Micro Foamie Vespa Teardrop Trailer Time Lapse Style FULL build. Poor Mans Fiberglass

Enjoy a quick look at the process of bringing this fun trailer to life! If you haven't watched the tour of the completed trailer please do so. There will be additional build videos coming!
Check out the other videos here:
Micro Vespa Teardrop Tour: • Micro Teardrop Trailer...
Poor Mans Fiberglass Tutorial: • Poor Mans Fiberglass P...
Best Adhesive for Foamie: • NOT Gorilla Glue! Watc...
Check out my other teardrop trailer: • Home Built Teardrop Ca...
Poor Mans Fiberglass tutorial: • Poor Man's Fiberglass ...
Products used:
Power inlet port: amzn.to/3oPYX74
Titebond II (Wood Glue): amzn.to/3y3TgX9
Canvas Drop Clothes: amzn.to/3JVCMGr
Smooth Roller Covers: amzn.to/33jSzhl
Roller Extension: amzn.to/3zHXipx
This build is a collaboration that I did with Tom from "The Tiny Side of Tiny". He wanted a teardrop trailer to pull with his Vespa!! We ended up building this out of foam (foamie), aluminum and canvas (Poor mans fiberglass)!
As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

[@oddojaggins]

I've been trying to figure out how to make a small teardrop for two that could be towed by a smaller car, so glad I found this channel. That poor man's fiberglass is genius and I am now a subscriber. Thank you for your hard work

[@thelwood]

Thank you!! Good luck with your build!

[@metric7278]

@@thelwood Great videos. Do you think if it's possible to PMF over Foil Faced Polyiso boards? thank you

[@thelwood]

@@metric7278 I am not sure, I have never worked with it to know if the foil could separate. I would do a small test sample before using it! Best wishes!

[@TheRebelmanone]

@@metric7278 Good question. But based on what i have seen with those foil faced foam when it gets a little exposure it peels off. But of course if you PMF a drop cloth without sealing it with paint it would most likely behave the same as the foil and peel off. If the wood glue and drop cloth sticks to the foil and the foil sticks to the foam, and then you seal it with paint it should be good. Like Lucy said, would have to try it to see. Use a small piece for a mock up test.

[@LaurelCanyonMojo]

My crazy idea watching this...recycled blue jean denim for the canvas parts ..or seams or wallpaper inside 😅😊😜

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you. I am a senior rider on HONDA Cross Cub from Japan. Enjoying touring ,camping and video uploading. This is so nice video! Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Have a nice day my friend!!

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! Happy travels!

[@waterboy8999]

Great work guys! I like the fact that you respond to every comment. Too many channels don't even acknowledge the many positive comments they get. Best wishes from Scotland.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! Someday I want to travel to Scotland! Looks like such a beautiful place!

[@waterboy8999]

@@thelwood thank you, it's not too bad.

[@graystone3048]

By far the coolest foamie build on KZbin!! Your skills are masterful. What an awesome project.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!!

[@jonathandarcourt]

@@thelwood nn. Anne

[@jonathandarcourt]

@@thelwood nn. Anne

[@scottmasson3336]

Your Poor Man's Glassfibre was the standard deck covering for small yachts before WW2. It was used over plywood.

[@thelwood]

Yes! It can be very strong when applied well 😃

[@rickdancingwolf]

O

[@1980Baldeagle]

Your saying that the decking was plywood with fabric and paint?

[@Zachry86]

Do you know what it is/was called? Ive been trying to reasearch this as I was invited to help make the roof of a traditional small wooden boat this way. We used canvas and linseed oil paint.

[@cameronwatt8823]

​@@Zachry86look for yachting books by Harold Augustin Calahan. It's been a few decades but I believe The Ship's Husband describes the process.

[@TheRebelmanone]

I love the bicycle innertube you used for a rubber seal on the galley lid. And of course the entire walls and ceiling made of almost 100% foam.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@jackflak]

Such a groovy project.. I'm a welder fabricator by trade I certainly appreciate the amount of work skilled work involved.. very nice.. trailer is possibly light enough to be towed behind a bicycle as well .. a cool thing it is..

