This is an Anonymous Reader Submitted Guest Post: DIY Tiny Camping Trailer (Submit)
The trailer is 5X9.5′, weighs 1280 lbs. empty but can still be pulled with a 4 cylinder vehicle. It took about 6 months to build and is super comfortable. I can’t wait to start using it.
It has a TV, DVD player, digital tuner, Stereo, Microwave, 2.4 cu ft Refrig, on board 30 amp RV charger, and deep cycle battery.
2 TV outlets, 6 110 outlets, 2 12 volt outlets. Storage compartment in the front and another storage compartment at the foot of the bed.
All LED lighting except for the kitchen area, which has a 40-watt fluorescent. Under cabinet lighting as well. Also has 15″ wheels…..
DIY Tiny Camping Trailer I Built
Construction Photos (NEW Photos Added So You Know I Built It!)
Building this trailer wasn’t difficult at all, had looked at tons of trailers and had a really good concept how they are put together. Had the frame made, and from there the assembly was pretty easy.
Related: Couple Living Tiny in Micro Camper & A DIY Aerodynamic Tiny Home on Wheels
If you enjoyed this DIY micro camping trailer you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny Housing Newsletter with even more!
Alex
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Sorry i don’t think this was DIY build. #1. It has a logo perfectly painted both sides like a factory did it. #2 i think i saw a video of this on You tube. The guy was showing what he bought $ 7-9000. #3 If he’s so proud of it why not give your name and show photos of the build. Something just smells like dead fish ??? what does any body else think???
I love it, when you think its commercial, but its not. Its a home built.
Guess I should have sent some pic’s of the building process. This is a nice compliment. This is the only place that has, is showing this trailer. I built this as a prototype, thinking maybe building these in the future, but since have changed my mind.
I believe ya Greg 🙂
Hello Greg!
Actually, it woul be an AWESOME idea to send the pictures of the building process. I’d love to make one of these on my own, with my own hands.
Also, can you tell us approximately how much it would cost to make one of these babies? I have basic carpenter skills, but I know lots of guys who can weld 😉
Hey Greg & Steve if you guys send me the pics to alex at tiny house talk dot com and the URL to this post (https://tinyhousetalk.com/diy-micro-camping-trailer/) I’ll easily be able to add them for everyone else to see too 🙂
Hi Steve,
I sent Alex some pic’s of the building process, think I have well over 200, but to give a general idea have only sent a few which if you scroll down, you can see what it would entail.
Have started another build, and hopefully it will only weigh about 600lbs. Learned alot on the first one. Am planning a removable power pack, solar charged and should run my 12v system for days. The cost on the first one was about $2900. The second one should be about $1700 to $1900, maybe less, hopefully. There is a ton of info on the net, and alot of free plans. Personally I like to
design my own, and the thrill of seeing it on paper to the actual finished product is super gratifying.
These are pretty simple to make, if you decide to build one, I’d be more than happy to help.
Greg
Thanks for the update Greg. Can’t wait to see your second one!
Hi. I am really impressed with your tiny trailer design. Do you have sketches with dimensions or plans for it? I would like to build one. I have built boats,houses,and sheds and have been looking for a smaller 10 ft long or so trailer to tow behind our 2015 Subaru Forester on a coast to coast trip across the USA. I have a complete woodshop and body work/spray equipment and access to an all aluminum 5 ft by 8 ft or 5ft by 10 ft custom made trailer to build it on. I also have a 24 ft by 24 ft garage to build it in. I love the custom paint job-I have built custom cars-frame up and won best of show with some of my custom paint and fiberglass work. Best of luck and let me know about the sketches or drawings. I have over 40 years of drafting/design/engineering experience for the Naval Department so can easily generate plans from rough sketches. Bob M.
Hi, I would really be interested in plans for this as well.. I want to build my own and having a desing layout would be very helpful to me. I plan on doing something similar but with some differences and am just looking for a starting point… By the way, This thing is awesome! Any thoughts on doing the entire thing with raptor liner? Would be like a bomb shelter at that point.
Greg, I realize this post is over 4 years old but I would really like to get some more information from you on this build!
It awesome. 2 questions I’m hoping to find out from you is, the trailer frame size and where did you get the side doors and re door made?
Thanks for your time!
Hunter- just added some pics Greg sent in of the construction photos. My bad for adding them in so late.
I would like to know if there are any plans to build similar trailers? or dimensions at least?
