Intro - Happy mama looking for fun with the kids this summer

[Dagny]

Hi,

I am a mom of 3 little ones near St. Louis MO. I have been wanting a TD for about 3 yrs, but haven't been ready before now. My DH and I have a restored '68 (I think) GMC motorhome, but I have no interest in tackling it myself with kids. I want something I can take on a moments notice and feel ok if we only spend a day or two. I want to pull in, plug in and take off with the kids. The kiddos and I regularily all pile in a king size bed together so I'm trusting we can survive a couple nights at a time in a queen. I might not always have all 3 and hopefully my DH and I could take it alone once and awhile (or even just me). We love to hike and would like a place to rest and make a meal afterwards. I will be pulling it with a minivan.

I am hoping for some advice and encouragement from y'all. My goal is to find a basic 5' wide model for under $3000. (my DH doesn't believe I'll really make use of it, so I need to prove it on a less $$ version first. Truly, I'd love to rent one for this summer to see how we fit.)

[greg755]

3 kids and an adult in one bed seems like a tight fit.

Maybe you should look at one with a bunk option. I have a queen bed in mine and a bunk, fits me and the wife and the 12 year old girl ok, but man getting two more kids in there would be tough...

What is a DH? Apparently it isn't Dead Husband or he couldn't come along...
I'm old so I'm not up on the younger lingo..

Also if you bring the DH there is no way all 5 of ya are going to be comfy in a teardrop unless you get a tent or make the DH sleep in the minivan....

[Dagny]

3 kids and an adult in one bed seems like a tight fit.

Maybe you should look at one with a bunk option. I have a queen bed in mine and a bunk, fits me and the wife and the 12 year old girl ok, but man getting two more kids in there would be tough...

What is a DH? Apparently it isn't Dead Husband or he couldn't come along...
I'm old so I'm not up on the younger lingo..

Also if you bring the DH there is no way all 5 of ya are going to be comfy in a teardrop unless you get a tent or make the DH sleep in the minivan....

Thanks, Greg. My kids are 8,5 and 2 so we sleep like a pile of puppies a lot of the time. Bunk would be wonderful, but figured it out of my initial price range. (next time, most definately)

Sorry, DH is shorthand from another forum for dear husband, darling husband, dumb husband, deranged husband, and it gets worse from there. The writer can think of one and smile.

Definately no plans for 5 in a TD, we'll take the motorhome for that. TD will be my baby and I'll decide who gets invited .

Keep the advice coming. I love to research new interests.

[greg755]

" I'll decide who gets invited" I will have to try that out on my DW

[cuyeda]

With a teardrop, just add an attaching tent configuration to the side of the teardrop. Open the door to the interior of the tent side, and everyone is one big happy family with room to spare. I don't have a picture of an example, but I am sure someone can post a few ideas if you like the idea.

[BillandMarijo]

Funny Greg.
Thats gonna be the wifes new Nickname. DW also. Lol
Bill and DW. AKA Marijo

[greg755]

Bill

DA WIFE will love it....

Ill give ya $10 if you can get DW to pose in a DW Tee Shirt....

[BillandMarijo]

Greg,
Lol you first.
Bill and DW

[John T. Hodgen]

hey Dagny,
Welcome to the WWOT--Wonderful World of Teardrops. Inspiration HUH?? I just got thru with building a 4x8 teardrop. It took 4 months total build time(8 months from start to finish-4 months it was winter and no work got done). Beside time, it took 23 trips to Lowes and $1600.00.
We, me & D/G, just took it out on its maiden voyage!!!! We call it "Costa Lotta-the reason so much of the month is left at the end of the money!"
Build pictures are here; http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/
Its featured on Stacey David's Gearz Tv website here: http://www.gearztv.com/index.php?conten ... c=12_14178
Enjoy and Til later by the fire-John T. 5'or 6' wide wood work 4 u

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Dagny. Look around and I am sure you will find something at your price. As for the 3 children, you will fit fine. You can even curl up across if you work at it. The nice thing about a TD is you aren't going to fall out of bed.

Check out the "For Sale" forum and Craigs list for larger units.

Oh and my Dear Husband insisted on room for a potty, Worked just fine.

check here for fun and easy bunk
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... highlight=

[campinwi]

I'm also pretty new here. I've been looking at getting a teardrop for years. I have two pop up campers, one is a 1999 santa fe and another is a 1970 scamper. I have been camping with my DD who is now 17, since she was 5. We started out tent camping. My DH does not want to tow anything with out mini van, so every time I want to camp, I have to borrow my brother in laws truck. Which is ok, just pretty inconvenient. I work alot of weekends, and usually get off at least two days in a row off during the week. /the pop up works good, I have no difficulty towing it with the truck, it just seems to take so much time taking everything out and putting it all back.

My husband does not want to build me a teardrop (he does have carpentry skills) and since I want it for this summer, me building it is out of the question. My newest idea is to get a 5 x 8 v nose enclosed trialer with barn doors for the rear door and a side door. My kitchen galley will still be in the back. I figured I can put a queen size bed higher up, so if need be, someone can sleep on the floor. That way we can sleep at least 4 people.
We live in a very small town, so I am having difficulty finding a trailer place who can order what I want at a reasonable price. The 5 x 8 trailers I have looked at are under 1000 pounds, so they can be towed with my van. Maybe this can give you some alternative ideas for having fun with your kids.

[wallydog]

I found an SUV tent at costco on line that is meant to attach to the back of the vehicle with the hatch open. Looks like a real winner to expand the living area of a TD.

[RAYVILLIAN]

Welcome to the forum Dagny.

You'd have to build it yourself but this might fit the bill.

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... er+warrior

Check out ed's album for more pics. It has a 54" wide bed in the front plus the 2 fold down bunks. built on a old pop up frame.

Gary

[cuyeda]

I found an SUV tent at costco on line that is meant to attach to the back of the vehicle with the hatch open. Looks like a real winner to expand the living area of a TD.