Howdy! from longtime lurker to a newbie.

[Nowellah]

Hello all.

I am Wayne, a.k.a. Nowellah. Just wanted to introduce myself and share a little info.

I have been researching rv's/campers for over a year straight. I have been though every possibility from buying used, converting a cargo trailer, building a trailer and building a slide in truck camper. I had seen teardrop trailers in my search online, but honestly I wasn't interested in them until I seen Grant's design for the Campster 12. After I calculated what the equipment for the truck camper was expensive- i.e. tiedowns, jacks; Then I stumbled upon the Campster and did a quick calculation on the cost to build, and how cool it was, I have arrived at a decision. Now it's just a matter of time and finances, since I have just added to my responsibility of trying to help my dad, being a single dad and my job deciding to cut over time. I guess that just means it will take a little longer.

Thank everyone for all the help, tips, tricks and ideas in all the posts I have read so far. I still have plenty to read so I don't repeat a question. When I do start to build, I will share lots of pics.

Thank you Grant for the plans and ideas and for showing how very cool teardrops can be.

[Mary C]

Welcome to the forum!! Teardrops come with their own set of opportunities for camping and meeting new and interesting people all with one interest traveling, camping and meeting other tear droppers............Oh did I say one? That was one Tear -droppin!!! Enjoy and you already know we love Lots of

Mary C.

[Nowellah]

Thank you, Mary.

I have noticed that lots of pictures are favorable to everyone. I like them too. All the pictures that I have seen are giving me more and better ideas. Besides, I have a feeling that I will need them for the DMV to prove that it was actually home built. As far as the camping and meeting new people, I have just found that out in the last few days of reading post and hearing how TD gather some onlookers and how conversations are started.

It think it's awesome how everyone gets together on here and shares ideas and are willing to help. I still have lots of reading to do. So much information.

[bc toys]

Welcome to this great site. There are many great trailers and campers in your area D-FW area. Had a great time camping with them.

[Vedette]

Yes, WELCOME to the Forum
Besides the fun of building a teardrop, travelling with a teardrop, camping in a teardrop, meeting new people every time you stop (even for gas)....there is the "Forum"!
Don't get hooked like I did!
Yes, you will learn lots, meet lots of wonderful new friends, have something to look forward to every time you turn on your computer, and stay enthused about your build even when things have slowed down.
Okay, go ahead.........get hooked!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Nowellah]

Thank you bc. I really haven't seen many TDs in my area accept one and it lives down the road from me. It looks like it isn't used that often. Of course when I'm on the road, I'm either working or on the way with a destination in mind and don't notice much trying to watch everyone else on the road and not get ran over. As the saying goes, no rest for the wicked. Or is that weary?

Vedette, thank you too for the welcome. Its too late to warn me not to get hook.
Life keeps coming at me just like everyone else, but I am determined more now to have my Campster 12. Every time I start to gather my materials, something else falls apart. But I did have an idea to kick off my build and will run it by all that read this. I have decided to build a sort of "slide in/on" TD. Planning on building it to where I can put it on my existing utility trailer when I get ready to go camping and take it off when I need the trailer for other things. This would only be sort of temporary until I can get the material together for the trailer of its own. Money is getting tighter and I'm growing impatient...lol. I have access to wood and carpenters with lots of tools that are wanting to help me, and I didn't really have to ask.

Why I ask is will it still be considered a Tear or would it be an abomination? Understand that I am not going to make it too much more "hillbilly-ish" than that.

Thanx again.

[Rhino Ray]

If you are hooked, like I am, this is the right place to be. I lurked for months, read everything I could, then dove in. I too had to budget the build but I collected a ton of stuff before I started the project. Once it started, it went fast. Enjoy the journey.

[Roly Nelson]

Norwella, be not concerned about building a teardrop that doesn't fit "the mold", since there are a bunch of them that are so different, you wouldn't believe they are really campable. I know, I have one. Check out the Hall of Fame, at the top of the page, and you will see what I mean. As long as it has a galley outside, sleeps two and you can't stand in it, it's a teardrop trailer, even if shaped like a stump. Hmm, now there's an idea, why didn't I think of that before?
Good luck on your build, remember there are no dumb questions, and answers will come to you if you just ask.
Roly, the li'l ol' octogenarian, So Calif woody teardrop guy

[Nowellah]

Thank you Ray for the encouragement, but buget seems like too light of a sometimes. Roly, thank you also. Until I logged on and read these last replies, I had almost given up. The next few weeks are going to be busy and I will be out of town for 2 of them, but my plan now is to start getting a pattern ready when all of that slows down. Well, I have decided to put the Campster 12 on hold until I can do it justice. Going to try a seemingly easier build for my first one. Yes I said first one. Because if it is true from what I have been reading in other posts, you learn loads from the first one and build a second one more like you want with less mistakes. I will let everyone know what's happening when I start and I hope it will turn out as I am seeing it in my mind.

What am I saying, with support I have read about thus far I am positive that it will turn out great

Thanks again!