How To Build a Teardrop Camper

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Teardrop campers were first manufactured in the 1930's. These ultra-compact camping trailers are typically made of plywood with an aluminum exterior covering. Because teardrop campers generally measure between 4 to 5 feet wide, 8 to 10 feet long, they can be towed by virtually any size vehicle. Campers can rest comfortably inside the camping trailer during a camping excursion. Its small size makes them easy to store inside a garage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step 1

Obtain a trailer on which you will mount your teardrop.

Step 2

Lay down the foundation. Lay out the wood frame (the outer border of the trailer) and the cross braces like a ladder that has a rung at the top and bottom. Secure to the metal frame at a distance of no greater than two feet. Insulate the trailer with Styrofoam sheets.

Step 3

Construct the sides of the camper into a "teardrop" shape. Fit both sides to the base and secure with brackets or bolts. Attach a cross brace that extends from wall to wall. Measure the connection points for the cross brace so it lines up at similar points on the inside of each wall. Secure with brackets and bolts.

Step 4

Add a door so that the opening edge faces out from the back of the trailer. Seal the door with a small roll of fiberglass insulation.

Step 5

Cover the cross braces with fiber-board to increase its strength. It must extend across the length of the trailer.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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