Another n00b from So Cal

[Oni]

Hello everyone. Been lurking and researching for a little bit. Been camping for years, did the sleeping on the ground thing, did the camper shell thing, did the tent thing...

I don't mind doing all that stuff...but the wife needs a little more comfort.

My ultimate goal is a Sportsmobile, but finances being what they are, am looking for a lower cost alternative for the time being. Years ago my Uncle had a pop up and I kind of wanted to get one for years...and then I saw and started seriously considering a TD.

I am a member of a SAR Team and we do lots of travelling for training, and a little TD would be perfect for our weekend trips. A couple of Teammates and I were discussing the fact that using our small tents on these trips is getting a little old (as we're getting older)

Having some space for cooking and a nice comfortable place to sleep looks mighty nice. No more kicking rocks from under the tent, tripping over tent stakes, having the wind try and collapse the tent...sounds good to me!

I also want to do some travelling. TD would work nice for us and our 3 dogs (2 miniature Dachshunds and a Jack Russell). Have a 11 MPG Land Rover and 2 Honda Elements. Plan to use the Element to tow the TD. Keep our gear and stuff in the Element and have a nice uncluttered area to snooze in the TD. Trying to find a motel that is pet friendly is a PITA...and we take our fur kids everywhere. The TD would solve that problem...and let us camp in pretty places instead of a motel.

So far...think a Little Guy may work well for us. I like the galley section in the Silver Shadow series...like that it is totally separate from the main section...especially after reading some complaints about the gaps on the other models.

I read that you can spec a 2" receiver on the rear...does anyone know if it's possible to carry a dual sport motorcycle or at least a scooter back there on a rack?

Sorry for the long post...been enjoying reading and researching!

Cheers,

Mark

[Walt M]

Welcome Mark, to the land of crazy .We're all pretty teary eyed around here. I just built my first tear and the wife and I went out on our first trip during our anniversary ( She tells me it was her best) Good luck and don't hesitate to ask anything, theres a great bunch of people here.BTW We to own a Jack Russel that we intend to keep bringing with us and she too seems to love it. Walt

[Lgboro]

There are several Little Guy Tear owners who are regularly on the forum that might be able to answer you question on hauling a motorcycle with a tear. There are also a bunch of Honda Element folks here. I'm not sure if the hitch weight will be too much with a bike on the tongue or not but if no one chimes in here you might post on the general board and I'm sure you will get a response.

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Mark. Not sure a scooter on the back of a little guy, or any other small TD will work. Might get your tongue weight too light!

Be sure to get us some when you finally score!

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Mark, welcome to the best TD website on the net. Looks like you are ripe to buy a teardrop in leiu of building one. That will get you camping in a heart beat, and it's just a matter of getting one that you will be happy with. Make sure you get one that has plenty of galley cabinets, as you will need them, if you plan to do some extensive camping with your SAR group. Good luck on your choice of tears, you can't go wrong with a compact little rig that has all of the things your need to sleep comfortably and cook meals effortlessly.
Roly

[hiker chick]

Have a 11 MPG Land Rover and 2 Honda Elements. Plan to use the Element to tow the TD. Keep our gear and stuff in the Element and have a nice uncluttered area to snooze in the TD.

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Mark! Are you the Element Owners Club forum, too? I've been pulling a 6'-wide Little Guy for a year with my '04 Element. 2" hitch receiver (courtesy of u-Haul). All work great.

Little Guy wasn't selling the Silver Shadow when I bought and if I had it to do again I'd probably get the Shadow because the entire back end opens up. Might even go for the galley in the Shadow. The Little Guy galley is spartan and I gladly skipped all the cabinetry. Good luck!

Here's a T&TTT thread on my tear:
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=23387

And here's a thread on the EOC that I started when I was teadrop shopping. It includes photos of the Element-trailer wiring process:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums ... 36&page=56

[Oni]

Thanks for the welcome folks!

Still doing lots of research and plan to go check out some in person.

Hiker Chick...your thread on the Element Owners is what really caught my eye about the TD's. I lurk there, but have not registered. Was also considering the cool little Westfalia type top for the Element by Ursaminor...but think ulitmately the TD would be a better choice. I think my fur kids would like it as much as Gidget does!

I really like the galley section on the Shadow series...but can do without all the other cabinetry. I like what Hiker Chick did with the cot organizers. Maybe get a custom build. The nearest LG dealer is in San Diego...may have to cruise down there some weekend and poke and prod and ask some questions.

Someday I'd like to try and make my own...but don't have the skills/time right now. My woodworking skills aren't the greatest...but I'm learning and enjoy tinkering.

Thanks again!

[hiker chick]

Oni - having grown up with a '68 VW pop-top camper van I was also intrigued by that ursa minor product.

But Gidget would not like being left below by herself and I don't think I could get her through the sunroof.

She loves the teardrop -- gets to look out the window and sniff through the screen all night. That's better than tenting for her.

Have you checked out So-Cal teardrops? Box4Rox on the EOC has one and it is the best looking manufactured I've seen other than Camp Inn.

[mrchip34]

Hello ONI welcome

[cuyeda]

Oni,
Welcome to the forum, excuse the Halloween avatar. FYI If you have not started your build, or purchased a teardrop before March 2009, the SCTT hosts a teardrop rally at Lake Perris. A good opportunity to see over 100 teardrops all in one place.

http://www.teardroptours.com/

[Oni]

Hiker Chick - yes I've looked at the So Cal Teardrop site. I think I'd rather go rather bare bones for my first TD. Just want a galley section and leave the rest unfinished. I like what you did with yours and am thinking of doing something similar...plus it will give me a chance to tinker and customize. Lots of inspiration from the many talented folks on this site.

Cliff - thanks for the link. Perris isn't too far...be cool to wander around and check out all the TDs.


Mark