New from the Northwest

[korihorn]

Let me start by saying I'm happy to be here.... I purchased my first teardrop in March 2012. It was a great find and a life long search. I found my "Riveter" on Craigslist and was the lucky dialer that day. I have spent my life camping in the NorthWest, mainly Oregon. Childhood trailers included an old Westerner, a GoLite and a Kit Companion, all great trailers! I am also a Scout Leader/Scouter and was tired of sleeping on the ground in tents, wanted something off the ground that I could easily tow behind my 5sp Xterra and still haul Scout supplies. I have admired teardrops for many years, being towed behind classic cars and my search has always been a day late and a dollar short. My little teardrop is a post WW2 airplane aluminum beauty, she is about 70 years old, fully metal, no wood to rot or mold (I am grateful) so no real worries about the Nasty North West issues of canned hams. I am a Sisters On The Fly member and look forward to many years of draggin' my can around!! Cheers

The Riveter

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[Fyddler]

Welcome neighbor! Beautiful Tear you have there!

[mezmo]

Hi korihorn,

Welcome to the Forum !

You've brought a very interesting TD along with you too ! Everyone will be
very curious as to its construction and function - especially since it looks
to have both a front and a rear hatch on it.

So let me be the first to request: More Pics Please !
[As you're able to do so.]

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[korihorn]

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Thank you for the words of welcome... the teardrop is unique as it does open in the front and back. It is 11ft long with the cabin measuring 4x6. The front opens for storage and the galley in the rear has the original icebox and aluminum drawers. The over all construction is aircraft aluminum with a bazillion rivets with corigated steel sheeting. The frame appears to be an old military trailer with a heavy duty axle. Not much insulation action but I think I will line the cabin with cedar and reline the walls of the galley with tin panels. The previous owner cut the doors for large RV windows, not much I can do about that but find a couple of windows I like better... I want to keep it pretty much as it was but want to camp year round in it and wish to be cozy so upgrades will be at a minimum. I do need to find a solution for the piano hinges for the front and back hatches to keep the teardrop from leaking.

[lee senn]

Welcome to the forum ! What a special teardrop you found. We are from Idaho and I hope we see you at a gathering as I would really like to see your tear in the flesh ( or metal as the case may be ). Lee and Norma

[Fyddler]

Hope to see it in person one day!

[dreadcptflint]

Very cool. I hope to see you around. The old school rivets are cool.

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Koricorn, welcome to the forum. I too, have piano hinges that used to leak, but not any more. I found a wonderful caulking compound that comes in a tube. It is called "2 X the stretch", it is clear and available at the big box stores. If you purchase a tube, slip it into your caulking gun and get prepared to solve your leaking problems, once and for all. Simply wire brush the piano hinge to remove all crud and then open the hatch lid, just half way. Apply a liberal amount of the stuff all along the hinge on both sides of the hinge pin area. Run your finger smoothly from end to end along the caulking, allowing it to completely cover the hinge in a smooth, even layer. Leave the hatch lid in this position for 4 or 5 days to let it dry, and then when you close it, it will streach the caulking and when you open it, it will compress the stuff but won't fracture or split.

Give this a try, it has worked well on all 3 of my tears and completely solved the water problem. You've got a great one-of-a-kind original teardrop, what a find. Good luck with your insulation efforts and come on out to So Calif when you make that cross-country trip to break it in. The coffee is always on.
Roly, the So Calif woody guy.

[Maureenm]

Hi from Portland, I haven't checked the intro section for awhile.... Welcome and hope to see you at a few gatherings. There are many planned in the Oregon and Washington area for the upcoming season. Next up is Memorial Day weekend in Stevenson, WA. It's a good one!