Noob from Montana

[Mungoon]

Hi folks, my name is Ian and I'm getting started on my first teardrop build. I'm designing right now, but I intend to actually start building sometime in February. The idea is to build something inexpensive but somewhat bigger than a typical teardrop, so I'm planning on a 10' length at the moment. I want to have a couple of bunk beds for the kids as well as the bigger bed for us and nice amenities that make it something beyond just a semi-insulated box on wheels. I've seen some really cool things that can be done with these things (many of which were from right here) and I'm completely excited to get going on mine. I'm sure I'll be asking a million questions, but this seems to be a terrific repository for answers.

[tony.latham]

Mungoon:

Welcome aboard. I'm about 30 crow-fly miles southwest of Wisdom, Mt. (where you at?)

I'm on my third build, all of 'em are the 'drop shaped non-standy versions. 'Love teardrop camping and can't wait 'til the thaws of spring. But I'll have to.

Other than find this forum, the next-best thing I did was purchase a copy of Steve Fredrick's Builder's Shop Manual -it's a PDF download. http://www.campingclassics.com/shopman05.html
I'd recommend it even for the box you're toying with building. It's about 250 pages and full of photos and how-to's. (I'm not associated with Fredrick BTW). It's helped me out immensely. I studied it backwards and forwards on build #1, referred to it a lot on #2 and looked at it the other day on #3. You'd think I'd have it all figured out by now.

Tony

[Mungoon]

I'm in Kalispell.

[Vedette]

Hi Ian
Welcome to the Forum!
Yes there is a lot of Great information here??
Building is fun....But wait until you start Teardrop Camping! That is when all the fun really begins.
There are lots of wonderful things to see and do here in the PNW, that are very Teardrop Friendly.
Hope you look into becoming a PNW Tear Jerkers member.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[tony.latham]

I'm in Kalispell.

I buy my aluminum sheet from CDA metals in Missoula. They deliver to Salmon and I think they make a run to Kalispell too. I can give you the last prices if you're interested.

T

[bc toys]

Welcome to this wonderful site

[Gold5one]

Welcome!
I have been wanting to go to Montana since about 1965, when I read a Montana hunting story in Outdoor Life magazine( I was a teenager). I hope I can make it in 2015, if I get my build done in time.

[wingnut]

Welcome Mungoon,
I'm in 59901 also. We completed our TD in the spring of 2011, like Brian says, all the fun really starts after the build's complete. If you want to come by and see what I did with my TD let me know and we can get together.

Jim

[Vedette]

Hi Jim & Jean
Great to see you posting!
How are things?
Sorry Ian.....not stealing your thread here! Just saying Hi to members of the "Family"!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Mungoon]

Wow, it's really nice to see the family that's developed here. I'm excited to get started on this adventure, but having folks like you that are so friendly and helpful I think will be as much of a gift as anything. Thank you for your early support and sorry I didn't get back with you sooner. I'll have to change my account settings so it notifies me when replies come in. @Tony, thank you. It'll be a while before I'm ready for that, but I will definitely contact you at some point. @Jim, I would love to come by and see your teardrop at some point. Probably in the spring if that would work out with you.

Ian

[tony.latham]

Ian:

Dunno if you make it down to Victor much, but I get most of my trim from George at the Teardrop Fix-it-Shop when I'm making a big-city run to Missoula:
http://teardropparts.com/index.html

Saves on shipping.

Tony

[wingnut]

Ian,

Sorry it so long to reply, been off wandering a bit, but home now for awhile now for few week, then off to Minnesota for a family visit.
Spring is good, we'll pulling the TD out of the barn in April and getting started on the next camping season.
Wish you well with your build.
Jim

[wingnut]

Hey Brian,

While you're getting stuff together for your next TD build, we're doing a bathroom remodel. I can tell you, I'd much rather be building a TD than building cabinets for Jean's bathroom.
We are planning to be at the Farm in July.
Jim & Jean

[Vedette]

Hey Brian,

While you're getting stuff together for your next TD build, we're doing a bathroom remodel. I can tell you, I'd much rather be building a TD than building cabinets for Jean's bathroom.
We are planning to be at the Farm in July.
Jim & Jean

Once again ....it is great to hear from you guys.
Jean is luckier then Sandi (she still has no baseboards), as I am really into our "Kermit" build.
Plans for the Gathering are coming together (so far it looks like everyone is coming back), plus lots of new interest!!
We should at least double in size. People coming from as far a California!!
Maybe you can inspire Ian enough to drag him on out to B.C. for our 2nd Annual Farm Gathering.
We have also been working on the promoting the "Fall Crawl" ......and it is starting to gather some attention.
Can't wait to camp with you guys again.
Have you heard from Babby and Larry?
Are you going to the Dam Gathering?
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS
Sorry Ian, did not mean to hijack your thread......but we are all family here!

[wingnut]

Ian,
How are things going? Hope you're making good progress on your TD Plans & build.

Jim