I have to "hide" my teardrop!

[EffieRover]

...we were scolded several times by visitors that we should not have blocked the view since it made it more difficult for them to see it.

What do you say to people like that? My first thought is not printable. My second thought is 'it's my house, not a showroom demo, you insensitive idiot.' I'm guessing neither of those will make any friends.

[Dagny]

I think I will try a sign that says "A tour will cost you 2 sticks of firewood. "

Victorstar (Darren) said the best thing at my first gathering. He was talking to someone just starting a build. "It's not as important that you bring a Teardrop, as that you bring a Teardrop mentality."

[EffieRover]

That doesn't answer the question, tho.

Like, right now we have a creek, fishing hole and a mile of wooded walking trail on our property. Inherited all of it. Most of the neighbors introduced themselves, were given a tour and carte-blanche access. We wave when we see them on the path.

Then there's the neighbors across the street who didn't introduce themselves, yet we found out they were dumping their yard waste on our land without our knowledge or permission. They were told they couldn't do that any longer and that we wanted to know if they were going to use the fishing spot or path ... and they got mad at us! They have since been banned from the property. It took the state troopers to do it, though. We have since learned that they used to pinch from the previous owner's garden, so I don't think it's us.

My husband is fond of saying 'we don't like strangers on our property, so don't be a stranger.' These people just don't get it. Somehow, I don't think a sign will do it. Maybe I'm wrong...

I can see the same happening with an unusual camper. I don't mind the curious, or tours, but the downright rude ... is there a polite way to say 'go the @#$#@ away' and yet remain in the same campground?

(PS thanx for the continuing inspiration on the board here. I'm getting tired of stripping my popup, but everytime I come here and see what y'all have accomplished, it gets me going again!)

[wlooper89]

There have been a lot of good sentiments expressed in this topic. My wife and I attended a recent rally of vintage trailers at Misty River Campground in TN. Just a couple of them were teardrops, but altogether 30 some trailers, most of them very small. The rally organizers set a certain few hours for tours and the protocol was if the trailer door is open have a look inside, even if the owner is also out touring. That seemed to work out very well. One young couple of women came by that we assumed to be partners and we very much enjoyed meeting and chatting with them. They were thinking about getting a teardrop.

The only problem we have had was when we arrive at the campground late as usual and are struggling to get the screen room tent up before dark. It sometimes seems that is just when people drop by wanting to see the tear. At Misty River a man came over and helped us with the tent poles. That was very nice. Usually we are sitting in our camp recliners in the screen room and wave people over for a look.

Bill

[S. Heisley]

wlooper89 wrote:

The only problem we have had was when we arrive at the campground late as usual and are struggling to get the screen room tent up before dark. It sometimes seems that is just when people drop by wanting to see the tear. Usually we are sitting in our camp recliners in the screen room and wave them over for a look.

Maybe tell them the truth in a nice way: "Gee, we're trying to get set up before it gets too dark to see. Can you come back tomorrow, when there's more daylight so you can see it better? Or, if you want to give us a hand with our camp set-up, we can give you the 50 cent tour when we're done. While you're saying it, give lots of these:

[teardrop_focus]

Although they are only temporary solutions to Matt's dilemma, some very practical, and funny, replies have been posted in this thread!

starleen2

Try mentioning that you’re a minister and see how many campers flee the scene – I can’t tell you how many times I hear the shuffling of bottles, the hiding of cans, or the explanations that start flying...

hiker chick

On the privacy matter, a cheap, 2-person tent would lead people to assume one of you was sleeping in it. The tent would also provide some storage space.

As for tours, that's the price teardroppers must be prepared to pay. Teardrops are not for the unsocial.

doug hodder

A "no tours" sign might be sort of negative....how about instead...."ask me about multi-level marketing"...

Aaron Coffee

I haven't had someone come knocking on my door yet, but have always thought if someone did come knocking that I would holler,"Can you come back later I'm in the shower" or something to that effect.

EffieRover

My husband is fond of saying 'we don't like strangers on our property, so don't be a stranger.'

S. Heisley

"Gee, we're trying to get set up before it gets too dark to see. Can you come back tomorrow, when there's more daylight so you can see it better?

Or, if you want to give us a hand with our camp set-up, we can give you the 50 cent tour when we're done."

[iplay10us2]

I think I may go with the tour hours sign.

