Newbie Wannabe Standie or Tear Drop owner

[Techguy]

Hi,

My name is Guy and until yesterday, I was the owner of a 1998 Coleman Westlake pop-up. It has 12 foot box, double queen bed, with a dinette seating area, shower, cassette john, and a level folding galley. It was setup with a propane water heater, furnace, and fridge. All in all it was in pretty good shape outside of a lamination issue with the roof. I sold it last night. It was sad to see drive away as I pulled up all my memories of family camping trips.

The funny thing, and why I am here, is before the trailer was even out of the yard, My wife was looking at small trailers. I am not sure if we want a small standie or a simple tear. In my past, I have frequented scooter rallies, Vespas and other scooters were the norm... except for some crazy guy with a Salsbury scooter.
Anyone recognize this rider?



Yes, he is bowling while riding a scooter.

This was my "TV" for the trip being used as a coat rack. I did about 500 miles that weekend.


Yes, it was Lazybones Lee Bryant and he had along this very cool camper. It was my first real look at a tear drop camper. I said, "Man... I could see myself owning one of those." Fast forward a couple years and a few more times seeing the teardrop... I now have an opening in the driveway and a willing spouse.

I would like to hear some of the most important things to look for while looking. My current plan would be to come to a gathering of TT and TD and look at a wide range of these. I know the dealer has a good looking LilGuy but the price seems incredibly high for a trailer that small. I want to see them in the wild with passionate owners with nothing to gain except a new friend.

Let the comments begin.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Guy, welcome to the forum. You mentioned a "willing spouse", good for you. Perhaps you better check if she is comfortable laying down while changing clothes or not having a porta potty within the trailer. This was a big deal for my "at first, not so willing spouse". I was in the midst of building a 4 x 8 teardrop, and thought for a while that I would have to go camping without her. However, once she experienced the friendliness of the teardrop crowd, there was no looking back. I found that a simple canvas changing room outside of one of the doors, allowed her all of the stand-up privacy she needed.

The pluses about a teardrop are that they are lighter, easier too pull, allow for better gas milage, can be parked at home in a smaller space, create opportunities to meet your fellow campers, (since all cooking etc. is done outside) and provide a comfortable enviroment in which to snuggle and sleep. Often, a used teardrop can be had at a resonable price, but may require some repair work.

On the other hand, there is the "standy", vintage trailer. It too is comfortable, may have a heater and AC unit, often a usable indoor kitchen, a dinette for 4 and more places to sleep for a larger family. It is usually heavier, more difficult to pull, undoubtedly wider and longer and may not fit in the driveway. Also, an indoor "facility" is a plus and there is plenty of room for electrical luxuries. I suggest you visit some of the gatherings that may be taking place around your area, look around, ask questions and then decide. I have both kinds, and my teardrop is my favorite choice, dispite the fact that it often takes an hour just to gas up, because of all of the interested folks that ask a ton of questions, (which, by the way I never get tired of, since I try to talk them out of their canvas sleeping quarters).

Good luck on your choice and perhaps some day we'll meet at a campground with your pride and joy camping unit, what ever it may be. Next time you are in So Calif, (about 5 hours south of you), stop on by and we'll swap lies and have some coffee and cake.
Roly, the li'l ol' woody TD guy

[Techguy]

Thanks for the invite. I hear you have a nice rig. i would love to see it up close and personal.

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Hi Guy,
Yah, what Roly said.......
Also, you should see Sharon H.'s trailer as it has a kitchen and standing room.
There are many gatherings where you can peek inside and get ideas. Bring a notepad/camera and your willing spouse.
Joanie

[Techguy]

I see I just missed the Coleman fest. i would have brought at least one more gasser lamp for Lee's folly. I would have been a great excuse to drag out my gas stoves.

When is the next NorCal function. I know it's a little late in the year.

[nevadatear]

Yup the big ones are over. Check Jefferson state. I think they have one more. We are doing a gathering in northern nv called twain and tears u may want to check out. We we supposed to camp with lee this weekend but his van broke down a few hrs ago. . Welcome

[Techguy]

Well, the TD fairy was looking out for me. I contacted a builder that I thought was local... They are not . I am in the Sacramento area and they are based in Reno. I sent them an email to see one of their rigs and they happen to be meeting a Fresno based buyer tomorrow. I can come see the trailer tomorrow a the shopping mall just 10 miles away. Apparently several others may be there too. It looks like I am in the hotbed of TDs here.

[Techguy]

I got to see the Hickory Nut Teardrop that a gentleman from Reno makes. It was a very nice, simple teardrop with a sleeping comparment that run the entire length of the trailer and has a small galley that runs from 18 inches above the floor. The sides were Alder framing with a hickory ply behind it. The side walls were caulked and sealed with spar varnish. The roof was white FRP with a trim strip over the outside edges and a nice hurricane hinge. The one we saw was being delivered and it was equipped with two doors, the front box, a simple 110 system, curtains, and a custom mattress.

I am going to start a new thread for my hunt for a TD. I will post a link to it when it's up.
My TD Hunt