But first, a little backstory….

So we are finally here!  My very first update that has been nearly a year in the making.  For those of you who do not know, Beki and I have really came to LOVE camping since moving to Colorado.  We’ve done tent camping, Mom & Gerald’s RV camping, and now it is finally time for us to do something unique and special that suits our particular needs.  We have no desire for some big RV that will require tons of money and a huge parking space.  We also do not want to have to buy a truck just so we can then buy a trailer to haul… so is there an alternative for a family with only a 4 cylinder car and limited trunk space?  Yep!  And here are some examples: 




Now that we know it is possible, where do we go from here? 
Option 1:  buy one. 
                Looking at anywhere from $2,000 to $6500… yeah not so much!  
Option 2:  build one. 
                Spend as little or as much as you’d like.  I like the price tag of option 2
                and intrigue/romance of the adventure of making one with my bare hands! 
                How awesome… right?!
There are so many styles and colors and shapes and options out there.  Do yourself a favor and google “Teardrop trailer”  or “Benroy teardrop” or “Weekender trailer” or “Little Guy Trailer” .. I promise you that something inside of you will be screaming I WANT ONE TOO JASON!!
So now that we are all on the same page... 
What will mine look like?  To be honest I am not 100 percent sure yet.  I have several different designs, blueprints, material lists, etc already.. but my hope is that it is something that will naturally take shape as I go along.  It will be a fun adventure and I hope you enjoy the story with us.
Regardless of the design, one thing is consistent- you need a trailer to build upon. Again options:


Option 1:  Harbor Freight

1720 Lb. Capacity Super Duty Utility Trailer, 48" x 96" Only: $459.99 Sale: $354.99

Made in China.. assemble yourself.  Seems kinda cheesy to me, especially the wheels.  I don’t want it to fall apart on me, even though it is “super duty.”

Option 2:  Local Trailer Dealer

Used “Big Tex” 60” x 96” Utility Trailer $935.00

American Made. All steel construction.  Removable rails.  All ready to go.  Would make for a great camper.. but definite ouchy on the price tag!

Option 3:  Craigslist!
Guess which I went with?


Beki and I love Craigslist.  June of last year I found a heck of a deal at a local storage facility.  Custom built, rigid all steel frame, brand new full size tires… ready for this?  $250.00!  You betcha I swooped up on that one!



Oh, I forgot to mention that our 2008 Kia Spectra didn’t come from the factory with a hitch and wiring package, but $60.00 later I picked them up at a Ma & Pa trailer shop and $15 at Harbor Freight for some magnetic lights and we were in business!  So yeah, installed hitch, picked up trailer, parked it in the garage.. and realized that garage wasn’t gonna work.  So I demolished the old dilapidated shed in our backyard and built a new and improved one!




And there our dream of building a trailer has sat… collecting dust (and snow)… until this past weekend. 
Construction has started!  It will continue on weekends only.  For that is the rule of building a “Weekender.”  Expect to see the results posted very soon of last weekend’s work!
But now I must sleep.  Working nights stinks.

- J



Total money spent so far:
250   Trailer
60     Hitch and Accessories
15     Magnetic Trailer Light Kit
--------
$325.00