So What Is A Teardrop? East Tennessee

[RVhomecamp]

Hello All,

Can you believe that after camping for over 50 years that I've never seen a Teardrop Camping Trailer! If I had, Must have thought it was some sort of cargo trailer. Was researching on the internet for a pop-up tent camper for our Honda CR-V and came across a teardrop trailer, just may have me hooked.

The advantages I like best about a teardrop, are No Canvas, Light Weight, Low Profile and Galley Accessibility Anytime. The two things I still question is, can I convince the wife that an add-a-room can easily be attached to provide a dressing/privacy room for a portable toilet. The other is how claustrophobic the inside might be.

I've formulated what I would like to have in a teardrop and that may seem strange, because I’ve never physically seen one. Amazing how one can formulate an opinion just by pictures and information found on the internet.

I'm interested in possibly building one. Are kits a good option? Need more research, ask questions and find a teardrop dealership within a half day drive to see what a teardrop looks and feels like in real life before I get ahead of myself.

Dan

[KennethW]

One more advantage is you can stop anyplace that you can park overnight. Can not do that with a popup.
I build mine without seeing a teardrop.
click to enlarge.
Strange as it sounds when you lay in a teardrop it seems a lot bigger then it is.
It also feels like a nice hug at the same time.
https://sites.google.com/site/buildingateardroptrailer/
I also used this site as a guide. Only as a guide as I build a lot differently.
Good luck with you build. Just think one step at a time and don't let it over whelming.
And have fun building and camping.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum Dan
And yes, if you are not already hooked, you will be if you stay here!
It is hard to believe that you have never seen a teardrop in person, but as you said you probably have, but what you were seeing, just didn't register???
I too have been Camping for over 50 years (everything from bivawack to Motorhome), but can honestly say there is absolutely "Nothing" that compares to the ease and convenience of Teardrop Camping.
Also the travelling opportunities it opens up to you....and the people!
We can not say enough about the wonderful campers we have met over the past two years since we got out Teardrop on the road.
Here on the Forum you will meet some of the people I speak of, and you will get as much information as you ask for!
My personal suggestion to you is to look as much as you can here on the Forum (with your wife) and ask lots of questions before going out to speak with a Teardrop Salesman at a RV lot.
Attend a local "Gathering" to see TD's in person and meet some local Teardrop campers to hear what they have to say.
Check out the Buy and sell Section here on the Tnttt and over on the Tear Jerkers Forum or on ebay.
As there are some good buys!
But, I would not jump into a build without seeing a few first!
And for your wife's sake.......a 5' wide is a must!
Remember "Ask Questions"
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[RVhomecamp]

[quote][/quote] Strange as it sounds when you lay in a teardrop it seems a lot bigger then it is.

I'm hoping your right!
Dan

[RVhomecamp]

Welcome to the Forum Dan

We can not say enough about the wonderful campers we have met over the past two years since we got out Teardrop on the road
Folks that camp are a breed of their own, the good kind I may add!

Attend a local "Gathering" to see TD's in person and meet some local Teardrop campers to hear what they have to say.
We'll be looking for a Gathering near us come spring.

And for your wife's sake.......a 5' wide is a must!
I agree!

Brian & Sandi

Wow! What a great creation you have in Miss Piggy. You truly have a great talent. Maybe one day I'll have an opportunity to see it.
Dan

[Vedette]

With the ease of travelling with a Teardrop, I am sure we will cross paths.
We put over 21,000 miles on Miss Piggy in our first 2 years and plan for a whole lot more in the next 2 years.
Never been to Tennessee. But it is on our list!
You may love Gatherings so much........we might see you at the IRG in 2016???
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[razorback]

Welcome to the fun.
Macy and I have pulled our TD over 32000 miles. I had never seen one when I built mine. I did not discover this forum until I was about 80% complete. I did cheat because I bought plans from Kuffle Creek. I bought the Comet plans whose profile is modeled after plans from 1947.
I did not do the fancy cabinets in the galley and inside. No skills for that. I did modify it from 4' X 10' to a 5' by 10'. Love the two doors and the full size mattress.
Gatherings are great fun with great people.
Have fun and enjoy the process!!
Larry

[RVhomecamp]

Thanks for the encouragement! Much more research is needed before I decide which way to go and this is a good time of the year to do that.

Dan

[tlsallada]

Like the others have stated, the folks on this forum have a wealth of good ideas and are very friendly. I am new to the world of teardrops myself and build my unit over this past summer. We've been camping for over 24 years having gone thru pop ups, motor homes and travel trailers and can't wait to go on our initial teardrop trek this summer!!

[RVhomecamp]

Like the others have stated, the folks on this forum have a wealth of good ideas and are very friendly. I am new to the world of teardrops myself and build my unit over this past summer. We've been camping for over 24 years having gone thru pop ups, motor homes and travel trailers and can't wait to go on our initial teardrop trek this summer!!

We've also been through the full Gamut of RV's over the past 50 years. Perhaps there is much more truth in the saying of the "older you are the wiser we become"!

Bigger is not always better,
Dan

[backstrap bandit]

Don't feel bad dan I too have never seen a tear in person around louisiana until this year I saw a crudely built one while hunting but don't get me wrong it was better than the tent I was in and after all that's what's nice about tears they can be all you want them to be with a little planning and a lot of insight and help from the wonderful people on this site .mine will be done shortly (hopefully) really looking fwd to some R&R in the tear

[RVhomecamp]

Don't feel bad dan I too have never seen a tear in person around louisiana until this year I saw a crudely built one while hunting but don't get me wrong it was better than the tent I was in and after all that's what's nice about tears they can be all you want them to be with a little planning and a lot of insight and help from the wonderful people on this site .mine will be done shortly (hopefully) really looking fwd to some R&R in the tear

Glad to hear I'm not the only one! The best on your new teardrop, hope it's all you want it to be. I'm still torn between building my own and finding a nice used one. Not sure If I still have the patience and ability to build one.
Dan

[backstrap bandit]

Dan there really isn't anything hard about it .and reall doesn't take that long if the funds r available been working on mine about a year do a little at a time when I have xtra money

[nevadatear]

Dan, a totally agree with finding a teardrop to checkout in person. If you can find a gathering, go! But also
Nose around the forum here and contact someone close to where you live. I bet they will invite you to come look. We have had at least 5 people do that. One couple, Dave and Lisa mcCamant, now share with everyone "you have to lay down in one". That's when you realize they don't feel small. They have now become good friends and built "atma travelear".

My husband is a little claustrophobic so we built 5 x10 with plenty of room to the cabinets. He says there is no sense of claustrophobia and loves it as much as I do. See one in person!

[RVhomecamp]

Dan, a totally agree with finding a teardrop to checkout in person. If you can find a gathering, go! But also
Nose around the forum here and contact someone close to where you live. I bet they will invite you to come look. We have had at least 5 people do that. One couple, Dave and Lisa mcCamant, now share with everyone "you have to lay down in one". That's when you realize they don't feel small. They have now become good friends and built "atma travelear".

My husband is a little claustrophobic so we built 5 x10 with plenty of room to the cabinets. He says there is no sense of claustrophobia and loves it as much as I do. See one in person!

I've been checking with dealerships within driving distance. It's been Slim Pickens so far. I like your Idea of looking around this forum. I'm checking out the RV show also. You have a great build, I checked it out at your Picasa Page.
Thanks,
Dan