Zach Engle built his own teardrop trailer a year and a half ago. He calls it a convertible because you can open and close the roof.
So here’s a quick introduction to Teardrop Trailers for you in case you’re not familiar with them! Teardrops are great because they’re inexpensive, easy to store and great on gas. They keep things simple and it’s a big upgrade from tent camping because you won’t have to worry about leaks and such. They can be as light as 600lb and some are even small enough to be towed by motorcycles. This means the car you already drive is strong enough to pull one of these little recreational vehicles.
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Details on this Homemade Teardrop Camper
Photos Courtesy of Zach Engle
This little travel trailer is unique because it’s a convertible. This way you can open up parts of it for ventilation if you wanted to. You’ll find all the details for it below.
- Built on a 1720lb Harbor Freight trailer
- It has 12″ wheels
- 3/4″ oak plywood used on the sides
The wood is sealed with CPES, protected with Kilz primer and top-coated with Rustoleum High Performance Enamel.
The roof bars that are exposed are red oak and sealed with spar urethane.
Let’s go over the rest of the details below.
- Weighs approximately 800lbs
- Tongue weight is about 100lbs
- Removable roof material is marine grade white vinyl
- Factory style doors have sliding windows and are 26″ by 32″
You’ll find custom LED lighting outside, inside, and in the galley. These lights can be remote controlled using a key-less remote just like some cars have.
- 4″ memory foam mattress
- Secret under-floor storage box
- Lockable tongue box
- 23″ tongue extension
- Custom curtains all around
It’s wired for 12VDC to be powered by your towing vehicle or a separate deep cycle battery which is not included. In the main cabin and the galley the outlets are 110V.
How to Build a Teardrop Camper just like this one!
Zach has created and is offering you a 44 page Teardrop Camper Construction Plans which details exactly how the this tiny travel trailer was built. (Sorry, no longer available).
More Pictures
All Photos Courtesy of Zach Engle
What do you think about building a teardrop camper like this for yourself?
If you enjoyed Zach’s teardrop, you’ll love our free daily tiny house newsletter with more!
Alex
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Actually, it was the Saltire colour design that caught m’eye first!
Well done; and good job.
Thanks for reading Robert!
At $2500.00, I think it will sell quickly, especially for such a cool little camper; IMO (target buyer might be some one who is down sizing and loves to go camping). 🙂
I too live in an apartment and no place to store it; otherwise, it would be very tempting. 🙂
For this cutie,I would beg a friend to park in her back yard, or park at a storage unit! ?
Thanks for the comments about the convertible guys! Its actually been sold to a girl from Alabama who is driving 13 hours to come pick it up!
Thank you to Alex as well, for featuring my convertible on this great website! Keep up the awesome work!
-Zach
Whats the cost in materials?
What is the purpose of the 23″ tongue extension?
Thanks Zach. Glad you sold it. I thought it was a great deal. I’m sure she’ll be happy with it!
Saw the homemade tear drop trailer you made and have to say it looks well made. Realize that this one was sold; would you consider making another one to sell? Thanks, Barb. from New York
I would love a purple topless tear drop camper!!!
Very nice! It looks really well made and would be a ton of fun to camp in!
To see the “Ultimate” hand built all wood and brass teardrop go to the ORVIS HQ in Manchester VT. Absolutely GORGEOUS and full of ideas for those who might want to build or commission one. I am not sure if they have pics on their web site but if you ask I am sure they would send you some.
Too big to pull with a motorcycle–we know we asked!!!!—and pretty expensive but loaded with a full kitchen; plumbing; lights; bed and more. Fit and finish are better than most houses I have seen–real Master Craftsman stuff here.
There are a few other newer teardrops being built that are lightweight and adorable for a weekender and come in bright colors—or you can build it yourself and use a 5 gallon pail with a spigot for water and a Coleman propane stove and a cooler for a fridge. Very do-able—there are Instructables on how to do this. Love the convertible aspect tho!!!!!
Yes! It is beautiful! Are you taking orders? Thanks, Susan in Asheville
Alex or Zach,
Most of these comments seem to be from wanna-bees like me. I’m finally free after 10 years of taking care of family responsibilities. Would there be any openings in your construction department so a serious wanna-bee like me could learn how to properly build his own tiny camper trailer?
Wow I dont think I have ever seen another house on wheels or camp trailor on any of theese sites that has had such a great responce for orders I think that you should carefully think about taking some of these orders and building a few more .You cant go wrong if they are serious and you dont make some bad choices during the building and selling just make sure you get enough down on tbe order to pay for the materials at least . I do have a question those circles beside each of the doors what are they? Thank you
I built one of these last spring and used it all summer and it was great. I live in Colorado and we towed it up and down the Rockies with a Subaru Outback (4 cyl.) with no problem. Towed great at interstate speeds also. Now for the bad news. Be very careful what you put on the roof of your car. We put a luggage box on top of our car for a longer trip and it did weird things to the air flow over the trailer. It caused the top to tear off of the snaps. I ended up having to duct tape the top down to get through the rest of the trip. Tore up the vinyl so badly that I had to replace the top. No luggage carrier, no problem.
The link to plans seems dead. Is there another link or can I get the plans emailed?
I just checked the link, seems the site which provides the plans is temporarily down. 🙁 Hopefully it will be up and working soon so we can get you a copy. Thanks for letting us know about the link! 🙂
Links are not working again… 🙂
Anyone knows someone that takes orders for truck campers handmade of wood??
The link is still down several days later. Can we get a link to the plans somewhere else?
Anywhere I can get the plans? These links are all broken
Sorry, Wines. I’m afraid this post is nearly 6 years old. He must have taken down the website that had the plans.
Would like to make one of your trailers . Where do I go to get the plans on line