Very old new member!

[Old Bill]

Well, what can I write that is half-way true...and would be of interest to anyone?

To start with I'm an old coot (76) who lives in Oklahoma City, and has been a US Marine, Federal Aviation Adm. Employee, Deputy Sheriff, and Motorcycle Event Promoter.

I retired from the FAA many years ago, and my long suffering lovely wife and I traveled for a few years in a large motorhome. Which was a lot of fun...but, a sure way to become pennyless real fast!

Just as much fun...but, not quite as confortable, was the many touring trips we took to Canada, and elsewhere, on a Honda Goldwing and a Time Out camping trailer! This trailer folded out and made a 5' by 7' sleeping platform. Ever since a spider crawled into her ear one night, while we were sleeping in a PUP tent, my wife refuses to sleep on the ground! Women!!

I love the looks of the Teardrop trailers. I've never tried to build a trailer, but, have built two wooden boats. I guess building a Teardrop would be a lot like building a boat...with the hull upright!

Here is a photo of the boat, a micro-houseboat, that I built this year and sold to a man in Illinois two weeks ago. The boat is on the lovely Wabash River.

http://oomur.pair.com/wwpotter/images/G ... 0River.jpg

Yesterday I saw an ad in the OKC craigslist for a small travel trailer. It is really something else! Real rustic and I guess is is a Teardrop of sorts? Maybe the owner and seller is a member of the T&TTT?

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/rvs/441806307.html

Sure doesn't seem like very much money for so much work and cost of materials.

I guess that is it for now....

Old Bill

[Mary K]

WELCOME Old Bill!

Wow, Sounds like you have had great adventures in your past and still lots more to come with a Teardrop in the rear view mirror.

That boat is really nice and you should have no problems building a TD. If I can do it, and body can!

Cheers,

Mk

[Roly Nelson]

Hi "Old Bill", Old Roly, here. Welcome to the group. Nice going, you just knocked me out of the saddle. I thought I was the oldest person on this board, but it looks like you've got me beat by about a year. The trailer you posted if surely unique, but definately not a teardrop, since it has no outside galley. Not a problem though, if fits your style of camping, I say go for it.

It might be a bit cumbersome tooling down the interstate at 65 mph, with all of the shingles and overhangs in danger of blowing off. It appears you have done your share of traveling and camping, so you know what you would be comfortable in. Never the less, if you do decide to buy it, post some pics of the inside and be sure to attend some of the local T & TTT gatherings in your area.

Roly.........used to be number one......but now number TWO.

[tonyj]

Welcome to the forum. If you can build something that floats, you can build a teardrop. Come join the fun!

[Mike C.]

Welcome Old Bill,

Thanks for the pictures. You should really enjoy this forum because we love pictures. Just jump right into any conversation and contribute your extensive knowledge.

See you around the campfire.

[mikeschn]

Welcome to the forum Old Bill...

Mike...

[oklahomajewel]

Hey Bill.... I'm in Midwest City and another very new member here that hasn't posted but once is in Del City!!!
I'll send ya a PM later but wouldn't mind if you wanna take a look at my humble rig.

I might be running away this weekend to Red Rock Canyon out by Hinton and to the Watonga Cheese Festival.


You should make plans right away to come with us to the Louisiana Cypresswood Gathering near Shreveport in 2 weeks !! You'll absolutely LOVE IT
Julie
LCG #31

[neal b]

welcome aboard bill you will alot of great people here they are very helpful with any question you have just set back an enjoy all the great reading , pictures and get the sawdust a flyn once you start you build there no turning back just have fun

neal b

[Old Bill]

Wow! What a nice welcome from a nice bunch of people!

I may for sure build a Teardrop...just so I can be part of this group!

My thanks to all that posted...Mary K, Roby, Tony, Uncle M, Mike Julie and neal b.

Roby, I'm not too sure it much of an honor being the oldest coot on the forum. But, then again, considering the alternative....! I thought the shingle covered trailer was interesting, but, I'm not thinking about buying a trailer. Last year I saw a pickup camper shell that was made somewhat like the shingled trailer. I asked the owner how the shingles were attached, and he told me that he used nails and construction adhesive. He also said he had never lost a shingle! But, like you , I would think that at highway speeds there would be wood everywhere!

Julie, I hope you have a great time at Red Rock Canyon! Our family took our first camping trip there, in a PU overhead camper. Years later I dropped a Goldwing MC on that steep curve! Nothing hurt except my pride!

I may have a head start on building a trailer. We have a Harbor Freight trailer, that my wife uses to place tree limbs, etc., on for big trash pickup. Hummmm? I wonder if I could convince her that she doesn't really need it?

Again, thanks to everyone for the nice welcome!

Old Bill

[BillyLandry]

Welcome old Bill. Hope there is a teardrop in your future.

[Joanne]

Hey Bill,

Glad you decided to join us! These little trailers are a great way to travel and camp. Lot's cheaper than one of the big rigs and a lot more comfortable than a tent.

I used to ride with a bunch of folks that had wings. They are really nice rides but a bit more than I think I could handle. I ride a Road King and it's about as big as I want to ride.

Is that a vardo in your avatar picture? I've always thought that they were really neat. I've seen a lot of sheep herder wagons in my travels in northern Nevada. I'd really like to see the inside of a couple of them though.

If you decide to build there are a lot of great resources here. Free plans and lots of solid advice. Can't beat that with a stick!

Take care!
Joanne

[Old Bill]

Hey Bill, Is that a vardo in your avatar picture? I've always thought that they were really neat. I've seen a lot of sheep herder wagons in my travels in northern Nevada. I'd really like to see the inside of a couple of them though. Take care! Joanne

Hi Joanne, Yes, that is a vardo, or as I still think of them, "A Gypsy wagon"! Here is a larger view:



However, I must confess that it is a just a photo that I copied off the internet when I was interested in different Gypsy Wagon decorations. It is amazing how efficient, and colorful, the insides of a real Gypsy wagon could be.

A "real" Gypsy wagon. Photo taken in the late 1800's.



The National Cowboy Hall of Fame here in Oklahoma City has (or did have) a orginnal sheep herder's wagon. As I remember, it had a bed crossway at the forward end, and a HUGE pot belly stove near the entrance! I guess a person would want a large fire for those cold nights!

They also have a old cowboy chuck wagon. The old chuck wagon's fold down rear storage area might have contributed to the idea for the orginnal Teardrop trailer's rear hatch cooking area. In many ways they both look the same.

Bill