Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

So I'm this teardrop no0b, right? I'm just inhaling teardrop info like there's no tomorrow 'cause I have teardrop fever... but I had yet to see one of my favorite teardrop profiles, Grant Whipp's Lil Bear, up close and in person.

I made plans to visit with Dustin/darhymes to see his Lil' Bear teardrop while he had a couple of days off and while I was there in Upland, CA visting him, he reminded me that the SoCal Teardrops trailer company was located just a few miles away... a double shot of teardrop goodness in one afternoon? This might be too much to take...



So after spending an hour and a half with Dustin, parking my Ford Focus in front of the Lil' Bear to check out the possible combination's appearance, measuring, laying inside the cabin, looking at the trailer chassis, etc, it was, regrettably, time to go... and get over to see Mike @ SoCal Teardrops before they closed!

I was greeted by a cheerful and friendly Mike, who graciously took the time to show me around the shop and answer all my questions about the different aspects of classic plywood teardrop trailer construction... Mike's son Gabe(?) was there, putting the finishing touches on a neat Pet Cool air conditioning installation in a very nice 5 X 9 tear... these guys build with the most amazing fit and finish... theirs is some of the nicest camp trailer construction quality I have ever seen, and the shop's machinery is top notch. I'm considering Mike's help with some of my build because I would think it impossible for a novice such as myself to acheive the build quality of Mike and Gabe's teardrops.

Thanks, Dustin and thanks, Mike, both of you, for your time and for your hospitality. Two nicer guys I hadn't hoped to meet.

Hey, that was fun...I got to talk teardrops and flying for a little while! Anyway, I am glad you were able to make the trip worth it by seeing Mike's shop as well. Thanks for the advice on tire pressure, too. The Li'l Bear rode very well during our trip. 400+ miles and everything was perfect!

Sounds like a fun time If you'd like to check out a Camp-inn give me a holler.

[Edited. Thought I read, "If you want to check out Camp Inn Trailers, gimme a hollah". But it reads, If you want to check out A Camp Inn trailer... d'oh! hahaha...]

I'd love to stop by next time I'm out La Cresenta way! Thank you very much. I'll PM you my phone number.

Thanks, George, for a fun tour!

George and I talked for over an hour and a half this afternoon... That man is a wealth of camping experience and a dutch oven cordon bleu! I've heard things... and seen the pics... makes me hungry just thinking about them.

His Camp Inn is another extremely well-built teardrop, and he has it more or less dialed in to the point where, in his words, "one stop for a bag of groceries and I'm off campin'!"

Thanks also for listening to my hairbrained teardrop scheme... I've a ton of ideas and George listening patiently to all of them. I had a great time. Thanks for the invite, thanks for the tour, and thanks for the hospitality!



Can't wait to get to a big west coast gathering!

Chris it was my pleasure I'm glad you could come by. you've got a lot of good ideas for your build. now you got to get it built so you can start camping.

Chris....did George give you his recipe for 2 alarm cobbler?.....it's a good'un! Now git-R-dun...so you don't have to be "soft siding" it! Doug

Its not just a delicious blueberry cobbler Doug, it comes with a new deck remodel

I can tell right now that I won't be able to keep up with you guys...




...but I'll try. :-)~