Time to Jump Inn

[1849]

Ok, after hiding out and reading post after post for close to a couple of months, I thought it was time to jump inn and say hello. I read a report someplace about how much time employees spend online at work, not related to their actual job. I hope no one here at work is keeping track of the time I've been here reading....boss might get upset.....

A couple of years ago I saw a Huell Howser episode on vintage campers and trailers and thought, boy, that's really neat, would be great to have something like that. And then, I forgot about it. Then, a couple of months ago I saw the show on the travel channel and my interest was rekindled. Did some online searching and found this great forum. The more I read, the more I'm convinced I will soon be a teardropper.

My plans are to buy a completed, or near-completed, teardrop as I do not have a workplace to build my own. I have a couple friends who could help with shelves and the galley, as I'd like to have something vintage-looking in the galley. I'm sure I'll be checking out the galley images to come up with something, there are so many great ideas there.

As I'm located in southern California, I'm going to try to find someone here on the westcoast to buy from. Although I really like some of the tears I've seen from Camp Inn and other companys (especially like the work at Bubbas Trailer Park) around the great lakes, I've never towed a trailer, so will probably try to buy from someone here locally. I've got a bunch of questions, but I'm going to try to space them out and also do some searching on past threads. One question to start with, I've seen that many people have pop-ups or easy-ups. Is that partially to shade the tear during the day to keep the inside temp down? Do they get really hot inside and will they cool off at night?

Whew, that's kinda long-winded, I'll end this post for now. Looking forward to talking/meeting ya'll at some point in the near future.

Elliot

[halfdome, Danny]

Elliott, Welcome to the forum. The reason for the easy up is rain, tree droppings, bird droppings, remember you'll be cooking out doors so some kind of shelter comes in handy. We use a screen room and it covers just the rear hatch and gives a nice screened room to stay out of the weather and bugs. I've never found our tear to be too hot to stay in besides we have a fantastic fan to keep it cool along with insulation. In warmer climates I guess the easy up would keep the sun from heating up the tear. Check out our for sale section and So. Cal Teardrops Danny

[Miriam C.]

to the sandbox Elliott. I have not been out in my TD but the weather here is not to be trusted. I insulated and have an easy up clone to keep the sun and rain off.

Enjoy the site and good luck in your search.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Elliott, welcome to the mad house. Here you will learn to build, buy and enjoy your teardrop trailer.
There are many experienced minds on this site that are more that willing to lend a hand and advice for your new found fun.

Welcome aboard.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Elliot, welcome to the forum. I suppose by So Calif, you mean somewhere around the LA area. I'm sure you can find a teardrop to buy somewhere down here. They will even make you one, brand new if you order it, then you can pick it up when it is finished. All you will need then is a bag of groceries and you are ready to camp.

Roly

[doug hodder]

Elliot...I'd say definitely check in with Roly, as he has one of the most interesting tears on the road, and an extensive shop!...he's a hoot to visit with also...I've had his "tear tours" and they are fun. He's down in your neck of the woods also...Roly, please notice I did not volunteer your time or effort in the construction of a new one....I let you off easy!! Doug

I'd say...see as many as you can, experience what it is all about and have some fun...design what you want to suit your needs....hope to see you at an upcoming gathering...Doug

[Ira]

Welcome, Elliot.

I wouldn't be too concerned about buying VERY locally because you've never towed anything before. After an hour on the road, it'll be second nature.

Now, backing up--that's a different story:



Note the damaged tongue box because I didn't listen to Gage and built it MY way instead.

[1849]

Hey Doug, I think I'll be doing that as Roly emailed me earlier and I hope we can plan some time to get together. I'll let him know you suggested that he build me a tear.....by the way, the Rocketear is way cool!

Hey Ira, the backing up is what's worrying me, but if my tear is light enough, I guess I can always just get out of the car and push it where I want it to go....

Hey Halfdome, So-Cal Teardrops isn't too far from me, I'm hoping to get out there soon. I like their Rover model. I'm looking for something small and lightweight and that seems to fit the bill.

Hey Meriam and Kurt and all, Thanks for all the welcomes, I'm looking forward to getting on the road one of these days soon and meeting a bunch of new folks!

btw, my hat's off to the folks who run this forum, it's pretty slick. I'm going to try to create an album and post some of my favorite places to camp.

Elliot

[Gerdo]

Welcome! Don't get too concerned about backing up a trailer. I'll become second nature after a while. When pulling a trailer you will start to think of ways of not needing to back up. You will park further in parking lots and be able to pull forward to leave. If you are looking for a semi or complete TD you can start looking on Craigs List or Ebay.

[Mike C.]

Welcome Elliot,

Glad you joined. This is the place to be if you are teardrop minded, so join in and have some fun.

[Unkl Ron]

I've never towed a trailer, so will probably try to buy from someone here locally.
I've seen that many people have pop-ups or easy-ups. Is that partially to shade the tear during the day to keep the inside temp down? Do they get really hot inside and will they cool off at night?
Elliot

Don't limit yourself to "local buying" - Towing is easy - Put you hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel, look in the rear view mirror - move your hand whichever way you want the TD to go. Stop when you hear something go crunch. Besides, one of the best trips you'll have is driving hundreds (or thousands) of miles to pick up your newly acquired TD. PLUS, you get to Camp on the way back.

Pop-Ups & Easy Ups are also beneficial for actually hiding your TD whilst camping in areas where there are a lot of LARGE RVs. Cuts down on some of the traffic predicated on the first two obvious questions from the Diesel Pusher Campers:
Q1) Where is the Bathroom? A1) Downstairs.
Q2) Can you stand up in it? A2) DUH, sure.....But only downstairs.
Everything else is a joy....