New to teardrops - looking at an 05 Little Guy 4-Wide Retro

[NW_Subie]

My s/o turned me on to teardrops. I was interested in a Chalet LTW, but she convinced me that a teardrop was the way to go. Finally have a good tow vehicle, a Subaru Forester with a hidden hitch.

I found a slightly used 05 Little Guy 4-Wide Retro. I'm going to look at it this weekend. I'm curious if there are any issues I should be looking at in general, and anything specific to the Little Guy models. The owner is asking more than what the Seattle dealer will sell a brand new 4-Retro for.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Eric

[Nitetimes]

Buy the new one!

[Miriam C.]

Welcome to the play pit Eric,
Like Rich said: "Buy the new one." Unless the other has some serious upgrades. I mean enough to make it worth the difference. Stuff you can't or don't want to do yourself and can't live without.

Enjoy and Share.

[doug hodder]

I'd go for the new one also, if it's between just the 2 units...but with 2 people you might also consider a wider tear...but if you choose to go for the used one...what an opportunity to get a deal...just arm yourself with as much information as you can from this forum, and go in ready to deal...I'd play hardball with them and see what you can get...you don't get anything in life you don't at least ask for. They may say no, but at least you asked, and probably the #1 question..."why are you selling it", depending on the response, then tell them you can buy a new one cheaper, it's your dime, save it for the extras you're going to want........Doug

[NW_Subie]

This is one that was advertised in CL a couple of weeks ago. It has a Honda generator and a couple other options. She's not going to sell at that price, but she may be willing to bargin. If not, I'll make the drive to Seattle.

I'm really curious if there's anything I should be looking at specific to Little Guys. Any other Little Guy owners out there?

Looking forward to camping this summer.

[bledsoe3]

Subie, Welcome to the forum. I'm with the others here. Buy new if it's the same price. But, depending on the size and type of generator it could affect the price some. What part of Portland are you from?
By the way, Subie's and tears are great.

[SteveH]

Don't really know much about them, but didn't I hear on here about a Little Guy with a broken tongue?

[NW_Subie]

I'm in N. Portland.

Not set on a Little Guy, but it looks like a pretty good product. Wish I had the skills to build one... I don't.

[DaveandDebbie]

Welcome to the play pit Eric,
Like Rich said: "Buy the new one." Unless the other has some serious upgrades. I mean enough to make it worth the difference. Stuff you can't or don't want to do yourself and can't live without.

Enjoy and Share.

NW_Subie
I'm with MC It really depends on the options/add ons the Honda gens are pricey but how big is it?
As for the Liy Guy I have a 2005 Deluxe and I love it not sure what makes it a Deluxe except for the Beer Keg and side mount Beer Tap. Darn I forgot you cant mount the Keg if you have the mattress in there Well as far as anything you need to know about it cant think of anything but if I do I will let you know

[quote]SteveH wrote Don't really know much about them, but didn't I hear on here about a Little Guy with a broken tongue?

I saw the pic.s Steve and I would love to know how he did that Does anyone know the story? Did he have the keg installed LAMO Dave

[Nitetimes]

I saw the pic.s Steve and I would love to know how he did that Does anyone know the story? Did he have the keg installed LAMO Dave

The tongue material was too light and not reinforced. They have since changed them. The last ones I went and looked at had 2x3 tongues with A braces. Look plenty strong now.

[DaveandDebbie]

I saw the pic.s Steve and I would love to know how he did that Does anyone know the story? Did he have the keg installed LAMO Dave

The tongue material was too light and not reinforced. They have since changed them. The last ones I went and looked at had 2x3 tongues with A braces. Look plenty strong now.

Thanks Rick
Looks like my 2005 has a 2x3 I just could not see how he could brake it there Thanks for the info

[NW_Subie]

Seller is willing to drop to $2900 without the generator. She used it once moving from the East Coast for about 4-weeks. Never been in a campground! Been garaged since then. The tri-fold bed seems a bit long, almost like it was designed for the platform model. She bolted a small platform to the tongue. Includes a spare but no mount. Manufactured in March 2005 so I guess the tongue issue isn't a problem. What do you think? Is it worth it?

[doug hodder]

You can easily put that much $$ into a tear....I'd say it's a fair deal...but you might want to push the envelope and get her to throw in the generator on a cash deal...it's worth a try, unless she has a buyer for the generator, chances are, it's something else she is going to want to sell down the road...help her out, if she balks...offer another 100$ with the generator, you only get out of life what you ask for...of course this is all provided it is in as good of condition as represented...with a little dough, you'll have a honey, usable now, but you could really trick it out the way you want...of course you could really low ball her and find out just how hard up she is on money....sorry, I've bought lots of old cars in the past and this is just my experience...and I know I sold my first built tear for a whole lot more than that.....just my thoughts...Doug

[bledsoe3]

Subie, if you can get it for that price with the Geni go for it. There's plenty of people with lots of experience willing to help you out with any modifications you would want.

[NW_Subie]

Subie, if you can get it for that price with the Geni go for it. There's plenty of people with lots of experience willing to help you out with any modifications you would want.

Thanks for all the information. Another quick question. In Oregon does DMV allow you to register a teardrop like this as a light trailer or do the classify it as a RV trailer?