Northern Illinois Newbie!!

[Wild Bill]

7-7-07 Have been a camper of some sort for 35 years or more, since mom and dad brought home a 1966 puma tent top trailer in the late 60's.
I currently have a 1987 Jayco pop up that I have used for the last 8 years or so. Having grown tired of cranking and sliding I am looking for an alternative. Went looking at the Rosemont RV show and cannot stomach 15k or more for something that I use only a few times per year. Wife works weekends and that along with two employed teens has put a damper on my camping time. I have been looking for a alternative to going back to a tent, I was a scout and My oldest son is a life scout and I camp with them when I can. My search brought me to this site. I have been reading most of the day, I have considered Converting a U-haul Truck (house truck), a school bus, ( before gas was over 3 bucks per gallon, and now am looking to build my own unit from perhaps an all alum flat bed trailer.
I like a lot of your ideas and hope to have some solution to the over priced over rated RV's that are out there so that when I retire in a few years (God Willing) I will have a trailer ready to travel in. Bill (Not really wild)

[Sam I am]

Welcome, Bill! Good to have you on board. I think you'll find that many folks on this forum have also done the big camper/RV thing and are now turning to the teardrop for its simplicity and economy. You already know the drawbacks of tent camping, and the teardrop eliminates them all!
You will find a lot of helpful, encouraging people here, and a ton of good info on every teardrop related subject. Enjoy!
Sam

[Mike C.]

Bill,

Welcome to the board. Hope you enjoy your stay. Look around and have fun and be sure to post pictures when you start your build. Any questions, just ask, and I'm sure you will get the answer you are looking for.

[Miriam C.]

To the playground Wild Bill. The field is wide open. Building is great fun if you do it right and can be more fun if you don't. Just take lots of pictures and share them with the board. Keeps the bubble oil level.

[Roly Nelson]

Ok, Bill, I just have to chime in on your post, since you are from Northern Illinois. Not sure where in the north, but am familiar with most of it. I am a transplanted Rockford, Illinoian.....(is that a word?) You have the right idea about building a tiny travel trailer or a teardropl. Since you already have the trailer, now all you have to do is decide on the profile, the size, the exterior material and extent of stuff in the galley.

Check out the many pics available on this board, ask any questions that come to mind and get to building. You won't spend anywhere near the bucks that is spent on the high-dollar RVs. Good luck, and now, where are you from again, in that land of corn and good rich dirt?

Roly, So Calif Woody teardropper

[SaGR]

Howdy neighbor!

Welcome aboard

There's a few "Illinoians" here!

[SaGR]

Illinois/Wisconsin/Eastern Iowa/Western Indiana folks should look at:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=17282

[flygal6]

Welcome Bill,
We, like a few others out there are probably almost neighbors. Where in Northern Il are you? I too am converting from a 1999 Jayco popup which I really enjoy, but hated the setup and teardown. No matter how organized you got, its hard to do in less than 45min - 1hr with awnings, jacks etc. You will be hooked soon and on this site all the time. Its an addiction for sure. Have fun and hope to see you for the Oct getogether!

Carol

[49er Teardrop]

Hello Wild Bill! You WILL be WILD once you get it finished! All the best! --49er Vic