DIY Feature - Tobin Brown
Like most of us, Tobin wanted more comfort than a tent but still have the ability to move campsites without taking down a tent every time.
Tobin started building his own DIY Vaga in Lincoln, Nebraska.
What made you want to build a tiny camper?
Wanted more comfort than a tent and the ability to move campsite without taking down a tent every time!
What was your experience level with the skills required to build a camper (wood working, electrical, metal work, etc.) when you started?
This is my 3rd woodworking project, and probably the biggest (cutting curves was new). I have no experience with metalworking, so I had a local welder build the frame. I have a decent amount of experience with electrical, but new to 12v.
What was the first step in your build?
The first step I did was building the floor, and then it sat in my garage for 2 months while I waited on the trailer
What was your favorite part of the build?
Assembling all the cabinets after painstakingly cutting them all out, finished and pre-assembling them. It was really cool to see it all take shape at once
What was the most difficult part of the build?
So far, installing the interior roof was the most difficult part, I had to trim the 5' sheet down (it was 1/4" too long) and that was a pain, I ended up doing it with a skil saw. And of course that cut wasn't perfectly straight so lining up the seam was difficult.
How long did it take you?
It has taken 2 months so far, and I'm moving on to the electrical system before putting the roof skin on.
How much did it cost?
All together (with tools as well), about 10k, including 2.5k for the trailer to be built for me.
Would you do anything differently?
Take a little more time practicing the curve cuts, they're not perfect so I'm a little worried about getting the hatch to work.
What has been the best part of owning a tiny camper?
Looking forward to camping all next year!
Any tips for someone that wants to build a tiny camper but doesn’t know where to start?
How did using Wander Tears DIY plans and having the resources provided affect your build process and time?
I've been following the plans almost exactly, and I've watched the youtube videos multiple times along the way.
“Daring to plunge into the unknown may very well land you in paradise.” ”
Looking to build a DIY Teardrop Trailer of your own? Check out our detailed DIY plans to get started now and adventuring sooner!