First Camp in the Benroy "MountainTear"

[JeepThing]

I've been off work for 19 days now and worked on the trailer for 8-10 hours a day for the first 10 days just to get it road worthy. My indentions from the early beginnings was to have it complete for August 1st. This was being a little to optimistic for what I wanted to have and what I was actually capable of doing. With some help from my Son’s we were able to have it road ready last Tuesday Aug. 30th in the late afternoon. So we packed light and hit the road. Heading south we crossed the USA border only to be drilled about where I bought the trailer with no proof of purchase I had to explain how I build it but didn’t keep all the receipts. I had to insure it as a U-built trailer with a GVW of #1400 pounds (Not actually what it weighs) just to get insurance on it. Than had to hand over the reg. to prove it was a u-built. Anyhow what a PITA.

Getting started late in the day left us no chance of camping in a Camp ground so we camped in a nice pull out on the coast near Larrabee State Park and slept very well in our new little trailer. It’s not complete so we bought a 12 marine battery from Costco and used jumper cables to power our lights for the night also there are no cabinet doors yet as well as the plumbing needs some work. But it did tow very well and is remarkably easy to pull. Here are a few pics from the first outing.

[JeepThing]

[pete42]

I see why they ask it looks factory built.
very nice looking comb you have
glad your first outing was such a success.

pete

[JeepThing]

Thanks Pete!
I just came home from the Gorge on the Columbia River. I was at the Dave Matthews Band music festival and literally had hundreds of people asking me about the trailer Lots of attention even people peeping in the windows when I was asleep.

[JeepThing]

[Shadow Catcher]

Thanks for sharing your "Maiden Voyage". Looks good!

[Miriam C.]

Congratulations! With a TD like that you can expect to get drilled. Beautiful job!

[Woodbutcher]

Great job, it looks very well made. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[wa_flyfisher]

Part of the DMB Caravan! The US Border agents are real picky. They took our dog food because it wasn't in the factory bag. I told them I wasn't going to carry 40# for a one week trip. Going into BC is easy though!

Glad your first trip went good. Hope you have many more in your tear!

[Alleged User]

Great looking TD! Hard to beat the benroy for interior space, too.

Camp on.

[toolman]

Very nice looking TD. I do really like the Benroy shape. sorry to hear of your problems with the border crossing, but life does have a few bumps in the road.

Thanks for posting.
Jerry

[samsberr]

Thanks Pete!
I just came home from the Gorge on the Columbia River. I was at the Dave Matthews Band music festival and literally had hundreds of people asking me about the trailer Lots of attention even people peeping in the windows when I was asleep.

I was camped down on the Deschutes and ran into a group that was headed to the concert...
How was the DMB this year...Wish I could of gone but those summer run steelies were calling...

[Woodstramp]

Jeep,

You did a rather nice job on your camper. Love that pic of you guys next to that huge motor home.

[Wolffarmer]

Jeep thing. Nice looking trailer you built. sorry about the PITA border crossing, not like the old days when it was civil.

I like the picture beside the motor home. End of august when I went to Burning Man, In the mass of vehicles waiting to get in. 8-10 lanes wide, backed up 4 miles or moe. The 1960s/70s single axle motor home behind me over heated bad. I put my tow strap on the back of my teardrop and to him and pulled him the last 1.5 miles with my Suzuki Vitara with a 2000 cc motor. Wished I had a picture of that but with the mass of cars just no way to as I was alone.

Randy

[gperks]

we were at DMB the last 2 years and the attention out trailer got was almost too much, I allways wondered around and looked for more tears but only found one in 2009. we didn't make it this year... our 4 month old would have made it tough.