Just getting started and wanted to say Hi!

[jalmada]

Hello,

My name is Jon and I live in Shingle Springs, California. I just ordered my trailer from redtrailers.com - 12 inch tires - model SJ-8530 and will be making the construction of my teardrop my winter project. I'm 49 years old, looking forward to early retirement in about 6 years and love travel and exploring the West. Work in computer application design and been at it for about 30 years now.

Planning to use two different tow vehicles - a Ford Ranger for back-woods camping and my 2005 Mustang fastback for on-road and lightweight off-road expeditions - both red in color and of course, the teardrop is going to be fire engine red - LOL. Now to find a woman who wants to ride shotgun on tours and who likes teardrops! :>)

Am building to the Cubby8 plans from Kuffel Creek Press and will probably vary some of the design to my design needs. I'm planning on adding a few extra goodies like LCD television and addition of electrical and communications systems to accommodate my ghost-hunting hobby - The teardrop makes a perfect expedition vehicle for hunting in ghost towns, remote case work, etc. I'm going to add a distribution system for AC power, wireless networking and the like. The unique thing will be to be able to camp right on-site during investigations!

Still not sure on all of the woodworking that goes into this, but hey... I'll dive into anything and just deal with learning it all. Same with metal work - Went with the bolt-together frame to avoid the issues with welding and figure everything else will be good from there.

Nice to meet all of you and I look forward to learning and listening from the pros!

Jon

[Sam I am]

HI, Jon! Welcome to the world of teardrops! I also tow with a Ranger sometimes. It's a 1996 2WD with a 4 cyl. stick shift and 130,000 miles, and it easily handles my tear! I hope you enjoy building your teardrop.
Ghost hunting, huh? Is that a little like a dog chasing cars - what will you do if you catch one?! Just kidding!
Sam

[BillandMarijo]

Jon,
Welcome to the forum. Funny I also have a Ranger to tow with. 1992 5 Speed 4x4 w/ 140,000 Miles. Its my work truck. I work as a Ford Auto Tech at a local Ford Dealership. I keep her running pretty good. The wife has a Exployer Sprt 5 Speed. Hey what can I say Im a Ford nut. Anyways enough of that. I also built my Tear dubbed "The Sponge". We really enjoyed building her and took her out about a month ago on her maiden voyage to a friends camp. It was great. And ya know those little Tears sure get attention wherever they go. Your going to enjoy the feeling of pride youll get from building your own.
Good luck on your build,
Bill and Marijo

[doug hodder]

Welcome Jon....there are a number of us from Shingle Springs up to Pollock Pines that have tears and TTT's and a group in Sac as well. Fun to find a new person so close. My "shop" is always open to have visitors. Ask away and I'm sure you'll get the necessary info you need to complete your build. Now get going!!! The Dam Gathering is only like 6 mos. away....Doug

[satch]

From one Sac Vallyite to another, Welcome!! Like Doug said, don't be shy, ask away!!

[jalmada]

HI, Jon! Welcome to the world of teardrops! I also tow with a Ranger sometimes. It's a 1996 2WD with a 4 cyl. stick shift and 130,000 miles, and it easily handles my tear! I hope you enjoy building your teardrop.
Ghost hunting, huh? Is that a little like a dog chasing cars - what will you do if you catch one?! Just kidding!
Sam

Yep - I've got a 1987 Ranger - beat up, but in the process of fixing that one up - Needs a lot of TLC and it's getting it. The Mustang is in cherry shape and will be used for most of the 2009 expeditions - plan on making the teardrop follow the Mustang motiff with tail lights salvaged from a Mustang and perhaps to add some logos and such to make it match the fastback ;>)

As for ghost hunting - I use digital recorders and video to get my captures - Never did quite figure how to hold onto 'em once I do get 'em - I'll settle for video and audio evidence - My group is called "Ghost-Rider-Investigations or GRI for short ;>)

Nice to meet you! Thanks Sam!

Jon

[jalmada]

Jon,
Welcome to the forum. Funny I also have a Ranger to tow with. 1992 5 Speed 4x4 w/ 140,000 Miles. Its my work truck. I work as a Ford Auto Tech at a local Ford Dealership. I keep her running pretty good. The wife has a Exployer Sprt 5 Speed. Hey what can I say Im a Ford nut. Anyways enough of that. I also built my Tear dubbed "The Sponge". We really enjoyed building her and took her out about a month ago on her maiden voyage to a friends camp. It was great. And ya know those little Tears sure get attention wherever they go. Your going to enjoy the feeling of pride youll get from building your own.
Good luck on your build,
Bill and Marijo

Hi Bill,

Yep - I love my Fords - been a Mustang fan for many moons and have owned two of them. My little 2005 pony is my favorite and more fun than should be legal ;>)

Love my Ranger - just needs a bit of reconditioning - Big item is for me to find out how to replace an old freon-based A/C with new one for 1987 model Ranger v6. If that doesn't pan out, I may just bite the bullet and get a newer used one - I like my Ranger for getting in and out of the Sierras in all sorts of places remote and they are reliable beasties.

