UPDATE: Teardrop Trailer Build - Follow me for tips...

[RaleighTiger]

...on what not to do. Seriously, been itching to do this for awhile and finally jumped in. Building from the ground up. Finished assembling the trailer frame today. Anyone on here done this? Happy to post pics along the way if anyone is interested. First time doing something like this, so it should be fun.

 

[RJ2kWJ]

I love shit like this so definitely post pics.

 

[shiv]

 

[TJHall1]

 

[RaleighTiger]

First step: the trailer. 5x8 Ironton bought from Northern Tool. Came in three boxes. Took better part of a day to put together because the directions sucked ass.

 

[RJ2kWJ]

First step: the trailer. 5x8 Ironton bought from Northern Tool. Came in three boxes. Took better part of a day to put together because the directions sucked ass.

Slight minor chub already. Only thing I’ve done lately in leg recovery is a lego version of Doak Campbell.

 

[shiv]

Slight minor chub already. Only thing I’ve done lately in leg recovery is a lego version of Doak Campbell.

View attachment 4837

 

[Lethal34fl2]

Biggest pain in the ass with things like this is throwing all the damn cardboard and styrofoam out.

 

[RJ2kWJ]

Biggest pain in the ass with things like this is throwing all the damn cardboard and styrofoam out.

Gotta find someone doing a remodel and toss it in their giant dumpster.

 

[catfishpunter]

Slight minor chub already. Only thing I’ve done lately in leg recovery is a lego version of Doak Campbell.

View attachment 4837

Took me a second. At first glance, I looked at those empty stands and thought you built a scale replica of a game in progress at Miami.

 

[RJ2kWJ]

Took me a second. At first glance, I looked at those empty stands and thought you built a scale replica of a game in progress at Miami.

Heyyyoooooo!

 

[Lethal34fl2]

Gotta find someone doing a remodel and toss it in their giant dumpster.

I usually find a house with a gator flag and dump it on their front lawn.

 

[EdgeBest]

Shred the cardboard and crush the styrofoam leftover from packaging for use as insulation

 

[RHT 3]

Slight minor chub already. Only thing I’ve done lately in leg recovery is a lego version of Doak Campbell.

View attachment 4837

Where the hell did you get that ? I need that.

 

[RJ2kWJ]

Where the hell did you get that ? I need that.

It’s the FOCO stadium series. Takes longer than you think. But it’s awesome.

https://www.sportsfanisland.com/pro...Y8WY5t_ThzvcvAK-o34_gdSPBUhWmszRoCpWoQAvD_BwE

 

[RaleighTiger]

Can't believe it is almost June and I have provided no updates. So like any project I do, it always takes longer than I think it will. But progress is being made. Some pics and comments. Fist pics are flooring and insulation. Also ran wire that I ultimately didn't use.

 

[RaleighTiger]

Did some redneck engineering on the hitch. The stock 5x8 trailer from Northern Tool has an issue with the coupler pulling away from the plate. After some advice from my teardrop group, I went to a metal fabricator and got a 5 foot piece of 2x2 square tube and a new plate done. More secure and extends the tongue an extra foot, so easier for backing in. That center bar is the new one. The original frame only had the angular side rails.

 

[RaleighTiger]

After all this, I finally started building up. Side walls, galley, etc. Still was toying with what to do with the siding, do finally went with aluminum composite. New trend in the teardrop community. Mostly used by sign companies for external signage, so perfect for trailers. After some finangling, found a local sign company that could order it for me - the supplier is a wholesaler, so I couldn't buy it directly. Decided on green. Not permanent, but this is what it will look like.

 

[RaleighTiger]

Then came the wiring. I know the basics of house wiring, but this was a different animal since most RVs run components on DC and have a battery for off-grid operation. All new to me. Did my research, bought a converter and began wiring. But my plan is to just have shore power now (a plug on the outside to hook up at a campsite) then add a battery later. Watched YouTube videos and thought I wired it correctly, but still couldn't get my DC side to work. I have standard wall outlets for AC which had power, but none of my LED lights worked, all on DC. Even had an electrician buddy come over and he was stumped. Finally, the light bulb came on and we discovered with no battery, you still have to ground. Tada!

 

[RaleighTiger]

Really hoping I am getting into the final stretch. Adding insulation between the studs is time consuming and messy as fuck. But I am getting to the point of finishing work which I like. Galley has been painted with two coats of exterior paint. Right side will have a drawer slide for yeti cooler knockoff. Left side will have a slide for a portable stove and storage. Counter top was stained and two coats of polyurethane (with more to come). Will have cabinets here as well.

 

[RaleighTiger]

For the interior, will paint walls, but use exterior carpet for the ceiling. My initial thought was paint or stain, but gaps and screw holes are hard to cover.

 

[RaleighTiger]

Bud Heavies on my project this weekend because America.

 

[RaleighTiger]

Last pic for the night. Just the front shot with insulation between the studs. To get them to bend, I had to cut slits in the insulation. It's called curfing, which I learned on this project.

 

[poke2001]

Not building from scratch, but totally gutted and currently rebuilding a 1976 Shasta camper.

 

[BurntJ]

Slight minor chub already. Only thing I’ve done lately in leg recovery is a lego version of Doak Campbell.

View attachment 4837

Mad respect..... you literally built a nicer stadium that the shit hole in Tallahassee....out of Legos none the less. Gotta say I’m not surprised by this but still great job man!

 

[44Bobcats55]

If you are frustrated with your inverter try something. Mine only works when it is plugged in and the power goes out. I thought that it was simply not working but we had an a outage and it kicked on. Unplugged shore power with breaker off and it shuts off. Totally baffles the technician.

 

[Edgehollow]

If you are frustrated with your inverter try something. Mine only works when it is plugged in and the power goes out. I thought that it was simply not working but we had an a outage and it kicked on. Unplugged shore power with breaker off and it shuts off. Totally baffles the technician.

Probably the same grounding issue.

 

[44Bobcats55]

Probably the same grounding issue.

Could be that the cable is only grounded at the service panel. When I unplug I lose the ground.