Newbie in Colorado

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi, I'm Glenn Butcher, and my wife's name is Sherry. In 23 years of marriage, we've camped together once. As youngsters, I did the travel trailer thing with my family, and Sherry did the motorhome thing with hers, so we're not total strangers to the experience. I also did some backpacking in college, but I don't think I'd foist that on her...

We have tent camping equipment, and I've drug it out a couple of times to take my son on rail-fanning trips to Southern Colorado, on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. We just did such a trip about two weekends ago, and that experience got me thinking about how to start regular camping with the wife. And so, here I am...

My original idea revolves around the 40x48" Harbor Freight trailer, as I'm going to buy one to do general Home Depot hauling and bicycle transporting to more level places (we live up a hill). My thinking is to build a 4x6' "sleeping shell" (overlap the fenders, cantilever front and rear), simple curves, no galley, FRP skin, that can be removed from the trailer. This would be a 'proof of concept' build that would let me exercise my fabrication chops (I've done cabinets, trim, built a backyard shed, and such) and let us try this sort of camping. I know we're probably going to find it to be too small, but I've got vexing storage logistics to consider for anything bigger. I downloaded the 40x48 HF trailer file from the Sketchup Warehouse and I've done some framing and profiling sketching so far (my current Sketchup skills are mainly to click/drag/undo/repeat until it looks right). I'm also saving the cardboard box from the Ikea bed contraption we just bought to make a full-size mockup.

If this foray works okay, I'd eventually like to build a traditional aluminum-skinned 5x8', but I need to first figure out 1) where to store it, and 2) will my 2005 Subuaru Outback pull it. Sherry saw Dave McCamant's Travelear photos over my shoulder and really liked the concept.

Anyway, I've been browsing around the forums for a week now, and this has to be the most social, constructive, and informative I've run across since I started web browsing.

Regards,
Glenn and Sherry Butcher

[nevadatear]

As someone who has camped next to Dave and Lisa, it is indeed a beautiful build. You could do no wrong emulating him.

[Mary C]

Welcome to you both!!! I hope you know about tear jerkers and if not : They are a group of loosely connected people who are TD and TTT and TC and others who love to camp. Check out their forum. Welcome!!!


Best introduction I have seen in a while.

Mary C.

[bc toys]

Welcome from Las Vegas Nv good luck with your build and wish you much joy camping with your wife hope you can have as much fun as me and my wife do. We cook and hike together DO cooking has changed the level of camping for us.

[SBergeron]

Hi there Glenn!

My Husband and I bought a 4'x6.5' trailer from Teardrops Northwest in Salem back in May this year.

He is 5'11.5" (165lbs) and I'm 5'2" (145lbs) we fit inside and sleep quite comfortably, we even have a galley! (sort of like a big chuck box)
The trailer dry is 550 lbs with a 60lb tongue weight. WE pull it with our Kia Soul. It is a tiny trailer but oh, so cute too. We love sleeping up off the ground and having a solid roof overhead when it starts to rain in the middle of the night.
(gee this is even my first post!) I better go start my own post and introduce myself.

Stephanie in Vancouver WA