A Design and Build Journal of How I Built my Tiny Teardrop Trailer

Tools & Materials

I started building my Zephyr in December and finished construction in July. I worked on this enjoyable project several evenings most weeks and often on my day off. I even took a few vacation days and spent several days-in-a-row working on the project. I didn't keep track of my hours because the joy of the project was in thinking about it, designing and building it.

I was able to build the Zephyr inside a shed which I used just for this purpose. I was grateful for this even though it was cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I was able to leave the project and my tools in a secure place without having to put it all away each time I stopped working on it. This was the real benefit of building my Teardrop indoors.

This is the epoxy product that I used as the final coat on the exterior. It was Epoxy Shield, made by Rustoleum. I was able to purchase this at my local True Value store.

Shop Tools (* Loaned to me.)
Angle “Square”*
Adjustable “T” Square
Bubble Level
“C” clamps*
Carpenter’s Quick Square
Deep Socket Set*
Ear Protectors
Framing Square*
Hammer
Hand Saw
Pocket Knife
Pocket Jig
Pliers
Safety Glasses
Screw Drivers
Scribe*
Socket Set
Soldering Iron
Spring Clamps
Tape Measure
Terminal Crimp Tool
Titanium Drill Bits *
Vise
Wire Cutter
Wire Stripper
Wood Clamps*
Work bench or saw horse* (2)

Power Tools
Air Compressor*
Air-powered Nail Gun*
Cordless Drills*
Hand Held Grinder*
Belt Sander *
Miter Saw*
Router*
Saber Saw*
Skill Saw
Table Saw*

Initial Stock Materials
Hardboard 4 x 8’ x ¼”
Oak Veneer 4 x 8’ x ¼”
Luan 4 x 8’ x ¼”
Plywood 4 x 8’ x 3/8”
Plywood 4 x 8’x ¼”
Plywood 4 x 8’ x ½”
Plywood 4 x 8’ x ¾”
Spruce 2 x 4” x 12’
Pine 1 x 4” x 6’
Pine 1 x 3” x 6’
Oak 4 x 6" x 6'

Hardware
Carriage Bolts 6” x 3/8”
Carriage Bolts 2 ½” x ¼”
Stainless Steel Lag Screws 4 x 3/8”
1½” Coarse Decking Screws
2½” Coarse Decking Screws
Brads for Nail Gun
Stainless steel flat hinge
Cab latches and handles w/ locks

Finish Materials
MinWax Red Oak Stain
Zinsser Bull’s Eye Amber Shellac
Household Paint (sitting around)
Spray Undercoating
Subfloor Construction Adhesive
Titebond III Waterproof Glue
Epoxy Shield
1 gal Snow Roof Premium Coating
1 gal Snow Roof Elasto-seal

Electrical
12 v DC Fuse Box
AC Circuit Breaker
“Square D” Breaker Box
Romex
GFI Outlet
12 Gauge Automotive Wire
10 Gauge Automotive Wire
12 v DC Cabin Lights
AC –DC Power Converter

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