We're building a teardrop trailer!

Darling Husband has been crafting our own teardrop trailer by hand.

This spring, Darling Husband started a huge project. He is building us a teardrop trailer - from scratch.

Well, he did purchase the trailer base (so we wouldn't have to build one and get it certified by the government) and he's building the actual camper on top of that base.

Design
Darling Husband purchased a set of plans online. He is being quite honest that while they were great as a baseline to get started, he really has been making adjustments as he goes.

Darling Husband shaves off the styrofoam insulation so it's flush before he puts the aluminum skin on it.

I'm the designer on this project. But, my design requests are pretty simple. I wanted the teardrop to be curved as much as possible, including the doors, and I wanted it to be retro teal, inside and out. The hardware is going to be chrome to add to the retro feel. Other than that, he's in charge.

Timeline
Trailer construction started this spring, in April. We had the goal of having it road ready for a summer concert this summer at the Gorge, but last weekend the workers agreed not to rush it and push it out another month. We're anticipating that the majority of the work will be done by September.

Every moment of every weekend has been spent on the trailer and it's great to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The back has a full kitchen, with sliding drawers, electrical box and is storage (for now). It will have a camp oven when it's finished.

Cost
The trailer is expensive, but we priced it out and we save a couple thousand dollars by putting the work in ourselves. Plus, we get to choose all of the features - like my blue vintage-style camp cooler. We'll end up spending about $5,500 on it. You can purchase a similar trailer for $5,000-$14,000.

Goals
My goal right now is to get Darling Husband through this process without completely burning him out. He is extremely handy and he has been building it at my parents' lake place because my stepdad has the tools and the space.

Our ultimate goal is to build the trailer now when we're in a great place financially, to be able to open up a new world of travel and save money down the road. Hotel rooms are $100-$500 a night. Camp sites typically run around $30. This is considerable savings. There is a queen-sized mattress in our teardrop that is comfy (we slept in it Fourth of July Weekend). So, there's comfort in sleeping in our own bed each night on the road. Plus, our pup Ralphie can sleep with us in the trailer, whereas there are limited hotel rooms he can stay in.

Inside the sleeping area is room for a queen-sized mattress and storage shelf. Darling Husband is six-feet, seven-inches tall and he fits perfectly.

Our travel goals are to take the trailer on trips to Idaho and Montana. We haven't much explored these Pacific Northwest neighbors and a little camper out in the gorgeous parks will be a real treat.

Unexpected Outcomes
The greatest unexpected outcome is how this is bringing my family together. Like I said, Darling Husband is working on the trailer every weekend at my parents' house, and my stepdad has been helping tremendously. Darling Husband's dad and my Uncle Jeff have helped out as well.

For the first time, they're emailing each other throughout the week and really working together. This is priceless.

Verdict: The trailer is costing us more than we originally thought, but the new travel opportunities and how it is bringing my family together are amazing. I can't wait for it to be finished!