Build a Camping Trailer

With a little skill and a good manual, you can build a camping trailer. What fun to camp in something you helped create!

People have been building camping trailers for many years. That's actually how one of the most widely recognized manufactured RV's started. Wally Byam was a young college graduate when he read a how-to article on building a camping trailer. Although he followed the instructions, the outcome was not successful. Byam recognized errors in the written plans, but he knew he could fix them. Sure enough, he was able to perfect the instructions. By 1930 he was building trailers in his own back yard and selling them. He called his new company Airstream. Still around in the 21st Century, these campers are known for their quality and style.

While many people purchase and restore vintage camping trailers, building your own trailer takes more dedicated work. If you don't think you are up for building from scratch, you may want to purchase a vintage RV and customize it to suit your needs. However, if you think you have what it takes to construct a camper from scratch and you are up for the task, the first step is to order plans.

Regardless of the type of camper you decide to build, the process will include three stages:

• Stage One - The Cab (all the wood components)
• Stage Two - The Trim (the aluminum skin and all the trim parts)
• Stage Three - The Frame (after the cab has been completed it is then lowered on to the frame)

Many people who want to create their own RVs opt to build teardrop style camping trailers.Teardrop trailers sleep two comfortably and there is an area for cooking under the rear hatch or galley lid.

A typical teardrop is 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 to 10 feet long. Some are as big as 6 1/2 feet wide, 5 feet high, and nearly 12 feet long. Most have the wheels and tires outside the body covered by fenders. The larger models often have them inside the body.

If building this type of camper sounds appealing to you, plans can be ordered from Tiny Tears.For $11.00, you can obtain 29 pages of detailed plans that show you step-by-step how to build a 4x8 foot trailer. Pictures are also included in this three-ring binder of instructions, as well as design information, a full size teardrop pattern drawn on brown craft paper, a materials list, and a listing of suppliers. Last, but not least, a CD with 243 JPEG images for enlarged viewing on your computer is also included in this package.

You may also want to order The No-Weld Wood Chassis building manual. It shows how to build a teardrop trailer chassis (base or foundation) at home without the need for welding. Included with the text are pictures, two pages of drawings, appendices providing load and stress calculations, vacuum bagging techniques, and an extensive list of suppliers.

To construct a home-built trailer, you will need to go to your local home improvement store and purchase various tools and materials. Some products may be found by going to a RV salvage or surplus parts sale and by locating dealers online. A list of items needed includes:

• Adhesives and epoxies
• Aluminum and fiberglass siding
• Axles and running gear
• Doors and windows
• Electronics, lighting and 12-volt power
• Fenders
• Molding
• Hinges

You will also need a large dose of time and patience!

Don't forget to add accessories like a dome light, license plate brackets, and decals. All of these can be ordered and shipped to you.

Where will you take your trailer now that it's complete? Pack it with sleeping bags, foam mattresses, blankets, towels, food, and drink. Then hook it up to your Jeep, truck, car, Corvette, or mini-van. Any of these can haul your trailer with a tow bar and take you wherever you care to go.

Why not head out to some remarkable campsites? Spend some time camping at the Oregon Dunes. You could even do some camping in Texas. Wherever RVs are welcome, so are smaller trailers. Pack the appropriate gear for the destination you choose. Enjoy your time camping, and hopefully along the way, you will impress many with your knowledge on how to build a camping trailer!

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