? and didnt see solar? plus need place for 2 propane tanks, 1 for use, 1 for backup, with propane stove top. and heat when needed.
thanks alot
You two are awesome, I am looking to do something similar but include a small “back porch” to haul my Dirtbike, but then enjoy as a porch or portable shower once at camp. My only concern is weight distribution. The bike is about 240lbs, so I don’t want the thing to start wagging all over the place. Had that happen with a 27 ft travel trailer years ago.. No fun😳
My 4x6 cargo/camper conversion has a rear ramp and doubles as a toy hauler, I added a 48"x58" front deck for a second bike and the 4' tongue extension cured all trailer sway! My 'back porch' will haul generator, water and other heavy stuff if the deck is loaded. Otherwise, I can load more gear up front. Hope this helps
It is good to also consider that on the back of trailer, whatever you put back there (besides the weight distribution) will also feel a lot of the affects from bouncing, etc.... the tail will wag the dog, lol. Hence why strongly recommend putting bikes and such on front of trailer if possible
Thank you awesome to know.
Love you guys.
I am planning to build a teardrop camper coming up soon but I have a few things challenging me. First thing is custom frame or a utility trailer and cutting the rails off, second thing is obviously storage space. I don’t want to clutter the galley or cabin with things like fishing gear, a slack line, etc. Third thing is I plan to make mine out of fiberglass, that’s the biggest thing to figure out. Everything is just on paper at this point but I’m doing countless revisions to make sure I get what I want in the end
You’re doing it right. Take your time planning and designing what works best for you. Do you have the equipment to weld the frame yourself? We do sell our trailer frames if you are in the area.
Do you plan to fiberglass around a wood structure?
@@WanderTears I do have the equipment to weld a frame, I have just never welded a project of that size. I’m in southern Nevada, not sure if that’s anywhere near your area.
I want to try to use as minimal wood as possible since wood can warp with moisture and I plan to take it in many different climates. I was going to make fiberglass molds for each panel and use aluminum to frame the walls of the trailer.
Northern tool makes a nice kit trailer without sides just upgrade the shit tires they give ya with it (not harbor freight ! ) if you want to keep weight down fiberglass isn't the way except for the siding that's called filon. I used weldwood red contact cement to attach and it worked great. If you use sealants wood is fine but use rv sealants like pro flex and dicor not home depot silicone it won't stick and doesn't last
Look for an Australian bloke named Daryl Sheather he built a square drop for his jeep all the way down under and explained the build process and the reason for using which silicones and which adhesives and sheet materials good build videos
You two are awesome and cannot wait to get started upon my trailer; with your inspiration I declare this is the year. Cannot wait to share and hope to see you out on the road. Cheers!!
Yes! Share photos with us when you get started!
Ótimo trabalho ,, onde encontro os assessórios ?? Portas laterais por exemplo.
You two are hilariously awkward, but this is one of the more useful things I've stumbled across. Thank you for sharing all the tips.
Here is your script:
Danny: Hello, I'm Danny
Paige: Hi, I'm Paige
Danny and Paige: And we're Wander Tears!
See, that wasn't so hard. I just liked and subscribed. BTW, you two are cute, awesome and cute together.
😂 easier said than done!
Y'all ROCK
Off road tip. Slow down and air down
You guys Have Done It! The Modern Minimalist American Dream! You built your Own Tear Drop! I have tremendous admiration for your fortitude and collective ingenuity.
Question: What is the particular Technique did you use to Bend and shape the Galley Wood Door?
Thanks
Thank you so much! It’s changed our lives.
@Wander Tears >>> 👍👍
Is it possible to get softer leaves made..? The rubber torsion sort will get worn quickly and then the tracking will not be straight so issues from tyre scrubbing will occur. No experience with tuther version. 🤔
I hope to pull it with my 1,000cc four wheeler.
I think galley light can be covered with frosted film as light diffusers. Or a cheap thin frosted polycarbonate. IMHO
You can add a dimmer to 12 volt DC LEDs.
True. When we first built it, we had a tough time wrapping our head around just the wiring of it. A dimmer would be an easy solution 😂
You guys are so funny! 😀👍
Are you guys built for sale? And if you do how much are they thank
Buen vídeo, bien explicado. Mas un subtitulado en spanish language ¡Sería maravilloso!
I’m currently building a very rough “Square Drop/toy Hauler” as a 5x8. Kinda a cool concept that I’m surprised I’ve never seen done before. I wanted the ability to take a small motorcycle (Honda Trail 125) with me but still have a small camper that could in theory be towed by a Honda Civic. Anyway I’m thinking of going more rustic and not even running tons of electrical but just using LED battery lights and extension cord with Jackery 1000 and solar panels. Thoughts?
