traditional definition

[Loren]

I see references to meets for "traditional teardrops only"- what does that mean? We have a teardrop, but it is flatter in the back than most teardrops.
Loren

[Roly Nelson]

I suppose someone more experinced than me will answer your question, but I have always thought that in order to be labeled a teardrop, it must have a bed inside, a galley accessed from the outside and not be tall enough to stand in. "Traditional" I suppose............right folks? Tears come in all shapes and sizes, heck there is even one that is shaped like a stealth fighter with an openable hatch and lift-up rudders at the galley, it sleeps two, if they're light-weights and even has a doggy-door, openable from the inside. Woof woof. The night sky can be seen through the canopy glass.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Cal teardrop guy.

[Vedette]

I agree with Roly's definition!
No matter how you choose to skin it??
Plywood, Aluminium, Vinyl, Barn Wood, Stainless, Corrugated steel, Old car bodies, Plastic, Fiberglass, etc..
or Which shape you choose, Benroy, Grumun, Wild Goose, Modernistic, Cargo, Imaginative ......square fenders, round fenders, stylized fenders, no fenders, open , closed, skirts, ????????
It is still a Teardrop .....not a Standie.
That is my opinion anyway!
So far we have not been kicked out of a Gathering or not allowed to enter with Miss Piggy.
Teardrop People are a wonderful bunch!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS
We can't wait to meet and camp with you guys!
Hope you can attend our Canadian Gathering in July.
And wait until you see "Kermit" ????????????

[Redneck Teepee]

If they want ban or kick you out, you don't want to hang with them anyway.

[warnmar10]

If they want ban or kick you out, you don't want to hang with them anyway.

Mmmhmm.

[48Rob]

Loren,

It means that a particular group is interested in spending time with other people who like/own/enjoy a particular type of trailer.

This question always ruffles a lot of feathers, because some people feel excluded, or left out..."Gosh, I built my very own trailer in my back yard and it is just like an original traditional teardrop...except the wheels are different, and the size is different, and the shape is different, and the materials are different, etc...

If you own a 1957 Chevy, and belong to a 1957 Chevy club, that doesn't mean you don't like other brands or types of cars, it simply means you like 1957 Chevrolets.
If you and your group of fellow 1957 Chevy pals are having a 1957 Chevy get together, you might advertise that if you have a 1957 Chevy you are invited, but only if.

So someone with a 1983 Ford comes along and wants to join your get together.
If they just want to come enjoy the cars, that is great.
However if they want to bring their car, and show it off with the 1957 Chevrolets, that probably wouldn't go over so well.

As the others suggest, if you don’t like the idea of a club excluding you because your trailer doesn't fit their bill, so be it, don't go.
There are a lot of teardrop, and trailer gatherings that accept/allow any teardrop, or box trailer, or RV.
Their focus is on the get together and the people, not so much the trailer, or if it is about the trailers, it is about all the neat designs that people create while building their own.
Good times, good people.

On the other hand, if a group of people have chosen to celebrate traditional teardrops, they should not be trashed because of their devotion.
The people who did have that devotion, who revived the teardrops from near obscurity, are the reason there are boards like this one.
In the past few years a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon proclaiming that they have a "teardrop" no matter the shape, size, style or intention.
Some are homebuilders, and many are manufacturer’s trying to make a quick buck.
All this has really clouded the water.
There is plenty of information on the Internet for you to determine what a traditional/original teardrop is.

Rob

[grant whipp]

Very well stated, Rob ... ...!

I especially like this part:

...On the other hand, if a group of people have chosen to celebrate traditional teardrops, they should not be trashed because of their devotion.
The people who did have that devotion, who revived the teardrops from near obscurity, are the reason there are boards like this one ...

Thank you! for that ... ...!

[canned o minimum]

Yup... a teardrop is, as a teardrop does...a bed,a galley in the rear, and no standing inside.Altho, I can almost stand in a traditional teardrop..

I belong to a Vintage VW group...air cooled...and we don't have car shows fer Chevys. Doesn't mean we don't like em...

[Mary C]

so???? I would think that tradional means no home made but it means only very old ones, or does it refer to the original shaped ones, or just the ones that are made with the the same materials that were originally. or just the old ones made by a certain company? So what is the definition exactally?

Mary C.

[dales133]

My perception of "teardrop" is an uncomplicated hassle free camper with bed in the front and kitchen in the rear.
There can be many variations of this and then you get the purists and vintage restorers.
They should be honored for thier thoughts and perseverance plus skills because they kept this awsum cult alive.
Many hats , many options , but as the thai say, same same but differnt

[DMcCam]

so???? I would think that tradional means no home made but it means only very old ones, or does it refer to the original shaped ones, or just the ones that are made with the the same materials that were originally. or just the old ones made by a certain company? So what is the definition exactally?

Mary C.

Hi Mary, The most basic definition of a traditional teardrop trailer would have to start with the general profile shape; a teardrop (basically, any other shape is technically a Tiny Travel Trailer). It would have a sleeping cabin too small to stand in with a galley under a hatch in the rear. The originals were built with 4' x 8' plywood on a 4' x 8' frame. Wider and longer variations came along soon after. Most early versions were covered with aluminum. Any of these trailers would be considered a Traditional Teardrop Trailer unless otherwise specified (something like, Traditional 'Trailer for Two' designs only).

Today, many people refer to any trailer that generally fits the size as a Teardrop Trailer. To me it's more of a definition of the lifestyle than a description of these little jewels. As most Teardropper's are a accepting lot, I would think that the addition of 'traditional teardrops only' would be more to exclude large travel trailers as they might not have space for them.

All the Best,

Dave

[robfisher]

Rob48, I really appreciate your well thought out and very well written response. I admire your ability to boil it all down, seeing the whole picture and making allowance for every person. Great work.

I may be dense but I still wonder exactly what is meant when a group says "traditional teardrops only." I assume they want something that maintains both form and function, allowing for new builds with new materials as long as they follow form and function. Am I right or is there a group out there that only wants original teardrops? Do they have a certain age in mind? I have seen many car clubs and trailer rallies that limit vehicles as to certain age or certain manufacturer. So I'm left wondering EXACTLY what "traditional" means when it shows up on a gathering announcement.

[48Rob]

Rob

Thank you.

I try to appreciate everyone's opinion and point of view.
I believe the answer could be easily had if you knew of someone/a group that posted such an advertisement.
I have not ever come across one worded that way.
I have seen many "vintage only" rally's.
Can't make everyone happy with every definition or decision, but this is America, so if we don't like it, we can host our own!

[robfisher]

Maybe it's like a secret handshake. If you have to ask, you're not invited.

[Gage]

I may be dense but I still wonder exactly what is meant when a group says "traditional teardrops only."

I go to a lot of teardrop and vintage trailer gatherings/rallies and never have seen "traditional teardrops only". I have seen 'teardrops only' but never seen the word "traditional' included. Matter of fact, there is a Teardrops Only gathering here in SoCal. and I believe it's the only 'Teardrops only' gathering still going on. It's the day of being politically correct whereas everyone must be included, no one is to be offended.
I look at 'traditional' as being the style/shape of the teardrop based on the original design from the 30's, 40's and 50's.