Last time YOU eat a jalapeno burrito before bedtime!!

[willyg]

Hey, tearjerkoffs!

I'm restoring this old gem from California earthquake country..
the owner was storing hay in it for his horses,
but I put new bearings and a new skin on it, new floor,
and just starting the interior wiring and interior paneling.
Re-did the turn signals, too, and license plate lights...
two weeks just on the turn lights!
Anyone help me ID it?


I'm pretty sure it was a kit, because some of the welds are way off "square."
No self-respecting factory would have let it out the door, but I like it!

I'm "galley-less" because I still want to haul things in it occasionally,
but I am gonna put an overhead cabinet in, w LCD TV I got on eBay
for $40 bucks--works, too!
I'm using 2 18Ah motorcycle batteries in parallel for 12V, and plan a
110v extension cord into the thing w a long cord in the tongue box, an
inverter, and probably a batter charger, and maybe someday a solar
panel on the tongue box.
What's the minimal Wattage I should get for a solar panel?
Well, see ya on the road...I'm gonna cruise Big Sur second week
in May for me annual Birthday trip!
Best
willyg

[Gage]

Seems like I've seen that teardrop somewhere. Either that or it's twin. It also doesn't look like a new roof skin to me. You can still see where the tongue box was at. So just where did you get, in Littlerock, CA?




So what's with the 'tearjerkoffs!' You trying to be funny?

[parnold]

Sure looks like the one sitting in your driveway Gage! Is it AWOL?

[Gage]

Sure looks like the one sitting in your driveway Gage! Is it AWOL?

Looks like, doesn't it. I sold it last year to a friend of a friend and his name wasn't Will. Heck, I even have a picture that is almost the same as the first one he posted.

[willyg]

Bought this back in Dec 09 from Lee and Carolyn
something out in Little Rock...are you related, friends?
Lee had it in the backyard, storing hay in it.
Said he'd won it in a poker game long ago...from some
hayseed knuckle-dragger. Hadn't been registered in years.
When DMV ran it, they too drew a blank.
When did you own it?
Photos look quite old.

[willyg]

Yeah...just tryin' to make you jerko--er, guys laugh.
No, it doesn't look like a new skin, because these photos are old.
I'll post the TD w new skin in a few days.
How would anyone ID the thing with the new skin on it?
So you guys gonna keep me in suspense, or do you know what brand/vintage/kit it is?
I think it IS the same TD though...AZ plate.
Well, hope you got a lot of money for it! Ain' t gonna tell ya what Lee charged me...'-)
When I got it, though, it had no kitchen, no table,
and the hatch looks different. No storage box in front, either.
Though I don't see that big rust spot on mine in front...

[Kevin A]

Bought this back in Dec 09 from Lee and Carolyn
something out in Little Rock...are you related, friends?
Lee had it in the backyard, storing hay in it.
Said he'd won it in a poker game long ago...from some
hayseed knuckle-dragger. Hadn't been registered in years.
When DMV ran it, they too drew a blank.
When did you own it?
Photos look quite old.

Something sure seems fishy. Looks like the same trailer to me.

[Gage]

I don't know Lee or Carolyn. I either sold it early last year or it may have been 2008. Sold it to a guy named Mike who lives in Littlerock. I'll have to give him a call when I get back home. It's most likely the same teardrop. And if you would really like to know and I don’t mind saying. I sold it for $100. The tongue box was inside the trailer. The guy I sold it to was going to restore it and that’s most likely where the galley and tongue box went. I’m glad to see someone has it that is trying to bring it back to life. I picked it up in Salinas who had gotten it from a farmer. It is a ‘home built’, built in the early 50’s, maybe late 40’s. I tried searching the AZ plate and came up goose eggs. It’s got early Dodge truck fenders and Dodge hubs. The left hub has reverse thread studs. I took the floor out of it because it was totally rotten. Replacing it was going to be tricky because of the way the main frame and body frame was welded together, the floor was in between the frames. Sure would like to see what you have done so far. Do you live in the Antelope Valley?

[willyg]

Mike must have sold it to Lee and Carolyn. I've got their address somewhere here, and a bill of sale. Registered w DMV now.
Looked like a kit to me too. Had bearings replaced, but they couldn't match the seals, so I'm still waiting on some new bearing seals, though they roll OK. Yep--that floor IS tricky! I've got some marine plywood down now, and used the old skin under it to act as a road barrier....but it DOESN'T exactly fit, and I've got to take it out and trim it a bit. A fraction of an inch will let it "pop" in there, and then I'll have it bolted down with eye bolts.
Had the fenders repainted, too--and tried to remount them by myself--and nearly got a hernia! Man, they made'em RIGHT in those days--must be 14 guage steel! 50 lbs each!
Yeah, I'll send ya some photos with the new skin and tongue box, once I get it out in the driveway again.
No, not from Antelope Valley-- Orange County.
Very glad to have the "provenance," Gage, thanks!

[Oasis Maker]

Jeez... and they say 6 degrees of separation with people? I think vintage teardrops are even less.

Nice connection.

Scott G.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Definitely the same trailer... check out the rust spots on the fender - they match!

Interesting link we have going here!

Looking forward to seeing more!

[digimark]

What are the odds two geographically-distant teardroppers own the same old teardrop, and meet later on T&TTT? Maybe you guys should collaborate on a lottery ticket.

That's one lucky trailer, to have such a long life and be on its way to restoration.

[willyg]

I'd say the odds are about 5 to 1....actually, with the close-knit community,
and the internet, and the general appeal of TDs, I'd say the odds are lower than you'd think.
Teardrop culture is a NATURAL for web discussion groups.
And they outlive their owners, apparently, every one!
What was it MacArthur said?
"Old (teardoppers) never die
they just fade awa......."

[madprinter]

Too Cool, Gage next time you have a $100 Teardrop for sale message me. I'll make the trip.