DIY Feature - Sarah and Rick Stone
Sarah and Rick were tired of tent camping, sleeping on the ground, and filling the car with bins of gear. That’s when they decided it was time to take on a teardrop build.
Sarah and Rick built their teardrop in Cincinnati OH using our DIY Vaga Kit and Custom Trailer Frame. Here’s some insight on their build!
What made you want to build a tiny camper?
We got tired of tent camping and sleeping on the ground, sorting through and filling the car with bins of gear, and always ending up with something wet or dirty we’d have to deal with when we got home.
What was your experience level with the skills required to build a camper (wood working, electrical, metal work, etc.) when you started?
I am the organizer and planner, and Rick knows how to use all the tools. Together, we have a lot of experience with homeowner projects/renovations, so basic woodworking and electrical was not new to us. However, we have never done anything like building a roadworthy vehicle!
What was the first step in your build?
We followed all of the Wander Tears social media posts for months, and decided the new Vaga Kit was perfect for us!
What was your favorite part of the build?
Assembling all the big kit pieces and seeing the teardrop shape come together. And attaching the aluminum to the sides was pretty satisfying!
What was the most difficult part of the build?
We had a little bit of trouble getting our hatch lined up just right for a perfect seal, but we got figured out!
How long has it taken you?
Just under 4 months from the date we brought home the kit+trailer to the date of our maiden voyage!
If you're comfortable sharing, what was the total cost of the build?
$13k, which includes the custom trailer frame from Wander Tears and Vaga kit.
Would you do anything differently?
Nope! The Vaga kit and plans have all the basic features we wanted. We may add on some things later as we discover what our needs are.
What has been the best part of owning a tiny camper?
Adventures together! We want to travel more and spend less money on lodging and cleaning fees. We’re excited to find beautiful places and explore the diverse landscapes of this country.
Any tips for someone that wants to build a tiny camper but doesn’t know where to start?
Buy the plans in advance and have some time to review them, make custom adjustments as needed, all before getting to work.
How did using Wander Tears DIY plans and having the resources provided affect your build process and time?
We spent a lot of time trying to decide what plans to use and what features to incorporate. Using the Wander Tears plans eliminated all the decision making. We chose to follow the plans as-is and keep our build as simple as possible. The private Facebook group for Wander Tears DIYers was a huge resource! More builders join regularly and the combined knowledge base of the Wander Tears plans was so helpful!
“Travel is an investment in yourself.”
Looking to build a DIY Teardrop Trailer of your own? Check out our detailed DIY plans to get started now and adventuring sooner!