Oh, another thing, built in laminated table in back, really??? INDIANA LICENSE PLATE just readable in one snapshot. the rest of the photos show areas whited out. Paclite logo? in three distinctive spots like a manufacturer placement,Really, home made, ? I don’t think so. Maybe a joke? the tent fits so perfectly? Just don’t buy it, sorry. If it looks to good to be true??? It probably is. If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize, till then not buying it at all!!!!!!!
Yes, really homemade. Built this in my back yard and a dirt floor barn that
leaks. A friend has a sign shop and made the logo for me. The tent was
bought on Ebay and used for an SUV, it fits perfect on the trailer. All the
laminate was done by me. Guess my skills are pretty good, if you have doubts on my build……this is the only one that I have ever built.
Why waste the money, if it would be a sub-par job.
Thanks Greg. You built an amazing little camper and I really appreciate you sharing. (don’t worry what others think..)
Greg,
Any way I can get a copy of your build plans? I’ve been wanting to build my own tear drop/excursion camper for several years. I looked at a lot of pro-builds and I don’t care for many of their designs. Flat front boxes and $12-15k, but your has the semi-round front and high clearance rear, Beautiful! I can duplicate it easy enough, but if you have plans, that saves me some problem solving, sleepless, creative nights.
I look forward to hearing back from you… even if it’s 7 years later!
Ken
Did a web search for PACLITE and did not find a trailer in current listings. But I agree—this is way too “perfect” and “polished” for a back yard build–and WHERE did he get those graphics? I know the vinyl cutting machines can do things that can then be adhered but this one looks like the regular old gel coat decals we see on most RV panels.
And yeah–what are the ODDS of all of this stuff fitting soooo perfectly etc??? Some one needs to be vetting these posts MUCH closer—
Cute but-for $3200 you can get a tow-behind-a-motorcycle or small–even TINY—CAR—that comes with the trailer section; deep storage well into which folds a LARGE structurally supported TENT with an AIR CONDITIONER and the trailer part makes into a BED–full sized–with it’s own MATTRESS—and there is room in the storage section for other items also. I was majorly impressed with this when I saw it at AMERICADE this past June.
Laugh if you must but the idea of having a tiny AC unit that goes into it’s own “window” and then plugs into “Shore Power” is a serious comfort issue —esp if you travel with people with lung issues like I do. There was also plenty of room in the tent section for a sleeping bag or cot or two for the rest of your family. There were several models of these on display and they def turned heads among serious bikers.
A “plain old” motorcycle trailer–nothing more than a vinyl or gel coat covered box with some sort of covering inside; lights etc–can cost MORE than this all-in-one camping tent cabin. And if you were traveling with a few bikes than you could divvy up the various needs–food etc—and have one bike tow the tent. Would love to see a Smart Car tow one of these!
And BTW—it’s not ness the total weight of the trailer–it also has to do with TONGUE WEIGHT and balance as to what you can and cannot tow.
More of the real “Look What I built Ma” please–and less of the fake posts.
This trailer is a celebration of my dad’s life!!! A few years ago we almost lost him but the strong man we all know him as bounced back full of life and had his heart set on building this trailor from the ground up! My dad is a perfectionist and this is the result. Dad I am so proud of you!! And I am so excited to go camping!!! All of us know u spent months putting ur heart and soul in this dad!!! I love u!!
That makes the story even better. Thanks Carrie!!
Very nice job on camper . It’s to bad some are not able to believe that this quality can come from a diy’er. There are many craftsmanship out there unlike the many that can only buy one manufactured for them .
Are there plans for this trailer anywhere, I really want to build one!
Oh my, all the doubting Thomas’s eh? Tell you what, why don’t you go down south in the Philippines where you will find guys manufacturing hand guns out of crude junk type steel, with foot operated lathes, forges out in the open fields etc… that when finished are every bit as good as what you would buy from a retail gun shop, then tell me someone with good practical skills can’t make a trailer like this in their, probably exceptionally well laid out, home workshop.
Youse guys, grapes, sour, sounds like.
Hey all, I just found some more pics that Greg sent me in my email of the construction process for this so I’m adding them here in a minute so the non-believers can believe 🙂
Alex is it possible to get the plans for this little camper.
Well I’m taking back my words of criticized comments. Now that verification pic’s have been added, proving what a good job this build was, I’m satisfied no one pulled a fast one on us tiny houser’s. GOOD JOB on this build. IF the build pic’s were shown in the beginning, I and others would never have said anything only what a great job you did Greg. I truly apologize to you and your family. Having been scammed in the past i am critical of any photos with out back up proof. Sad that we have become jaded towards life and our fellow man kind, sorry.
