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Old 08-08-2013, 04:24 PM   #1
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Name: Ann Marie
Trailer: Hoping to build my own
Pennsylvania
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Hello from Ann Marie

Hello, my name is Ann Marie and i'm new here. I going to attempt to build my own mini camper.

I already bought a Trailer 4' x 8' wood rack on car chassis, new lights and wiring, spare tire, and fits 2" ball. I've been researching lightweight stuff and came across your site. I plan on working with 1x2's and 1x4's

Gonna do this from scratch and have no idea how it's gonna come out, so i'll probably ask a lot of questions. I was very impressed with the pictures that were posted. Very encouraging.

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Old 08-08-2013, 05:09 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Ann Marie View Post
Hello, my name is Ann Marie and i'm new here. I going to attempt to build my own mini camper.

I already bought a Trailer 4' x 8' wood rack on car chassis, new lights and wiring, spare tire, and fits 2" ball. I've been researching lightweight stuff and came across your site. I plan on working with 1x2's and 1x4's

Gonna do this from scratch and have no idea how it's gonna come out, so i'll probably ask a lot of questions. I was very impressed with the pictures that were posted. Very encouraging.

Hi Ann Marie,

You might want to check with your state DMV and find out what the inspection requirements are while planning your trailer, if you intend to license it. It can get pretty complicated in some states where you have to have propane appliances blessed.

Charlie Y
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Don't drill holes, try custom storage you design: https://RVWidgetWorks.com
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Old 08-08-2013, 08:34 PM   #3
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4'x8' sounds mighty small. Building with wood will add a lot of weight also.

Still, it sounds like an interesting project.
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Old 08-08-2013, 09:44 PM   #4
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Would save a fair amount of weight to use metal studs (as used in commercial buildings) since you wouldn't need as many structural members. Plus you'd have holes pre-punched in them for running utilities.

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Old 08-08-2013, 10:49 PM   #5
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Sounds like an exciting project. Here's a link to a site that talks about stick-building trailers that may have some info of use.

Build a mini-Conestoga wagon

While we will all help where we can, keep in mind that most on this site own/restore/repair molded fiberglass trailers and I don't now of any that were self-built.

But we are always happy to have a new voice.



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Old 08-08-2013, 10:54 PM   #6
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to the Forum Ann Marie..........

Are you planning on building a stickie trailer,
or a tear drop style?
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Old 08-09-2013, 04:26 AM   #7
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I'm gonna jumpe in here for Donna.

"Pictures please?"

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Old 08-09-2013, 05:23 AM   #8
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Ann Marie, you want to go over to the tnttt forum where there is lots of info about building a small trailer, mainly teardrops and other variations of small trailers. Also some experiences with PA registrations.
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Old 08-09-2013, 09:36 AM   #9
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Ann Marie - We were heading for a 4x8 HF trailer build when we ran across a fiberglass camper for about what the materials would cost for the teardrop. One of the things we did that changed our mind was to take some masking tape and lay out a 4x8 foot space on our bed. We decided that it would never work for two people. Even if you're single, I'd recommend trying out the space before deciding on doing the build. Like Night Sailor said, it's a very small space.
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:21 AM   #10
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As mentioned earlier, we are about molded fiberglass trailers. The expertise for stick-built trailers isn't going to be as deep as other sites although opinions will be offered.
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Old 08-09-2013, 12:58 PM   #11
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Yep, Steve.............we do have opinions and we do offer them.........LOL
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Old 08-09-2013, 02:59 PM   #12
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Ann Marie - We were heading for a 4x8 HF trailer build when we ran across a fiberglass camper for about what the materials would cost for the teardrop. One of the things we did that changed our mind was to take some masking tape and lay out a 4x8 foot space on our bed. We decided that it would never work for two people. Even if you're single, I'd recommend trying out the space before deciding on doing the build. Like Night Sailor said, it's a very small space.
Our teardrop is 4 X 10, with inside the cabin 4 X 8. The two of us sleep just fine in it. However it does make our 13 foot Uhaul feel really big when we use it.
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Old 08-09-2013, 07:14 PM   #13
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Lots and lots of member here on FiberglassRV rebuild/mod the interior of all molded towables. But building from scratch with wood or aluminum stud walls? You may get better suggestions and help from a fantastic group that do EXACTLY what you're hoping to build: Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers • Index page

Not chasing you off, truly... just trying to provide help that is more suited to your build.

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Old 08-09-2013, 10:44 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by mary and bob View Post
Ann Marie, you want to go over to the tnttt forum where there is lots of info about building a small trailer, mainly teardrops and other variations of small trailers. Also some experiences with PA registrations.
HI..WHAT IS A TNTTT SITE AND HOW DO I FIND IT?
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Old 08-09-2013, 10:56 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by tractors1 View Post
would save a fair amount of weight to use metal studs (as used in commercial buildings) since you wouldn't need as many structural members. Plus you'd have holes pre-punched in them for running utilities.

Charlie y
i was thinking of this for stability and weight. I was told it can hold up 2 1000 lbs. And i can put 1 ft over each tire. It's a 1949 car rear end. It won't be your common camper, and as some said, this should be interesting. I brought home the trailer 2 day. Gonna make it my profile picture lol

btw..i have a sense of humor, so please do speak your mind. Maybe i'll get lucky enough to find a camper on here. I'm looking for a junked one for parts, so if anyone comes in contact with one, let me know.
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Old 08-10-2013, 05:48 AM   #16
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HI..WHAT IS A TNTTT SITE AND HOW DO I FIND IT?
Use Donna's link to Teardrops and Tiny Travel Trailers [tnttt.com]. Starting with a home made trailer that has a car reared is probably not the best way to go. Extra weight there, suspension may not work out very good, and ride height may be more than what you want. Building a teardrop or small trailer can get quite involved, not something I would want to attempt. We got into enough of a project restoring a vintage teardrop and now just finishing up our Uhaul camper.
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Old 08-10-2013, 05:51 AM   #17
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Ann Marie, did you see the recent post of a Playpac camper for sale in PA. Same state as you, if you're lucky it may be in your area.
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Old 08-10-2013, 06:13 AM   #18
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Welcome to the Forum Ann Marie
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Old 08-10-2013, 07:08 AM   #19
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Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers • Index page
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Old 08-10-2013, 09:25 AM   #20
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I have a CD labeled "Mini-Trailer & Teardrop Plans"
There are perhaps dozens of plans for home built RV trailers on it.
Most are vintage plans and so are now for vintage styles.
I think I found it on the internet for cheap.
It includes materials lists and detailed measurments etc.
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