"SHOULD I BUY A NEW TEARDROP, RESTORE AN OLD TEARDROP, OR BUILD ONE FROM SCRATCH?"

How to select the project that matches your talent, tools and budget to become another happy teardrop owner

So where do you go to get a teardrop?  Not at the RV dealer.  He'll just laugh and try to sell you a tent trailer.  No, getting a teardrop is not an easy endeavor, but that's what makes them such a trophy.  So I'll review the three ways in order for you to make up your own mind.

For those of you with no construction skills or desire, buying new is an obvious choice.  The trailers are sound, roadworthy, and often come with a warranty.    Simply hitch up the car and go...halfway across the country.  The problem is there aren't many manufacturers around, and picking up your new unit can mean driving to another state.  Most builders are custom trailer shops that make units one at a time, and thus costs are higher because of lack of efficiency.  Only a handful of manufacturers make more that a few at a time.  The trailers are usually basic uninsulated models with a few shelves, but not very many built-ins or nice cabinets.

Waiting time can be a factor also.

So you see a teardrop in the paper, and the guy only wants $1,500 for it.  Should you buy it?

That depends on your skills, temperament and budget. It's no accident that teardrop restorations are called "Operation Dry Rot".  Because of their aluminum skins, teardrops are notorious for hiding dry rot from years of leaking until one day hinges come out and you can't get the screw to stay back in for nothing.  So you strip the old, battered aluminum skin off and find that the whole wood carcass is rotten.  While replacing all the wood, you also discover that the axle was welded to the frame instead of on nice leaf springs, the frame has rust holes and the axle is warped.  You've already thrown out the ugly cabinets that weren't original and the shag carpet that hid the rotted plywood floor.  So now all that's usable from the original trailer is the dome light and trailer hitch.

Now for some people, owning an original Kit Mfg. trailer is worth the trouble, and they actually look forward to the process of restoration.  But don't think that you're saving any money by doing it.  If you think any of this is exaggerated, click on  Jim and Linda's web page to hear their heroic story on  restoring their 1947 homebuilt. (They did a great job!)

Teardrop trailers have a long and illustrious history of home builders constantly refining, tweaking and perfecting designs.  I believe this is what gives the teardrop its timelessness.  To me, this is the most rewarding way to own a teardrop.  Next to building an airplane or a car, a trailer is exciting to build because you get in it.  There's a special satisfaction of laying back at night and falling asleep in a trailer you've built yourself.

(If your welding looks like this, better get the bolt-together 8' Cubby!)

The prospective teardrop builder must take an honest look at his skills, resources and motivation.  None of the steps are hard in their own right, but there are a lot of steps.   Most of the tools are simple, with just a few specialty tools.  Those lacking welding skills or equipment can do the cutting, fitting and cleaning; then have the chassis welded for them, and complete the bulk of the project with standard woodworking tools.  With the Cubby, there is no welding required at all.  Here is a list of a few other specialty tools you will wish you had when you started the project:

Besides these, you will need some standard power tools:  Table saw, circular saw,  jig saw, drill, screw gun and a  palm or belt sander.  Hand tools should include rasps or sureform plane, files, pop riveter. hacksaw and miter box, and lots of clamps.

Material costs to build a trailer will depend on the options you want and the trailer you build.  As in hot rods, the sky's the limit.  However, to build the 10' Comet as showed in our plans, you will spend roughly between $3000 to $3500.  The Cubby is a bit less, around $2,000.  We consider this an excellent investment, as you can easily sell it for much more than that, and a teardrop trailer holds its value for years, much more so than any tent trailer or RV.

You will need an area to build the trailer.  It would be nice if you had a  large, well-lit area on a hard surface, preferably enclosed.  I didn't have such an area, so like hundreds of other craftsmen, I built the prototype beside the garage on the gravel in 108 degree heat.  However, you will need a wall of some kind  to lean plywood and aluminum sheets up against until needed.

Most importantly you will need a really good set of plans.  Gee, What a coincidence!  We happen to offer what I modestly consider some of the best plans available today.  So take a gander at our plans pages and see how easy we've made the process.