A wintertime project will bring summertime adventures for years to come

Over the winter, Steve Johnston built a teardrop trailer. Here’s a Q&A exchange with him about the process.

Q: Why did you decide to build a teardrop trailer?

A: A culmination of things came together that pushed me into giving this a try. I’ve always liked the idea of a teardrop trailer — having a quick and simple means of just getting away for a night or two was the main draw.

I hate winter. It’s dark at 5 … it’s cold outside … I would always get depressed when I would get home after work because I felt there wasn’t anything to do. I needed a winter project.

My dad originally purchased the little 4-foot by 8-foot flatbed trailer kit that you use as the base for most teardrops back when he was battling cancer. He said just having a challenge as small as putting that trailer together was maybe the best thing for him at the time.

After he passed away, the little flatbed trailer just sat outside and I wanted to do something with it.

Q: How did you begin the process (where did you get the blueprints, etc.)?

A: I did lots of research on the internet looking at homemade teardrops. It’s eye-opening to see how varied the styles can be and just how fancy some people make them. I wanted to make something that wouldn’t cost too much, not be too complicated to build, but I also wanted something unique.

There are several companies out there that offer plans, kits and parts to build your own teardrop. There are lots of people who share their build projects in blogs and YouTube videos that I found very helpful.

I ended up getting plans from a company called Big Woody Campers. You get a 153-page booklet with step-by-step instructions, but the plans also allow for a lot of customization on the builder’s part throughout the process.

Q: When did you start building the teardrop trailer?

A: I began building the camper last fall.

Q: How long did it take to build?

A: It took pretty much all winter to complete the camper. I would work on it an hour or two after work and then on weekends when I could. Some of the steps proved to be tedious — most finished wood pieces required 8 coats of spar varnish.

I had it done and ready to go at the beginning of the summer.

Q: Where did you get the supplies?

A: Most of the supplies came from local lumber yards. The aluminum sheet metal for the top and hatch came from Production Machine. Specialty parts, like the windows and door trims were ordered from Big Woody Campers.

Q: Was it easier than you expected? Or more difficult?

A: It was difficult to commit to the project at first, but once I got started I loved every second that I spent working on it.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced?

A: My biggest challenge was heating my garage throughout the winter. My wife, Charissa, was very gracious and parked her vehicle outside all winter so I could utilize all of the garage space. She did have one caveat — she made me promise that I would go outside and scrape the frost off her window and start her car each morning before she left for work.

Wiring the camper for both 12-volt and 110-volt use had me scratching my head at times.

Q: Had you built anything like this before?

A: I’ve never built anything this extensive before. I’ve built shelves and other small things to use around the house. It truly was a lesson in patience — I just made myself take time to do it right.

Q: What are the dimensions of the trailer? How much does it weigh?

A: Overall the trailer is 4-foot-by 8-foot. The interior sleeping compartment allows someone 6-foot 3-inches to stretch all the way out. It weighs around 900 lbs — which is nice because it can be pulled with just about any vehicle.

Q: When/where did you first take it camping? How did it go?

A: I took it up the North Fork to Wapiti Campground for the maiden voyage at the beginning of the summer.

Q: Would you encourage other people to tackle a project like this if they have considered building something like it?

A: I would definitely recommend others to consider a custom-built teardrop. Several people have stopped me to look at the camper and each has suggested things they’d like to do if they had one.

Q: What are the advantages to building it yourself versus buying one?

A: There is a sense of pride you get when you finish a project like this that will be seen by many as you pull it to camp spots. I got to put my personal touch on every square inch of this trailer and build it just as I wanted.

This project has definitely sparked my thinking of what I might be able to build next.

Q: Do you plan to take it on more adventures?

A: My wife has mentioned that we should take a week or two next summer and plan a road trip to anywhere the roads may take us. I think that would be great.

The opportunity for adventure is the reason I built the little teardrop in the first place.