Hello From Michigan

[mkhrcfly]

Hello My name is Mike and I'm just getting started with the TD thing I'm 54 yrs old married 32 years raised 4 children now have 4 Grand Children we have been camping for years off and on with the kids we started with a tent then a pop up forever, kids moved on we went back to tent, Just the two of us now and enjoy getting out when we can with our busy schedules and I saw one of these tear drop campers and I thought that would be great for us !! I'm a pretty good builder and would like to build a wood TD with my Son-in-Laws I'm thinking a 5x8 on a trailer. I work for a big box lumber yard so materials are not a proplem, I have built R/C airplanes for years so I'm comfortable with reading plans, but I'm getting a little over-whelmed with all the the different plans, so that's were I'm at looking for a good set of plans. I started to look at all the post to see what I could find. I'm looking forward to this journey and I'm always open to any help and Ideas !! Thanks Guys Mike

[mikeschn]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, it's easy to get overwhelmed with ideas... we all do...

But look at the pictures in the hall of fame... It'll become apparent to you what you like and what you don't. Just think about features... Do you want a porta potty or not?

Don't let me distract you with this photo...


Mike...

[mkhrcfly]

Thanks

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, Mike. You are not alone, with your concerns about your proposed teadrop style, shape and exterior materials. There are so many potential shapes, sizes and quality of materials, that you have to choose from. I suggest that you pick out the ideal teardrop configuration to suit your liking, and press on from there. Good for you, choosing to build a woody. (Being a woody owner, I can relate to your feelings). However, since we don't know where you are located, (lots of snow during the winter, lot of rain during the wet season, or being able to live in a relatively stable, teardrop friendly area of the country) your exterior material, may be in question, perhaps you can enlighten us, a bit.

Hey, if you can read plans, build R/C airplanes and are willing to alter existing plans to suit your needs, you are on the right track. I think it would be a good idea to pick and choose which shape and style would fit your needs best. No one has to follow a set of plans exactly, that is what makes our teardrop building so unique. It is a joy to crank out a neat, individual design, with all of the self-imposed requirements that only suit the one-and-only builder.........you.

So, check out the various sites, listing different plans and sizes. I think that a 5 x 10 is probably the perfect size, noting the size of your family, kids and grand kids. Keep the dream alive, and make that committment.

First step........obtain a suitable trailer frame! A 4x8 would work for you as you can extend the width and length of the wooden trailer to suit your needs. The shape and design is up to you. Your personal ideas and designs will soon take shape, and the ultimate result of your build, will please you well into the future.

Remember, those of us on this board, are here to help and all you have to do is ask questions and you will be amazed at the help you will get. Keep up effort going, get that trailer frame and get started as soon as you can. Who knows, we may be sharing a campfire with you sometime in the near future. Good luck on your build and remember, pics, pics, pics.

PS, where are you located, here on our globe?
Roly

[tearhead]

Welcome from a Wisconsinite! Where in Michigan are you located?

[Anthony J Grant]

Welcome aboard Mike from the Milan area!
How can you get any work done in that big box store, every time I walk into one all I do is wander and day dream?

[Shadow Catcher]

Mike one of the things that you might want to consider is coming to some of the gatherings and seeing what others have done. One of the problems in trying to decide what designed to use is visualizing how it actually works and goes together and what you can live with. An easy way to do this would be to come to one of the Tear Jerker gatherings.

[Karl]

Welcome to the forum. I'm in Southeastern Michigan in the northwest fringes of the Dertoit Metro area.
On this website and on www.Tearjerkers.net, be on the lookout for gatherings to go to since, as Shadow Catcher indicated, you'll get some good ideas.
Best of luck.

[mkhrcfly]

Thanks Guys for all the info !! I will take a look for upcoming gatherings, think that would very helpfull !! Currentyl I live in Holland Mi. I was transfered from the east side of the State, were my roots are and family. I'm from a little town of Yale Mi, for Michiganders thats in the Thumb LOL I try to get home when ever I can I'm learning this message board not sure how to reply to a single messge yet but I'm sure I will figure it out, and yes it's tough working in a big box but I love it get to see so many projects !! LOL Again thanks guys Mike

[emiller]

Welcome Mike and stay warm. hope to see some builds or just camp pictures.

[Dragonryder]

Welcome to one of the most informative, friendly sites around. There are a lot of great ideas out there. I'm not done with my tear yet and already I have more ideas that I want to add. It's basically a never ending project. Just be sure and keep us posted. We love getting new ideas.

If there's one thing I have learned is try and finish to the point that you can enjoy your build as you add the extras. This is something that I didn't do and now I am in my second year of building and growing more and more impatient to use it. Hopefully this summer. While the build is fun, it's the using it that is the best fun of all.

[mkhrcfly]

How do I get my picture to be connected to my post ??
I've tried everything and I'm missing something

Thanks

[mikeschn]

It's pretty simple. Just past the link from your album, and put Img tags around it...

Here's a screenshot for you...

http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html

Mike...