Hi Hunter,
Critical comments was what I was after, and must apologize for not sending construction photos in the original post. Didn’t think anyone would be interested. Lesson learned.
Have started building another, but an off-road, jeep style unit. Promise I’ll include construction photos of that.
Thanks for the warm comments.
Greg
Wow! a off road micro? Now that is a great idea. Along with the photos how about plans in a PDF. Can’t wait to see it being built…I’m a copy cat with little construction skills…. PLEASE make it simple!
Hey! Like the tiny trailer, but I like it even more when I scrolled down and saw the tent extensions! I’m an outdoor lover so this made it complete. I would live in this! Love it! Thanks for posting!
I was wondering about the tent off the back of the trailer that looks like it covers the kitchen. Can you just buy those things? Or, was this customized?
Hi Chelle,
The tent on the back was bought on E-bay, made by Kelty and called tailgator IPA. Have since moved it to the side and have the canopy
on the back which works better. Its a nice tent and very well constructed, it was made for an SUV. Works perfect for my needs.
Thanks for the warm comment.
Greg
What an amazing job you did!
How did you find the Tailgator? did you have to search or did you see it before? I think I’ve seen one on a teardrop a few years ago. Looks like it works great.
Wow, I cant believe all the crap you guys gave him on a nice build. Very nice job! I am currently building a small camp trailer, hope its as good as the one you made. Question: what adhesive did you use to bond the skin to the plywood? Getting ready to just that, trying to avoid problems with “oil canning” when hot. Thanks and good job again,
Hi
I had planned on using Benders #618 peragrip but couldn’t find any in my area, so I used Weldwood contact cement with great success. No de-lamination which I was also worried about. Its been almost a year since it was applied and has sat in the sun and heat through this summer.
Still looks as good as the day it was applied, just make sure all air bubbles are rolled out with a hard rubber roller.
Would also like to see what you are building.
Greg
I find it difficult that this could be pulled by a 4 cylinder vehicle. I have a Chevy Impala with a 6 cylinder and the towing weight limit is 1,000 lbs. If this weighs more than that empty, it would weigh even more loaded up. I couldn’t pull it with my car, and doubt a 4 cylinder could without burning up the engine. However, it’s a nice camper, something I’d like to have for short camping trips. Nice job!
Yes, I have to admit it is a little underpowered, but does fine pulling
the trailer if I don’t really push it. No over heating or any other issue.
The state park I’ve gone to is about 30 miles one way and have gone 3
times this year.
Thank you ALEX and GREG for adding much needed pics of the build. As HUNTER pointed out–too often we have been scammed with things that were NOT backed up by pics and info.
Awesome job Greg and congrats on your loyal loving daughter too. You go girl!
To me it doesn’t even matter if it was homebuilt or not. The whole point is to spark the imagination, and you sir have done just that. A whole different perspective on the typical teardrop trailer. It seems roomy, rugged and doable. Thank you for taking the time to share! I am mentally building a new one right now!!!
Very professional look. Would be nice to know if you built it on the fly or had plans drawn up. I’ve been looking at small trailers for a couple months and I can’t say that I’ve found anything I like that my small SUV can pull comfortably. Would sure like to get something just a bit bigger.
This is the exact build that I want to do.
Alex,
Thank you for having this site.
Greg… This looks really good. Like someone posted… Do you have plans for this build that you would be willing to send. Actually, the plans for the lighter version would work better for my needs.
I current have a pop up trailer that weather has ruined. I am planning on building a larger teardrop with it. There are several things I can salvage from it. I.e … Stove, power converter, sink, ice box, frame, possible use the bed slide outs, etc.
again.. Thank you.
Ditto! Our at least a good tutorial site for how to do all fine finish work, like the vinyl and diamond plate. THX! And excellent build!
I’m glad you like my build, but unfortunately the plans are in my head. I had originally thought of putting together a book, but got sidetracked on another project. If you go to “Teardrops and tiny trailers” web site, there
is an enormous amount of information in the building process. Lots of posts & pictures from people who have built there own. Great site and
lots of useful information.
Excellent job on your camper. I currently have a Little Guy camper but i am still exploring building one. What is the skin on yours? Is it Filon or did you use FRP panels or something? Thanks in any advance for any info….