Brilliant. Seriously, why hasn’t this been done?? How tall does it need to be?
Just put a power strip in for when you have shore power.
My 'DIY effort' is a 4x6 tiny cargo/camper conversion. It has a rear ramp and doubles as a toy hauler, I added a 48"x58" front deck for a second bike and the 4' tongue extension cured all trailer sway. Future Rear galley will be part of a 'room' that bolts to the ramp. I've considered axle/suspension/elec brakes, etc. My 3500# axle has stiff leaf springs that I may change! Also, my little Scion tow vehicle may need help stopping all this in the rain. So far I added a/c, roof rack, awning, TV, AM/FM-CD/DVD player, Solar panel, inverter, and furniture...
amazing work. where did you get your trim, doors and hinge for your rear door?
What about overall size anything that would be better bigger? Smaller?
Do you have any place I can buy a blue print to build mine please
Hola how can i get Your plans
You guys are awesome! I love that you did this follow up to your build with "Lessons learned" which is very important. How much did this cost?
I believe the original one we still use cost around 6k in 2020. Prices have gone up a bit but don’t let that stop you if you’re considering it!
Ive done some research along with comparison trail rides with friends offgrid trailer with the timbren axle and the independent suspension bounces and really has not proved any better than my leaf spring trailer with how light these trailers
What does the camper weight
My struggle is getting started, finding the right trailer is where I'm at.
We sell 5x8 teardrop frames if you’re interested.
With all of the portable electronics & rechargeable power stations, why install a somewhat dedicated and permanent power & charging systems into a teardrop? We decided not to install as the portable elements can be moved to a vehicle, tent, or even our home as a backup. What even pushed us more towards a mobile component system is the tech is changing so fast these days.
I have done a lot of research on making a teardrop camper. One of the guys I watched said/showed that the timbren axle off road wash boards will destroy themselves relatively quickly. Torsion axle maybe good, I have no research on that....As for the Solid Axle, do you have shocks on it?
No we dont have any shocks. just the bouncy leaf springs. We may install shocks though.
@@WanderTears Do it! It will change how it rides a lot! You will still have the issue of the clearance in the middle but I doubt many trails that a teardrop is going on is running into that problem. If you have onboard air maybe a air shock to help with weight and the off camber stuff....
Seriously considering building an Overland Camper, but my truck is already built out with drawers/storage/cooking so only benefit it would add is sleeping more comfortably. Wondering if that’s worth the limitations it’s going to cause on where we can go….
Where are you guys located?
I disagree with the immediate jump to independent suspension (I call it "ITS") from typical trailer leaf springs in pursuit of a softer ride. As I frequently point out on a trailer sub-forum, people are not riding in the trailer (at least I hope not!), once you've stopped foaming the beer and breaking the eggs do you really need it to ride any softer? You are correct that typical trailer leaf springs are very stiff. They are made that way so that ride height does not change much regardless of the loading. Being that stiff they are also not really in need of a damper. By using different leaf springs you can achieve a softer ride. This will require fabrication skills and they will also require dampers (AKA "shock absorbers"). Ultimately leaf springs suffer from a fairly high level of internal friction. There are tricks to reduce that, but I can't see the effort being worth it on a trailer. But you CAN achieve a supple ride on a trailer by using leaf springs that are longer and not made for trailers. Jeep YJ springs are one semi-frequently used application.
A downside to ITS systems can be nearly unsolvable camber and toe adjustment problems. Some designs seem to work well, others are a never-ending battle. They could, but I've never seen a Torflex have this problem, but lots of home built ITS systems do. It was a battle that Adventure Trailer fought with their design. Holding tight tolerances with their design in production proved to be difficult.
Torflex axles really, really need dampers for wash-board roads. They're fine as-is when mostly used on pavement, but when camp is multiple tens of miles down a wash-board road the rubber in the axle is working as a spring and a damper. That gets it really hot. Potentially hot enough to pull the vulcanizing loose. Just don't go there, add a damper at each tire. They're designed to radiate the heat generated into the air. That is what they do. Our little off-road tent trailer has 1000's of miles over wash-board roads under it's belt, all logged with dampers on it's Torflex axle.
No experience with the Timbrens, but from looking at them I think that they too will greatly benefit from adding dampers.
