Greetings from Rockford

[Bodhisattva]

Slow day at work yesterday and found this site. Looking at the number of posts, this has to be the most active forum I've ever joined. I turn 50 tomorrow, and have been an active whitewater kayaker for the last 30 years - this sport has taken me throughout the country, Canada and a bit in Mexico. I tend to get out at least a couple times a month - but the time has come to get out of the tent. I've been looking at teardrops for the last few years and am planning to buy before the end of the month. I would love to build one perhaps later on, but Mr. Immediate Gratification can't wait to start towing; plus with the wind-chill here, it's like 10 below - and my garage needs a serious clean up.

Thought I'd introduce myself, and comment on all the beautiful teardrops I've seen on the site - wow, amazing stuff. The smiles in the photos really say it all.

Peace, Perry

[Mike C.]

Hi Perry,


Welcome to the forum. Birthday tomorrow, well Happy Birthday a day early. It's a good month, mine is Monday. Hope you find a good trailer to buy, any idea what you are looking for? When you get one, be sure and show us some pictures. Glad you joined, so get in and have some fun.


See you around.

[Bodhisattva]

Mike thanks for the reply and happy birthday to you also. I've really got my eye on the Little Guy Silver Shadow. I don't wish this poor economy on anyone, but I'm hopeful with the current situation that I might be able to get it at a better price. I don't think a lot of folks are spending right now and they may be inclined to deal with me a bit. If that doesn't work, I'll look at the 5 wide standard model (with power).

I drive a VW Bug with roof racks for my boats - needless to say with all my camping gear, that little car is packed when I hit the road, but I'm really looking forward to getting this. With the extra room I can start hauling my dutch-ovens again. Nothing like a pot-roast, gravy and potatoes after a great day of boating.

My folks are retired and are down on Dauphin Island, AL right now. They live in one of those monster Bounders. I'd love to hit the road next month, head south, get some shrimp and surprise them. Photo's on the beach with a cool teardrop would be sweet.

Perry

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Perry! Be sure to look at the "For Sale" forum! I know a couple of guys have great TD's and tiny trailers. There is even a mini-shasta (if not sold).

Have fun and be sure to get us some to keep the bubble oil level

[Bodhisattva]

Hi Miriam, I will check out the for sale section. I see you are from Missouri! Our standard winter run is the Saint Francis. My buddies who live close all called in sick last Monday. The winter boating season has begun. This spot is 6 hours flat from my driveway.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... il_id_2921

Beautiful campground, great hiking trail along the entire stretch of river. I'm hopeful my next trip will include the teardrop.

Peace, Perry

[dan galvin]

welcome Perry from another northerner. N/W Indiana is cold this time of year HAPPY BIRTHDAY check out the tearjerkers section we here in indiana would love to have you camp at a gathering with us
have fun & camp alot
Dan

[H@nk]

Hi Perry,

From the other side of the great cold waters a warm welcome.
I see in your usersname you like Steely Dan? Great songs, specialy the clip of Bodisattva. What about PEG? And have a happy birthday, congrets.

Grtz Henk

[mikeschn]

Hey Perry,

Welcome to the forum.

Whether you buy or build, we still need to see some photos!

Mike...

[OuttaHand]

Hi, Perry ---

I just found this site today and joined. The very first post I read (other than the pinned info posts) is from someone just 50 miles away!!!

I am a noob at this. Growing up my family had a 14' Rolite hard-sided popup and we camped in over half of the states (besides driving through others). Fifteen years ago I introduced my wife to this inexpensive form of travel and we did some tent camping.

But the years have caught up with us and sleeping on the ground in a nylon room is no longer very appealing. My wife found a site on teardrops a little over a year ago and we got thinking about them. We had traded in our Explorer for a little Dodge Caliber so something very small is critical.

This Christmas we decided to take the plunge. The 5'x8' trailer from Northern Tool has arrived but is still in the box. The final plan is not yet chosen but I have a couple months to nail that down before the weather will be nice enough to start.