I used filon and has been a great choice. Still looks new.
Hi, I am sure you have bee asked before, I was hoping you had blueprints for this camper? This is the camper I want to build for my wife. Can you help me out?
Mark
Hi again from Bob M. If you need help generating plans for this fantastic trailer I can work from rough sketches to draw a set up. I just need dimensions and a very brief set of notes on any special construction details and a set of construction photos. I have over 40 years of drafting and design experience and would be glad to help in any way I can and will not charge for doing it. I would definitely like to build one for myself. PS: my wife has over 30 years of experience running a print shop and can really do magic when it comes to lettering and graphics.
Hi. I just located a pop up camper which is the perfect size chassis with stove,ice box,cabinets,electrical converter etc really cheap from my car mechanic. the canvas is crap eaten by mice but everything else is in very good condition. I plan on working from the Paclite photos to build one very similar on the chassis so any dimensions would be helpful as a starting point. I will keep you posted on our progress.
Hi again. Here’s an update on my pop-up conversion project. Bought the pop-up (1987 Coachmen) for $100.00. So far we have removed the canvas and roof and the floor is in excellent condition as is the frame. We opted for 4 lug 13″ tires and rims which will give us nearly 6″ more ground clearance instead of the 8″ ones which were on it originally. Walmart had rims and tires which were very reasonable. We have sketches of the basic outline and plan on re-locating the ice box, sink,and stove to the back as a galley set-up. I also will be using led lighting thru out (low voltage) and am looking at some Lithium batteries to use instead of a deep discharge marine battery. We will be making a trip to White Pigeon,Michigan to visit Bontrager’s surplus for our doors, wiring and lighting and A.C. accessories. Basic construction will be 1/2″ plywood, 1 by 4/foam sandwich with luan panelling inside. Outside will be done with fiberglass matt and poly resin with lacquer paint and trim. I have built several boats from scratch including a 26 ft cruiser and have had great success using cloth and resin. One boat I built lasted 20 years before the formers and flooring finally rotted out. Anyways, any suggestions/comments are welcome and I will keep you posted-I am taking a complete set of photos from start to finish and may decide to make the plans available in the future. Bob M.
Very nice TTT! I just traveled halfway across country for work and it’s inspired me to build one of these to go on a trip of my own. Yours is amazing and it’s the style I want. I’m not much into the full teardrop styles. Love the flat back on it. I would love to have more pictures and possibly plans. Could you please send them to my email address? Any and all your have would be great! Such an amazing job.
Greg … have you taken it off road yet? I wonder how it does with that kind of road clearance …
really nice camper build , I really like the rear hatch. I have looked everywhere for it on line but can not find it. could you maybe let me know where you got it or had it made because it does not look like it was made in your garage. I plan to copy your camper, thanks bill
Hi William, The rear cargo door was made for a fifth wheel trailer, Its big and water tight. Bought it new at Bontrager’s in White pigeon, MI. Think I paid about $35.
Greg,
I’m with Ty on this one. You did an excellent job on this camper, Sir! I would also like to request your pictures and plans for this build. I’m planning to retire in about 5 years and my dream is to tour the country in a small camper like this. This is such a very well-done job!
Great Job,
Where did you find the doors and windows?
Thanks,
Al
Holy smokes……. Im right now in the process of thinking to build a trailer myself…. And this is true inspiration!!!!! Such a beautiful build. And such a wonderful story behind it. So happy to hear you doing better. My grandfather did kind of the same thing. Thanks for the great pics!!!! Man ol man that’s a beautiful trailer!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
So happy you got some great inspiration! — Tiny House Talk Team
Greg, Very nice. Beautifully built. Did you build the rear door or purchased? would you mind sharing the source if you did purchase?
Hasl
Hi, Glad you liked the trailer, the rear door was purchased at Bontragers in White Pigeon, Mi. It was made for a Fifth wheel trailer and its big, one of the reasons I went with this door, its water tight.
Hi Greg,
Nice build.. This is the idea I have for my design.
I have heard about Bontragers for supplies, but who helped you with your graphic design? I am also from Indiana area and uncertain where to go. Also the skin you used, which did you use and why? So many choices and still in decision stage.
Thanks.
Once again great job.
Nice work and attention to detail Greg. I believe you did all the work. Some people find it hard to understand your level of competence and will doubt you no matter what you say. I would like to see drawings that you did as I plane on building something similar. I know this project took planning and some homework. Nice job.
