Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Alfred** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:14 am

Greetings y'all, from the mountains of Western NC.

I am new to the forum, just discovered Teardrops (Wow!). Seems like it would be a lot of fun to build one, if sweet wife will allow. Currently I am a tent camper, but getting tired of sleeping on the ground.

Wondering if anyone in Asheville area has built one of these, or is interested in building one - Would like to have a mentor or friend with whom to consult and commiserate, should I attempt to build one.

Thanks, AL.

by **Kankujoe** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:45 am

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of useful information here and plenty of encouragement along the way.

Great group of people with lots of knowledge and experience. I've learned quite a bit the past few months and found tons of useful information, links & photos which has helped me in my cargo trailer conversion. Someday I may tackle building a teardrop from the group up.

by **Miriam C.** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:31 am

to the best playground around. We all understand the need to get off the ground. Building a TD is not all that hard. It just takes time, patience and the ability to ask lots of questions. OH and a :pictures:

See we love pictures and they really help keep the bubble oil level.

Enjoy

by **Tear Les** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:13 am

Hi Al,

Welcome aboard! :thumbsup:

Just start reading and looking through the photos (click on the "Hall of Fame" link in the upper left by the random photo); you'll be amazed and entertained for more hours than you probably counted on. And, you'll learn a bunch (a BUNCH) in the process. I now know enough to be a) dangerous b) totally confused and c) overwhelmed; but it's all starting to come together like the giant jigsaw puzzle it is. You're starting with a blank canvas so the picture you paint is totally up to you...it's a bit duanting! :lol:

Also the links way up at the top of the page like Vintage Plans, Generic Benroy Plans, Design Library, and such are really helpful as are the "stickies" at the top of the Contruction Tips & Techniques forum (amongst others).

Have fun!

by **Ira** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:51 am

Hi, Al!!!

You're well on your way, because you've identified the main stumbling block which has thwarted many a builder:

The spouse.

When I figure out a solution, I'll let you know.

My cast comes off next Tueday.

by **bobhenry** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:33 am

Alfred wrote:Greetings y'all, from the mountains of Western NC.

I am new to the forum, just discovered Teardrops (Wow!). Seems like it would be a lot of fun to build one, if sweet wife will allow.
Thanks, AL.

2 months into the big tear build having survived the building of my toy motorcycle tear and I finally learned the secret ! Ask her opinion on the kitchen design even if just on paper. You will realize in short order just how little you know about everything. I need this I need that ! I have been working the last 4 weekends 4-6 hours Sat. & Sun and I never saw her poke her head out until yesterday. I designed the new and radically different flip out " u " shaped kitchen and she was at my elbow the better 1/2 of the day. First time I have had that much attention since I tried to set the 5'6" x 10 foot wall and the wind tried to kill me with it. She was much more positive yesterday the word insanity was not muttered as it was on the day of the killer wall incident

.

by **Ira** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:09 pm

bobhenry wrote: I finally learned the secret ! Ask her opinion on the kitchen design even if just on paper.

My wife didn't fall for that.

by **Eunice** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:21 pm

Welcome to teardrops. This forum is great for meeting new people and making friends. I did tent camping for years and loved it but I am so happy with our teardrop. Just wait until your first gathering, you will be hooked.
Eunice

by **doug hodder** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:58 pm

Ya know what Alfred...it's not just the fact that you are no longer in a tent...It's much more than that...It's a vintage RV design/idea that has a history and the fact is that many people have built their own over the last 60 years and they are still being dragged down the highway...plus the group of people at a gathering are going to end up being some very good friends. Have fun, build what you want and decorate it how you want.....It's a great rewarding project...Doug

by **Chip** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:51 am

Well Al,, Welcome to the teardrop world,,, all your problems are solved ,, well except the one about the wife,,, Just about every problem that has come up with teardrop building has been solved several ways,,,, with the exception of wifey-po saying no, etc,etc,etc,, :lol:

that one you are on ya on ,, good luck,, but let us know how it turns out,, will ya,,

I am in Greenville SC, and be more than happy for ya to have a look at what a wood butcher has done, maybe help ya out with some questions and answers,,, there aint really a right or wrong way to build one,, Its all about what you want,, or think you want,,, Well its about what you want and the wife will allow you to want,,, :lol:

good luck with the build and read and look a bunch,,, ask questions, read and look somemore,,, your ideas will change daily,,

enjoy
chipper

by **Alfred** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:20 pm

Thanks to all of you who replied to my initial post. I appreciated the warm Welcome!

AL.

by **Alfred** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:42 pm

Hi Gang,

I stopped by the Southern Appalachian Chapter/Fall Crawl this past weekend, but came in late Saturday night and missed a lot of folks Sunday morning. Still I met some great folks and got a few TD tours.

Inspired me enough that today I went out and bought the hitch receiver kit for our Dodge Grand Caravan, which is the first step to working toward buying the trailer!

I am leaning toward buying the Tractor Supply 4x8, which some folks recommended over the Harbor Freight/Super Heavy Duty, as a better trailer, plus it is already assembled. Would still be open to some feedback on this. Both trailers are more or less the same price. The Tractor Supply lists at $299.00 in their catalog and the Harbor Freight is usually $399.00, but on sale until the end of the month for $299.00.

Anyway, I am excited about taking concrete steps from "thinking about building" to actually building!

Al in Asheville :thumbsup:

by **TENNJIM** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:09 pm

Al,

Welcome to the forum. The payoff for building one is going to be teardrop camping in those beautiful mountains around you there. The Smokies are right out your back door.

Jim B / Utah - Maryville, TN boy

by **Miriam C.** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:17 pm

Al I almost bought the smaller TS trailer but thought the single pole tongue was a bit flimsy. Nothing has changed my mind since. I guess the HF just looks beefier. :thinking:

Not sure it really is. You might ask in the Trailer forum. http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=35

Happy you got to see some real TD's. There is nothing like a gathering to get you moving.