Newbies in Minnesota looking to get started.

[sgtbowe]

Hi there! My wife and I have decided that since we now have 2 kids (9 months and 2 1/2 years) it is time to part with our motorcycles. They've been very expensive lawn ornaments for the last couple years. We love to backpack, camp, rockclimb, and bike but are being realistic about our options. The little ones just aren't able to tough out the weather the way we do. So, our hope is to find a teardrop that will work for us to pull behind our Honda Fit. I've been looking around a lot and am pretty certain I need to keep my weight somewhere under 700 lbs. I'll just introduce myself here and eventually start another thread looking for advice on options. A bit about us: we are both aquatic biologists, we love to hunt, we are working toward developing a small hobby farm on the 70 acres we just bought. We are currently building a house and living in a shop. Actually we are currently freezing our butts off but will be building in the spring. Anyway, we look forward to being a part of the teardrop community! -Cheers!

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum
You will love the Teardrop community and family!
Teardrop camping (just camping in general) will also be provide many lifelong memories for both you and your children!
As you sound like you both have a lot on your plate right now, I would suggest that you avoid the building process for your first Teardrop.
Although it is fun, and very rewarding, it is also expensive and time consuming!
Yes, there is a lot of info available to you here on the Forum and a lot of people willing to share their knowledge. But buying a nice unit will save you that time and money and get you into the game way quicker.
There seem to be a lot of young couples and retired empty nesters that gravitate to TD camping, but not as many in the in between age group.
Just a few more things for you consider!
Even if you do buy your first TD you will no doubt be building one down the road, as this a very addictive way of life.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[sgtbowe]

Thanks. I agree that building is not a good idea right now. We have a few options we're looking at. A 5 wide little guy, a microlite TR8 (the ones they sell on ebay), and some smaller options as well. I just need to decide if it's worth having a galley so I know which way to go.

[Vedette]

Galley is a must! it is the focal point of teardrop camping!
5 wide Little guy might be a good choice with a coupe of hammocks for the kids.
Would not go any smaller.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[PKCSPT]

Welcome fellow Minnesotan, what part of the state are you in? I am located just SE of Saint Paul.
I have a Little Guy 4 wide but camp mostly alone, I did buy a SUV tent that I can attach to the side of my tear when grandkids join me or I just want more room.

I would think you will want at least a 5 wide with two doors , I love what is my galley but really just a shelf I put things on.

[TPMcGinty]

Welcome! Teardrop camping is a lot of fun! As previously mentioned a SUV tent is a great way for the whole family to camp together in a small Teardrop Trailer. We will be having a small gathering at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park sometime in May 2014. You are welcome to come camping with us.

[sgtbowe]

Thanks Vedette. I'm leaning toward a galley. For just the two of us it seemed excessive but then so did the teardrop. With kids and road trips I can see it being useful.

PK, We are in the Bemidji area.

TP, Thanks. We may try to make it!

I figure with a 5 wide and the back of the Fit (which is surprisingly roomy) plus a tent option we'll be pretty well set. We are very minimalist when we travel. Though the kids have changed that a lot! It's amazing how someone who only weighs 15 lbs needs twice as much stuff as me for the weekend.

[TPMcGinty]

PK, We are in the Bemidji area.

TP, Thanks. We may try to make it!

If you don't have your Teardrop by May you can stop in Deerwood Minnesota and look at some Little Guys on the way to Mille Lacs Kathio. That is the closest Little Guy dealer and it's fairly close to Mille Lacs.

http://www.rothrv.com/inventory/307167/New-2014-Little-Guy-Worldwide-Little-Guy-5-Wide-Platform.aspx

Also if May tenting is a little cold they have 5 nice camper cabins to rent at the park.

[sgtbowe]

I really hope we have something by May. I've been shopping around. Keep us in mind if you see anything in the midwest please!

TP, You don't happen to know if that dealer does rentals do you? I'd love to hook up to one and pull it around for a weekend before I buy. I'm confident that our Fit can handle a 4 wide but the 5 wide plus gear and kids is nearing the limit. Maybe with brakes...

[TPMcGinty]

I really hope we have something by May. I've been shopping around. Keep us in mind if you see anything in the midwest please!

TP, You don't happen to know if that dealer does rentals do you? I'd love to hook up to one and pull it around for a weekend before I buy. I'm confident that our Fit can handle a 4 wide but the 5 wide plus gear and kids is nearing the limit. Maybe with brakes...

It looks like they rent campers but they don't have a Little Guy listed. Maybe if you call them they will let you rent one or just try pulling it to see how it does.

[bc toys]

Welcome from Las Vegas Nv hope to follow your trailer build

[Xodius]

Welcome from a Midwesterner down in Vegas.

[KennethW]

Thanks Vedette. I'm leaning toward a galley. For just the two of us it seemed excessive but then so did the teardrop. With kids and road trips I can see it being useful.

I think the galley is what make teardrop camping easy. You can have a hot meal any time any place without a lot of unpacking, setup, take down and packing.

Bacon wrapped pork chop on a stick and home fried potatoes with bell peppers.

[sgtbowe]

Ok. Sold on the galley. Bacon always wins! Now I just need to decide what my Fit can tow.

[RioWilson]

You might checkout TC Teardrops here in Wisconsin...very minamilist and Todd can likely squeeze a bunk in too I bet.