Greetings from the PNW

[Clint]

Hi Folks,

You don't know me, but I have been devouring this web site for the past month or two and feel like I know many of you--at least a little bit. There are some incredibly talented people here!

I live in Northwest Washington with my wife and 2 teenage daughters (my son just left for college). We also have a rabbit, mother-in-law and a really stupid dog living here, but those stories will have to wait.

My interest in teardrops and TTTs was piqued about a year ago when I came across the "Outback Teardrop" built by a couple in California. I survived the initial "bite" and sanity reigned through that time, but I have been bitten again and I'm not sure what will be the outcome.

Initially I thought I wanted about a 6-1/2' x 12' standie due to the bathroom/shower convenience, plus being able to get out of the rain that we occasionally get in the Northwest. But then I thought about the way we have camped in the past, in a tent, and thought maybe a teardrop would be quite adequate--perhaps even more desirable due to it being able to fit in my garage, look cool, and foster the outdoor living that I so enjoy. Plus, a teardrop would be a little bit cheaper to build.

So, at this point, I am thinking teardrop; however, I just found for sale a 1975 Winnebago standie that is very similar to what I would build, if I were to build one. I haven't seen it yet (tomorrow, I think), but I'm told it is in really good shape. It looks to be about 13' long and a layout similar to Doug’s Sierra Nomad (although nowhere near as cool!!!) The best part is the price--$700 obo.

What do you folks think? I love to build things and that is a good portion of the appeal for me. But, assuming this is a clean trailer with no leaks or major damage, for $700 or less… Makes me wonder what to do… To build or not to build, that is the question.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your T&TTT stories. I have learned a lot and look forward to learning even more. My hat is also off to you for the encouraging, civil tone in which you interact with one another—not all forums are like that.




edited to add pictures

Clint

[Shadow Catcher]

Assuming it is in good shape, or even if it is not, how far wrong can you go for less than a thousand. Use it, camp in it, and build if you do not like it enough

[dreadcptflint]

Hi, welcome to the forum. You can't go wrong with a good trailer under $1000.

Matt

[ERV]

Welcome
That looks like a nice find. Camp in it till the kids go their own way. Right now my two boys do not want to be seen with Mom and Dad camping ( 21 & 23 YEARS OLD). So the tear works just fine. Although the oldest one is starting to come around. Wants to borrow it this fall to go south for a few days,
Start gathering parts for your build. That will make a great frame for a tear, plus look at all the parts you can get off of it for your build

Erv

[Ageless]

Greetings from the Kitsap Peninsula!

Looks like a quite usable trailer; congrats and welcome

[halfdome, Danny]

Hi again Clint, you could do a lot worse for $700. My brother bought a small trailer for $500 and is replacing a lot of rot. That's a nice looking one from the pictures. Look at the seams or anywhere water could get in before you plunk down the cash. Danny

[Clint]

Thanks to all for the welcomes and comments. The Winnebago sold. Must have been a good deal because I called on it the first day it was listed and it was gone before I could look at it. That's fine.

What I really want to do is build my own, so this way I won't get sidetracked by another project--at least another camper-related project. I still have lots of distractions from everyday life...

Thanks again to all who take the time to post pictures, progress reports, questions and explanations. There are many of us who benefit from your generosity.

Clint

[vwbeamer]

I was Stationed at Ft Lewis, and I love Washington State, wish i could return one day....welcome

[jdarkoregon]

Clint,

Buy it, with all those girls, they will be easier to get along with. PLUS build yourself a teardrop. When you are done with your build, sell the standy.

That is a cute trailer.

John

PS Welcome to the forum, you sound like you would have some great insite that could help all of us. Have fun, share and ask questions, we all love to get involved.

[4123]

Hi Clint,

That TTT looks good to me. If you decide not to purchase it, please let me know. I'm looking for a TTT for my Mother (97 years old!) I live in Southern Oregon, Cave Junction to be exact and would travel up there in a blink.

Oh....Welcome to the club! You should go to the Fathers day happening at Gold Beach, the Dam Gathering and the IRG 3.0. There will be lots of Teardrops to gawk at.

Thanks, Ron

[Clint]

To all: Thanks again for the warm welcome.

Ron, I would love to come to some of the gatherings. I am hoping to make it to Spring Fling the end of May, but I am also looking to get back into whitewater rafting and that weekend is one of the busiest of the year.

It is funny, I have a teardrop all designed and half built in my mind, yet I have never seen one up close and personal. I have the welding and carpentry skills to do a half-decent job, but there are some details that can best be figured out by seeing how others have built theirs. I have been struggling to not start my build until I figure out some of these details.

vwbeamer, I too love Washington. The weather, mountains, water--it is such a great place to live. Ironically, my wife one of my daughters have a desire to move to Kansas City. I am just now getting past the "over my dead body" phase and am able to listen to them. I can't believe I am actually considering leaving this incredible corner of paradise to move to Missouri (no offense to those who live there...)