Convincing your "other half"

[dguff]

I am building a large teardrop the 2 one as I don't think I got a heart beat of a chance of finding a wife that will sleep in my current teardrop my ex fiancee would not even get in the door of my teardrop and insisted on sleeping outside in a tent.

I think you really should have an " other half" to contribute to the thread. My wife was fine with the idea of building the first one in 2003 since we could save money on motels on a cross country trip. She also liked the adventure of doing something new and different for travel.

Jerome

[backstrap bandit]

I never really ask my wife and one I started the build boy I had to hear it all about the bed in wheels once I got to a certain point and she could really invision it then she started putting in input and buying things for the tear don't think she will go hunting in it with me because she bought a hard side pop up to fix up already gutted cabinets to repair spot in floor rebuilt both front and back walls and got top off to rebuild but stopped teardrop comes first got to get back to work on it then I will finish hers damn hunny do's

[coyote]

Cahllange is almost mild. Her father ruined her on camping. The "girls" did all the work, pack up everything, set up camp, 5 course meals, clean up. When he's ready, pack up, clean up camp, go home, unload, clean up and put everything back in the house, get ready to go back to work/school. She was not to excited about the tear, at all. I buildt it, got input and listened. I tried not to talk it to death, but keep her included. If I wanted to build it fine, everyone needs a hobby, just dont expect her to go much. I started by keeping it simple, I bring food prepared/ easily prepared, clean up easy/throw away, a.c., electric blanket, nice camp chairs, coffee...anything to keep it fun and simple. We had fun, then we went to a gathering and met some wonderful people, breakfasts/potlucks/campfires. Now she is as much or more excited than me to go camping. She has changed her mind. Now, refrain from "Hey, lets go camping in the woods with some strangers I met on line!" It even scares me, when I say it that way! coyote

[Redneck Teepee]

I always say, "you can't teach someone to have fun".

I built a very nice teardrop, with the hopes that my wife would start to camp again. She said that is a very nice trailer but I am not camping any more. So now we are both happy. I go camping with friends and the dog and she stays home......win-win!

Same here Woodbutcher, my wife won't stay in it because it does not have a "potty" so I use the 5th Wheel when she goes.
But that's ok, because I got lot's of man activities that she would not rather do that makes my tear perfect for the application, fly fishing, lake speed trials and drag races just to name a few.

[Backroads4me]

Both Bob and I enjoyed the outdoors/camping before we met each other (on Match.com, 11 years ago , we actually lived 4 miles from each other, but probably would have never met otherwise). While we enjoyed tent camping, I couldn't sleep on the air mattress we brought along. Not comfortable, at all.

Couple of years ago, while scrolling through various things on Ebay, I came across a TCTeardrops trailer listing. Discovered it was being offered by the manufacturer and they were just 50 some miles up the road from us! We called and made an appointment to "just take a look", uh huh------before we left I had placed an order and was on the schedule for my custom build. Ordered it in October, picked it up in February. My little trailer, pulled with Bob's truck---We've gone on more camping adventures in the last two years than all of the previous eight years. Already looking forward to the Spring camping season opener, "Cooler Near the Lake" in April!

[Vedette]

Both Bob and I enjoyed the outdoors/camping before we met each other (on Match.com, 11 years ago , we actually lived 4 miles from each other, but probably would have never met otherwise). While we enjoyed tent camping, I couldn't sleep on the air mattress we brought along. Not comfortable, at all.

Couple of years ago, while scrolling through various things on Ebay, I came across a TCTeardrops trailer listing. Discovered it was being offered by the manufacturer and they were just 50 some miles up the road from us! We called and made an appointment to "just take a look", uh huh------before we left I had placed an order and was on the schedule for my custom build. Ordered it in October, picked it up in February. My little trailer, pulled with Bob's truck---We've gone on more camping adventures in the last two years than all of the previous eight years. Already looking forward to the Spring camping season opener, "Cooler Near the Lake" in April!

