Let me introduce myself....

[CapeCamper]

Hello!

My name is Caryn Johnson and a "Newbie" to T&TTT. I became interested in Teardrops when I saw Roly Nelson's Woody in a magazine a few years back. I recently came across the clipped photo and e-mailed him, with hopes that I would get a reply. I was thrilled when he replied the next day ( Thank you Roly) , giving me the information about this FABULOUS FORUM!

Alot of folks have told me I'm crazy to entertain the notion that I could actually build one, but after perusing your site I have been inspired and believe I CAN DO IT!

I have been looking at the "Generic Benroy" and "Weekender" plans. Because my woodworking projects have been limited to bird houses, garden structures and Cub Scout projects with my 9yr old son........ I'm thinking The Weekender may be the one I should start with. I love the traditional teardrops but the curve lines make me a little nervous, especially the hatch

I'd love to hear from others who may have started a build with limited woodworking skills.

Thank you ALL for this great forum. I am HOOKED!

[tinksdad]

Thank you ALL for this great forum. I am HOOKED!

We got another one started down that twisted path!!!! Next it will be CI and GPA!!!

Welcome to the sand box.

If you really like the curves, I wouldn't let minimal skills be a deterrent. I too was concerned about my abilities to do something round, and many years ago I used to build houses for a living. It's really not that difficult. Just take your time and don't rush things, and you too can make it happen.

If you have questions, this is the place to be. You will get more answers than you can shake a stick at.

Jerry

[Roly Nelson]

Hello again Caryn, let me formally welcome you to the best teardrop forum on the net. Do search the various areas listed here and take what info fits your build. Anyone can build a teardrop trailer, all you have to do is think you can do it. Ask questions, take pics and post em and come join in the fun. I am sure you can get plenty of tips from the Weekender builders here on the board.

Try to get together with some of the locals out your way and check out their rigs. A visit to a real tear, is worth a thousand words. Good luck, and I am glad you finally posted, after finding that 5 year old pic in the magazine. See, it does pay to advertise.
Roly

[Dean_A]

Hi Caryn,

My woodworking skills were limited at best. My skills were of the basic home handyman variety. I could manage to hammer together shelves out of 2x4s and plywood, but had never built anything fancier than that.

Building a teardrop seems more daunting than it really is. Just take your time, and do one step at a time. You'll be on the road in no time! Just think of it as a big birdhouse on wheels!

[Mike_La]

Hi Caryn.
Welcome to T&TTT.




Mike

[Barry and Darby H.]

Hi Caryn,

Not to often we find people out our way into the teardrops. I'm over here in Acushnet Ma. and you are certainly welcome to pop in sometime and talk tears. Most Saturday nights in the spring, summer and fall we have campfires right here in my backyard and you could bring a tent and your son and camp out for the night if you felt so inclined. I'm about 3/4 of the way through building a teardrop myself and like they all have said....it's not that difficult if you just take your time and plan it well. Get your son involved and make it a family project. Couldn't get my 15 year old hooked but he does love camping so I'll take what I can get. I'm also the New England Chapter director of Tearjerkers (a teardrop camping club) and could tell you where you could find a few meets fairly locally if your interested. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions or if I could be of any help. Oh ya, Welcome to the wonderful world of teardrops.

Barry

[Downunder Dave]

Hi Carlyn, Welcome to the group. I think that we have been where you are right now so don't sell your abilities short. Down here we don't see many tears in the wild so I had to rely on what information I could find on the net. Wish I had known about this site when I built ours. I found that just looking at pictures didn't give me the feel of the project or knowledge, confidence to give it a go. I purchase some plans from big woody campers over there, changed then to suit my requirements and have been loving the ride ever since.
Decide what you what, take your time, ask questions, keep it lite and keep it simple after all how hard can it be, it just wood right.

cheers dave opps almost forgot, take pics!!!

[Juneaudave]

You bet you can do it Caryn!!! There is lots of support here...you can have step by step plans for free with the Generic Benroy...and lots of builders have found an inner talent that has resulted in some of nicest Tears!!! You simply cannot go wrong!!!

[Walt M]

Welcome.Caryn this is a crazy place but like all the others I too would encourage you to give it a try. I'm in NH, about an hour and a half from the Cape. Barry didn't mention that we're getting together in Andover Ma. in june, stop by and say hello. http://tearjerkers.net/forums/viewforum ... 930b0e5208
When I decided to build my tear I knew it wouldn't be my only build, so I made many extra parts maybe they would help you ease the load. Check out my album you can see the style I built and you can also see the extra floors and walls. I'm getting ready to start #3 so I like Barry welcome you to stop by the shop. Good luck, Walt

[mikeschn]

Welcome to the forum Caryn,

Don't be scared of curves. They are actually a lot easier than they appear. They also all a lot of strength to the body, and they are a lot easier to waterproof than sharp corners!

Mike...

[CapeCamper]

Thank you all ,for your warm welcome and words of encouragement. I've been spending every free moment checking out everyones photos and taking lots of notes.

Barry and Walt, I'm so happy to know that you're both close by and look forward to having the chance to see your teardrops in person.

I talked to a welder and showed him some of the trailer plans, he thought it would be quicker and easier to buy one. I looked at local dealers and on line ( Northern Tool & Equipment ) www.northerntool.com Here I found a few. The one suggested to me was a 5x8 heavy duty trailer with 5.30-12in tires. that could have shocks added (if needed ?) I plan on pulling this with my 2004 Suburu Forrester, so I'm thinking weight will be an issue from the get go. Should I stick with the 4x8? I'm also leaning torwards the Benroy instead of The Weekender.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions....... I LOVE this site

[jmtk]

Welcome to the forum, Caryn!

When I first found this place, I remember looking at all the Hall of Fame pictures and thought a teardrop would be perfect for our camping style, but never thought I could actually build one. Nonetheless, I kept reading posts and pretty soon I started to envision how I could pull it off. And I did, with no previous woodworking skills or fancy tools. You can, too. Keep reading, ask questions, and you'll figure it out. Mike is right about the curves, they're not as bad as they look.

We also tow with a Subaru, and one of my main design goals was to keep the trailer light. Ours is 5x8, sleeps 3 (our son is almost 9 years old!), and the Impreza Outback Sport pulls it really quite well.

Have fun!

Jeanette

[Walt M]

Caryn, If you can, take a look at Barry's trialer. that trailer was made by a friend of mine, there are a lot of details you won't find in the ready mades. including 14" tires and electric brakes. do you know what your forester is rated for? Walt

[Barry and Darby H.]

Caryn,

I for one can attest to the quality of the frames that Walt sells. There are by far the best buy for the buck that I've found and I'll definitely be talking to him again when it's time to build another one. I don't know what size it is your going to build but if it's 5x10, do yourself a favor and check them out. You are welcome to stop by and see how there built if your ever up my way. Hope to see you at a gathering in the near future.

Barry

[b.bodemer]

Hello and welcome Caryn,

How cool to work with your son on a project like this!!!!!! Go for it.

Barb