thanks for the info, now next question

[buckyspeeps]

Thanks to all who assured us that we can tow with a Scion. The pics tell the story! Next question. My husband wants something that looks like one from the 40's. We aren't going to go all authentic and retro (haven't the creative juices) but just like the look of bright, shiny things. Were the originals all 4' wide or were there 5' wide ones. We think we can sleep in a 4', but 5' would be nice. Would we find an old 5-footer out there or shall we just expect to see the smaller ones? Also, the subject of a roof fan......necessity or luxury?

[tearhead]

Welcome to the forum! I don't know the answer to the vintage four-footer, being a newbie, but I can tell you that my husband (5'8") and I (5'2) and not particularly big, really like our 5 foot Lil Traveler. I think you'd appreciate the extra foot. But I'm sure others will give their opinion on that.

As to the fan, yes, you need a fan! We've had a relatively cool summer and have camped twice in the Lil Traveler and both times we used the fan, just to keep air circulating.

[BillandMarijo]

Buckyspeeps,
Yes I would go 5 ' wide. Its nice. Can move around instead of being cramped. There are alot of 5 wides out there. Went camping over this past weekend and it was about 85 and we ran the ceiling vent fan and a small 12" box fan and we were comfortable. We insulated our Tear very well.
Have you checked out the Teardrop Forum Classified section.
Good luck,
Bill and Marijo

[bobhenry]

Here ya are have a good laugh on me ! Nice tongue box under the hood and yep it has a galley under the hatch

[Dean_A]

Ceiling fan is a must, especially in your neck of the woods (unless you are going to go full-blown AC). We often run the fan all night, set to draw air out of the tear It creates a wonderful breeze coming in the side windows and cools everything down very nicely.

I think most of the originals were 4' wide, It would be tough (maybe impossible) finding a vintage tear in 5' wide. Not sure you would want to. In a survey here, the thing most people would do differently on their next build would be to build it wider.

However, building for a retro look isn't that hard. That's the route I took. Just cover it in mill-finish aluminum and add some swoopy fenders!

[BK One]

Dean,

I'm going to hijack this thread a little. Long story short, I'm building a woody and running low on $$. Had a chance for some .040x4'x10' mill finish aluminum at a good price. I thought I could get done cheaper and quicker without sacrificing any quality. But other threads on here about mill finish being so easy to stain and hard to clean turned me off. But your rig is beautiful. I just assumed you had anodized aluminum. I would love to have the look of yours. What's your secret? Or do you just really polish it up for the photo shoots?

Brian

[Dean_A]

Dean,

I'm going to hijack this thread a little. Long story short, I'm building a woody and running low on $$. Had a chance for some .040x4'x10' mill finish aluminum at a good price. I thought I could get done cheaper and quicker without sacrificing any quality. But other threads on here about mill finish being so easy to stain and hard to clean turned me off. But your rig is beautiful. I just assumed you had anodized aluminum. I would love to have the look of yours. What's your secret? Or do you just really polish it up for the photo shoots?

Brian

Hey Brian,
To minimize the thread jack, I replied in another thread where this whole issue was born. Short answer: I used a wipe-on clear coat. Read all about it here:
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 132#563132