DIY Feature - Andrew

Oct 21

Andrews reason for wanting a teardrop is one of the main reasons we built ours, convenience! He always thought that it would be so convenient to go camping at a moments notice, with everything already packed in the trailer.

Andrew built his teardrop in Toronto, using our DIY Renegade plans. Here’s some insight on his build!

What made you want to build a tiny camper?

I decided to build a teardrop camper after seeing photos/videos online and seeing tiny campers when I went camping. I’ve always thought that it would be so convenient to go camping at a moments notice, with everything already packed in the trailer.

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

I have an engineering background with good experience with welding, woodworking, metal fabrication, machining, and electrical.

What was the first step in your build?

The first step to my build was to fabricate the trailer frame. From there, I followed the step by step Wander Tears Renegade plans.

What was your favorite part of the build?

The favorite part of my build was when I completed the installation of all the aluminum trim and mounted the hatch. To me, this meant the project was nearing completion.

What was the most difficult part of the build?

The most difficult part of my build was sourcing materials. I had difficulties sourcing aluminum sheets for the roof at a reasonable price in the size and dimensions listed in the plans. I was unable to source painted aluminum sheets in the correct size, so I opted to finish the sides of the camper with ACM (Aluminum Composite Material). ACM is a great option that is available in many different colors.

How long did it take you?

The build took approximately 35 days with most of the work being completed on the weekend.

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

Approximately 6500 CAD.

Would you do anything differently?

I had painted the underside of the camper with an oil based paint. I would have changed this by installing waterproofing membrane as well.

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

The best part of owning the teardrop camper has been the ability to have everything already packed and ready to go. Having a fullsize queen to sleep on has also been pretty awesome! I am looking forward to extending my camping season into the cooler fall months where I would have otherwise not done if I were tent camping.

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

Buy the plans and join the Wander Tears Build community on Facebook. The group is a great resource for instruction as well as connecting with others who are in the build process or have completed a build.

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

The plans really help accelerate the build process with all the critical dimensions and cut lists already figured out. This definitely reduced the possibility of making mistakes and material waste.