Greetings from St. Joseph, Missouri

[EODSGT]

About five years ago I bought a cheap 4’ x 6’ $300 trailer to haul camping gear behind an old Volvo. It did the job well. My son and I were often the only ones at many Boy Scout campouts with out a pickup truck. The combination of a trailer and a 20 year old Swedish car was unique. But it worked for us. The trailer came in handy when it was time to make a run to the big box hardware store and the nursery. It spends its days parked in my garage and acts as a good place to pile things not currently being used.

I’ve spend well over a year of my life camping in flimsy tents thanks to a prior employer you may know as our Uncle Sam. Sam taught me that as long as you have moving air and two layers of anything between you and the sun you can handle the heat. He also taught me that the key to surviving the bitter cold is layers. After looking at that trailer long and hard it occurred to me that it could serve as a glorified mobile tent if it was properly configured. Heck, if it was designed right it could even be comfortable and light weight.

Since buying the trailer my Volvo has been retired. I now drive a Toyota Matrix. And I plan to always drive a smaller type of eco-wagon. I’m never going to buy a Toby Keith Edition F-1250 Dually Pick-um-up. So, as I was pondering my tent on wheels I went to the Internet. There I found this place and others.

I’ve been pondering design and construction methods for several years now. I work an awful lot so actual construction time has not been available. This year is going to be different. I’m going to finish my plan, finish the scale model I’ve started, and start construction this spring.

The design I have in mind will be among the smaller and will not be a traditional “teardrop” shape. I also want to be able to remove the mini-RV from the trailer so I can go fetch trees for my wife when she requests.

My goal is to design and build a recreational trailer that will support a two-person, year-round, four-night, 600 mile round trip. It also must be able to haul 2 bicycles to a trail area like the Katy Trail in Missouri. I’ll also use it for the occasional long weekend trip with my wife to our many Missouri Conservation areas.

I’ve been working on some plans and a scale model. They are no where nearly as nice as many I have seen here.

As part of my introduction, I wish to thank the members and the owner and administrators of this site. I have received countless hours of enjoyment from coming here and reading and seeing what you all have created.

[s4son]

EODSGT,
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you already have a plan for your trailer. There are tons of good ideas here for just about anything you would want to build. You have probably read other threads about the ITG in Minden NE this summer. If there is any way you can make it, even for the weekend, you will get tons of ideas and meet a lot of the folks on the forum. My wife and I went in '05 and stayed in the hotel. We couldn't have had a nicer experience. And it's close for us!

Scott F.
30 miles south in Smithville MO

[EODSGT]

Thanks for the welcome Scott.

When is the ITG hootenany? I'd love to vist the gathering. Minden, NE looks driveable over a long weekend. Of course I'd be in a tent at that stage if there was somewhere to tent camp.

FYI - Since I posted this introductory post I have also posted some pictures of the haul vehicle and my trailer frame. I'll try to take a screenshot of my plans and post them in the gallery as well.

[Kens]

I checked out your pics you have a good trailer to start. Did you see the free plans at the top of the page? OH by the way WELCOME

[EODSGT]

I checked out your pics you have a good trailer to start. Did you see the free plans at the top of the page? OH by the way WELCOME

Kens,
Looks like your teardrop trailer (avatar) has a similar frame. Did you build off of plans or is that your own creation? And yes, I did see the plans thanks. I've been all over that page. Those CAD drawings are great.

[SmokeyBob]

EODSGT
Welcome to T&TTT. And good luck with your build.

Have a great day
Bob

[Roly Nelson]

EODSGT, come on in and join the group. It looks like you are half way there, with a licenced trailer and a suitable hauler. All you need now is to build a slide-in camping unit to suit your needs. I am sure somewhere on this board there are pics of just such a little enclosed sleeping/cooking unit. I've seen it somewhere, and I am sure someone will direct you to the right place. There are loads of ideas regarding shapes and construction proceedures, so just ask and you will be building in no time.
You can check out the Minden event here: http://itg.teardrops.net/

Roly...........suggesting that you make it to Minden and look at the many different styles and shapes and meet the friendly teardrop folks. Good luck

[RAYVILLIAN]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Your design looks alot like a few on the board so it's already a working design., but ervery one does their's a little different.
There is a few of us close to you that have built so if you want to see some trailers up close just give a hollar.

I'm close to Richmond.

Gary

[Sonetpro]

Welcome EODSGT
Looks like you have a good plan and a trailer so your halfway there. You just need to get started. Keep the pic's coming.
My wife and I love St Joe. One of our favorite towns to visit. Do they still have that little casino boat at the end of town?

[EODSGT]

Welcome EODSGT
One of our favorite towns to visit. Do they still have that little casino boat at the end of town?

Yes, although they moved the Casino about a mile and a half north about 8 years ago. It is in a much nicer location now. Also new managment about two years ago have revitalized it from what I hear. The food is supposed to be much better. Also there is a new upscale (for St. Joe) shopping area at 169 & I-29 now.

[Miriam C.]

Welcome EODSGT
One of our favorite towns to visit. Do they still have that little casino boat at the end of town?

Yes, although they moved the Casino about a mile and a half north about 8 years ago. It is in a much nicer location now. Also new managment about two years ago have revitalized it from what I hear. The food is supposed to be much better. Also there is a new upscale (for St. Joe) shopping area at 169 & I-29 now.

Well Sarg,
Looks like you learned to not let any grass grow under your feet somewhere too. Welcome to the playground and the plans look great. I Bet you know by now to set that axle back and build over the edges so I won't tell you. Ya got the pic thing down too. (boy the things you miss when it ices up.)

BTW I got the Sarg thing---don't know an EOD thing. One other thing we really apprecitate is our boys in Service.

[vipercairo]

Born and raised (until I was eighteen) in St. Joe... It was a good place to grow up. Central High School and Miller's Grill was the high points.

Hope to see you in the camp sights when I get my Tear trip-worthy. Welcome... good folks in this site.

Carl

[dwgriff1]

If you are going to pull it with a Matrix, really get serious about weight. That may well mean some very unorthodox methods and materials.

I pull mine mainly with a 2200cc Chevy. It works, but my gas mileage drops by 10 mpg. My trailer weighs 580#, and my chevy wishes it was even less.

dave

[dwgriff1]

By the way, your drawings are full of lots of good information. Thanks for the effort!

dave

[KA]

Welcome to the site. It sounds like you are really doing a lot of thinking about how you want to use the tear. It will be fun to see what you come up with.
Kris