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@jailtonpulino7135]

Ficou muito pesado pra uma vespinha

[@danielfraticola1395]

@@thelwood cuanto pesa el remolque y a que velocidad andas desde argentina un abrazo

[@jayh9529]

Paul elkins channel may help

[@ricardogarcia183]

​@@jailtonpulino7135 vc sabe cuanto pesa?

[@riverbottomband]

Beautiful job and great workmanship. Mist of all i want to bring attention to your out of this world patience with all the idiotic comments. Outstanding on all levels. Great work. Awesome little toy. Be proud!!!

[@JulieWallis1963]

Oh I could just imagine the fun my husband and I could have in this, such a sweet little unit for a couple.

[@thelwood]

It would definitely be cozy for a couple!

[@michaelvollmer9491]

Guys, this is without any doubt the most fantastic teardrop trailer for an icon like the vintage vespa. I was watching your video with open mouth and i am amazed by the idea of building this and your Skills 🙋🏻‍♂️😎🇩🇪

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!! It was a lot of fun!

[@datBoondockingdiva]

Love it ✨️As a digital nomad + part-time vanlifer, this is exactly why love my Honda motorcycle. I'm a newbie rider, but can't wait to try something like this! Thanks 😊

[@thelwood]

Thank you! And good luck! I am about 90% finished with my van conversion and I am taking it in its maiden voyage tomorrow!

[@oakmaiden2133]

Gosh, I would love this for my Chevy Spark! At 60 tho, a little beyond my skill set. I want to get back to camping so bad. Putting up a tent is getting hard on my shoulder and I feel vulnerable in one. A bear hot pocket lol. Day trips just aren’t the same. I wanna see the stars again.

[@thelwood]

I hear you! I don't want to sleep on the ground any more!

[@GTWoodshop]

That's awesome, well done Lucy, I bet he's blown away. 👍😎

[@thelwood]

Thanks Graham, I am just hoping that he doesn't end up literally blown away 🤣

[@GTWoodshop]

@@thelwood 🤣🤣😢😢😢

[@keithkocher9251]

Your ideas and team work is very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It was fun! I am happy we were able to work so well together:)

[@fookingsog]

Super Cool to *ACTUALLY SEE* how the PMF is applied!!!😁👍🏻

[@thelwood]

Thank you! I will do a detailed video on that step too! :)

[@markjob6354]

The amount of highly focused, highly skilled, intense labour was enough to turn me off. I got tired just watching all the work that went into this epic trailer build. Great results of course ! 👍 The trailer looks amazing ! 👌

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@bentsprockettech]

That's beautiful. I'm a Vespa fan. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@gorgeousdzastr]

That was such a nice build. Very efficient and compact. I am now considering building something like that for my motorcycle..

[@thelwood]

Thank you!! I hope you enjoy your build!

[@DiHandley]

I think, without a word of a lie that is the most amazing build I have ever seen. A massive job well done. Have you used it yet?

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! Tom has used it on several camping adventures already!

[@redmatters9318]

A bit like bread and jam pudding- poor man's pudding- simple but delicious. Lot of skill need though to make such a teardrop. Nicely done mate. G'day from Australia 🇦🇺. :)

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@CaptVB]

Learnt the skill of making caravan a home in Australia🇦🇺. Love your work. Love from India🇮🇳. Regards

[@thelwood]

@@CaptVB Thank you so much!

[@cliffp.8396]

Nailed the 'lite weight' concept, very nicely done.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@gorillaau]

How much does it weigh? I'm asking because in Australia, if you go over 250kg, a trailer needs to be professionally built and certified.

[@thetinysideoftiny7625]

This is going to hit a million views for sure 😁

[@neilkennykenny4113]

The foam and fibre glass combo is genius, the trailer needed to be very light in order to be pulled by a small scooter. I love it.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@Chocobo18]

Wow! The quality of work and the results!! Awesome!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@SMMUNIZ]

Thank you for sharing your amazing project. I really enjoyed watching it!

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!!

