Full-Timing In A Teardrop?

[Konaexpress]

Hi, New guy here.

I've been wondering the same thing about full timing in a TT or some similar shape. Maybe some kind of sandwich foam core to keep it light and keep a good GPM with my RAV4. I know some will think this is a bit weird but that's me. I look forward to more ideas to the OP's post.

John

[S. Heisley]

I have been cooking for 40 years and even cooked in military dining facilities. I hope to return to more of a raw food diet when I'm only feeding myself. Seriously, one of the biggest issues in camping for the last 30+ years was I spent most of the time cleaning up, moving things around and cooking.

If you have to enjoy cooking in cast iron for the teardrop life, well, then I would have to reconsider my choice.

I'm looking at all the possibilities when I have the time. Thinking very carefully about what is needed. Again, "less is more". Thanks!

Cathy, you don't have to cook in cast iron. Some people are simply crazy about doing that. Stove top cooking is plenty good enough and can be simply done, easy cooking and easy clean up. But, I have a hunch that you already know that. Even if you buy a unit that doesn't have a lot of storage, there are ways to add that and I have a hunch that you already know how to do that, too. (I really think you'll get sick of an all raw food diet, though.)

[Cathy P.]

Actually, I love raw foods but hot drinks and soups otherwise. I have been surveying the tent camping things in the basement. They would be more than sufficient, a pot & Coleman folding 2 burner stove and a Sierra Zip Stove. I'm definitely taking the Zip Stove but am not a big fan of propane. Have a small toaster oven and have no use for a microwave.

I have noticed many aren't insulated and many have carpet/fabric on the walls. I have a big, hairy dog, Rinnie, an 11 year old Chow Shepherd mix. Well, she would be a good insulator. Since I have camping equipment, no reason to duplicate that in RV-type systems.

I have noticed that prices really soar when you start adding up the options. My budget is less than $20,000 and there are a few that exceed that with options. Since I am older, 62 this summer, I want something that will work longer term so that I don't have to downsize. I do not enjoy shopping enough to want to do it anymore than necessary.

I have noticed many are putting in "stargazer" windows in the front. Although that looks like it would be nice, I know that in the RV industry, many have pulled off the front window because of leaks, same with sky lights. I guess, trying not to get caught up in the looks and concentrate on function is important.

I get that free "Cool Tears" magazine and just love looking through it.

[Tomterrific]

Hi Cathy,

Loretta and I tent camped until I made our trailer. We use all the same stuff except for the tent and thermorest pads. I fell asleep on the ground when I was tired but getting up was the hard part, stiff and sore. Our little bedroom on wheels is wonderful for a good nights sleep.

The only thing we really need is coffee in the morning. We find places to eat and divert to them on our drives to hikes and sites. Fruit and certain raw veggies are our snacks. We also cook when needed but the time in camp is for relaxing. This would change for full timing. More cooking, perhaps more home entertainment (TV, phone, news). More camp set-up for comfort and rainy days.

I certainly find a longish trip with minimal gear intriguing.

T

[Vedette]

Hi Cathy
Your budget # is definitely high enough to put you into a first class teardrop. Many are trying to do it on much less!
And yes, I was just giving you a dig about the cooking.
We use our ols 2 burner colman as our cooking soarce in Miss Piggy, and it is more than adequate. We also have a single burner that screws on to a 1 lb propane bottle, that we used almost as much while travelling. Our table top that we either set up off the end of MP or just set across the end of a picnic table , has a hole in it that a stainless can drops in for our 1 lb bottle to drop in, which brings the single burner down closer to the cook top and won't allow it to tip over. When the small stove is not being used, a 1.5 L wine bottle fits in is perfectly! b
And don't be afraid of propane........Sandi was until she started using it every day. Now she doesn't even give it a second thought.
Sort of a campers way of life.
Cast Iron cooking is fun, and nice to do while sharing camp time with a group.
Did I mention that you are going to LOVE Teardrop camping and Teardrop Folks!!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Konaexpress]

There are a lot of people who retrofit cars and minivans for this purpose. A gym membership for showers and a PO box.....you could get lost for a long time. Ran into two van dwellers on the big island of Hawaii a week ago, they live this way by choice, not because they have to. Nice people tired of the "rat race" and enjoying low, low, low rent. If anything ever happens to my off base commander, I'm grabbing the cats and selling everything. I'm done with "normal" life. Might need a bit more room than a TD for them.....

John

[Cathy P.]