Sorry guys,somehow I double posted-I am not the most computer literate person on earth. great job-I have made comments elsewhere in this section. keep up the good work-love your site..Bob M..
Hi Greg
Great job.
Did you buy or build the trailer frame? I like that you based your build on a large 15″ wheeled frame.
At this time I can’t build a metal frame from scratch.
Greg,
I love this build and am planning on building one much like this soon. It looks like you are still reading posts associated with this project, and I appreciate that. I do have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind shedding some light on a few things. First, your build photos show plywood walls, but in looking at the inside photos, the walls appear to be thicker than plywood. Did you frame the walls after they were set with 2x2s, and then use vinyl coated drywall (maybe 1/4″) on the interior? I’m guessing that you didn’t build the doors. Those seem to be about the most expensive part of this project. If you did build them, can you give some information on how you did this (frames, seals, etc.)? Lastly, there seems to be space under your galley…did you install fresh and grey water holding tanks in this area?
I’m very impressed with your work and hope that mine will turn out half as nice. You should draw your plans up and sell them…I would certainly buy them from you.
Thanks in advance…and happy trailering!
Rob
Are their any blueprints for this build? Excellent work!
I am really impressed with your work. I would be interested to know if you just painted over the timber frame or added an aluminium shell over the top.
Hi again from Bob M. We are not far away from finishing up our trailer based on a coachman pop-up frame. I looked at several different ways of doing the walls sand roof and came up with 7 ply 1/4″ plywood with 1 by 4 framing inside and the wall between the galley and bedroom is 2 by 2 framing. We will be using breadboard on the lower inside walls and thin shower enclosure plastic on the upper walls and ceiling.We have applied 2 layers of 7 oz glass cloth on all of the exterior and the roof will be sealed with white flex all. I have taken nearly 100 pictures from initial trailer to the current state of construction and will be sending a complete package of the project for you to view here. We got our door and windows,wiring,lights etc from Bontragers-they are great to deal with. We made a weekend trip to their location from Pennsylvania and filled my wife’s Subaru Forester to the max with goodies.( I should have taken my truck). I may do a set of drawings for it if I get the time. We will have about $3,000.00 into it when we are done. It is 80″ wide by 11 feet long by 96″ high from ground to roof. It will be a medium tan with brown graphics. It is mostly in final primer with some final glaze work yet before I paint it. It is a fun project inspired by your excellent web site. I hope I haven’t bored you with the details. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments. I will keep you posted-Bob M.
Hi again from Bob Markle with another update. I just finished up painting our mini trailer and am working on the galley door to prep it for painting. We ran into a problem with the finish work which took an extra week to correct. We used 7 ply furniture ply (1/4″ thick) but made the mistake of sealing the insides before we painted it. The hot weather here (nearly 2 weeks of 90 plus degree weather and bright sun forced the moisture in the wood to cause hundreds of blisters in the glass cloth. I spent several days removing them with an exact knife followed by sealing each one with thinned out epoxy resin. The epoxy primer went over this nearly perfectly with only a little glazing putty touch-up. I applied 6 coats of light tan urethane paint over it and it looks like a piece of glass. Now we have to finish up the galley door followed by fender liners and on to the interior. We are shooting for a roll-out date late in August if all goes well. We got sidetracked for several weeks due to flooding in our basement which involved a new knee wall and french drains but now back to the trailer. My wife recently retired from a printing company and has access to custom cut vinyl graphics so that will really finish it off. Anyways, I have drawings of the trailer and construction drawings on 8 1/2 by 11 paper and can send them as a file or e-mail attachment to anyone who might be interested in building one. I will sort thru the hundreds of photos here to find the best ones and send them to your site shortly. We decided to name it RobLyn and use my company name (RJM Systems) on the build plate and graphics. Thanks much for your excellent site and for reading my ramblings-Bob M. My e-mail is [email protected].
I can’t believe some of the negative comments on this. And do some of you people EVER read the others’ questions/answers and the article before you fly off into Keyboard Land? Stop wasting the guy’s life and READ!! He’s too polite to tell you, so I did.
All I want is the instructions and what to buy. How can I get them? I really like this . I’d prefer a version with 10ft. length.
Nice build! I’m looking into building something very similar. How did you go about getting it certified, and serial numbered?
Has anyone heard from Bob at this email address recently? [email protected]
If not would anyone be willing to share the plans via email?
Thanks Kathy