I've tried, but I can't stay away....

[InternetPilot]

I've tried, but I can't stay away, even after deciding that a teardrop probably isn't for me since it won't easily fit me and my two growing boys (ages 6 & 8 ) for camping. Then I saw the cargo conversions. Then I saw this galley-only "teardrop" on eBay and it got me thinking again. Of course, my wife (who doesn't go camping with us) would simply not approve of an ongoing project like one of these, but I think I'll just view that as another hurdle of the design/build process.

I am currently a "white collar" tent camper. I may camp in a tent, but it's huge and full of amenities, and the camp kitchen I've gathered together is really useful, and some of it is rather inventive. I've been approached every time I've gone camping by other campers, including big-rig RV'ers wanting to see what I have going on, so I must be doing something right or at least interesting (maybe weird? haha)

Yes, I'm one of those people who drive the Home Depot employees crazy, as I slowly walk down plumbing, electric, sheet metal, fastener/hardware, etc. aisles, refusing all the "can I help you?" offers because I'm designing something on-the-fly and can't really use their help because I don't really know what I'm looking for yet since I typically use whatever I can find and adjust the design as I go. It also causes the wife to roll her eyes, but she tolerates it mostly because it's allowed for some pretty creative solutions/repairs/etc. at home.

I could literally sit down in front of a computer and find this entire forum a fascinating non-stop read. The creative and innovative things that are posted here on a regular basis just amaze me and are right up my alley! So, whether I take the big jump and buy a cargo trailer or decide to just continue tent camping but build the end-all, be-all galley trailer (or chuckwagon), I think I've found a new homepage on the internet!

Edit: Sorry, I left out personal background info -- it doesn't let you nice folks get to know this newbie very well!

I'm in my mid-40's, happily married to a wonderfully tolerant woman, and a father to four children age 6, 8, 17, & 17, with the first two being boy/girl twins and the last two both boys. My wife and I met in Gainesville, Florida, and then got tired of being land-locked in a coastal state, so we moved to St. Augustine (a place we fell in love with on vacations). For the past dozen years, we've been slowly moving up the coast a few miles at a time, and now we live in Ponte Vedra in our FINAL HOUSE (I've told my children to pick an area in the back yard where they can bury me when I die here). We're not moving again!

I was a career network engineer, but "retired" early after the birth of our third child. Basically, we gave up and realized there's just no way to do two careers and properly raise our children, so I after much debate I ended up being the stay-at-home dad/house husband. After literally working since the age of 10, it took a while for me to adjust to the @home thing, but overall it's worked out well, and thankfully my wife is incredibly gifted and successful in the same career field (information technology) and has been able to provide well for our growing family.

All throughout my childhood, my family had some sort of travel trailer and even now my parents have a large Class A motorhome. Early on with my first two kids, we had a couple of motorhomes (a standard Class C and then a Winnebago Rialta that I actually used as a daily-driver). With the birth of our third child (8 years ago), we became hotel/resort people (much to my dismay), but for the last two years I've been thinking heavily about getting back into camping, even though my wife is still very happy with resort vacations! (haha) So last Fall I started collecting camping gear again, as well as putting together a couple of things myself (like a piece-mail but well-equipped camp kitchen, including a working sink, stove, deep fryer, etc.). I have a large tent, a gazebo with both solid and screen walls, a couple of camping tables, really nice bedding situation, porta-potty (mostly for the boys), and even a clothes dresser with a drawer for each of us (I got tired of operating out of suitcases). I typically end up with a lot of visitors to my campsites, wanting to see how I put something together. I can only imagine how much more attention you teardrop owners get!

So, what brought me here is that I started thinking about picking up a pop-up tent camper, but then I saw the teardrops. Being someone who likes to dink around and make my own stuff, the idea of a teardrop is something that draws me in like a bug to a light. Seeing what you all have done with your own builds is a humbling experience -- I have a lot to learn and long way to go!

Chris

[BobR]

Yes, I'm one of those people who drive the Home Depot employees crazy, as I slowly walk down plumbing, electric, sheet metal, fastener/hardware, etc. aisles, refusing all the "can I help you?" offers because I'm designing something on-the-fly and can't really use their help because I don't really know what I'm looking for yet since I typically use whatever I can find and adjust the design as I go. It also causes the wife to roll her eyes, but she tolerates it mostly because it's allowed for some pretty creative solutions/repairs/etc. at home.


Chris

You have all of the qualifications necessary to build a teardrop...

