DIY Feature - Caitlin and Aimee Menne (Updated)

Features

Sep 12

After a few months of contemplating, Caitlin and Aimee decided a teardrop build was the right choice for them. They loved the convenience, luxury, and security that the camper provides over a tent. Caitlin and Aimee decided to fast track their build and purchased a Wander Tears trailer frame and Vaga Kit. After about 2 months of work, they have a teardrop!

Luckily, traveling short distances to find a camping spot is easy for them. They often enjoy a weeknight camp where they leave after work and return before work the next morning. They keep the camper ready to go so they can just hit the road. Last year, they logged 16 nights of camping. They’ve even begun an annual camp weekend with their parents!

Cailtlin and Aimee built their DIY Vaga in Colorado using the Vaga Kit and trailer frame.

What made you want to build a tiny camper?

Camping and getting out into nature have been essential to us. We wanted a setup that allowed us a more extended camping season and was more durable than a tent. We wanted to be able to 'go,' and having a teardrop of our own allows for that. We both enjoyed the challenge of trying to build a teardrop ourselves.

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

.Advanced beginners, if that's a rating. We both were comfortable around tools and building, but we needed the DIY plans to get us through. We have no experience with metalwork, and we bought our trailer made directly from WT.

What was the first step in your build?

Our first step was emailing Wander Tears at least a year ago to understand better the commitment involved and decide if we could pull it off. After considerable contemplation, we decided to go for it and ordered the plans around Thanksgiving 2022. We ordered the trailer at the beginning of 2023, got all our parts together around June 2023, and started building the floor at that same time.

What was your favorite part of the build?

The significant steps to give it more shape and seem so much closer to the final build. For example, getting the walls and cabinets in, the aluminum on, and the hatch built were all extremely satisfying.

How long did it take you?

Once we started building, and not just buying materials, it took us about two months to build. We spent many days past midnight working on it. It could have been much quicker, but many steps of the way, we were figuring out what we were doing and often had to redo our steps. (remember, there's always a solution!)

Would you do anything differently?

No. It was impeccable timing for WT to introduce the kits as we were getting started. It was the perfect solution for DIYers like us. It also saved us a tremendous amount of time.

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

We love the convenience, luxury, and security that the camper provides over a tent.

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

Wander tears make it so accessible to DIY. Thoroughly read through plans and know how to plan for steps ahead. We purchased our trailer, a kit, and the DIY plans from WT. We have a much better product as a result.

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

We would be so lost without the WT plans, groups, and other resources for help along the way.

Have you made any post-build upgrades or modifications?

Nothing major. We installed a few 3M hooks inside to hang coats, keys, and hats. We added accessories to make camping more comfortable, like the Dometic jug and water faucet for handwashing and dishes. We also have reflective Velcro window covers that fit the door windows perfectly, which has really helped block out the daytime sun and provide coverage at night.

Has your teardrop camper sparked any memorable encounters or unexpected conversations on the road?

We love telling people we built our camper. Everyone is interested in hearing about the build process, timeline, and costs. We also really enjoy seeing other teardrops out in the wild.

Now that you’ve spent more time using the camper, what feature or design choice are you most proud of?

Can I say, "all of it"? We have imperfections, but we're truly proud of the build we completed. We’re particularly glad we included the floor table; it’s something we set up frequently.