Too much in common not to respond.
Today Sandi and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary of our meeting, and we too met on line.
An although we camped before we finished Miss Piggy 2 years ago, We have now camped more in the past two years than the previous 9 years.
We love Gatherings (attended 6 this past year) and can't wait for the Dam Gathering next spring.
Hope our roads cross someday!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Woodbutcher]

I always say, "you can't teach someone to have fun".

I built a very nice teardrop, with the hopes that my wife would start to camp again. She said that is a very nice trailer but I am not camping any more. So now we are both happy. I go camping with friends and the dog and she stays home......win-win!

Same here Woodbutcher, my wife won't stay in it because it does not have a "potty" so I use the 5th Wheel when she goes.
But that's ok, because I got lot's of man activities that she would not rather do that makes my tear perfect for the application, fly fishing, lake speed trials and drag races just to name a few.

I must have married her sister!

[S. Heisley]

My step-son doesn't like to camp and hasn't liked it since he became an adult. He says he "gets" the bit about hotel rooms being dirty but he can't stand seeing all the dirt and dust in the campground and that seems dirtier than the hotel dirt that is usually not as obvious. Also, he likes the extra space of a hotel room rather than being closed up in a tent or camper.
Ironically, I made my pop-up tall enough for him to stand up in, before he decided the above, because I thought he might want to "inherit" my camper...guess not.

[Zipline65]

It took me about 3 years to convince my husband. I saw one on the road and was intrigued. I ordered a book from the local library and made him look at it. I kept researching online and finally stumbled on this site. I would show him pictures of finished teardrops and suggest that we go looking. He just was not into the whole concept at all. I think he was concerned about towing and storage. I was persistent. He grudgingly agreed to go looking in the summer of 2013. That was all it took. Once he saw a few different kinds he was ready but didn't want to build. We were lucky to find a used homebuilt in our price range last spring and worked on it over the summer. Can't wait to take our little "Happy Camper" out as soon as the weather permits in 2015.
Liz

[Vedette]

Way to go Liz!
The camping part is the best part.
If you enjoy the outdoors and people, you will love TD camping.
Gatherings and other Td Campers are wonderful fun!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[felixx]

My wife is resigned to the fact I have projects.
She will not sleep in it, it is not her thing
I will
My son and I will
when my daughter grows a bit, my son and daughter will (I will have a tent)
When they grow I will give them the tent, I will reclaim the tear

I am looking forward to this

[Gunguy05]

It seemed like the next logical step for us. We have been tent camping as a family for 2-3 years, since our oldest was a year old. One of our biggest non-tent issues was how to transport all the "stuff" that is required for a family with small kids to camp. We had talked about "one day" getting a pop up, but that doesn't really solve the storage problem for stuff, and most sizable ones are much heavier.

So.. I first laughed at the idea of 4 people in a TD (or tnttt), but when i started my research I quickly came upon the Camp Inn 560. I showed it to my wife, and with a little tweaking, explained how we could build on a little wider and taller and the advantages that it would have for us. She was a little slow to get on board, but once I started mocking things up she took to it pretty quickly. Also, a couple of camping trips in the meantime in the tent gave hope that we would get done ASAP with the camper, and be able to use it.

Not to mention building it on our own, once it's built, it's paid for! That's a big plus in my book! My dad had been talking about building one for years, as he is about to retire, so this was the perfect father/son project.

[Christina]

Wow! Thank you everyone for your input. There are just as many answers as there are teardroppers. It's interesting that is seems to be a mix between men and women both trying to convince their significant others. Keeping them in the loop seems to be key...but lying is kind of fun too.

Thank you Sandi!

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Other than the fact that they are just so cool, two selling points immediately come to mind when trying to convince the other half.

First is the fact that it's the same size as a tent, but has some distinct differences which include: hard walls, a soft mattress that is up off the ground, hopefully won't leak, has a built in kitchen, doesn't require all the set-up, tear-down, and drying out that a tent does.

Second, the camaraderie of other tearjerkers is a big thing. Having been involved with the Boy Scouts as a Scout and an adult leader, I can say without a doubt that the social aspect of a group camp out makes a big difference on a trip.

[KennethW]

Tell the other-half, You will do all the cooking and all the clean up.
So the other-half can relax with out a care.