Thanks again. I wanted to mention that for some time I thought I would want a small fiberglass egg trailer. I have been in their forum for 8 years and decided that they were more of a hassle then I wanted. Still all the RVs systems that are expensive to repair/replace. Most have carpet/carpet-like walls/ceilings. Can't remember if I mentioned that I do not like OSB and no matter what anyone has said, it is just something that I have dealt with and for longer term, I do want to deal with it.

To me, the selling point on the TDs is that all the photos show them just pulled over to the side of the road where someone is admiring the scenery.

In KS, they tax us to death or at least to the point that you think twice about what you are going to pay for something. We pay full sales tax and then property tax. I hope to make another state my domicile eventually. In AL, it was only 3 or 4% on RVs when I think the sales tax was maybe 7 or 8% on most other things. The thought of something simple and then optioning it myself means less taxes in the long run.

The basement has a whole corner of camping things that never got started and just waiting to go. Size wise, I'm looking at least the 5' wide and 10' long. Taller cabin is better than shorter. Windows are a hassle but I don't want to feel like I am in a coffin either.

Of course I realize when someone is just teasing like about the cooking but having felt chained to the kitchen for so many years.......

[Konaexpress]

I get you, looking at the same things. I'm looking for less maintenance and very easy to pull and get lost!

John

[S. Heisley]

Cathy, if you haven't already done so, you might look into a Little Guy T@b Clamshell. A few teardroppers have upgraded to those and seem very happy. I think they can stand up in theirs and do not feel claustrophobic in it. Yet, they still have the teardrop style galley in the back. One couple bought a fairly basic one with a bench and then converted part of it to hide a Porta Potty underneath. That particular couple have spent a few full-time winters as snowbirds in theirs. Simple Clamshells run right around $20,000. Used ones are probably a little less; but not much. Like the Cassitas, they seem to hold their value pretty well.

Another idea is to get a cargo trailer (CT) made to order, with a door on the side, windows, and double doors on the back, straight from the factory. Then, you finish the inside yourself, the way you want it, including adding insulation. You can stand up in most (not all) of those. Prices on those may vary. If you look at the cargo trailer (CT) section on this forum, you can see some pretty good ideas. And, yes, I think you can do it. Even though I'm not fond of their exterior looks, I've seen some that aren't too bad; and, at least, you would be fairly certain that it would be water-tight and reasonably low maintenance. Many of those also have the added low-profile benefit of looking like they are just a service trailer and not like someone might be living there. If I were thinking of going full time in a trailer, I might consider one. We had one fellow here who did that for a few years. I think he upgraded to a bigger trailer last year. I think his ID is Pennrailroad or something like that. I'll see if I can find that for you as he documented nearly everything.

[KCStudly]

Here is a link to one of southpennrailroad's threads; http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=41531.

[S. Heisley]

Here is a link to one of southpennrailroad's threads; http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=41531.

Thanks, KC. You saved me a little work!

[Vedette]

"TAG's"are cheap???
Brian

[Cathy P.]

I have looked online at the T@B and the T@G. I am trying to stay at a road height of 72" and if I remember right, the T@G falls right at 72" and has a decent height inside. The one advantage I see with Little Guy products is the tent room which attached in a way that doesn't let bugs in. I have seen another teardrop that also does that, mom and pop type operation. I have looked at so many online.

What I favor at this point, at least in theory are these: Hitchhiker trailer: http://hikertrailer.net/ and http://www.tcteardrops.com/ I also like the NestEgg: http://www.nesteggtrailers.com/about/, especially the off-roadish one although they seem small. Would be SO easy to keep clean. The Little Guy products are the most easily had since they are waiting on the sales lots so that is an advantage with them.

I hope to volunteer workcamp so whatever it is, it has to look someone "respectable". The idea is to do this until I can't possibly do it anymore. Running the clock and making the most of it. I have dreamed of full-timing since I met full-timers in the Tucson, AZ area in 1990. Time means SO much more when you fill it with something memorable. I don't want to live my life like one ground hog day after another since I watch people doing that every day. I am the "black" sheep where ever I go and learned to embrace it.

Adding another favorite: http://americanteardrop.com/Model%20Eagle.htm

[S. Heisley]

I am the "black" sheep where ever I go and learned to embrace it.

I've heard that naturally black wool is very rare and valuable!

While in Yellowstone, I spent a couple nights at the KOA, right next to a couple ladies that do exactly what you mentioned, working at the national parks during the summer, and they said that they love it. They said that they spend their winters in AZ, FL, or even Mexico.

[Vedette]

I would like to see one of those nest eggs in person to check out the "Quality" of their build.
They definitely sound good in their ad, and they are built to be light,
So if you are concerned about MPG and the towing capacity of your TV, they would definitely be right up there in the choice department,
Have you checked out Cozy Cruisers?
They are very nice too!
Brian