[@donboggs3880]

Wow! That was fun! Build me one quick. I got a kick out of the" taping of the outer roof gluing, taping part", especially the "tape hander outerer! Great job and I appreciate the sharing.

[@thelwood]

Thank you! The tape hander outer was a critical role😂

[@Hadassah-KaquoliMReno]

Y’all did a great job, I was wondering how to build a light weight trailer and you did it! Bravo!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@htmmotoring]

Watching you guys using the proyector to make your stencil blow my mind

[@thelwood]

That was definitely an "if there is a will, there is a way"moment

[@htmmotoring]

@@thelwood just brilliant!! That was my like and suscribe moment keep It Up!! 🤘🤘

[@thelwood]

@@htmmotoring thank you!!

[@TheJosesantiago123]

That’s a FOAMTASTIC build. Just perfect 👍.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@dereksmith3316]

After a year how is it holding up? Any issues with the foam? I’m wondering how you water proof the walls? Also how does it do at high speeds? What was your maternal cost?

[@edwardvaldiviez1137]

I'm speechless what craftsmanship

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@chrisgenovese8188]

omg, this is so charming! love it. my curiosity has been piqued by "PMF", so i'll head to your other video about it. cheers!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@johnw65]

WOW, Beautiful Job guys! My Cargo/Camper trailer conversion is quite heavy in comparison...

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It was fun!

[@clintstinytrailerconversio5560]

Nice work and very clear instructions, Lucy.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@williamlott7612]

Very cool. My wife calls projects like this “couples therapy.” Darlington, South Carolina

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@arjen-de-vries]

I absolutely love this vid. I know how much satisfaction it gives to build your own teardrop. I am finishing my aluminum teardrop these days. Hope to make some small build vid as well. Following Tom’s videos as well. Very nice.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! It is so satisfying to build something!

[@widearchshark3981]

How did you get on? Did you make a video?

[@us-carsrobwo795]

Awsome Mate, What a such cool Project. Congratulations and a lot of fun

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@johnchan6191]

Wow, very clever 2 use insulation board as outer shell. Provide insulation during cold & hot months. Thx 4 sharing on Utube.

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@rickwallace3102]

Thank you, this is the first time seeing this technique. Now to do the research and design a tiny trailer to be pulled with my bicycle.

[@thelwood]

Thank you! Have fun building your trailer!

[@robertvitrano3757]

What a cool project 😎😎😎😎 You did a great job 👍👍👍💯

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@NoSenatorson]

This build would probably be in a movie called Smart & Smarter.

[@Road_Rash]

I'd love to build something like this to pull behind my Road King... that would be awesome!

[@lucasferreira7820]

Curtindo cada detalhe aqui do Brasil🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 (Enjoying every detail here in Brazil🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷)

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Beautifully constructed. Quite a team.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@philrazzi7782]

Awesome video. Fun to watch the process. Look up the Hurricaine Hinge and replace that piano hinge asap.

[@johnlewan1114]

Cool project. If you have a short attention span like me, watch at 2x speed. Got a few ideas for something I'm working on. Thanks for posting.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@garretcastlebright8996]

Very creative and excellent craftsmanship. Fun to see it come together. Congratulations on a great job.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@WoodcliffCommunity]

Amazing skills and craftsmanship, just awesome!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@rickwilliams696]

So incredibly proud of your talent!!!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@АнтониоПетров-я7щ]

Дорогой Брат, проделанная вами работа просто колосальная!!!! Трейлер Шикарный, просто бомба!!! Здорово!!!😎😉🙂☺😀😄🙄💪👌👏🖒👍🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@АнтониоПетров-я7щ]

@@thelwood Брат, не тяжеловато ли моторолеру и не нужен ли более мощьный байк? А так удачи в новых проэктах!!!😎😉🙂☺😀😄🙄💪👌👍🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

[@thelwood]

@@АнтониоПетров-я7щ it is very light! Only 170 lbs! The bike has no problem pulling it out stopping it. The only issue is that since it is so big but also light is it is hard to handle in big wind gusts. 🙂

[@felixcat9318]

What an absolute gem of a video this is, meticulously precise attention to detail and truly outstanding craftspersonship throughout! Your tiny travel cabin is aesthetically beautiful, unique and practical, and it perfectly recreates the style of the classic tear drop trailers. I imagine that people may believe it to be a beautifully restored original, rather that a perfectly crafted new construction. This is the most perfect PMF application that I've ever seen, its absolutely immaculate! Wherever the eye rests, beautiful fit, finish and detail shine through, its art you can camp in! I find your tiny travel cabin to be elegantly simple and simply elegant!

