7 mistakes to avoid while building your teardrop camper

In this video we dig into some of the mistakes we made when we built our first teardrop camper. At the posting of this video we have built more than ten campers following our first one, and although some of them don't seem crucial, these 7 items are what we wish we had done differently first starting out.

7 Mistakes Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:00 1. Hide Your Junk
01:37 2. Galley Lighting
02:40 3. Latching cabinets and sliders
03:55 4. Independent Suspension
04:50 5. Quality Control
05:53 6. Trailer Frame
06:15 7. START SOONER!
09:18 Outtakes!

Links:
Elbow latches

The cheap and unnecessarily bright LED light:

The perfect recessed lighting:

Locking slides:

DIY Teardrop camper Plans:

Teardrop Trailer frame order form:

More information about Torsion axles:

More Information about Timbren Suspension:

[airbrushken]

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.

[cjmaupin]

Cut holes for the larger drinks. Better stability and they'll fit better.

[AdventureRocks]

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.

[briangass]

Glad this popped up in my feed. I am in the planning stages of building a teardrop and this was extremely helpful. Thank you.

[gordonyork]

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.

[dand]

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.

[metaxaanabeer]

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.

[russeldeeney]

Well Done Guys! 👍🏾
Thanks for the tips. Lol
You inspire. Have fun out there

[CaliforniaFly]

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

[TheAlpine]

This was awesome!
Don't know you guys but you two look like you actual like each other. Good to see! Loved the video.

[johnw]

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.

[richardbradford]

The electrical system. That is the challenging part for me

[curtismcdonald]

Great info, dynamic-duo‼️😃 you compliment each other well, informative, tonality, keeping it upbeat. God bless you.

[mauricetheriault]

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

[constanciozuniga]

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

[diegoaguirre]

Thanks for the input, ,love your videos, , and love our teardrop ✌️

[MrClickbang]

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!

[pringlized]

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 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!

[ulisesmillan]

Great video guys,
Thank you for the tips, ,
The hardiest think to build for me is the galley back door

[roseericson]

Ok I’m planning a build thanks for this great advice! Gave ya a huge like and share