Love "The Sponge" title - What prompted that name? I think I'll name mine "Stang" for obvious reasons ;>) LOL.

As for pride of building my own - You got that right - It's a big challenge and it'll help with keeping travel expenses down in a "down" economy - I didn't work 30 years to get near retirement and then sit around - Hell... I'm getting out there and tearing up the countryside! ;>) The big challenge I see is going to be the aluminum work - Last time I did metal work was 30 years ago in high school - and that was steel - so this is going to be a new medium. I can handle wood and have most of the tools and am ok with all of that, but the metal stuff will have me asking lots of questions I'm sure.

Appreciate the warm welcome!

Jon

[jalmada]

Welcome Jon....there are a number of us from Shingle Springs up to Pollock Pines that have tears and TTT's and a group in Sac as well. Fun to find a new person so close. My "shop" is always open to have visitors. Ask away and I'm sure you'll get the necessary info you need to complete your build. Now get going!!! The Dam Gathering is only like 6 mos. away....Doug

Hi Doug - Wow - didn't realize many folks were nearby - I'll definitely remember that - It'll help to see real live examples from experienced folks. I'll definitely ask questions!

Dam Gathering? Ok - I'll bite.... Tell me about that one! ;>) And thanks for the welcome!

Jon

[jalmada]

From one Sac Vallyite to another, Welcome!! Like Doug said, don't be shy, ask away!!

LOL - You got it! Good to know there are supportive folks out there. I'm excited as all get up to get into this and start meeting everyone at the various gatherings! Nice to meet you!

Jon

[doug hodder]

The Dam Gathering is not to be missed! Typically 60+ tears and TTT's show up, it's at Antlers Campground at Lake Shasta first weekend of May. We have the entire campground, chili feed, lots of DO cooking and general "yucking it up/ visiting and trailer tours". Grant Whipp (Lil' Bear) puts it on...he's also a great resource for parts and expertise... Doug

PS, you don't have to build using any aluminum, that's the beauty of these trailers, no rules, do whatcha' want.

[BillandMarijo]

Jon,
Well Ill make this long story short. About 5 years ago the wife saw the show on Travel Channel "RV Crazy" and all she talked about for the next 2 years was wanting one. And begged me to build her one. Well Im a mechanic not a carpenter but her brother is an excellent carpenter. So we live on the next lane from him, shes the baby and an only girl so yes you guessed it. He talked me into letting him start the build. He said All I had to do was build the Trailer to set it on. So I did hadnt done any welding in years but I managed, in the meantime she found plans on e-bay and for 600 bucks the plans said it could be built. Well the wife bought the plans. They were crap. We threw them away and made our own plans and 3500 bucks later the Sponge is finally completed. Yes I did get to name my little Tear "The Sponge" cause she has been sucking me dry since the day I started building her. But as much as I fought this project I am so glad the wife begged for it and got her way (Shes so spoiled) I really am glad I built it. I retire in 13 months and we plan on traveling with her. And I really do love it. We had alot of fun building her and I take great pride and satisfaction in building her. We spent a whole summer building in the evenings. We had a great time.
Again Enjoy.
Bill
Oh yea if you plan on a woman traveling w/ you make it at least 5' Wide. You can get a queen size memory Foam mattress in it. And at our age comfort is everything.

[satch]

Yes I did get to name my little Tear "The Sponge" cause she has been sucking me dry since the day I started building her.

Oh yes, between the time and cash... well that's the "Hog"!

[jalmada]

Oh yea if you plan on a woman traveling w/ you make it at least 5' Wide. You can get a queen size memory Foam mattress in it. And at our age comfort is everything.

LOL - Bill - I had a suspicion about the project being a money and energy sink ;>)

As for 5 feet wide - I actually like to pull my women close - I've already gone for the 4 footer, but will make up for it with TLC and many roses and smiles - ;>) I figure I may very well end up building another one once I get the first one figured out so I'll definitely go for slightly bigger ;.)

Stang or Ghost-Rider will certainly be the name of my little money sink when I'm done ;>)

Jon

[satch]

Don't forget the pics, or nobody will help!

[BillandMarijo]

Jon,
I second that. We want pictures on your build. As for 4' wide I guess weve been married too long. Lol. Even though its a queen she still hogs the bed. Shes gonna hate that I said that.
Have a good nite.
Bill