DIY Feature - Jeff & Jess

Features

May 5

Wanting to travel off grid and be able to unhitch and drive places from a central campsite, the teardrop seemed like a perfect fit for Jeff and his fiancés lifestyle.

Jeff and Jess are almost finished with their DIY Vaga build in Wisconsin. Here’s what Jeff had to say!

What made you want to build a tiny camper?

My fiancé and I have been interested in something that will allow us to travel off grid and around the country for a while. We were originally interested in a camper van, but liked the idea of being able to unhitch and drive places from a central campsite and the tear drop seemed like a good fit for our lifestyle.

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

My build experience when starting was minimal to none, and the skills I did have required a large amount of rust to be removed. I had taken several years of wood shop classes in high school and enjoyed them very much. I love wood working, but haven’t had the time or money to invest into it over the years. So this camper build made me excited to have the chance to work on these skills even more. My job as an electrical grid operator gives me the knowledge of electrical systems, but I have never wired anything myself, so it was a bit to grab hold of at first - but once I got going it seemed to go smoothly. Metal working skills are what I lack the most of. I have never worked with metal and the thought of it makes me very nervous for some reason. With the aluminum being the next step in my build I am very nervous to begin.

What was the first step in your build?

The first step in our build was to acquire the trailer frame from Danny and Paige in SC. We wanted a solid foundation to get started on, and as I mentioned before metal work made me nervous. So the idea of have to make adjustments to a trailer frame myself was a non starter. After hauling this back to Wisconsin, we started on the floor frame and the table box insert. The table box insert was truly one of the biggest headaches for us haha.

What was your favorite part of the build?

The favorite part of the build for me has been the chance to work with my hands. I love to do DIY projects and these camper plans have given me the opportunity to move swiftly along with minimal hiccups to build something I can be proud of. More specifically though, I have enjoyed the problem solving process that has been involved in the build process when mistakes are made (mostly self inflicted haha). While the messing up has not been fun - it feels good to come up with a solution on the fly and make things move forward.

What was the most difficult part of the build?

While we are not complete yet - thus far, the most difficult part has been the walls (specifically exterior). I messed up the measurements of the curve and the overall length when I cut it out and had to add some pieces to it after I got it on. I hope it will not be a huge deal to the structural integrity of the camper over its lifetime!

How long did it take you?

We started on the build the last week in April and have worked most weekends up until now. However our build site is 2 1/2 hours away at my parents, so the drive has restricted us a bit. Though with 15 total days of work under our belts we have a naked camper - ready for the aluminum and hatch next!

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

As of today, with 95% of the purchases made, we are clocking in at around $9,158. We have a few small purchases to make yet, but we should come in around $9500. This puts us over the video pricing model, but one of our biggest expenses was the trailer frame, which should be well worth it. As for the rest, I would like to chalk it up the inflation haha.

Would you do anything differently?

I would not take the time to put the table stand box in the floor frame, That was easily one of the biggest headaches and I do not picture us using it more than a few times a year haha. Other than this I have been very satisfied with the decisions we have made and the timeline we are on.

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

We are looking forward to having the freedom and ease of accessibility the teardrop will provide for us. Being able to be set up so quickly will incredibly valuable on both weekend trips and cross country. Additionally, we cannot forget our pup - who doesn't do so well in tents. We are hoping this will provide a cozier shelter that will make her, and us more comfortable on the road.

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

Do not worry about any of the skills you do not have. This seems like a tall task at first glance, but getting started is the hardest part. Any aspects or skills you do not have figured out will be figured out along the way. Having these plans will be a big aid in that learning process, but there is not better experience than trial and error. Some of the mistakes I have made, and fixed, are proof that no mistake is to large to overcome. Best of Luck!

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

I cannot say enough how incredibly helpful the plans have been for us along the journey. I knew we found something special with the plans when I first saw them, but I could not imagine they would be this valuable. Beyond the immense time saving sin research and planning - the plans and build community has given us a sense of security as we take on each step.. Having an understanding of how each piece of the puzzle fits together helps to get that warm fuzzy in the stomach before you even start a step.