Newbie from North GA

[Washichu]

I thought Teardrops were for OLD people... I am 36 years old (I guess to a 14-year-old, that's OLD, but I'm talking about 70 years old kinda old!).
I started out wanting to build a 5x8 utility trailer conversion for hunting. My IT guy at work convinced me I needed to build a Teardrop so I wouldn't look like just another Redneck with a crappy box trailer. He was right (although I guess it doesn't negate the fact that I'm still kinda a Redneck...)
Thanks to this forum, I built my first Teardrop Trailer in Summer/Fall of 2008. I stole ideas from multiple different posts. My gratitude goes out to countless posts and websites that taught me what I should do, and what I shouldn't do. My TD design is a piece of lots of different people's designs and ideas. It took about 4 weekends (um... I'm a pretty fast builder... I don't over think things too much...) and a few weeknights to complete. I decided not to be a perfectionist for my first TD. I wanted to get out and camp, not worry about whether I should have used White Oak or Red Oak for a particular trim piece... I spent about $1,300 - 1,400 total including the small a/c unit. It's virgin trip was to spent 4 nights in it in mid-October for opening weekend of Deer Season here in GA. I've never slept better! It's also a natural "gathering place" for the guys I hunt with. At our hunting camp, we have a 2 B/R cabin with a kitchen, bathrooms, A/C, satellite TV, etc.; But we, for some primal reason, tended to gather around the galley of my TD instead of inside the cabin. Could be the fact that I make my own home-made enchilada sauce too. Good times!!
I get asked about it everywhere I go - Truckers calling me on my CB radio, folks at gas stations, bearded dudes in old Jeeps yelling at me as I'm driving down the road, etc. My next one will include the lessons I've learned from this first "woodie" style... But much like a first girlfriend, I will never forget her. I look forward to camping with other TD owners/builders.
P.S. - My IT guy still isn't done building his, but he sure sped up when he saw mine done!!

[Miriam C.]

There is no such thing as a Georgia born hillbilly who is not a redneck. I can say that because I ar one. Now son, elder speaking here---I need some that bubble oil is a bit off today.

Just teasin. We really would love to share the pictures with you though. Oh and to the playground.

[Washichu]

Here's a pic when I was 1/2 way done. Will post more pics tomorrow from my work computer (not that I would ever use my work computer for personal stuff!!).

Thanks for the welcome note!

[Roly Nelson]

Well you are absolutely right, here at my house we feel that teardrops are for "old" people like me. Huh, 70 ain't the limit, I'm 76 and feel like a young squirt when hauling my teadrop down the byways.

Your well written story should be printed and distributed to all prospective teardrop builders. It tells it like it is and should be an inspiration to all Newbies and I hope it gets read by all.

Your pic looks like you knew what you were doing, and by the way, for some reason, that is my very favorite profile.........Hmmm. Enjoy your teardropping adventures and welome to the board. Lets hear more from you. Looking forward to "finished product" pics.
Roly

[alffink]

Washichu

even only half done, the pic looks as though your tear has good bones.
What part of N. GA ?? I'm flying back to see my parents in Blairsville, later this week. Have you checked in with the GA Jerkers, the director for the GA chapter is in N. GA also.

[Washichu]

Auntie M - I filled my gallery with some build pics and some camping pics. Not really sure what the bubble oil reference means, but maybe more pics will get your oil bubbling... (Is that a good thing?) Anyway... Enjoy.

Mr. Nelson - Only 76?! Thank you for the comments! I'm hoping our Teardrops will cross paths one day and you will bless me with the wise stories of someone who's "been there, done that" in life.

Mr. Fink - I'm located in what I call "3 Crows" GA, aka Cumming GA - right on the West side of Lake Lanier. It's about 30 minutes South of Dahlonega....Problaby a little more than an hour or so from Blairsville as the crow flies (unless there are 3 crows flying together - then, inevitably, one of them has to stop to pee and it takes a little longer...). I haven't joined the GA Tearjerkers... I'll have to check into it and see what they are all about.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. I feel like I have found a new friendly tribe!

[BillandMarijo]

Washichu,
Great looking Tear. You did an awesome job. Oh yea welcome to the forum.
Enjoy,
Bill and Marijo

[Miriam C.]

Auntie M - I filled my gallery with some build pics and some camping pics. Not really sure what the bubble oil reference means, but maybe more pics will get your oil bubbling... (Is that a good thing?) Anyway... Enjoy.

Now bubble oil is the stuff in the level. If it gets outta whack the bubble will get off and everything will look a bit off.

It is a joke cause when I was a very young woman working around a bunch of men they tried to send me for bubble oil. Well I have one of those senses of humor...........

Your TD is beautiful. Looks like you did a great job on it. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Enjoy!

[Walt M]

Hey Wash (if I may) Welcome to the forum,Great people here. Nice build,I just got through building my (first) tear Labor Day. Learned a lot. I start the next one after Christmas. I'm in a contemporary Christian Band and now the band wants me to build an equipment trailer which I'll start next week. I too can't wait to travel a bit and maybe get to cross paths with some of these folks. Blessings, Walt

[Kristi Foster]

I just returned from the North Georgia Mountain Fair Campground in Hiawassee. It is absolutely beautiful there with all of the trees changing colors. I just wanted to say "hey" to a the Newbie Georgia member.

[FireLion]

Washichu....? Lakota for white man?

[Washichu]

Billandmarijo - thanks for the welcome and the compliments!

Thanks Walt! I'm already planning my next build too! The first one is definately a learning experience.

Hey back at ya Kristi! I look forward to meeting ya at a GA gathering sometime. Maybe the TJ GA Chapter will schedule a winter gathering...??? Keep your eye out - I head through Jonesboro every once in a while and I'm usually towing my TD. Gotta keep moving so the kudzu doesn't grow over it!

FireLion - I think Washichu was originally Souix (not sure if it's Lakota or Oglala) and meant: "one who steals fat". The dude orginially called that was a White guy, so eventually that's just what they called the Whites.

[sleepercatcher]

Washichu,
Great looking teardrop, I'm from N. GA too but N. GA to me means Ringgold. What kind of trailer did you build on? What thickness plywood did you use and what tools did you have?

Sleepercatcher