Hello from Michigan and a TD wanta have.

[RhinoDave]

Just decided to join the forum and act like a sponge for a while. Building a teardrop has been on my project list for some time and now that I am retired, (Nov. 1st.) I think it's time to do some serious research. I currently have two popups (long story) and do camp frequently. I like the idea of having something that I can pull with a small car that I can use for some of my bicycling trips. I currently have an HHR that I would use to haul the teardrop so my focus will be light and cheap. I'm in no hurry at the moment. I also have a neighbor very close to me that I need to go and introduce myself to that I hear knows just a little bit about Teardrops.

Dave
Lake Orion

[BillandMarijo]

RhinoDave,
First of all Congrats on your retirement. And of course welcome to the forum. I retire next January 2010. I built my Teardrop last summer 07 and just finished it up about a month ago. Of course with the weather we get in Pa I let her sit in the garage over last winter and the wife and I just dreamed about her. Listen take your time make lots of sketches and plan out just what you want and what youll need. The planning is as much fun as the building. Have fun cause when shes completed your gonna love it.
Enjoy your build.
Bill and Marijo

[halfdome, Danny]

I also have a neighbor very close to me that I need to go and introduce myself to that I hear knows just a little bit about Teardrops.

Dave
Lake Orion

Dave, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the retirement. Your neighbor, I'm assuming, is our gracious host and I'm sure he will stirr up the sickness you now possess . Have fun, Danny

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Dave. Now when you introduce yourself to the neighbor be prepared to make some sawdust. We expect him to get you motivated. Course we do give exceptions for those in the snow belt.

Enjoy

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Dave, welcome to our little happy group. Retirement is wonderful, lots of free time, no wrist watch wearing anymore, no alarm clocks to respond to, no long drives to work in heavy traffic, you can wake up after the sun rises, no set time to eat breakfast, leisurely take your time to decide what projects you want to tackle today and watch all the TV you want before you leave the house. The down side is..........you take a drastic cut in wages, I mean big time.

Now for the teardrop project. Perhaps you can do what I did. I got the "trailer frame", cut out a cardboard profile and nailed it inside of the garage wall, began sketching from hundreds of pics downloaded from the forum, and convinced the sweet wife that this was going to be our next journey to happiness...........which took some convincing.

Building a teardrop trailer is a real adventure. Take plenty of pics, as you can't go back and capture the in-between stages ever again. If you feel like many of us do, you will find that owning and using a teardrop of your own design and effort, will continue to reward you in ways that you can't even imagine.

So, look around, decide on the profile, size and materials and you will be off and running. We look forward to seeing your progress pics and remember, ask, ask, ask and we will answer, answer, answer.
Good luck, enjoy your build and come join us around the campfire.............Roly

[chamas]

RhinoDave where in LO are you. Mike is sleeping but will be up soon. He will be sure to want you to come over and see what we have going here. We live by the Marina in the village. Hope to see you soon. Welcome!!!!!

Chell

[mikeschn]

Hey Dave,

Welcome to the forum. Hey, come on over.

Mike...

[RhinoDave]

Thanks all for the warm welcome. I haven't had a chance yet to scan through the forum completely but it sure looks like a great source of support, information and friendship. Chell, my wife has talked to you and Mike. She has seen some of his work. We live just down the street from you on the other side of Flint St. Just look out your front door for the Pilgrim turkey porch flag. Seriously, if Mike needs any help with one his projects I would gladly act as an apprentice. My current plan is to modify an old popup frame and adjust dimensions and profile accordingly. I already purchased one older popup with that intent but it was in such good condition that my son decided he wanted it and I couldn't justify tearing it apart so I am now starting to look for another one. Current concept thoughts are to stay at 4.5/5' width and 8'length. I am also toying with removable galley sections to allow putting an ATV onboard for transit but haven't really developed any structural plans yet.

[mikeschn]

Well in that case, walk on over sometime when you want to check it out!

Mike...