Greetings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NCOretiredEd]

I don't have a teardrop.....yet. Thinking seriously about one though. Thought I'd pop on this site and ask about the do's and don'ts, ins and outs of being a Teardropper.
The one I have picked out will be a Lil Guy Rough Rider, already have the purchase contract and all approved with the bank if I go that route. What is holding me back at the moment is the upcoming flood season, I live on the Mississippi and the price of gasoline. So while waiting for those two things to get better I'll ask or answer questions that would be pertinent to Teardropping.
I'm a retired Army noncom, single now so it's just me and me dog. I'm quite use to camping you might say but not within a campsite, after doing alot of camping (rough) in the Army, I continued doing so while cowboying in Montana and then going back to Europe, working and rucksacking my way around, so my many years of roughing it has somewhat came to an end but will I be able to camp alongside so many others? Been a world traveler since 65, gave it all up in 06 but my feet are itching again but not for a rucksack.
So if anyone has time tell me what you all do and what's a do and don't.

Thanks

Ed

[Cliffmeister2000]

Welcome!

Smarter folks than me will answer your questions, but whatever you decide, you will have a blast!

[KEEPING IS SIMPLE]

I don't have a teardrop.....yet. Thinking seriously about one though. Thought I'd pop on this site and ask about the do's and don'ts, ins and outs of being a Teardropper.
The one I have picked out will be a Lil Guy Rough Rider, already have the purchase contract and all approved with the bank if I go that route. What is holding me back at the moment is the upcoming flood season, I live on the Mississippi and the price of gasoline. So while waiting for those two things to get better I'll ask or answer questions that would be pertinent to Teardropping.
I'm a retired Army noncom, single now so it's just me and me dog. I'm quite use to camping you might say but not within a campsite, after doing alot of camping (rough) in the Army, I continued doing so while cowboying in Montana and then going back to Europe, working and rucksacking my way around, so my many years of roughing it has somewhat came to an end but will I be able to camp alongside so many others? Been a world traveler since 65, gave it all up in 06 but my feet are itching again but not for a rucksack.
So if anyone has time tell me what you all do and what's a do and don't.

Thanks

Ed

Welcome! Whether you build or buy, you most likely will never want to be without again!

With your background you've probably found that 'simple' is the way to go. Teardrops are luxurious (in my opinion) complared to tent camping and have all the positives with the only negative that I've found being price. A $200 tent IS less expensive.... However, the ease of set-up and break-down and the convenience of having everything ready to go in five minutes is worth it! I GO more because of having a Teardrop.

I have had all the bells and whistles that come with Teardrops and have found that most of them do not really enhance the experience. Because of that, I have opted for a basic Coleman gas stove that can be moved in our out of the Galley. Same with a sink.... A $3 Rubbermaid dishpan is just as functional as a built-in and doesn't have the expense that goes along with all the plumbing, pumps, ss sink, faucets..... A $5 collapsable water jug works great, too. Get my drift? I DID, however add the "luxery item' of a 12v system and a roof vent that has the fan in it. With the fan on exhaust and the windows open I stay tollerably cool on all but the hotest nights. I usually just stay home on those nights.... The interior lights are convenient, too and with a small inverter and a line to the tow vehicle to charge while I'm driving I never run out of juice.

Keep on thinking and you'll be hooked! We all love to share our experiences cause we really enjoys these little buggers! Keep in touch!

Michael

[bobhenry]

Who said you have to camp alongside others.

We use ours as an extra bedroom when we visit the kids. We camp ina semi primative ( no electric) campgrounds near by home.

I will admit we enjoy the gatherings very much. After a few they are almost like a family reunion.

I have learned to scout out the sites in the more densely attended parks and locate the fringe sites that back up into the woods rather than the ones in the middle of the "golf course"

[razorback]

The first and most important thing I would like to say is:
Thank you for your service!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second thing:
Welcome to the madness...........
Great folks, great times, your about to be amazed!!!!

Simple is nice. After two or three short outings you will discover what you
want vs what you need to make the experience better and better.

Welcome.
Larry

[NCOretiredEd]

I don't have a teardrop.....yet. Thinking seriously about one though. Thought I'd pop on this site and ask about the do's and don'ts, ins and outs of being a Teardropper.
The one I have picked out will be a Lil Guy Rough Rider, already have the purchase contract and all approved with the bank if I go that route. What is holding me back at the moment is the upcoming flood season, I live on the Mississippi and the price of gasoline. So while waiting for those two things to get better I'll ask or answer questions that would be pertinent to Teardropping.
I'm a retired Army noncom, single now so it's just me and me dog. I'm quite use to camping you might say but not within a campsite, after doing alot of camping (rough) in the Army, I continued doing so while cowboying in Montana and then going back to Europe, working and rucksacking my way around, so my many years of roughing it has somewhat came to an end but will I be able to camp alongside so many others? Been a world traveler since 65, gave it all up in 06 but my feet are itching again but not for a rucksack.
So if anyone has time tell me what you all do and what's a do and don't.

Thanks

Ed

Welcome! Whether you build or buy, you most likely will never want to be without again!

With your background you've probably found that 'simple' is the way to go. Teardrops are luxurious (in my opinion) complared to tent camping and have all the positives with the only negative that I've found being price. A $200 tent IS less expensive.... However, the ease of set-up and break-down and the convenience of having everything ready to go in five minutes is worth it! I GO more because of having a Teardrop.

I have had all the bells and whistles that come with Teardrops and have found that most of them do not really enhance the experience. Because of that, I have opted for a basic Coleman gas stove that can be moved in our out of the Galley. Same with a sink.... A $3 Rubbermaid dishpan is just as functional as a built-in and doesn't have the expense that goes along with all the plumbing, pumps, ss sink, faucets..... A $5 collapsable water jug works great, too. Get my drift? I DID, however add the "luxery item' of a 12v system and a roof vent that has the fan in it. With the fan on exhaust and the windows open I stay tollerably cool on all but the hotest nights. I usually just stay home on those nights.... The interior lights are convenient, too and with a small inverter and a line to the tow vehicle to charge while I'm driving I never run out of juice.

Keep on thinking and you'll be hooked! We all love to share our experiences cause we really enjoys these little buggers! Keep in touch!

Michael

Reading your words, an old Army saying comes to mine:
"We have gone so long with so little, we can do anything with nothing"

Simple, funtional, compact, neat and tidy, a place for everything and everything in it's place is the way I see a Teardrop. Looks like my kind of bed roll.

[NCOretiredEd]

Thanks for the welcome, hope to meet ya at future places and times. Let's hope we can afford the gas to do that.

[bobhenry]

Ed:

Being in our next door neighbor state you are close
to this summers Crossroads of America gathering
in Spencer IN ( McCormic's creek state park).

You really need to stop by and see us. Attend if you
can and just visit if you can not stay.

(Saturday night is pot luck dinner night )

There will be a real cross section of tiny trailers.
Teardrops , standies, cargo conversions, and some
damn fool might have a barn there. !



Look in the midwest thread for more info.

We are looking forward to seeing you there

http://cra2011.weebly.com/index.html

[starleen2]

[Senior Ninja]

Perhaps I missed it. Your teardrop is the perfect "But Out" vehicle. If you have time, you can escape those floods and be certain of a place to stay.