Reintroduction from San Diego

[Dean_A]

Hi All,

I've decided it's time to reintroduce myself to this board. I officially started my TD back in December of '04, right before my daughter was born. I had grown up touring the Western U.S. every summer with my family in an old Aljo. I want to provide the same experience for my daughter as she grows up.

Anyway, I happened across an old home-built TD in a vintage trailer display at the Pamona RV show in '04 and was immediately hooked. It took a little research and talking to some old-timers before I even figured out what it was I had seen, but eventually it led me to this board (it was on a different server back then I think).

Thus started my adventure. But it became clear pretty quickly that I could either design a teardrop, or build a teardrop, but there was just no way I could do both. I was spending all my time researching and revising my plan, and not enough time in the garage. Especially since I only get a couple hours a month to work on it.

So for the last few years I've been dipping my toe in here from time to time to glean knowledge from the group, and for that I am thankful. But I'm at the point where I REALLY need to get this thing done before my daughter outgrows her bunk bed

So I feel like I'm in the home stretch, and have set a deadline for the end of March. I'm shooting for the SCTT Gathering at Perris as the maiden voyage. I just hope that proclaiming this publicly might light a fire under me and help make it happen.

So thanks again to everyone here for all the help and support with this labor of love. I couldn't have made it this far without you!

--Dean

[Gage]

Welcome aboard Dean. You look to have a good start on your tear, nice profile. Don't be taking any short cuts to get it ready for Lake Perris. That's when you make little mistakes and end up with double the work. There will be another Lake Perris. The other board you talk about was most likely 'Teardrop Times' and no longer exist.
Good looking littler helper you have there.

[Dean_A]

Gage,

You're right of course. It's already taken 3 years, but what's one more, right? Actually, your words of wisdom have made me feel better about it taking so long. When it is finally done. I'll know that I've gotten exactly the trailer I wanted, and the best quality that my limited work working skills could provide.

And just for the record, that's NOT where my "helper" will be sleeping . And the only help she really provides is climbing into the trailer and saying "camping!" over and over. Of course, she's a lot bigger now than in that photo.

[Mike C.]

Hey Dean,

Welcome back. Gage is right. When you hurry, sometimes it works, but most of the time it just makes more work, cause you have to do it twice. Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you are trying to get done by a certain date, is to slow down, and step back and think it through, before plunging in.

Anyway, what you have done so far looks really good. Just keep working at it and it will be done when it's supposed to be.

See you around.

[Kens]

Hang in there. Just keep plugging along. It's all good in the end.

[Bill Fernandez]

Hello from Florida when you get finished you will surly have a blast with it.

Wild Bill

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Hi and welcome back to the forum.... my but your girl has grown.
Don't worry about finishing the TD, as we're on Teardrop Time here.
What you've got set up looks wonderful and you'll have time to make changes as she grows into the space.

If you'd like to try for a Redwood Run this summer, check out the IRG link below. Tomorrow we get the date posted...".fur shure"
And my Dean has TWO Teardrops waiting in his shop to be finished... so I've got a 50/50 chance of being in one for the event this July. But, if not, I'm a teardrop groupie and PROUD of it!

Best wishes in the New Year.
The Teardrop Nanny
Joanie

[Dean_A]

Joanie,

Wow! that looks like some event. I may live by the coast, but my heart has always been up in the pines. I will do my best to get the TD finished by then. It's a bit of a drive from down here, but the missus loves road trips, and she's always after me to take more time away from the business. It will also give me a backup goal if I miss March.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and have a happy new year.

--Dean