Hello, hi, howdy, glad to meet ya ...

[Bobcape]

Hi all,
I found this site when I was looking for something else and bookmarked it. I started reading through some posts and got hooked so I decided to upload some pics and introduce myself.
I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I moved here from Phoenix, AZ in 1990 because the climate was so similar! I'm and avid outdoors person - camping, hunting, fly fishing, long range rifle competition, chilling, etc. I usually tent camp because I like the flexibility of picking any spot in the forest or prairie. I have really gotten the bug to build a small, simple teardrop. I bought the shop manual from Steve Frederick and can't wait to start going through it and make some plans for what I want to build. I'm thinking of taking 10 days or so off this spring and seeing how far along I can get to completing my project. I'd love to finish it and be able to take it on my annual trip to the Big Horns at the end of June.

Lots of reading and planning to do. I look forward to chatting with all of you.

Bob

PS - Check out my album of camping pics.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum. Wow, a 10 day build. Good for you, don't let anybody talk you out of it. I do have some suggestions for you though. It would be very helpful if you were to visit other builders and users in your area. I am sure there are folks here on the board that would be more than helpful. Perhaps they'll chime in and make arraingments for a get-together. Another helpful hint, would be to do some leg-work prior to taking your 10 days off, when you plan to get started. Making a list of the perhaps hard-to-obtain materials and parts, would prevent construction delays. I think it would be a good idea to buy them and have them on hand when the time comes.
Hey, this kind of a trailer is simply a box with wheels on it, and all you have to decide, is how complicated you want to make it. Being a 3 time builder, (none of which took only 10 days), I wish you luck and be aware, we are all here to help as much as we can. Ask any questions you like, I am sure you will get very helpful advice and suggstions. Good luck on your build.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Cal woody guy

[Junkboy999]

Hey Bob

Thanks for giving the forums a shot ! Ha ! ( just had to work that in some where.)

If you are looking for an easier, simpler, and faster build take a look at what people call weekenders or the
rockhoppers. They still have the same footprint, door on side galley on back, layout. They are simpler in
construction because you will not need to bend or make any round sweeping curves. They can be simple
and basic for general utilitarian needs, or tricked out like the fanciest teardrop you can imagine.

Take a look at the Hall of Fame pictured gallery ( very top menu ) and you can see a picture of these style
campers mixed in with all the other campers. Some Example to look for are.

Whitney's Weakender, Larry and Judy's Super Bee, The Dog House, and my favorite The SunHopper

[WhitneyK]

Welcome!
Wow, live in the Black Hills, why would you ever want to travel away?
Good luck on your "research" and future build.

[Vedette]

Hey Whitney
If you like the Black hills (we did) you should plan to travel to the northwest!
Come see what Washington, Oregon, & B.C have to offer.
Get your passports and come for a visit.......our licence plate don't say "Beautiful British Columbia" just for the heck of it????
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Mary C]

Hi, welcome to the forum!!! I lived in North Dakota for a year, years ago. Too cold for me!!!! people are super glad to help on here. You could do what I am doing, buying stuff for my build and getting everything so that when I get ready to build I wont have to run to the store every other day. Once again welcome!!!

Mary C

[Oldragbaggers]

Hello Bob. Welcome to the forum and good luck with your build.

[Bobcape]

Thanks for all of the welcomes! I do plan to buy all of the materials and supplies ahead of time. I do a 10 day camping trip every year the last week of June in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. My goal is to try and have something useable by then. The reality is, with our cold weather extending into the spring and my work travel schedule, that date is going to be a challenge. Maybe I should look at buying a used TD and not worry about a timeframe on the build. I've been reading the shop manual and really like the flow. I doubt I'd build the trailer though. Thanks again for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

Bob

[Junkboy999]

GL and keep an eye on Craigslist and used sales places. You might find a nice little one that needs some
TLC. A used one can be a nice start, or a learning experience.