Photos courtesy of Do It Yourself RV
Showing posts with label built. Show all posts
Showing posts with label built. Show all posts
Do It Yourself RV
If you want to build your own teardrop trailer, check out the website, Do It Yourself RV for some inspiration, step-by-step instructions and examples of how many different handmade teardrops are on the road. Check out Larry's teardrop, made from recycled materials. His guide comes with explanations for each step. For other trailer ideas, do a search for "teardrop trailer" on the site.
Not only does the website have home built teardrop trailers, but it includes small trailer and campers and some great ideas on how to make your own vehicle more camp ready. For example, Joe and Eric of Minnesota wanted to take a break from work and travel the U.S. They outfitted the back of their SUV with a wooden storage area that looks very much like a teardrop galley.
The site also has news and information on how to RV full time, how to back up and tow a trailer, RV gear, fun vintage photos, and modifications to commercial trailers and campers.
10 Clever Teardrop Ideas
Another reason to check out a teardrop trailer gathering is to get up close and personal with the many clever ideas that teardroppers think up. From interesting storage techniques to ingenious ways to use hardware, teardroppers need to think outside the big white box in order to have a comfortable (and creative) camping experience. In addition, sometimes these ideas are just plain fun.
These ideas include everything from outdoor tables that do double duty as storage, smart garbage bag, paper and cloth towel holders, pretty storage and door shelters, mason jar lighting, and (my personal favorite) a beaded curtain that separates the galley serving area from the bed area.
Featured Teardrop: Roly's Stealth Fighter
Roly Nelson is a serial teardrop builder and pilot who kept his latest teardrop trailer a secret until last week's International Redwood Gathering. The secrecy completely matched this clandestine camper and Roly's F-117 "Stealth" Camper stole the show at the event.
Roly wanted his newest wooden build to look just like the F-117 fighter, but without the wide wings that might take out vehicles in neighboring traffic lanes. The cockpit holds Roly's twin bed which has Air Force themed flannel sheets and the interior is papered with air traffic charts. Roly's two small dogs sleep at his feet.
The galley is small, but has room for storage space, access to the interior and a few shelves that close up with wooden doors. Fun details like a jet blast warning sign and "Step" and "No Step" labels make his teardrop even more fun to look at.
Roly said that each time he's taken out the F-117, nearly every person who passes him on the road slows down to take a look—hence the sign in the window of his tow vehicle.
So much for being stealthy... :-)
Roly wanted his newest wooden build to look just like the F-117 fighter, but without the wide wings that might take out vehicles in neighboring traffic lanes. The cockpit holds Roly's twin bed which has Air Force themed flannel sheets and the interior is papered with air traffic charts. Roly's two small dogs sleep at his feet.
The galley is small, but has room for storage space, access to the interior and a few shelves that close up with wooden doors. Fun details like a jet blast warning sign and "Step" and "No Step" labels make his teardrop even more fun to look at.
Roly said that each time he's taken out the F-117, nearly every person who passes him on the road slows down to take a look—hence the sign in the window of his tow vehicle.
So much for being stealthy... :-)
Featured Teardrop: Gary's Full-Time Teardrop Trailer
Last weekend I was at the bank and noticed a small wooden teardrop sitting in the parking lot. Before the poor owner could open his car door and pull out of the space, I ran up to him and began to ask him about his small, wooden trailer. It turns out that the owner, Gary, lives full time out of his home-built Hickory Nut Camper.
"I have not lived in an actual house in 22 years," Gary told me. "I really just wanted to simplify and this custom teardrop trailer only took about five weeks to build. It's perfect for me."
His trailer is made of hickory and alder wood and includes a single door and a small window. Gary has a twin mattress inside so there is room for his clothes, but the trailer can fit a full-size mattress. He mentioned how impressed he was with the beautiful wooden spars along the ceiling. Gary's galley is very simple and includes a ton of storage under the kitchen workspace. He tucks a small bucket in the back to use as a temporary toilet when he's on the road.
Gary has been living this summer down in the Mammoth Lakes area and spends his winters working at Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park.
Hickory Nut Campers are built by Glenn in Sparks, Nevada. The trailers have both 110 and 12 volt power, are only 680 lbs. and have a 1,720 lb. capacity. Prices for the Hickory Nut start at $3,300 and the wood for each trailer can be customized.
"I have not lived in an actual house in 22 years," Gary told me. "I really just wanted to simplify and this custom teardrop trailer only took about five weeks to build. It's perfect for me."
His trailer is made of hickory and alder wood and includes a single door and a small window. Gary has a twin mattress inside so there is room for his clothes, but the trailer can fit a full-size mattress. He mentioned how impressed he was with the beautiful wooden spars along the ceiling. Gary's galley is very simple and includes a ton of storage under the kitchen workspace. He tucks a small bucket in the back to use as a temporary toilet when he's on the road.
Gary has been living this summer down in the Mammoth Lakes area and spends his winters working at Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park.
Hickory Nut Campers are built by Glenn in Sparks, Nevada. The trailers have both 110 and 12 volt power, are only 680 lbs. and have a 1,720 lb. capacity. Prices for the Hickory Nut start at $3,300 and the wood for each trailer can be customized.
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