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! It was such a fun and challenging build!

[@rich2154]

I really enjoyed these build videos. It's been awhile since you have put these videos out so I'm not sure you will see this comment but if you do have you considered putting out a regular speed version of this time lapse version? If not I would be more than happy to pay you for a copy of it. I'm going to build one for my motorcycle and it would be a great help to watch it in regular speed. Thanks for your consideration. Again great job!

[@Seafariireland]

Excellent build project!

[@horaciobushcraf9951]

Genial, muy buena idea, gracias por compartirla, saludos desde Córdoba Argentina...

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@thyminator420]

Fantastic idea ! This trailer looks so awesome , Italian style , big lover of piaggio , drive for myself a piaggio trike .

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@AlexT-md9df]

That was awesome! Looking for something similar for my 2 door Suzuki sidekick. I’m going to attempt this!

[@thelwood]

Thank you! Enjoy your build!

[@badawesome]

Nice choice of music. I am going to try and build a truck cap using your technique because of its light weight.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@leonardarola]

Simply gorgeous.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@archielynn3663]

VERY COOL GREAT JOB LOT OF NICE WORK

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@harbinjerj4985]

This is my dream right here. God, what i would give for this.....

[@thelwood]

Thank you! I hope you get your dream one day!

[@estebansepulveda7718]

Quedo espectacular, felicitaciones. 👏👏👍 Saludos desde Chile

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@WoodRanger138]

Extraordinary Build, Bravo!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@ronaldharris6569]

Very cool project still can't believe that early Vespa can actually pull it......on flat ground 😀

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It handles hills well too! Wind is the biggest challenge

[@wanea3760]

Creative especially using iron

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@micheleaday3902]

This Is Beautiful And Impressive

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@donaldblankenship-ph1un]

Two thumbs up all the way.

[@thelwood]

Thanks!

[@glennbarthelemy2443]

Well done guys👍👍👍👍

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@sandym4317]

Great Build!! Congrats!!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@alanzafra5555]

So beautiful job

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@jlucasound]

Awesome, Lucy!!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@jerrymoya5725]

Great build only one thing wrong ,no details on what materials are and how to apply,how to mix,setting time,measurements on length ,width and height.

[@MoniGhaleyDIY]

Damn. That’s a lot of work but looks so cute!

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It was an adventure!

[@thetinysideoftiny7625]

@@thelwood I would go on that adventure with you again Lucy😉 What a thrill that was 😊

[@thelwood]

@@thetinysideoftiny7625 it was super fun! If only we could have actually worked that fast... 🤣

[@tork62077]

Pretty dang sweet!!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!

[@campmansoutdoors6927]

My hat goes off to you. You are extremely talented!! Did you add the man hours it took to produce such a light weight masterpiece? And would you do it all over again? You should be very proud of your achievement! It's perfect!! A tad small, but understandably so. Congratulations, I'm soooooo impressed!

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It was 2 months of working weekends and a few evenings. It would go much faster on a second build! Much of the time was spent planning and changing the plans lol

[@monkeysuncle2816]

@@thelwood what was the final cost / price? Only 170 lbs, nice. I wonder how much lighter you could go for a bicycle camper? I know you need some paint to waterproof it, but it looked like there were 3-4 coats in some places? Every can of paint adds a couple pounds!

[@thelwood]

@@monkeysuncle2816 I am not sure how much Tom ended up spending

[@abelardolomeli3045]

Que Maravilloso Proyecto!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🛵🛵🛵NUNCA DEJEN DE SOŃAR!🙏🏼🙋🏻‍♂️

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much!

