From on So Cal-er to another, welcome to the forum. I suggest that you check out a real, died in the wool teardrop trailer before you start your build. There is a teardrop gathering at Perris Lake this weekend, and there may be as many as 150 teardrops in attendance. Come on out and check it out, since walkins are always welcome to browse, ask questions and actually touch the wide variety of home-built, custom restorations and commercialy manufactured beautiful teardrop trailers.
I plan to arrive on Friday and fire up the trusty dutchoven, along with many other DO enthusiasts. Swing on by, bring a plate and silverware and enjoy the best campground food ever cooked. Oh yes, just look for the tear with the wooden satelite dish on the roof and introduce yourself, but beware of the "Killer-Dog, Liza", my 5 lb maltese camping partner.

Roly