Thinking about a change...

[jandmz]

Hi all, from southwestern Ohio.

We currently camp in a popup. (I hope I don't get kicked and banned on my first post for using that word around here). We did some tent camping when our boys were in scouts, but our younger son had allergies so bad that camping made him miserable, so we pretty much gave up on it.

Later on, though, when the boys went on to their own interests, we got interested in off-roading. Tent camping at our first off-road event brought us to the realization that our bodies had "matured". (We don't use the "O" word in our family) Sleeping on the ground isn't a problem. Getting up off the ground in the morning is. So, I started looking for a camper that was light enough to be pulled by a Geo Tracker.

We ended up getting a really rough 1966 Apache tent trailer for $350 on eBay. It had sat in the previous owner's backyard for over 20 years, and was headed for the scrap heap if we hadn't bought it. We refurbished it, and we have been using it for about 7 years now. We also have a '03 Fleetwood popup.

I have been intrigued with Teardrops all along, and it seems that a TD would be great for a quick getaway because it doesn't require the setup time that a popup does.

Has anyone here gone from a PU to a TD? What did you find to be the positives and negatives of such a switch?

[Py0tr]

I looked at pop ups for a very long time and finally found teardrops. The canvas sides really put me off.

What finally pushed the move in favour of a teardrop was the weatherproof sleeping compartment. The rest we can cope with, no matter what the weather but I have to sleep comfortably, dry and warm.

Whatever you use I'm sure the great people in the forum will make you very welcome

[artwebb]

Ditto. the only way I'd camp in anything like a tent would be one of those truck bed tents on an inflatable mattress, amd I'd STILL be concerned about wildlife, wild kids I might mistake for wildlife, and RAIN! I hate being cold and miserable almost as much as I hate being hot and miserable. I,ve not ever used a Tear (I'm a nOOb!) but I know I'd prefer it to a popup. Oh yeah, welcome to TD+TTT!

[bobhenry]

Hi all, from southwestern Ohio.

Geo Tracker.


Has anyone here gone from a PU to a TD? What did you find to be the positives and negatives of such a switch?

You will find many teardrops WERE pop ups. The pop up frames make wonderful base for a very luxurious 6x10 +/- Teardrop.
Our Co-director camps with his bride and 7 year old twin boys in his and they are all very comfey. So you are well on your way to your teardrop build you already have your rolling chassis done.

[John T. Hodgen]

Welcome,
A popup trailer will make a big t/d or TTT. I built mine 4x8 on a TSC no floor frame-in total I have about $1900 in it and 4 months buid time. We've been to four Tearjerker's gatherings ans Always a Great time. My next one will be a little bigger but we're very happy with the "Costta Lotta"! We have 3 shelves and 4 closets in the cabin, 2 in floor storage compartments and the galley is set up with swing doorsand swing up tables, a pull out cutting table so it's pretty well equip and comfy. Good luck on your build and post lots of pics.
Til later by the fire--John T. & Linda

[rxc463]

Welcome to the wildlife! I'm just starting a build using a popup I got for free from craigslist. If you don't want to destroy yours you might try that route. I got 3 replys within 2 days for my request for a free trailer in the wanted section. Keep your listing current as you never know when they will "popup"

You will be hard pressed to find a friendlier and more helpful group than this!

[BillandMarijo]

Jandmz,
Yep like everyone said, you got a great starter kit, you can build a nice Tear w/ that old Pop Up frame. Have you joined the TearJerkers Campers. Great bunch and although I belong to the Liberty Bell Chapter I camped with the Buckeye group and they were awesome fun people. maybe you can check out some other Tears and get some ideas. Great group to camp with.
Merry Christmas,
Bill and Marijo
Oh yea its so simple to camp with a Tear, pull in and just open the hatch and your ready to camp. Awesome!

[mary and bob]

We have both a popup and a teardrop. The popup is a 73 Starcraft that we have owned since 1977. Recanvased it once. The teardrop we have owned since september 2007. we bought it because it is an original 1946. The popup of course has much more room, but is heavier to tow. The teardrop is only 650lb and can be towed with anything. Most of the time we use the teardrop as we are basic type campers, cook & eat outside, no extras required. Use a canopy over the TD and a separate screen room. The teardrop is just more fun! Bob

[jandmz]

Thank you for the quick replies.

The Apache would not make a good basis for a TD. It has a light X frame that would not support the structure of a TD. I also would not consider dismantling a good usable vintage camper.

We have been through some epic rainstorms in the popups and both have kept us warm and dry.

We do have a 4x8 HF trailer that we have used mostly to get our canoe to the river. It is easier than lifting the canoe onto the roof of the Blazer. I have seen others use these trailers as a frame for a TD, but then we'd have to figure out how to handle the canoe again (Back to the roof rack?).

Oh well... ...I guess I'll just hang and see what develops.

[doug hodder]

I have been intrigued with Teardrops all along, and it seems that a TD would be great for a quick getaway because it doesn't require the setup time that a popup does.

Bingo! There ya go! I went from tent to teardrop to pop-up back to tear. It's nice to just open a door and lay down. No wet canvas to deal with or big hassle of setting up in the dark. Awnings can be attached for some rain protection at the doors, or an EZ-up....just a whole lot easier I found. Besides...I've never found a group of people that will gather around each others pop-ups like teardroppers do, and provide me eats and drinks! Doug

[bc toys]

welcome to site we started out tent then went with pop up now we own a camper 27 ft and a cargo we just finished

[boomboomtulum]

We also went from Tent to Pop up to Tear once the Kids wanted there own tents or just didnt camp as much. We never did like the setup/ teardown time involved with the Popup but it was better than the tent. Then we discovered Tears and have never had so much fun camping. Depending on the size of your frame it could easily be used as a frame for a TD. But now that your here you are soon to be addicted.

Dave

[Wild Bill]

We also have an old Jayco Popup, Building a trailer, tired of the set up hassles, then the reset up to dry out, Hard to set up alone and a lot of unused space. Build a trailer you will like it. Let the kids use a tent on the rare times they decide to go with. Bill

[jandmz]

Besides...I've never found a group of people that will gather around each others pop-ups like teardroppers do, and provide me eats and drinks! Doug

The company that made Apache campers went out of business in 1985. Apache owners are quite loyal and dedicated to the preservation of their trailers. We have been to a few Apache gatherings where they actually do gather around each other's popups and share food and drinks!

Let the kids use a tent on the rare times they decide to go with. Bill

Our kids are on their own at this point (30 and 24). When our son went camping with us last year, even though there was plenty of room in the popup, he used a tent. ...said something about "can't sleep with all the snoring".

[Jst83]

As Bob said Mine started out as an old Rockwood I got for free had no plans on building anything but a flat bed out of it

Up side lots of room for lots of ideas, I've got a futon in my that runs side to side and folds to a nice bed at night.

If it's usable you can do like my brother and keep camping in it while you build. He attends most of our gatherings in his popup. We've got a gathering in May in Southern IN you should think about joining us you'd get a look at a lot of different styles.