I'm Late!

[lonebird]

Sooo… I tend to rush into things and forget a few steps here and there… I suppose after 20 posts I’d better introduce myself.

Hi I’m Karen!

I’m a Park Interpretive Specialist for California State Parks; basically a glorified nature guide. I’ve been admiring teardrops for a while, but became somewhat obsessed a few months ago. Due to the fact I have a 4 cylinder 95 Camry Coupe, I think I’ll have to wait until I upgrade my car for a trailer. At least that’s what I keep telling myself… pity it doesn’t work… I’d love to build a teardrop but I have few tools and a tiny garage (with three sea kayaks in it!) I wouldn’t mind buying one, but I don’t have much money either. So, yeah, I’ve doodled a few designs, and I’ll get around to posting them soon. Meanwhile, if anyone on the Central Coast wants a helping hand I know my way around a shop, and I can weld with a MIG. Or if anyone wants to go kayaking I’m here too.

Karen

PS I'm also a photojournalist on the side, so if you have a teardrop with a story I have a camera and a pencil.

[Kens]

Better late than never! Welcome to the loney bin.

[toypusher]

Karen,

Welcome to the board. I'm sure that you will find everything you need concerning teardrops here. This is really a great bunch of folks and they will help you out as much as possible.

[BrwBier]

Maybe the answer to your obsession could be to get someone else obsessed and share a teardrop, at least for awhile. Share skills and space and time. Then since according to legend, most want to build a second one anyway, you could sell the first and each build a second as time, money and experience become available.
Brwbier

[Miriam C.]

Welcome to the play ground Karen. Always nice to have some extra estrogen making sawdust. I saved for a year to buy or build a canoe that was light weight and would stay afloat with water in it. Then I found this site. A teardrop will be so much more useful and when it is done there will be a canoe to go with.

You know the pass word, right

[Rob]

Karen--

Welcome aboard! So, which park are you located? You never know when some T&TTT member will show up.

[Mary K]

Hello!! And Welcome!!

First off, as Auntie M said, its great to have more female builders here.

I would think that if you built light enough, you could pull a TD with your car.
Here is where we need the "gentlemen"...Men, what do yall think???


Also, If I can build a TD, ANYONE can build a TD. I have limited cheap tools.

Circular Saw

Jig Saw,


Miter Box w/saw



Plus an array of hand tool,


OH, and my work area is my Car Port.



Check out my Build Pic Link below to see what I have accomplished.

I hope this inspires you pick up the tools at start building!!!!:thumbsup:

Oh, and remember, take lot-o-pics, We luv da Pic's arround here!!!:pictures:


Mk

[lonebird]

Haha! Thanks everyone! Gtg celebrate bein' Irish, just wanted to say I work at El Captain, Refugio, and Gaviota State Beaches near Santa Barbara. Oh and I also run up and help at La Purisma Mission when needed.

Next pay check I might start collecting tools, I ALMOST got a good price on a utility trailer last week... lost it cause I couldn't haul it away asap... perhaps the first step will be outfitting my car with a hitch.

Thanks again, more soon.

[lonebird]

Okay I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing me talk money . I promise this is that last time I'll post anything about it. Creighton and I got turned down for a personal loan two weeks ago because we asked for too much money. We just got turned down for a RV loan because we asked for too little, and they couldn't find a bluebook value for a "custom" trailer. I mean my credit score is 675, this shouldn't be so hard!

Lil guy will loan me the money, but I would much rather have a teardrop that was hand built; and one I can easily modify to make it feel more like my own. I simply don't have the time to build one before busy season... we've already been camping/working for 6 days! Went on some wonderful morning hikes, I post pics when we go back home on the 29th. On the 30th I go back to camping and Cre goes back to commuting. Next week I work 69 hours! gotta love spring break

Anyway, anyone had similar problems with loans? What did ya do?

We opened a new savings account and put $1500 in there. My dream tear costs 4500, but the guy's really nice and willing to give it to me for 3500 if a higher bid doesn't come up. So my fingers are crossed.

[Podunkfla]

We opened a new savings account and put $1500 in there. My dream tear costs 4500, but the guy's really nice and willing to give it to me for 3500 if a higher bid doesn't come up. So my fingers are crossed.