So this summer should bring the construction of our TD. In the mean time my research continues. Any suggestions or links to plans, design ideas, etc. would be wonderful!!!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Perry, you have come to the right place for info on teardrop trailers. Hmmm, Rockford, Illinois.....lets see, State and Main Streets, the Coronado theatre.......ah yes I remember it well. I went to Harlem High School in the late 40s and left when I found out that California carpenters didn't have to work in the snow. :-) Sledding and skating in the winter was great fun when I was growing up, but I failed to enjoy it with ice and snow all over the lumber I had to work with.

There is an active teardropper named Claw, who lives in Loves Park, and is a member of this board. You might want to hook up with him and check out his trailer. If I were you, I would check around and find the right trailer that is set up to suit your needs. Sounds like you need a real working galley for your camping and DO efforts, and the one you mentioned may not fit the bill. Just my 2 cents. Good luck on your search, and keep in touch. BTW, did you attend East or West High?
Roly

[Bodhisattva]

Wow, thanks for all of the replies; one all the way from Netherlands-!! Ottahand..where are you located?

Roly...You did know they changed West into a Jr. High? What a crazy place. I actually moved up here in 1984. My father was a lifer in the Marines. For any former Marines out here - I was born 50 years ago today in Beaufort S.C. My first hair-cut was provided by the barbers at Parris Island. I am the son of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor - I thought my name was Maggot until I turned 10. I moved every year of my life. Rockford is now the place that I have lived the longest stretch without moving on in my entire life. I love it, married into a great family, love the job, plenty of vacation time to get out and have fun. Rockford does have a wee bit of a self-esteem issue, but things are turning around.

In regards to the galley, I think the thing that really drew me to a teardrop was that rear galley, the idea of flipping up that lid in the rain and being able to whip something up was pretty intriguing. I agree that the standard little guy seems to be lacking space for some extra gear, but the silver shadow looked like it had more working space. Any thoughts on what I should look at or what I'm overlooking?

Once again, thanks for the great welcome everyone, Perry

[Creamcracker]

Wow, thanks for all of the replies; one all the way from Netherlands-!! Ottahand..where are you located?

Roly...You did know they changed West into a Jr. High? What a crazy place. I actually moved up here in 1984. My father was a lifer in the Marines. For any former Marines out here - I was born 50 years ago today in Beaufort S.C. My first hair-cut was provided by the barbers at Parris Island. I am the son of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor - I thought my name was Maggot until I turned 10. I moved every year of my life. Rockford is now the place that I have lived the longest stretch without moving on in my entire life. I love it, married into a great family, love the job, plenty of vacation time to get out and have fun. Rockford does have a wee bit of a self-esteem issue, but things are turning around.

In regards to the galley, I think the thing that really drew me to a teardrop was that rear galley, the idea of flipping up that lid in the rain and being able to whip something up was pretty intriguing. I agree that the standard little guy seems to be lacking space for some extra gear, but the silver shadow looked like it had more working space. Any thoughts on what I should look at or what I'm overlooking?

Once again, thanks for the great welcome everyone, Perry

Welcome, there is a company that makes a nice trailer out of Beaufort S.C. you could also check out Little Guy in Canton Ohio. Philip

[halfdome, Danny]

I thought my name was Maggot until I turned 10.
Once again, thanks for the great welcome everyone, Perry

That was really funny, brings back old memories that I've tried to forget.
Welcome to the forum Perry I'll make sure I don't refer to you as Maggot Danny

[Miriam C.]

Hi Miriam, I will check out the for sale section. I see you are from Missouri! Our standard winter run is the Saint Francis. My buddies who live close all called in sick last Monday. The winter boating season has begun. This spot is 6 hours flat from my driveway.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... il_id_2921

Beautiful campground, great hiking trail along the entire stretch of river. I'm hopeful my next trip will include the teardrop.

Peace, Perry

Perry, whitewater is a spectators sport for me. We do have a few others who are quite proficient though. Great site and looks like a good place for a gathering. There are a lot of TDers with in a few hours of ST. Louis.

Good luck on the search and again Happy Birthday!