Teardrop Trailer
We took some time this spring to build a teardrop trailer, designed by Chesapeake Light Craft. It comes in a CNC cut kit. Assembly is a little involved, but it comes with a step by step instruction manual that makes the process straight forward. The camper shell is built from thin okume plywood, puzzle scarfed to length and stitch and glue assembled, sheathed in fiberglass for strength and weatherproofing. The shell can be mounted on a wide variety of small boat and utility trailers. We opted for a lightweight aluminum Trailex trailer customized to the footprint of the the teardrop shell. I spent a few weeks this summer living out of it – it’s dry, cozy, and with a six inch mattress is a big step up from tent camping. Over the winter we’ll finish out the interior and add a foam headliner to give it a little insulation and reduce condensation.
If you would like us to build you one, get in touch! We will build the shell and mount in onto an appropriate trailer you provide (you can order the Trailex trailer from Chesapeake Light Craft and have it shipped direct to our shop). As of 2023, we charge $18,000 for the base shell, plus add-ons like the galley shelves, storage box, or a custom electrical system.
In the building jig
In the building jig
Installing the galley flat
Rolling over
Rolled over
Fiberglass
Bezel for a roof vent hatch
Cutting out the hatch
Closing up the transom
Glassing the bottom
Bottom glassed
Priming the bottom
Painting the bottom
Gluing door sills
A flock of hinges
Preparing to install hinges
Hatch installed
Varnishing
Onto the trailer frame
Mounting on the trailer frame
Mounting on the trailer frame
Mounting on the trailer frame
Installed on the trailer frame
Fabricating the galley shelves
Galley shelving installed
Parked at home
Ready to deploy
Camp site
Breakfast time
Cozy in the rain
