Hi from western New York

[EffieRover]

We're a tent-camping family looking to upgrade ... I've been enamoured of TDs since I saw the first one on eBay; if I had the space and stamina, I'd build one. But I don't.

The hard part seems to be trying to fit two adults and two kids into a teardrop shape and still be able to pull it with a Toyota Prius (Yes, I've seen the plans on the board here, but the Prius max tow is 1500lbs including gear).

When we figure that all out we'll be proud TDers.

[mikeschn]

Effie,

Welcome to the forum.

One solution might be to make a side tent part of the teardrop, then two sleep inside and two sleep in the tent.

I've seen pictures of that here on the forum, although I don't have them at my fingertips... Maybe someone else can chip in?

Mike...

[BillandMarijo]

Good luck to you. This is the place to help you find all your answers. Everyone is helpful and friendly. Check out all the different types of Teardrops Im sure youll find the perfect Tear for you and your family.
Bill and Marijo

[EffieRover]

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike! But canvas is something I'm trying to avoid. Slept in a leaky pop-up camper growing up and too burned by that experience to want to try again. I'm very impressed by the helpful folks here. Glad I found the place.

[tinksdad]

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike! But canvas is something I'm trying to avoid. Slept in a leaky pop-up camper growing up and too burned by that experience to want to try again. I'm very impressed by the helpful folks here. Glad I found the place.

I remember our first pop up!!! More holes and duct tape than canvas. But it was a start and it was cheap!! It's first trip was to SpragueBrook. Took that sucker all over for the two years we used it. One of those two years was when Mama bear was roaming Alleghany SP Quaker Lake campsites at night!!

[EffieRover]

I remember our first pop up!!! More holes and duct tape than canvas. But it was a start and it was cheap!! It's first trip was to SpragueBrook. Took that sucker all over for the two years we used it. One of those two years was when Mama bear was roaming Alleghany SP Quaker Lake campsites at night!!

Funny, we camped in Diehl Trail in Quaker this past weekend and had a bear in the site next to us. Who leaves a cooler full of hamburgers & hot dogs in the bed of a pickup truck parked at the foot of a mountain in bear country?

[tinksdad]

It's been too many years since I've been to Quaker. My son (and his family) still live in Lockport. Maybe next summer I should schedule a vacation and talk him into going camping again!! I'll bring my tear and he will be stuck in a tent with the wife and three kds!!! It will be a good reminder of what I had to endure when he and his sister were little!!

[bobbruso]

Greetings fellow WNYer.

I too, am trying to find a TD Solution to be pulled by a lightweight tow vehicle (Subaru 4 cyl). I also have a tall 8-year-old that I need to create sleeping space for. I am currently leaning towards a minimal Galley, and creating a fold-down bunk-shelf instead.

I would like to see a Tear Drop event at Allegany State Park. Maybe we can acheive critical mass - anyone interested?

Welcome Aboard!!!

Bob

[BillandMarijo]

Bob,
Yes to a gathering at Allegheny State Park The wife and I are Newbies and would be interested in a gathering, trying to make the Fall Foliage in October but my brothers retirement party is the same weekend. Bummer.
I think a gathering would be great there we are for it..
Good Luck on your build.
Bill

[EffieRover]

Yes, yes, yes! The next nearest gathering I see here is New Jersey. Not going to make it there and I'd love to see one of these things in person. All I have are pictures, sketches & dreams...

Bob, have you checked ebay? A 3-sleeper that weighed only about 800lbs just went for $1,250 in Indiana. If it slept one more, I'd have driven that far for it!

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Effie, check out the northeast gatherings for details. There are "Tearjerkers" Chapters as well as other great gatherings in NYS.

I'm orginally from the Hammonsdport area and would love to get back there for a gathering.

Camp ADK (near Saranac Lake in june) is a really nice one also.

Good luck with the camper what ever you decide

[LMarsh]

I'd be interested in a gathering in Alleghany. Actually anywhere in Western NY or Northern PA. Someone pick a weekend and get some plans going!

[Kristi Foster]

Welcome, I grew up in Western New York and now live in Georgia. Letchworth State Park used to be a great place to camp and it was only a few miles outside of Perry, my hometown.Check out the design library to view all the different teadrops and look at the picture galleries. I am a newbie too and still trying to navigate. Have fun. KF

[Gaelen]

There is a Tin Can Tourists vintage trailer rally/gathering this weekend (Sept. 11-14) at Sampson State Park on Seneca Lake.
http://www.tincantourists.com/northeastrally.php

Sampson is a beautiful park...not quite as far west as Rochester, but not quite as far east as Syracuse. I don't know if there will be tears on display for the Rally/Concours judging on Saturday, but I'm planning on taking a trip down if at all possible--Sampson is only about an hour and 15 min. from me.

[EffieRover]

Looks like I just missed an ADK gathering because the thread topic said Spring. Will have to keep looking; I might be able to check out TCT at Seneca Lake.

(BTW, I live maybe 15min from Letchworth - love the place for day trips but lean away for camping. Just doesn't seem to be enough good sites that aren't cabins. Maybe it's just me. Cayuga Lake State Park is awesome, as is Fair Haven Beach State Park. Terrific little tent / trailer sites in Drumlin Loop @ FH. On the inside of the loop for reunions & gatherings. On the outside for privacy. Away from the marsh unless you like mosquitoes.)

...Although now I'm starting to lean towards a cargo conversion - two kids plus not enough covered/enclosed space to build from scratch may make that a worthwhile option for me (and my hubby, whom I drag groaning and sighing into my ambitious projects). I'm sketching a pair of train-style bunks and a loft or murphy bed into a 6x12 with a true 3' v-nose.

Any leads on good sources for these? So many online dealerships I've looked up have closed down...

(BTW, Kirsti, check out http://www.iloveperryny.com