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You’ll Enjoy Seeing This Man’s Tear Drop Camper Come to Life.

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

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I’m excited to show you how this man built his own DIY tear drop camper in only 2 months. No store bought, assembly-line camper for him.

This was the first time that he’d ever attempted something like this, but you’d think he was a pro.

Related: 4 Audacious and Creative DIY Teardrop Camper Build Ideas

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See the camper come to life through the photo tour below.

This Top Hat trailer looks much more substantial than the often-used Harbor Freight trailer.

This trailer looks much more substantial than the often-used Harbor Freight trailers

The slats create space for insulation under the main floor of the camper.

These slats create space for insulation under the main floor of the camper

After test-fitting the side walls, it was time to build out the frame.

After test fitting the side walls, it was time to built out the frame

He didn’t use any plans, and relied on his instincts in laying out the bracing.

He didn't use any plans, and relied on common good judgement in laying out the bracing

Many DIY builders forget the importance of insulation. Not him. The thick fiberglass insulation he used has a much higher R-value than foam board or foil-backed bubble wrap.

Many DIY builders forget the important of insulating their campers.

He even took the time to make curved bracing.

He even took the time to make curved bracing

Framing out the door.

Added two doors and the wiring

The walls were insulated with foam board to maximize interior space.

The walls have foam board insulation to keep them thin

Next came the cross members.

Next up came the cross members

Here he’s cutting a hole in the roof for the vent fan.

Cutting a hole in the roof for the vent fan

It’s starting to look like a camper!

No problems with ventilation in this tear drop camper

Setting and aligning the two doors.

Setting and aligning the two doors

Looks to be a good fit.

Looks to be a good fit

The camper has a traditional tear drop layout with a kitchen in the back.

The camper has a traditional tear drop layout with a rear kitchen

Jars and cans helped him get the shelving just right.

The food items helped him align the shelving

Some cubby storage boxes above the bed.

Some cubby storage boxes above the bed

Adding foam board insulation to the roof.

Adding foam board insulation to the roof

It wasn’t easy curving the thin sheets of plywood to fit flush with the sides.

It wasn't easy curving the thin sheets of plywood to fit flush

The first of three hatch back designs. He said it was difficult to align the hatch back correctly. Here he’s using spacers and clamps to keep things in place.

The first of three hatch back designs

But after he took the clamps off the wooden spine broke!

But after he took the clamps off the wooden spine broke!

He was so frustrated that he couldn’t work on the trailer for two whole months. After some research on the TNTTT Forum he found his solution: glueing together sheets of plywood for added strength.

Redesign of the hatchback made out of glued plywood

Doors on and vent in. Almost ready for the aluminum siding.

Almost ready for the aluminum siding

Cutting out the hole for the door.

Cutting out the hole for the door in the aluminum siding

Looks great after a bit of routing.

Looks great after a bit of routing

Forming the aluminum over the plywood frame.

Forming the aluminum over the plywood frame

Just a bit of trim work left.

Just a bit of trim work left

The inside is painted a dark brown. His Grandpa made the reading light holder in the corner.

Picture of the inside of a tear drop camper

Completed galley kitchen in the back.

Completed galley kitchen

First time out at Guadalupe River State Park.

First time out at Guadalupe River State Park

His girlfriend testing out the camper on their first trip.

Girl testing out a tear drop camper

The proud builder and his homemade tear drop camper.

Proud builder and his homemade tear drop camper

More resources:

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers Forum
4 Audacious and Creative DIY Teardrop Camper Build Ideas
DIY Teardrop Camper Made From Recycled Materials

Do you have a DIY remodel or homemade camper you’d like to share? Get in touch here.

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Images via Imgur
Source: Reddit




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