Hello from Illinois

[agrimm]

I have been lurking here for a while and checking out all the design ideas and build journals. I posted a build idea but, I forgot to introduce myself.

Name is Andy. I live about an hour NW of Chicago. I am looking to get the DW and 2 kids up off the ground this season. I don't have money for a travel trailer or pop up nor do I have a tow vehicle to pull anything large. I'm facinated by the design ideas here and the solutions to build problems. In any event, I still have to get the DW on board with the whole "build it yourself" idea. She doesn't seem to thrilled with me spending a lot of time on it. I, on the other hand, am trying hard to convince her that it's worth doing. I love a good design/build project. I've helped with many various projects but not like this.

Anyways, I look forward to picking your brains for ideas and solutions and perusing the build journals for ideas.

CHEERS!

[Betsey]

Welcome!

You will find a lot of help & information here. Also, you are located in a great area...there are lots of teardrops & wonderful teardrop owners in Illinois & Wisconsin. Both states have active Tearjerker chapters with several gatherings planned - a great opportunity to check out a variety of teardrops, meet some new people & get some ideas & advice firsthand.

We would love to have your family join us around a campfire this year!

Betsey

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Andy, welcome to the forum of happy builders, restorers and users. Lets see, an hour NW of Chicago, that would be some where near Rockford or Beloit. I hailed from Rockford about 50 years ago, and love going back to see old friends, and I mean OLD. You have come to the right place for info on a build, and I can relate to the spousal resistance you are encountering. My sweet wife felt the same way, after some years of travel in a small motorhome. I solved the problem by attending a Teardrop Gathering to just see what these Trailer People were all about. What a surprise. The second rig we visited gave me a cup of coffee and asked the wife to climb in and check out all of the room. By the end of the day, we were invited to share a steak dinner with 2 perfect strangers! That sold her on my building a TD and she loved it when it was finished. So, go to some of the gatherings that Betsey mentioned, you both will be surprised. Teardroppers are a special breed, always willing to share helpful hints and travel experiences.
Roly in So Calif. PS how close did I come to figuring out your home town? Good luck on your soon-to-be build.

[agrimm]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I look forward to hopefully getting out to some of the gatherings this year and seeing these incredible builds in person.

CHEERS

[Woodbutcher]

Hi Andy, Welcome to the board. I live in Bartlett and am building my third Teardrop now. We have a group getting together up in Sheboygan Wisconsin, the end of April. There will be at least 14 different trailers including at least one Cargo conversion. You are welcome to join us even without a trailer. Pitch a tent or get a room in town and join us for meals and a fire. Nothing sells the teardrop life style better then a gathering. Check out the "Cooler by the Lake" thread. Good luck on your build!

Steve

[agrimm]

Thanks for the invite Steve. I'll have to check with my "social chair" and see what she has mapped out for the summer.

CHEERS