um hi

[legojenn]

I came across the site and thought I'd sign up. I really really want to build one of these teardrop trailers. My life is somewhat busy and I would love to have all my gear ready to go on Fridays and packed away on Sundays. It would make camping less stressful ... no setting up a tent at night. Mostly, I would love one of these things because they look cool.

I could always buy one, but building would be more fun. I would like to build a simple one that matches the look of my little Aveo hatchback. I would have to learn a lot beforehand because what little carpentry skills I have are limited to deck building, so I don't figure on having one for a year or two.

Thanks for the site & ideas.

[bc toys]

welcome aboard it is always better to build your own i hope to build mine

[Steve_Cox]

Legojenn,

Greetings and welcome to the forum.

[hiker chick]

I would love to have all my gear ready to go on Fridays and packed away on Sundays. It would make camping less stressful ... no setting up a tent at night. Mostly, I would love one of these things because they look cool.

Great plan. What design and dimensions are you leaning toward?

The teardrop has transformed camping for me. So much easier and more comfortable. Not for the unsocial, you'll meet a zillion curious peops.

And that's half the fun.

Mine's store-bought (Little Guy 6'-wide).

[legojenn]

I haven't thought too well in advance for that. My usual camping areas are the northern Adirondacks in New York. My favourite spots are Meacham Lake, Cranberry Lake, Rollins Pond/Fish Creek and Buck Pond. Ottawa is about 2-3 hours away depending on which border crossing I take and whether I stop at the Malone Walmart. I need to be concerned about weight becayse only have an Aveo (which is not recommended for towing) and I need it to be able to go that far and up some of those hills. They aren't too bad there. I was hoping to get away with a 4x8, but with two dogs, that's not realistic.

The design that appeals to me the most is the Simple with a notch cut out of the back so it's not a sharp 90° angle back there. We shall see what happens.

[Miriam C.]

to the playground Legojen.

You can build a 4X8' pretty light if you watch what you put in it. As for the dogs, hows a tent sound? Or you could make a folding dog house for them. How big are the dogs?

[legojenn]

Thanks, I did a search on the site for my car model, Aveo and you are right, it seems that a 4x8 is about as big as I want to go. I have two tents a 9x10 which sleeps my dogs and comfortably and a 7x6 which is a little more tight that I am comfortable with. If the beagle curled up at my feet and the rotty slept lengthwise, like at home, it would work, but these two like to sleep by the door when camping.

I am pondering a side add-on idea for the dogs, at least the beagle. My desire for a trailer is a little anti-social. I want to be able to camp with just the puppies, but based on their behaviour (which is slowly improving) putting them in a tent will surely get me evicted.