Hello from Oregon!

[Sawyer]

Hi everybody!

I was turned onto teardrops by my father who has always been a T.D. nut. Some of my most fond camping memories are with my Dad and brother in our '47 Cub/Modernistic, where I slept comfortably on a 4' shelf above their feet. Anyhow, fast forward 20 years, my dad has his new Teardrop, and now I want to build my own. I'm saving up for my fiance's and my wedding next year, so this will be a budget build. I bought and put together my Harbor Freight (1740 lb capacity) 4x8 trailer yesterday, and I'm eager to start building once the weather here in Eugene improves (no garage).

I plan on building a half-woody, with an aluminum roof (due to the very wet winters and sunny summers here). I would like to keep it under 600-700 pounds or so, without a whole lot of bells and whistles, but very sturdy...

Anyways, I'm very excited to get started and would love any suggestions/opinions, especially from people who have built a similar T.D.

Thanks! This site is a fantastic resource, and I'm happy to be a part of the Teardrop community!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Sawyer, welcome to the board, glad you found us. Keeping your teardrop in the weight range you are hoping for will require a few lightweight decisions. First of all, you have to scrap any ideas of having a 3/4" floor and walls. This adds unneccesary pounds to your final rig. Next, lots of bells and whistles have to be eliminated, such as heavy tongue box and over-built cabinets, drawers and shelving. Next, you probably have to keep it fairly narrow and short, think 4 ft by 8 ft. The longer and wider it is, the more it will weigh.

I know it is possible to build a lightweight teardrop using thinner plywood and eliminating heavy fenders, thick aluminum roofing and truck-liner undercoating. I have a woody 4x8 that weighs about 600 lbs, and a little 6 footer that weighs only 245 lbs. It all depends how much you are willing to do without. Good luck on your build, remember to think light and build light.
Roly

[4123]

Hi there number two son! I see you've finally made yourself known. When you put together an album, you better not put any funny pictures of me or mom in there cuz I know you've got a few! I hope you get your TD done in time for the IRG. You can park next to mom and me with our Camp-Inn. Maybe your brother Jonathan will be there with their Modernistic and we can park in a circle like the old wagon trains did, break out the guitars & drums and have a good old time....love, Dad

[Dean_A]

My only suggestion: elope, and use the wedding money for your trailer!

[TENNJIM]

Welcome to the Forum. My daughter works for BLM and lives in Eugene. I have spent many wonderful times there. Hope to see you and your new teardrop at the IRG.

Jim B / Utah

[triker45]

Welcome to the forum. I have a home built Kit replica(sorta/kinda). I used Kit plans. It is 4x8 and weighs about 650# loaded. I think your dad may have seen it. It has everything we need. Have fun with the build and hope to see you at IRG. Jerry

[Sawyer]

Roly, Thanks for the tips, I will definitely put a little more consideration into material thickness vs weight... I checked out your build page on the woody, all I can say is Awesome! I'm plan on "borrowing" some ideas from you if you don't mind...

Pops, I'll be down there soon to use the metal shop, so clean it out and be ready!!!

Dean, I've already suggested the eloping idea, she's not having it. Too bad, because we could build one hell of a trailer and go on a massive month long road trip for the same price as a wedding will be... But I've already learned that the decision is not up to me!

Jim, Nice to hear from someone familiar with Eugene. I love this town, but I could really do without the 9 month rainy season! I'm sure your daughter agrees!!

Jerry, I would love to see a bigger picture of your trike/teardrop combo, it looks awesome!!! It sounds like you've achieved what I want to achieve with the build. What did you use for sides/floor? Any suggestions or warnings for me? (I like to learn from other's mistakes as often as possible, but I still tend to make my own often enough...) Maybe I'll see you in the I.V. area sometime!

[mikeschn]

Hey Sawyer,

Welcome to the forum.... and like Dad says, no funny pictures of Mom and Dad! But we need pictures of everything else!!!

Mike...

P.S. Have a pic of yourself for your avatar?

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Sawyer. I think you will be in good hands and definitely have a great marriage. Just get you a man room, smell it up with lots of Teardrop dust and other nasty chemicals and you will get it done.

Butttttttt I like funny pictures (said in a whinny voice.)

Keep the bubble oil level guys.

[Eunice]

Be sure to check out the destinations link at the top of the page. Jefferson State Chapter is having our first gathering in June near Rusch Oregon. Would love to see you there.

[triker45]

Sounds like you are off and running Sawyer. My floor is 3/4" birch plywood and the walls are 1/2" birch. The first TD I built I used 3/4 on the walls and will do the same on the next one. 1/2" just isn't stable enough for me. I may use Grant Whipp's(Lil'Bear tds) method of trimming some material out of the walls to save weight. I have pics of trikes and tds in my ablum. Just click the album button. Have fun and will probably see you around CJ. Like Eunice said try to make it to the Rogue Rendezvous out in Ruch in June. Jerry

[Randy G]

welcome aboard and congrats on the getting married. Build lite for sure. mine is about 600 loaded. Have fun and hope to Cya on the trail somewhere, randy

[Sawyer]

Thanks again everybody! What a great community you all have here. I'm moving across town in a week, and my H.F. trailer will play an important role there, but after we get settled I'll start buying materials and get to work! I'm very excited to start, and awfully thankful for this resource!

[Randy G]

forgot to ask is that hay stack rock in the photo behind you?

[sixpar]

Welcome!
Paul