Hello from Santa Clarita California

[cleonard]

I found this site a couple of weeks ago and I have been reading like crazy ever since. I want to give everyone who contributes here a big thank you. There is a ton of great info here.

I'm comming from a tent camping background. I usually throw stuff in the truck and go. However, this has drawbacks. I only have a standard cab truck and that makes it difficult to lock up anything or keep it out of the weather. Sometimes it worries me when I leave my stuff in the back of the truck and I am away on a hike or shopping in a supermarket. I have also had a few issues with bears. It sucks when you come back to camp only to find your ice chest ripped to pieces and your food long gone.

I will also be taking my TD off road. No insane jeep trails, but there will be a lot of dirt roads traveled in the mountains and deserts of California. I plan on a 3500 pound axle and some more serious timber than the usual TD.

Due to my requirements I think my TD may be known as "The Tank." Not because of it's shape, but because of how strong (and heavy) I will have to make it. I'm thinking of something along the lines of the outbackteardrop.com version. However, I think that for bear resistance the roof will need to be even stronger.

Thanks again, and expect to see me asking lots of questions.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Cleonard, good to hear that you have decided to get involved with our teardrop trailer obsession. It will change the way you do your camping, I can guarantee it. I can't help you much with off-road teardrop info, since the only off-road experience my tear gets is backing into a grass campsite from an asphalt road.

However, the posts that are sure to follow will set you on the right track in your construction plans and your future unforgettable adventures in "The Tank". Good luck on your build, ask questions, post pics!

PS, you have the right idea, name it first, know what you will use it for and follow through.......build, build, build.

Roly, the little woody "on-roader"

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Cleonard. First thing that comes to mind is don't ever leave food in your teardrop in Bear country....

Bears like food and are quite capable of tearing the hatch off and endangering you to get to it...

Second Build light and buy a food safe and some rope
http://www.insightwildlife.com/bearsafe.htm

Enjoy

[Mike C.]

Hey cleonard,

Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy yourself.

[mikewilson]

Wow, someone from close to home! I was born and raised in Palmdale (just north of you as I'm sure you know the city's location). I lived there for 29 years prior to joining the Army.

Where do you go camping at? I've been out to Lake Hughes, Lake Isabella, Boquet Canyon, Littlerock Dam, Wrightwood, Castaic, Randsberg and Thousand Trails in Agua Dulce. The wildlife that always found me was the beautiful mojave green's, racoons, and a few bobcats. I have only seen 1 wild bear in that area just off the 14 west of Vincent Hill Station in Acton. I'm glad I was driving and not camping.

I don't know if you are building a custom trailer or not, but you are fortunate to be within 1 hour drive north or south of plenty of high reputation welding shops if you have it built for you. From what I remember you also have a few good ones in your town in the industrial center off of Mc Bean or Magic Mtn. Pkwy. I can't remember the exact street.

Up in the Antelope Valley there are also RV builders like Lance Camper, and Rexhall. They used to love giving quick tours of their build shops (a good place to look at assembly and materials). They might be a good place to look around if they still give tours and if you have time.

--mikew