hand stretched out from the UK..

[jontera]

first off .I've been lurking for a fair bit.......

second...Fantastic forum. friendly, informative, supportive and full of things you always wanted to ask, but never knew how to

Third...think there might be an influx of us brits getting on the teardrop vibe, thanks to a tv program currently being shown here (not very good at links, so I won't try..but it's called Ade in Britain on the BBC)

about me and why I'm here..

it's the short story...

basically, I hate the full size caravan idea..nothing against the caravan, each to their own and all that..don't want to tow a 'house' behind me..never really like the tent trailer, that's just lazy tenting..next option a tear..bit of both..I'm at the stage in my life where a tent is just primitive, way too basic..plus the wife (more about that (sorry darling, us) later..yep she's watching over my shoulder) isn't a fan of canvas nor the full van idea either..

I own a 4x4 (not going to tell you just yet, i'll let you guess/suggest for now) and enjoy weekenders away, the wife won't come due to the tent thing (and bugs and the like) and the dogs can't come along (yorkie terriers) with just me.so a small solid trailer type of affair is the best solution..now I just about remember my Dad telling me about hothodding (not a huge thing over here but it does exist) and telling me about these odd little caravans things that people had..so a couple of months back I gave him a call and asked him if he remembered (it was like 25 years back when we had the original conversation..so wasn't expecting too much..but he said "I remember seeing something in a magazine of my dads..socal, tear something ben whatever..dunno) so an internet search began..couple of months later here i am..

oh just a little insight, I'm 40 called John, the wife is Angela and she's 41, been together now for just over 10 years but married for just 2..she like's her creature comforts, i'll sleep anywhere..we have our problems like anyother couple, and we have very different interests that sometimes cause a rift.a tear (and this is from her) would be a good thing "I would come with you on your weekend aways, if we could take the dogs and I don't have to go offroading..I would be happy watching tv in a nice warm,spider bug free bed"

there are some spectacular trailers here..given the choice DMcCam's Atma Travelear or Jackdaw's T'ird..but i dont have the skills for that kind of build, I like the simplicity of the galleys on Walk's Nor'eastern and Terry and Sue's Lil Bity.. plus the style of Dan's 47 kit build..

just on the end, I have been given permission to build a teardrop from Her Who Must Be Obeyed (from here on now shortened to HWMBO) but our next big weekender is next may, so it's a winter build and I ain't got a garage.....

take some guesses at what my 4X4 is..I'll post a piccy in a couple of days, once I've measured the current height of the hitch etc..(hint it's not a landrover..or range rover)

many thanks
John

[Steve_Cox]

Hi John,

Nice first post

My guess is you drive a Fiat Panda, you can buy three for the cost of a Discovery and still have £3,000 left. How's that?

[mcspin50]

Welcome to the forum John and Angela!

You'll find lots of help and encouragement here when you begin to build your teardrop. Heck, you'll get lots of help BEFORE you build. Just ask.

I myself have wrapped up my unfinished build for the winter...literally. It's parked next to the deck with an ill-fitting car cover and an oversized blue poly tarp bungie-corded around it. I put some highly perfumed Bounce Fabric Softener dryer sheets in it to ward off any mouse invasion. I do have a garage, but it's not heated and things get a little chilly around these parts over the next five months and I'd rather have my car parked in there.

OK, I'm going to guess your tow vehicle is a Vauxhall Frontera. I remember Vauxhalls growing up in Canada, but they were just itty, bitty cars.

Take care,

[Oldragbaggers]

Your hand is warmly received. I loved your introduction and welcome you to our little family of obsessed (er....enthusiastic) teardrop folks.

Can't wait to see what you decide to build!!

[hoytedow]

Welcome, jontera.

[jackdaw]

Hi John, Welcome to the forum from from another Brit on the board.
I'm totally flattered to get a mention in your intro..

Where abouts are you located....If you're anywhere near by you'd be more than welcome to come and poke around at our trailers.


No doubt Ade is going to raise the profile of teardrops over here. I just wish he would refer to it as a teardrop, instead of 'my caravan' all the time.
We have a growing number of teardrop trailers owners and builders over here, Check out the Teardrop Club of Great Britain, www.TCGB.ORG but don't expect too much It isn't a patch on this site, that's for sure.

I'm not sure if you've seen the build thread for the T'ird, but we had no garage and wanted to build over the winter....so I built it inside the donor caravan, and had a birthing when the weahter was better

I built another trailer this year... and finally just sorted out a rented workshop to keep me happy over the winter



Keep us posted on your build...and don't forget , We like photos

[H@nk]

Hi John,

Welcome from the other side of the water, just the Netherlands.
I also do a suggest on your 4x4. Is it a Subaru Justy?
Greatz H@nk