[mikeschn]

You could also use the camp kitchen in, or behind your teardrop!!!

Mike...

[Steve_Cox]

Hi Chris,

Sounds like you and your boys could use a family project. A rolling bunkhouse/chuck wagon. Inside bunks and an outdoor kitchen. It would also be a good place to store all the camping equipment. After-all, now is the time for the boys to make memories of the good times they had with there dad or.... memories of how mom kept dad from his dreams. But, what could I know about dreams? I built a gypsy trailer.

[wanders]

Sounds like these are all good problems to have. Why not build a tear, and put the kids in a tent? Or them in the tear and you in a tent??

We once slept 3 in our 5x8, but it's not something I'd really like to repeat, though they are small enough. Perhaps a 6'wide and sleep sideways???

[InternetPilot]

None of you are helping me!

See, I keep going back to a tear design, too, but then I flop away again thinking, "They're too small three and the boys aren't getting any smaller." Then I see teardrops with slideouts, but that actually is something that's probably beyond my skill. And then I go back to the basics and remember that I do have a Toyota Sienna minivan...which fits a queen inflatable bed....and they do make a wonderful tailgate tent that could but right up against the teardrop door so the boys wouldn't feel alone....

Oh, dear.

I do love the whole idea of a teardrop, and the only thing I love more is a challenging project.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I guess everyone who comes to this forum has two choices:

1. Run away and never come back or
2. Start looking at designs and shop around for a trailer....

[Spotman]

YOUR HOOKED

WELCOME TOO



Bob

[Cliffmeister2000]

Welcome, Chris!

I've often thought a teardrop and a pickup with a camper shell or an Outback would be ideal for a family of 4. And a small tent for a shower / potty.

In some states, you can pull 2 trailers. That would be cool.

Only time, money, and your imagination can limit you! Here on this form, we have a full line of imagination stretchers available for your pleasure!

[Juneaudave]

That's right Chris..you've tried and can't stay away...


You are coming under our control....

You will build, you will build...

[Jst83]

Welcome Chris, It is possible to build a Tear to hold 3, Mine is 6'6"x11'6" and I can sleep my wife and myself with our 4 year old tins in it. But as they get older or If I'm camping with there cousins they stay in the tent

[starleen2]

Chris - perhaps a canned ham is more to your liking?

[jdarkoregon]

YOU is infected!!!
I hope you enjoy yourself and get some sleep once in awhile.

John

[InternetPilot]

Hi Chris,

Sounds like you and your boys could use a family project. A rolling bunkhouse/chuck wagon. Inside bunks and an outdoor kitchen. It would also be a good place to store all the camping equipment. After-all, now is the time for the boys to make memories of the good times they had with there dad or.... memories of how mom kept dad from his dreams. But, what could I know about dreams? I built a gypsy trailer.

Oh my goodness! YOU need to stay away from me! First of all, you live "right around the corner" from me (I'm in Ponte Vedra -- lived in St. Augustine for about 8 years), and ever since I first started considering a teardrop, I've been thinking woody. And then I see that gypsy trailer! All I can say is wow. You have two great trailers there! If I ever do take the leap, I might have to pick your brain from a woody perspective. The gypsy wagon is a perfect example of you can do whatever you want when you're making it yourself.

On a bit of a side note, the "miter saw abuse" photo in your album is a classic. I was in awe throughout your entire gallery, but that photo definitely made me chuckle.

[InternetPilot]

YOU is infected!!!
I hope you enjoy yourself and get some sleep once in awhile.

John

Haha. I don't see that happening. I've already lost a couple hours sleep per night ever since I started looking through this website. Sooooooo many ingenious ideas, and everyone is so incredibly helpful and willing to share advice! I can only imagine how much sleep I will NOT get if I ever start one of these little projects!

[InternetPilot]

Chris - perhaps a canned ham is more to your liking?

I started checking the For Sale ads here too late or your Weekender II would've been mine -- I guarantee it.

I have looked at the canned hams, but I am definitely of the mindset that I want whatever I make to be as small as it can be and yet still work for me. I may very well end up with a trailer that sleeps three, but if I have it my way it will be the smallest 3-sleeper ever made.

Still, at this point I'm not ruling anything out. There are just so many good ideas here that I haven't even considered yet. It can definitely be overwhelming. I'm still trying to stay focused on my original purpose, what I want out of it, and trying to keep it relatively small (considering the other requirements).