I have been on a 14 day, 3870 mile trip, and as everyone knows, driving can be tiring and stressful at times. I had just pulled into a campground, and had basically pulled out the sheets and comforter to shake them out after almost a week of camping at cold and wet Custer State Park with my 2 dogs. I also had spread out the canopy top and side walls to dry since I packed them up wet that morning when I left Custer S.P. I had just poured a glass of wine and sliced some cheese and sat down to rest and relax before cooking dinner when this guy who had been watching me the entire time came up and wantedasked for a tour. I paused just long enough while trying to think of a nice response, so he said that if I don't want to show him...then fine! I replied that I would be happy to show it to him later that evening or the next morning, but that I was tired, hungry and irritable, and just wanted to enjoy the glass of wine I had just poured. He was kind of pi**y acting, but at that point, I really didn't care. He never came back for the tour, either.

I don't mind showing off my camper, but not while I am eating or otherwise occupied doing something.

[oklahomajewel]

Susann... that was a good response!!! What a jerk.

I think this is a good thread , good topic... not just because of people judging a lifestyle and realizing your sleeping arrangements, but for the interruptions and other things people notice.

You know I like to talk and I'm good at pointing out things about teardrops. I always reach to give them a card.

But more often, I'm noticing that it's an interruption. Especially when I"m trying to wash dishes, or relaxed reading a book . I like the sign idea, or just say "sure , go ahead and look " and just go back to what I was doing.

There have been more nice, friendly fellow campers and admirers. Helpful with water, shared firewood, etc.

[iplay10us2]

Julie:

Just wanted to mention that I camped at Red Rock Canyon S.P. on Wednesday and Thursday night of this week. I almost had the whole place to myself. Very pretty area, but I was disappointed that they don't sell firewood in the park. I had to go back up the hill to the closest place, and he was selling firewood for $10/bundle!!! YIKES!

I barely got off the road and under some shelter today when the storms/winds/tornadoes? came through Oklahoma/Arkansas today. I had just passed thru Ft. Smith when the weather reports starting coming in about the storms and damage in Ft. Smith, and straight line winds of 90mph. I was able to exit at Ozark, AR and pull into a carwash bay about 10 minutes before the storm hit. One radio report had a tornado on the ground at Ozark and I could sure hear the tornado sirens going off. I sat there for almost an hour because the storms were headed the way I was going and I wanted to make sure they were way ahead of me. I pulled out of the carwash and saw lots of downed trees and power lines. I felt very lucky that I was able to find a safe place to weather the storm.

[S. Heisley]

iplay10us2 wrote:

I pulled out of the carwash and saw lots of downed trees and power lines. I felt very lucky that I was able to find a safe place to weather the storm.

That wasn't just lucky. That was Smart!

[CAJUN LADY]

That was a damned good idea Susann! Thanks for a valuable safety tip.

[iplay10us2]

My first thought had been the drive-through of a bank, but I don't believe I could have gotten my 5 wide in there the way the tires/fenders stick out. I sure didn't want to find out it wouldn't fit the hard way.

The car wash bay was actually a great choice because I had brick walls on either side and a pretty good roof above me.

I was just fortunate that I had my car radio on instead of the cd player. I would have never known about the pending storm otherwise, and I would have been zipping down I-40 East at 65mph when it hit. That could have been disastrous! The skies were dark, but not all that scary looking at the time.

[Aaron Coffee]

When I go camping I like to sit in the sun and read, people will come up and say, "Oh, you're reading I don't want to disturb you, I will come back later." I just realized just by saying that, they have already disturbed me, it usually doesn't bother me.

[EffieRover]

I think I may go with the tour hours sign.
... I had just poured a glass of wine and sliced some cheese and sat down to rest and relax before cooking dinner when this guy who had been watching me the entire time came up and wantedasked for a tour. ... He was kind of pi**y acting, but at that point, I really didn't care. He never came back for the tour, either.

This looks like where we'll end up. Just wondered if the gurus here had figured out a way to say that without getting the pi$$y act. Guess there's just no making some people consider you as being as important as your trailer.

As I tell me kids 'life sucks, get used to it'

[EffieRover]

Talking with the other half last night, we joked about putting a sign on the door for when we weren't there, and titling it 'Please don't peer in the windows like a deranged pervert. Our kids live here.'