New guy from Boston

[Richard A.]

Hi, Richard A. from the Boston, MA area here.

I recently bought a 2008 Little Guy Silver Shadow and am in the process of fixing and/or tweaking it up. Also had to get a hitch on my car .. and there was problems with that as well.

BUT .. things have progressed that I hope to have my first camping experience in a few weeks (have slept in it already .. more than once .. in my driveway)

My unit is a 5 x 8 with NO galley at all. It did not come with any mattress. Right now I've got a Coleman queen sized air mattress in there with a double width sleeping bag.

First question ... where would I find something to replace the air mattress?

Second question ... since I have a 5 x 8 not a 5 x 10 .. that lack of an extra two feet means I have very little space for a galley. I am not a carpenter. I don't know how to start building something ... I am not even sure I want to. Yes, a galley is nice ... but not having interior cabinets or shelving makes it *much* eaiser to change clothes inside.

[mary and bob]

Richard: Air mattress is no good, they're cold. We have a 6" thick foam mattress an upholstery shop gave us. I've seen on craigslist an ad from some company in Feeding Hills MA that will custom make an RV mattress. Can't find their name right now, think I have it here somewhere. There have been several discussions here about mattresses, you may be able to find them. Bob

[Richard A.]

Richard: Air mattress is no good, they're cold.

They are only cold if you sleep on them. I'm not. I'm sleeping in a sleeping bag, not sheets and blankets.

However I would like to explore the option of a "solid" mattress, since my unit didn't come with one. It would preferably be a "foldable" one, or one with seperate pieces so that if I ever build a galley I can get it in/out thru the doors.

[canned o minimum]

Find yer local Litle Guy dealer.. they will take care of yer mattress needs.. and they are foldable ! I have a 4 wide LG and bought a mattress from LG that is a tri-fold ! Great fer takin it out now and then and givin it sum air !!

Welcome to the world of teardrops and the best people you'll EVER find !!
I lived in Needham fer a while.. then moved to Millis.. then to So.Cal. where I live now.

Happy Trails !!

Robert

[egjacks]

you might try finding a futon mattress. Either new or used shouldn't be to expensive, check craigslist for your area

[egjacks]

Second question ... since I have a 5 x 8 not a 5 x 10 .. that lack of an extra two feet means I have very little space for a galley. I am not a carpenter. I don't know how to start building something ... I am not even sure I want to. Yes, a galley is nice ... but not having interior cabinets or shelving makes it *much* easier to change clothes inside.

Not entirely sure what the question is here... are you asking for our opinions on whether you should install a galley? By their nature, Teardrops are tiny and therefore compromises and/or sacrifices must be made. if that extra couple of feet inside is important to you, by all means hang on to it.

I am starting my first build right now, and I like the idea of a galley myself, but cooking on a picnic table is not the end of the world, In fact, you will find several people here in the forums who have decided they like cooking away from the trailer better than in the galley.

One of my favorite things about teardrops is that there is no "right" way to configure one, only your way, and my way. That is part of what makes them so much fun. if every Tear was the same, it would be boring. I love looking at how different people solved the same problems in totally different ways, and how they have been customized. so figure out what works for you and make it yours!

[parnold]

My vote goes out for a memory foam mattress!

I would also recommend don't make any changes just yet. Camp in it for a season. A couple of inexpensive folding tables can be used to simulate a galley. Get a real feel for what you need before committing to, or starting and modifications.

[TPMcGinty]

Welcome! I got a queen size foam mattress at IKEA. It was $130 and it is easy to get in and out of the doors if needed.

[Richard A.]

Not entirely sure what the question is here... are you asking for our opinions on whether you should install a galley?

No .. if I decide to build a galley .. *how* do I do it? I know there are *many* plans out there .. some free, some not .. are there any that folks would recomend for galley work?

OR .. do I just find someone and pay them to do it right?

[canned o minimum]

"I" took out the shelf and header board from the rear galley area...there was NO galley "per se'...

After a couple a years campin in it.. I want a galley ! If fer nuthin else but "storage"...Won't do more than rebuild the shelf unit and customize it with cubbies and storage shelves fer stove and canned goods etc...

Next build will have FULL galley !! Lotsa shelves and cabinets in the galley as well as the cabin. AND.. 12v. and solar hook ups too..."I" go everywhere and boondockin is not unusual fer me.


Good advice to camp in it fer a season tho.. you'll figure out what you need and or want by then.

Happy Trails ! Robert

[nevadatear]

We bought a foam/memory foam from online wally world, and love it . It is more comfortable than our mattress at home. You can even cut it to size, as I did, to give me a little more room on the sides.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/6-Eco-Friendly-Memory-Foam-Mattress/10152213

as mentioned before, you can get a replacement foldable one from little guy.

[bobhenry]

Good advice to camp in it fer a season tho.. you'll figure out what you need and or want by then.Happy Trails ! Robert

That was the best advice you could ever be given right there.

Do you cook gourmet meals or just burn a dog and a few marshmellows over the fire. Do you boondock in nowhere or plug in at a state park where water and restroom facilities are readily available. I have a 5x10 slouchy and a 5x10 teardrop that we currently camp in ( Hell I might even finish them someday) . I am currently building a 4x7 on an aluminum frame as a cheap ultra light that I hope to pull behing my Goldwing. If we are to camp in the 4x7 we will rely on our old buddy the 10 x 10 first up as a "kitchen" folding tables and a dutch oven table will be our counter space. I recently built dishwashing and cooking wing tables that could be attached to the sides and sheltered by that same pop up in bad weather.As you camp you will develope your own style so don't rush in and wonder later "what was I thinkin' " Take your time, input from the other half needs to be investigated as well. I still have to give full credit for my flip out galley on Chubby to my wife. It made the build a bit more of a challenge but it is a truly fantastic layout to cook and clean up in.

Here is a link to my side tables

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=43504&highlight=side+tables

Perhaps moving the galley to this type of a setup would be a possibility and a 12 x 12 popup would be wide enough to protect all in bad weather.

[George Taylor]

You should come out to a few of the Tearjerkers camping events and see what we have done with the campers. You might find an idea that will suit your needs or make the decision that the camoer is just fine the way it is.