Building Your Own Travel Trailer?

MrWizard wrote:
several yrs ago, one guy on here, built his own 5th wheel,
it turned out great, he did not save any money
but he got exactly the features and layout that he wanted, and with a build quality that would be hard to find in a production unit

most of us just buy then modify

I believe this is the DIY project Mr Wizard is referring to.

A couple of other perks for using a mfg. trailer and remodeling rather than building are: Licensing may be cheaper (especially true if your State uses value as the basis for licensing), insurance may be available and cheaper than a DIY effort.
FWIW, I did the same as GDE and used a damaged trailer as my blank canvas. I am happy with the result.

davidshq wrote:
I stumbled across this article over at DIYRV: http://www.doityourselfrv.com/diy-camper-trailer-budget/

They took a pop-up trailer, stripped it down to its frame and then built a new one on top. It appears that this is not entirely unheard of - folks taking trailers and rebuilding them or starting from the ground up...

What I'm wondering is, what are the legalities of all this? If one were to build a TT, would one need to have certain legal reviews done to ensure it was road worthy, etc.?

Dave

Since you and I are in PA I can give you some tips..

If you have a good title which matches the frame VIN you can pretty much do what you want with it provided you keep the width under 102".

However you should be careful about the weights, in other words don't take a popup frame under 3K lbs then expand it, add dual 3.5K axles.. and run with 6K or 7K loads with a title of under 3K lbs which has different rules..

Under 3K lbs no inspection is needed and electric brakes are optional, over 3K you WILL be required a yearly state inspection AND must have electric brakes..

You also must follow all outside lighting requirements in order to pass state inspection (IE marker lights must be in proper places and in correct quantities for length)..

Rebuilding, you have two options for titling, leaves as the manufacturer or if you have highly modified the exterior which hides any way of identifying the OEM brand name you could apply for a special construction trailer..

The slippy slope of special construction is you must provide proof of purchase of ALL major components (axles, frame, ect)..

I would only go special construction if you want to erase the OEM name and date of manufacture from the title..

Building a trailer from scratch in PA is a real hassle for getting a title.. It can be done but you will have a lot of hoops to jump through.. Reusing a trailer frame with legit title gets around the hassle..

A quick rundown on PA titling goes like this..

You must have receipts for all major components (axles, springs, frame material and possibly the box)..

You must make sure you understand all requirements in size (width and length).

You must understand all exterior lighting requirements and place the markers in the proper placement.

For ALL trailers over 3K lbs GVWR you must follow the steps below..

Once trailer is built you then must find an inspection station which inspects trailers (not all do) AND one that is willing to pre inspect your work AND be willing to fillout all the proper forms (not all will be willing to do this).

You MUST take your home built creation to that inspection station (without any title, plates or inspection sticker) for them to perform the preinspection and the mechanic must fill out all the paperwork.. You MUST provide FOUR STRAIGHT ON PHOTOS OF ALL SIDES that must be sent in with the same paperwork the mechanic fills out..

You must pay the mechanic and pay the fees for the titling process upfront..

Then you wait.

And hope that your paperwork does not get rejected..

If you get a title only then can you get a plate (pay some more money)..

Once you have a plate then you will need to go back to the inspection station and have another inspection done in order to get the sticker (and pay the mechanic again)..

I chose rebuilding a used trailer, I was going to build from scratch by having a custom trailer builder build and title a frame for me then I would build the box to suit me.

I found a great deal on a badly water damaged trailer in the length I wanted and bought it..

HERE is my rebuild which was basically gutting inside and out.. Leaving only the floor, walls and roof framing.. Took nearly three years but it is they way we want it.

I chose to leave the title in the OEM name and year to keep things simple.

profdant139 wrote:
The other issue is whether the chassis is sufficiently beefy. A hard-side trailer is a lot heavier than a pop-up, with a higher center of gravity. It would ruin your day if the trailer were to come apart on the highway.

This is a very important point if you do the build. I reinforced most of the frame on the one I rebuilt so the weight increase was ok and I put a 3500 lb axle under it. I went from about 1700 to 2400 total weight. The old trailer was sticks and aluminum, the rebuild was 1/4 luan inside and out and most all of it was double coated with Rot Doctor 2 part epoxy. I wouldn't consider any wood trailer/tear drop etc that's made of wood and not epoxy seal it or some similar product. That stuff is incredible. If you use alum or filon still treat any wood that has any chance of water contact.

several yrs ago, one guy on here, built his own 5th wheel,
it turned out great, he did not save any money
but he got exactly the features and layout that he wanted, and with a build quality that would be hard to find in a production unit

most of us just buy then modify

The other issue is whether the chassis is sufficiently beefy. A hard-side trailer is a lot heavier than a pop-up, with a higher center of gravity. It would ruin your day if the trailer were to come apart on the highway.

It's all about what your goal is.
- If you enjoy a project, go for it. As others have said, if it isn't blatently dangerous, no one will say anything.
- If you think you will save money or turn a profit, forget it. Far easier to find a used RV that will be better equiped for less than you will pay in the end for a DIY.

I have built several utility trailers. In Indiana the DMV will issue you a VIN to affix to the trailer. As stated each state will have their own rules.

Chris Bryant wrote:

rjxj wrote:
...just find a used trailer that does not have water damage ...

Geez- don't forget the Unicorn, which would be easier to find :)

I agree it is a state by state issue. Not hard to do, but each state is different.

Lol. Good point but that's the job at hand. Don't be in a hurry is probably number one.

rjxj wrote:
...just find a used trailer that does not have water damage ...

Geez- don't forget the Unicorn, which would be easier to find :)

I agree it is a state by state issue. Not hard to do, but each state is different.