Builder Feature - Barbara Owens First Adventure

Building a teardrop camper from scratch takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn. For this builder from Vancouver, British Columbia, the result was a camper that has already completed a six-week trip across Canada and inspired countless conversations along the way.

Where are you located?

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

What made you want to build a tiny camper?

Travel. They were just too expensive to buy.

What was your experience level with the skills required to build a camper (woodworking, electrical, metal work, etc.) when you started?

I've done lots of carpentry and mechanical work, so that was ok. Very little electrical experience (none with 12v).

What was the first step in your build?

I had the frame custom welded, so choosing where to do that was important. Great West Welding did a great job.

What was your favorite part of the build?

The woodworking and finishing details.

What was the most difficult part of the build?

Electrical.

How long did it take?

2 years.

If you're comfortable sharing, what was the total cost of the build?

About $15,000.

Tell us about your first big adventure.

It was the mother of all shake out trips.

We just finished traveling across Canada for six weeks and saw fabulous things.

The camper weighs 1,550 lbs loaded, and the car is rated for 1,500, so I figured we were good to go. The tongue weight is 12.5%, which is absolutely perfect.

I have a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross with the manual transmission option. I learned how to use it and then did that going up and down the hills. It worked great. It towed like a dream.

What surprised you most once you started traveling?

There were so many women who came over to ask about it and talk. Women were genuinely interested in it and wanted to know more about it.

The fact they could pull it with a car, and lock the doors at night, really stood out to them.

I love it. It's super comfy.

Did you run into any issues?

The doors leaked in heavy rain while driving. It pulls in through the weep holes, so I sealed them with the plumbing putty Sarah Stone is using. That part is still a work in progress.

Would you do anything differently?

I would have welded the supports for the fenders to the frame when it was built first. But it turned out ok.

I would like to add a few things, but won't until I buy a new tow vehicle, which is not in the budget.

What has been the best part of owning a tiny camper?

Traveling across Canada for six weeks and seeing fabulous things.

Any tips for someone who wants to build a tiny camper but doesn't know where to start?

Buy the plans. Watch the videos.

How did using Wander Tears DIY plans and having the resources provided help your build process?

I couldn't have done this without the plans, videos, and support from the groups.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I did the majority of the work myself. It might inspire other women to take it on.

You don't have to be an electrical expert to build a camper. I wasn't. I learned along the way, and the plans, videos, and community made it possible.