New from South West region - Been pondering first TD build

[teardrop_focus]

Hi everyone. Great forum you have here.

I live in So Cal and have been pondering a 4 X 4 X 9 teardrop build for over a year. I've mainly looked online at various teardrop pics and gatherings pics. Mike Burton from Idaho has hosted quite a few excellent pics of some Pac NorthWest gatherings http://teardrop.blogicalthoughts.com/index.html and now I've found T&TTT. What a wealth of pics and info! Thank you!

I am really looking forward to getting mine on the road behind my Ford Focus hatch, but it's going to be awhile yet. The plan is to have the teardrop's shape share the same ride height and roof height as the tow vehicle... and coinkydinkally, the Focus is exactly 48" high from rocker to roof. I've always been a car guy and a motor racing enthusiast. Because of this sickness, my trailer priiorities are backwards: looks and roadworthiness first, camp trailer second... but that shouldn't be too difficult to do because the teardrop is naturally appealing.

Duane King's excellent description of 'the perfect teardrop' http://www.mikenchell.com/perfect_td.html puts it in perfect perspective.

Again, thanks to all of you for being here. A giant 'thumbs up' to you!


- Chris

[Juneaudave]

Thanks for reminding me of Duane's post...he has a lot of good thoughts there. Welcome to the forum!!! I'm sure you will find lots of support and ideas to build from!!! Looking forward to pics!!!

[Oasis Maker]

First off, welcome to the forum Teardrop_Focus, you're in the right place for all of your teardrop plans. And second, thanks for sharing the very cool http://teardrop.blogicalthoughts.com/index.html website! I have not seen that one and he's done a fantastic job with it.

As your plans develop more and you begin your build - one question/post in this forum in need of help and the calvary will come a running!

Scott G.

[teardrop_focus]

Thank you, gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) for the quick replies. *bows*

Although I'm not juneaudave...

But, speak of the devil, how's the weather up there in AKland? Any trouble with ash from that volcano?

And, Oasis, I appreciate your comment and your reminder that once I physically begin building this thing, all I need to do is ask for help when, not if, I hit a snag. rofl.

This place is a massive! storehouse of trailer info; I read the "what would you do differently" thread and that was illuminating. I've pondered this thing for, well, over two years on and off, and although the design has naturally evolved through the sheer volume of pics I've looked at through the miracle of the internet toobz, it won't stop evolving. I need to start on Prototype One. Hahaha...

PICS FOR EVERYONE! once the build begins.

[Oasis Maker]

Although I'm not juneaudave...

Of course you aren't! Too much multi-tasking. Correction made.

[teardrop_focus]

Hee. Good times...

Although my trailer plans are different, I really like your professionally-manufactured teardrop shown behind your jeep. Who makes those?

More importantly, how much did it weigh when new and empty, and what does it weigh now?

Thanks...

[John T. Hodgen]

WELCOME CHRIS,
Welcome to the wonder of teardrops!! I just finished the "Costa Lotta"
I have about $1600.00, 4 months work and 23 trips to the BoxStore in mine.Its the first thing that I ever built on this level.
My build pictures are here:
http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/
Hope this inspires you to get the sawdust flying I had no plans to work with, but I knew, KIND OF, want I wanted. I worked the measurements out on the fly
Anyhoo-Happy Easter--til later by the fire-John T.
"Costa Lotta-The reason so much of the month is left at the end of the Money!!"

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Chris. Sounds like you are ready! Ya just gotta get out a camera, a few tools, and did I say camera Enjoy the board and if we can help with anything let us know.

[Roly Nelson]

OK, I give up, in just what part of So Cal are you located? If you have a moment or two, swing on by to Wildomar, and we can talk teardrops. Maybe we can share a few thoughts and even enlighten oneanother. The coffee is always on. Good luck on your build.

BTW, what is coinkydinkally?
Roly

[teardrop_focus]

Thanks for the pics, John! That's pretty neat trailer! The wood tones are rich and soothing; the cabin looks really cozy. I'm gonna go take a nap. brb.

Miriam, thanks for the Welcome, and coinkydinkally (ok, that's the last time I'll type it like that...) er, coincidentally, I DO have a camera. Pics? Rofl. Ok, soon.

Roly, you are too gracious, sir. I'd love to swing by, but it's a haul. I'm out near the coast in Culver City, a mile south of I-10. Nothing would please me more than to visit with someone such as yourself (I've caught a few of your posts) and talk teardrop trailers. Thank you for the invitation. There are few things in life nicer than a good cup-O-joe and some interesting conversation.

[TPMcGinty]

I really like your professionally-manufactured teardrop shown behind your jeep. Who makes those?

More importantly, how much did it weigh when new and empty, and what does it weigh now?

Thanks...

Since he hasn't answered I'll chime in. It looks like a Little Guy. They are very light.

http://golittleguy.com/cms/

Welcome!

[Oasis Maker]

I really like your professionally-manufactured teardrop shown behind your jeep. Who makes those?

More importantly, how much did it weigh when new and empty, and what does it weigh now?

Thanks...

Since he hasn't answered I'll chime in. It looks like a Little Guy. They are very light.

http://golittleguy.com/cms/

Welcome!

Ahh, yeah... what he said.

Sorry about that bud, I slept the question to me. Yes, it is a Little Guy with the above provided link to the company. I have a 2006 6-wide and the dry weight is 980. Loaded I can't imagine I have much more than a few hundred pounds and that includes my welded hitch, bike rack and bike, cooler, chairs ... and all the rest of the items stored in the tear. It would be interesting to find out what the exact weight of the loaded trailer is though.

If you do decide to go with a manufactured Teardrop, you will find that there is still plenty of opportunity to uniquely express yourself with the many different ways you can set up and tweak your tear. Even with manufactured tears, no two teardrops are alike in the end.

Enjoy the journey,
Scott G.

[teardrop_focus]

Oasis Maker

If you do decide to go with a manufactured Teardrop...

I would certainly think seriously about going that route if I had a more substantial tow vehicle, such as a Jeep or a truck. The fit and finish of the manufactured teardrops cannot be argued with!

I want to build mine because I want a specific profile, ride height, trailer length and very light weight... all while staying as true as possible to the original construction methods and materials (of which the majority are plywood skinned with aluminum sheet. One of the 1936 plans featured in a link at the top of the forum page was skinned in "imitation leather"! Imagine that... burgundy vinyl or whatever... that'd be wild. I want mine skinned in aluminum, though).

It's a challenge, but a fun one! As I continue to learn more about the variety of ways in which these can be built, I realize that I can build a very solid, lightweight and visually-appealing little trailer. It's both frustrating and a blessing that I can't start my build just yet. The ideas continue to evolve! My head might explode!