[@energy2843]

😃👍Hey man, just came across your vids. Amazing and inspiring to watch your adventures, the calm, the practicality and the simplicity. Great example and reminder what life is all about too, away of the rush, standards and social pressure most live everyday. Beautiful build and very cool look, so inspiring to see how carefully and thoughtful are all those gadgets you fitted. I see preparing simple but tasty meals are your thing😁 From my biker side, only can wish you many more rides and adventures🙏✌️👊🛵

[@thelwood]

Thank you so much! We had a lot of fun building this! Tom is having a great time traveling around and making his masterpiece piece meals!

[@0hypnotoad0]

Its very interesting that "PMF" is something that was forgotten about, canvas-skinned airplanes and boats used to be fairly common a century ago. The technique was neglected and forgotten, but it's such an effective way of building lightweight structures.

[@thelwood]

Yes! I love the technique and the look :)

[@adv_rider]

Just amazing!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@tarawakefield4383]

That is just incredible!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@paulmitchell1099]

Looks exactly like my old Vespa from 1964.

[@wanderingrebelinvestigatio2071]

I'm actually currently working on building my own foamy poor Man's fiberglass teardrop camper for a motorized bicycle

[@jodydorsett8726]

Stunning! Real genius. 🙂

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@evaportes6784]

Very nice use for camping

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@shootback5477]

wow, you guys move fast!

[@thelwood]

🤣🤣🤣 I wish I had fast forward mode in real life!

[@caputo116]

Do you think it can handle highway speeds like behind a Can Am Spyder?

[@thelwood]

The body of it could, but it would need a real axle and different wheels

[@KapsalonJerry]

Just love it! ❤

[@thelwood]

@@KapsalonJerry thank you!

[@shaunhall960]

Thanks! Going to be doing this!

[@altaloma7789]

Well done! I've been looking at building a foamie but weight buildup keeps me from going that way. Still, it looks enticing. I'd love to hear how you came out on weight. When I build trailers at your size they usually come out somewhere around 90 pounds. My lightest is 61, but it's built to the minimum size possible. Yours looks much easier to live with. It's hard to change clothes in a minimum size trailer.

[@thelwood]

Thank you! We ended up at 170 lbs

[@armoredsaint6639]

Oh yeah because sleeping in that would be a dream!

[@ridhadababi5858]

Good job. Thanks for sharing.

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@chriscattelino8169]

The retro style of these reminds me of the fins that golden age superheroes always had on their headgear, then I thought THAT would be the perfect place to hide a camera.

[@lookoutleo]

what a great design and build, looks light and strong. only things i would change for use in in scotland , wouldnt have a kitchen at the rear, that would be sealed at the top, access would be storage from the sleep area in the camper and it would be quite a bit narrower with the wheels on the outside. love the build quality its very special. what kind material do you use, is it polycotton and what is the sealer?

[@tigerboy211]

very impressive~! great work!

[@thelwood]

Thank you! It was fun!

[@別府香里奈]

最高です💯

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@michaelboyko5024]

Awesome, one can't stop watching till the end! Such lot of work! The only thing is the coupling, well, a factory made one would be the best, but I'm not sure about the traffic regulations about the Vespa... Is it regarded as a motorcycle or a moped?

[@thelwood]

Thank you! I wouldn't be brave enough to pull it with a Vespa. But it is only 170 lbs and it does pull it easily. It is classified legally as a motorcycle (as far as I can tell here in Arizona).

[@notwocdivad]

In the UK and Europe they are classed as Scooters, Mopeds are usually 50cc and used to be fitted with pedals like a bicycle as that is what they were derived from in the very early days.

[@anvilsvs]

Depends on engine size. The 50s are mopeds in some areas, the larger ones are motorcycles.

[@lilivicordero8077]

So beautiful

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@aulupinar]

Excellent job 👏👏👏

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@JasonSleiman4thewin]

This is awesome. I want to make something like this to sell coffee out of.

[@thelwood]

That would be awesome!

[@mayakay1175]

Excelente proyecto muy práctico y funcional.. Felicitaciones amigos!

[@thelwood]

Thank you!

[@breakingtoast2255]

awesome build

[@thelwood]

Thank you!!