The Handmade Teardrop Trailer

Follow along with Matt Berger as he designs and builds a classic teardrop trailer in his garage, using mostly his own shop tools and locally sourced materials.

He begins with a history of the iconic camper trailer in America and shares stories and advice from contemporary teardrop trailer builders. He explores a number of teardrop designs, describes trailer parts from the frame to the electrical systems, and provides measured drawings and a list of construction materials, tools and supplies for his own design.

Berger poses key questions to ask when choosing a trailer frame and describes how to build a platform base and a raised bed box. He leads you step-by-step through his project, from building the interior cabinetry and framing the room and walls to installing the exterior siding, trim and hardware, and finishing. A concluding section on owning and operating a teardrop trailer includes topics on licensing, tow vehicle capacity and safety.

Supplemented with color photos, drawings, diagrams, helpful tips and commentary throughout, this is a comprehensive reference guide for DIYers and an enjoyable read for anyone with nostalgia for the classic teardrop camper.