I once towed our little off-road trailer about 300 miles with 5 psi in it's then 33-12.50R15 tires. I could not tell and it made no noticeable impact on fuel economy. The tires weren't even warm over the duration of the trip (I put a hand on them at every stop). The point is that a light trailer on big tires doesn't need 50 psi in the tires. Finding an appropriate lower tire pressure can make a big difference in the ride quality.
I have some questions:
* how to change clothes inside the mini-camper.
* how much space is there for the two inside.
* and is it comfortable to make love or do you have to be creative.
* How about the heat, do they use a/c or just let the wind pass.
It is a queen size mattress. So for the first 3 questions imagine a boxed in queen mattress. And for the last, we don’t need AC because you aren’t in there during the day. A vent fan works well.
Curious question on the decision to go with the traditional tear drop design vs a square drop design. Was that decision the two of you made or you never considered a square drop design?
We considered it. We prefer the teardrop shape for the first build. We have designs for a square drop we will build eventually.
@@WanderTears That build will be fun to watch.
4:01 Maybe your leaf spring are too stiff? A torsion axle too stiff will not solve your problems. A properly sized torsion (or leaf or coil or airbag) would be an improvement to a trailer that is over-sprung. Longer leaf pack with more leaves might be nice too, they can be a bit more progressive
The leafs springs were definitely too stiff. We have switched to 2000lb leafs But the Timbren and Torsion absorb bumpy roads much better than the springs do.
@@WanderTears Do you think that 2000 lbs leafs are more bumpy than 2000 lbs torsion? Is the main advantage of timbren the dampening provided by the rubber?
I think I would want a screen door on the doors or maybe a screen on a window in the door?
I'm new here but just wondering.... It 's made with Plywood but what kind? Are they using marine grade and something like the West system or just epoxy over fiberglass....???
It is made of birch plywood and sealed several times over. The exterior is covered and sealed in aluminum.
I am curious as to the total cost of this tear drop when done. I see the cost of some of the store bought ones and no thanks. Also i see the different styles, which is the most efficient to pull. I would have to guess the tear drop style. And the others less efficient but more space trade off. Thanks to you both. A very interesting build to watch.
I believe they have a video on this topic and they spent up to $7,000.00.
Yeah you could spend $4000-$10k on a diy teardrop. Our teardrop shape led camper cost around 6k but that was in early 2020. Prices have changed. Looking around 7k or so. It can be done for way less with some resourcefulness and patience.
My biggest tip would to not put seams on tight curves while building.
Ok. This might be a bad question, but I noticed that if one had anything loaded on the roof rack, the vent fan opening up would bump into whatever you had loaded. Any comments appreciated. :)
Correct, as it is, you wouldn’t be able to put a roof top tent on there but it’s great for bikes, kayaks, awnings, privacy tents, etc.
Idk what it is but I love teardrop campers. If not they came with a proper toilet..
Having a toilet inside a camper is great until you have to take care of (empty) the toilet.
I want to build a tear drop trailor max weight 600lb. I need galley and a cartridge toilet would like a foldable double bed, couch durring the day. I will pull it with my 2019 Harley triglide Ultra. Need help.
I would use an ironton or aluminum trailer frame, and use foam to build the shell and interior. They call it a “foamie”.
May I ask you how much the materials cost is ....ballpark. I am 73 and just can't set up and break down a campsite everyday and sleeping on the ground is becoming a problem. Wife hates camping, so I solo all over the states.
These make camping so much more enjoyable. To set up, tear down or drying out your tent. Costs are fluctuating as you can imagine but it remains worth it!
It should be yellow😁👌
We have an orange one going out next month. Yellow would look good though!
I'm constantly wondering why people don't build their tear drop campers over the wheel arches? So then to have fold up timber boards on the side so as to manage items better Inside the camper as well as giving you a few extra feet in the galley?
This is true! Maybe we will try building one in the future.
2 words blown tire ! A tire will destroy a side wall ...I fix rv's for a living n I've seen first hand
Funny video!
Thanks for watching!
My most challenging part is i'm Not a Carpenter Or a Electrician !! I'm a Welder ! (Retired Navy Hull Tech)I can weld up the Crack of Dawn an a Broken Heart 🤣 But Not a master with wood! I built the trailer already Guaranteed Not to brake !! 2"x3" C channel.. #3500lb. 5on5 lug pattern to match my jeep brake axle ( Under the springs) an 285x70 17's off a Jeep ( Love Facebook Marketplace) AND i Don't have a Sweet Wife To Help 😉.. Keep the ideas Comin !!
I did not realize people built these. Seems like the cost would be higher than those that can be mass produced. Wonder what kind of tooling is required and if anything special required, other than skill!
I think many people are starting to realize they can build one with normal garage tools.