Hello from Maryland

[BillZ]

Hello all!
I am born and raised a Hoosier but have lived in Maryland for the last 10 years or so. married for the first time a little less than 3 years ago (although we "dated" for 11 years). My better half and I love to get out in the woods and regularly visit the area state and national parks. We also like to hunt and eat morels, metal detect old home sites, geocach, and generally just explore.

We decided to plan a cross-country trip for next year. My family did cross country trips with a camper when I was a kid back in the 70's and 80's. I want to get my wife out west and show her around. She grew up in DC has never been further West than Indiana.

After a fair amount of research I have decided that a teardrop camper will be the best thing to tow behind our 4 cylinder Subaru Forester. We normally camp in a tent but on a long trip that will be following a schedule, long setups or packing a wet tent after an overnight rain could be a drag.

We currently live in College Park, just outside of DC. I have little carpentry experience but seem to take to it fairly well and would like to try building a Generic Benroy. It would really be helpful if I could get a look at one in person but East Coast Tear owners seem to be scarce from what I have seen so far. Are there any of you in my neck of the woods willing to help a greenhorn out?

[steve smoot]

Hi guys and welcome to the forum. I like your tow vehicle. I drive one myself...

[John T. Hodgen]

Hey billZ,
Check out the Tearjerker's site at the top of the forum. We have Lots of Easterners and various east coast chapters. Really great people. I live in Wv. but was born in Kokomo. Left In. for Louisiana when I was 8. Check out my album and photobucket of my build and camping photos. I have 4 months and $1900.00 invested in my "Costta Lotta" Welcome to the forum from 'Whose ur Coonass"
Til later by the fire--John T. & Linda

[Alleged User]

Hi guys and welcome to the forum. I like your tow vehicle. I drive one myself...

What he said. Foresters and TD's seem to work pretty well.

We're in NoVA. We'd happily let you check out our TD, but it's not quite finished, and it's being built up in MA. There's a pretty good smattering of VA/DC area members here...hopefully you'll find one nearby to check out. We'll have ours by April, but I'm sure you'll be playing in the sawdust by then.

[mikeschn]

Hey Bill,

Welcome to the forum.

Forester? We got one of them!!!

As for eastern Teardrops, yep they are out there, but you gotta get to a gathering. Check the destinations link up there in the menu, or go to Tearjerkers and ask them for the closest gathering to you. They'll open up your eyes for you!



Mike...

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Hello all!
After a fair amount of research I have decided that a teardrop camper will be the best thing to tow behind our 4 cylinder Subaru Forester. We normally camp in a tent but on a long trip that will be following a schedule, long setups or packing a wet tent after an overnight rain could be a drag.

Welcome! This is the exact same reason I chose to build a teardrop! I've already started hoarding my parts and will begin my build in March! Great to see another Subie owner as well! I have a different Subie, but a Subie nonetheless!

Toss out some ideas and your needs... you'll be sure to get plenty of advice around here!

[Blumie]

BillZ, you'll be amazed how much less tired you are coming cross-country with a teardrop than tent-camping! It's not just that you'll sleep better in your own rolling bed; but also, unless you insist on erecting all manner of canopies and extras, you'll find you're doing less lifting than in your car-camping days. We enjoy not doing loading/unloading calisthenics twice a day when we travel. Now it's park, open doors, lift galley lid, and relax!

[urban5]

Yellow, and nice to meet you.

[BillandMarijo]

BillZ and wife,
Welcome to the forum. Youll find all the answers to any questions you may have here. Sounds like with your woodworking skills youve got it about covered. Building our Tear was the best thing weve ever done. We really enjoy it. Have fun with the planning and build.
Enjoy,
Bill and Marijo

[Creamcracker]

Hello all!
I am born and raised a Hoosier but have lived in Maryland for the last 10 years or so. married for the first time a little less than 3 years ago (although we "dated" for 11 years). My better half and I love to get out in the woods and regularly visit the area state and national parks. We also like to hunt and eat morels, metal detect old home sites, geocach, and generally just explore.

We decided to plan a cross-country trip for next year. My family did cross country trips with a camper when I was a kid back in the 70's and 80's. I want to get my wife out west and show her around. She grew up in DC has never been further West than Indiana.

After a fair amount of research I have decided that a teardrop camper will be the best thing to tow behind our 4 cylinder Subaru Forester. We normally camp in a tent but on a long trip that will be following a schedule, long setups or packing a wet tent after an overnight rain could be a drag.

We currently live in College Park, just outside of DC. I have little carpentry experience but seem to take to it fairly well and would like to try building a Generic Benroy. It would really be helpful if I could get a look at one in person but East Coast Tear owners seem to be scarce from what I have seen so far. Are there any of you in my neck of the woods willing to help a greenhorn out?

Billz...we're in Culpeper, VA about 1 hour south-west of DC.....not a bad drive (unless it's in commuting traffic) you're certainly welcome to stop by..
Philip

[BillZ]

Billz...we're in Culpeper, VA about 1 hour south-west of DC.....not a bad drive (unless it's in commuting traffic) you're certainly welcome to stop by..
Philip

I know Culpepper a little bit. For our wedding, we invited family and friends to a weekend at the Shenandoah Lodge and we had our reception dinner at the Hazel River Inn in Culpepper. We enjoy going back to the Inn at least once a year.

I might take you up on that offer and stop by after the weather turns. I see you have a nice home built tear that is very similar to what I want to do.

[Creamcracker]

Billz...we're in Culpeper, VA about 1 hour south-west of DC.....not a bad drive (unless it's in commuting traffic) you're certainly welcome to stop by..
Philip

I know Culpepper a little bit. For our wedding, we invited family and friends to a weekend at the Shenandoah Lodge and we had our reception dinner at the Hazel River Inn in Culpepper. We enjoy going back to the Inn at least once a year.

I might take you up on that offer and stop by after the weather turns. I see you have a nice home built tear that is very similar to what I want to do.

Anytime just PM me to set it up.
Philip

[doris s.]

Hey Bill,

We live in Frederick County Maryland. My hubby and I built our teardrop last year. We built a td from plans we bought from big woody. PM us, come out and check it out.

Doris and Greg

[paperdoor]

I just went the reverse route, coming from SF, in just a Volvo wagon- now in MD building a Tear - and am a few months into my build - weather is slowing me down -
I'm up in cecil county just above baltimore - If you care to see a build thats 90% done and your up in these parts feel free to pm me - or if you need some advise from one who just learned "how to tie his shoes" -
btw , I have over 20 years professional carpentry exp, and heck , I will do a few things different the second time around.

[wanders]

Hi Bill,

We're in Staunton,VA -about 2-1/2 hours from you if that helps.

Hope to see you out there on the road.