Hi Karen... I know you are young... and money is tight. But, Like others here have said; you CAN build your own. What's more you can do it for about a third what your "dream tear" will cost! Really... Think about it. That extra three grand would go a long way toward buying a newer nicer tow car (SUV?) or lots of other things. The skills are not hard to learn. The tools you actually need are not very expensive... and sometimes you can find good ones used at flea markets, tag sales and even pawn shops. I'm a long time woodworker and I have bought a LOT of good used tools. The main trick is go for brand names like Dewalt, Porter Cable and Milwaulkee. These pro grade power tools will outlast me and you both in most cases. Of course if you see a real deal on a Black & Decker don't turn it down.

And, you live out there in CA... There are lots of teardrop builders there and quite a few of the TTT members too. You can get all the info you need and then some. Last but not least, you can't go buy the sense of pride and accomplishment you get from building your own. It's a real ego trip to have people stop and admire your tear and you can say: Yeah, and we built it!"

Just my .02...

friend ~ Brick

[toypusher]

I agree with Brick 100%. You can save a ton of money and have a real vested interest in your camper!!

[asianflava]

When I started I was buying things as-needed. It doesn't hurt nearly as much when you buy it a piece at a time. The only problem was, it is really slow going. As soon as I got a bonus from work, I bought the big ticket items and everything else I needed to complete the project.

[ARKPAT]

lonebird Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:19 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing me talk money . I promise this is that last time I'll post anything about it. Creighton and I got turned down for a personal loan two weeks ago because we asked for too much money. We just got turned down for a RV loan because we asked for too little, and they couldn't find a bluebook value for a "custom" trailer. I mean my credit score is 675, this shouldn't be so hard!

Lil guy will loan me the money, but I would much rather have a teardrop that was hand built; and one I can easily modify to make it feel more like my own. I simply don't have the time to build one before busy season... we've already been camping/working for 6 days! Went on some wonderful morning hikes, I post pics when we go back home on the 29th. On the 30th I go back to camping and Cre goes back to commuting. Next week I work 69 hours! gotta love spring break

Anyway, anyone had similar problems with loans? What did ya do?

We opened a new savings account and put $1500 in there. My dream tear costs 4500, but the guy's really nice and willing to give it to me for 3500 if a higher bid doesn't come up. So my fingers are crossed.

You can save up and buy one or make one. Either way glad to have you start planning.
Me I did not want to borrow money so I just collected the tools and supplies. You can get a trailer frame made or a boxed ( Harbor Freight ) on for around $300 - $500 complete frame and title. Wood , Steel, Aluminumn or Fiberglass ( oh yes mine right now frame and tarp ) to cover the framework if any. Lots of good ideas here on the board and come and see at a camp-in when you get some time off. You will enjoy building on yourself, even a hour a week working at it. Me and Ira.




Pat

[Ron Dickey]

Karen,

you are around campers every day talk to them. they will tell you not only what you want in a trailer they will tell you what they do not like but more so you might find one that will give you an old trailer that you can strip and rebuild or change.

My trailer is built on a free yes free boat trailer they are every where. when you build it you might want to build it with a strong roof or mike it removable like mine will be. and then when you are not camping you have a kayak carrier. you can have a platform and have a rack that you add or you could have a rack that is attached to the frame like the ones you see on pickups. rack attached to the bed and inside is a cap. then you have a kayak rack and a changing room.

as you can see mine is flat on top I have a alluminum rack that will go on top then I can load on bikes or a fold out upper tent for a guest to sleep in.

I am no where near done. I do have the tools just not always the time. You are around 100 mile south of me, wish gas were not so much we are up to 3.17 at costco. Tell your freinds what you are doing and see if any one comes up with a place where you can build. or tools you can barrow. We will keep in touch if worst comes to worse I can drive down in the Prius if I am carful I can get 52 mile to the gallon with it and can do a trip up and back on about 4 gallons, Have you met Tom K. he lives in Morro Bay and camps alot maybe he can help too.

There is a Harbor Freight in Santa Maria just south of that big mall with Sears and Gotshocks. Lots of cheeper trailer stuff there. If you buy the trailer they sell I have heard it is wise to check the wheels and make sure the bearings are greeced. many of the group use them and can tell you the goods and bads. But look for free or real cheep first. I got new wheels and bearings on mine and it pulls real nice.

Keep writeing keep asking..... and if I did not say it before welcome aboard.

Hope to be camping with you soon.
Next time you go to Manana De Oro ask the rangers about Penny she takes kids from the Big cities and shows them Nature there.

Ron D.
Los Osos, CA

[lonebird]

Thanks for all the wonderful responses guys!!! As soon as work dies down I'll try and post more. For now everything is on hold till after April's busy season

Thanks again, you all all amazing.