Lady Tear Droppers, drop in and say "Hello"!

[AmyH]

I definitely plan on insuring the teardrop, particularly since I have poured so much of myself into it. I just don't think it would ever be "replaceable" if something happened, since it is a homebuilt.

I am getting pretty darned excited about camping in it this summer. It has been a looooooonnnnnnnnngggggg time coming!

[asianflava]

The only thing that makes me nervous anymore is going somewhere and not being able to turn around.

[Lynn Coleman]

I have no problem towing the Inkwell but backing it up and getting it into just the right spot...now that's a totally different situation. I do practice for a while before we leave on a trip in the church parking lot. Unfortunately I still need a lot of practice. I'll especially need it if I go on a research trip in March as I'm hoping to do.

On a different note, we're excited to be going on our first camping trip for 2008. We're taking off a little over a week. We'll be starting with the Little Talbot tearjerker's gathering in Feb. then heading up to Savannah for three days. Then we'll go to St. Augustine for the next three days. It'll be chilly but very good to get away.

Lynn

[bobhenry]

I still repeat constantly " The bottom of the steering wheel in the direction I want the trailer to go ' It helps .

[Miriam C.]

I still repeat constantly " The bottom of the steering wheel in the direction I want the trailer to go ' It helps .

and use the mirrors.

[clkelley564]

Hi, haven't checked in here in a while.

I agree on the backing up thing.

I've practiced and practiced, but still can't back my T@B if I have to turn it. If I can pull up straight, I can do OK, but that's impossible to get it in my driveway and my driveway is sloped just enough that I can't push it up the driveway either.

Anyway, I'm going out in my T@B this weekend and even though it's gonna be frigid, I can't wait!!! We're staying pretty local and hubby is only going to join me Saturday after work and head back home Sunday afternoon. A friend gave me a pile of cheap romance paperbacks and I'm pretty sure the campground will be practically deserted.

So a couple of days of peace and quiet, a roaring fire, and a good book!!!! Can't get better than that!!!

[hiker chick]

I neglected to mention: backing up.

That is not a piece of cake.

[CAJUN LADY]

I used to try the "hand on bottom of the steering wheel" but I just look over my shoulder and back her up. It might not always be perfect but it works. I always backed up our boat in the water and my dad always had me back up a flatbed trailer for him so I got used to it early on. Take your time...don't be afraid...even the guys have problems backing them sometimes...just take your time.

[toypusher]

You may or may not know that a very common mistake when backing up a trailer is that you tend to "over turn". Just get the trailer going in the right direction and start straighening out immediately. You can then return to make it turn more.

So, turn, straighten, turn, straighten, etc. as necessary. Hope this makes sense and helps you all learn how to backup your trailers.

[Mary K]

:envious:

Nice!!

Mk

So, this is where your hiding, Mary Don't you wanna come out and play anymore or are you too busy

Sorry ladies, I've been looking for Mary for a while

Cheers
Paul

Why? What I'd do? Are you stalking me?

I'm still around and I do want to come out and play, but, work IS crazy busy, and I can not sneak on here as much and post.


I'm trying though.

Mk

[NutmegJoe]

I probably would feel better if I drove down there with someone from this area. Then if something happened along the way I would have extra hands to help out.

I'm with you Amy. I went with Pam Wright last year on my first trip to the 14th Dam Gathering...but, this year, I'm headed off to the IRG by myself (Pam's leaving early to go to Oregon first).

I'm a little nervous about driving all that way by myself, mostly in case anything would happen. But, I'm also not going to stay home because of it. I'm planning my trip carefully...going to get reservations all set up for where I want to stop...no driving at night. It's going to be a great adventure. Over 1,400 miles to get there...who knows on the way back...I haven't planned that part of the route yet.

There are people coming from all over...You could probably catch up with someone on the way.

Good luck and I'll see you on the road...I'll be in the right lane with all the trucks flying by 'cause I'll be on teardrop time!!

[oklahomajewel]

Hey gals.... I'm no pro, but actually maybe an unofficial pro since I towed my little Jewel Box about 8+ times last year, 2 hrs to 7 hrs away !!!

First ... it was never really "done" but campable, and I'm glad I didn't miss out on those 7 or 8 great South Central gatherings!!

Second.... I had NEVER towed anything in my life! and have a Honda Accord... the SCT group knows the first half of the trips I would show up, and just get out of the car and have one of the guys back it up for me. Then get home, and dang!!! I HAVE to tow it into my driveway ...
The best advice: Think of your front wheels... the BACK of the wheel needs to point in the direction you want the trailer to go...
I figured it out!!! A little practice, and if no one is looking and tellling me what to do , I can back it up almost perfectly !!!!

Third... okay, I still can't back up at night since my night vision sucks! Thanks guys!!!

Fourth.... When hooking up, remember to make sure the coupler is all the way on the ball...(the little clamp down thing will be kind tight to shut down) and cross your chains under . Mine wasn't and came off doing 65 mph downhill... but kept my cool!!! Slowwwwlly slowed down to the shoulder, and having the chains criss crossed carried it okay... then chocked the wheels and used my car jack to jack up the trailer tongue till I could get my swing away jack swung in place and got it hooked back up ! I was so proud of myself!! haha

Fifth.... Give yourself enough braking distance!!!!! DO NOT travel too close remember that you've got all that extra weight and you can't stop on a dime. Just drive like an old man (hey! No offense intended)

.... it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to share cell phone numbers with anybody traveling about the same place and time... handy if you get tired or bored or whatever... that was really nice when me & Kajamelu (karol) were going to Minden...

most of all HAVE FUN GIRLS!!!!!!!!

[savano]

Jewel, thanks for the tips. I have been lucky so far with the backing up. I have tried it several times and I have never been successful. Either I found another campsite or parking place, or some friendly person backed it for me. There is a big usually empty parking lot near my house (city ball park) where I will practice again using your tips.

Mandy, I have signed for the IRG. Maybe we and some others from this neck of the woods could make a plan to caravan together. That sure would be fun. I live in Prescott AZ. Maybe we could meet up in Flagstaff and then head north. Or meet at Betatikan near Kayenta and the 4 corners. Free camping and beautiful. Then head north and west from there. Maybe we could meet up with others along the way.

Last summer I towed my TD from Prescott AZ to Minden ALONE (with my killer chihuahua) This was my first towing experience. I traveled only during day light. Stayed at 2 KOA's, one motel in Laramie, and other campgrounds.

[Pam Wright]

Hi ladies....

I am so glad so many of us are going to be at IRG.... can't wait to see you all !!!

As for backing up... I take it slow and easy and back up a driveway into the carport.... but if I'm out and run into and issue, I simply unhook it, move it and rehook it!

Take care!

pam

[SamR]

I'm so jealous of all you going to IRG. I've been looking forward to it since last year, but it falls immediately before our fair. As I'm on our seriously undermanned working fair board... Blast! and Dang it!

Amy please don't pass up the chance to go because you're afraid of towing it. I guarentee, once you tow it, you'll kick yourself for missing the opportunity.

As for the backing up thing, I've found that the best thing that works for me is to just set my jaw, give it my best shot, and if it doesn't work unhook it and wheel it in by hand as if that was my intention all along.