New guy chiming in from Ct.

[Dean in Ct.]

Hello Folks!
You have another new member here from the extreme S.E. corner of Ct. (in the U.S.A.) and I don't know if it's a passing fancy or something deeper but right now I am infatuated with the concept of Teardrop style trailers and other related small, minimal campers.
My career has been centered on OLD boats. Building, maintaining, launching, hauling, delivering (both in the water and on a trailer) and generally doing whatever it takes to keep them afloat. Believe it or not, they really don't want to float, just, it seems like water really doesn't want to stay out of a camper! Hell, I've even been paid to cook on ocean going sailboats on several occasions for months at a time, so I am familiar with the term galley. However, I have never been camping on dry land and have seen almost nothing of this huge country I live in.
So what do you think, does it sound like I'm ripe for the plucking?
I don't know what else needs to be said in an introductory post. Oh yeah, I'm kind of a gearhead, have 4 motorcycles and a really cool 7 cylinder radial (think aircraft) engine which serves noooo purpose other than joy of ownership!
I am thinking of a Tractor Supply 5x10 as a platform or possibly the similar one from Lowe's as a starter. Is one noticebly better than the other?
I look foreward to getting to know many of you better soon, either here or somewhere down the road!
Dean

[StPatron]

Welcome! Yeah, Dean. I'd say you are "ripe for the plucking".

You'll find many boat builders on here. Many of the same design concepts apply and your galley experience will pay off when it comes to designing your "perfect galley", I can't wait to see what you come up with.

A 7 cylinder radial engine in your garage? Very cool! I don't think even Bob Henry has one of those.

I can't help with the TS vs. Lowe's chassis comparison other than to advise you to do a two-column feature comparison of all components. The TS has been used by many satisfied builders here.

I urge you to do a build thread once you get started. The feedback you get will be invaluable. Take lots of pics, we love pics!

[TheresaD]

Welcome Dean from another Nutmegger! I'm just outside of Hartford.

Yup. It sure sounds like you fit the description of a future tear builder.
I can't give you any advice on your trailer frame but I'm sure others will chime in. There are alot of talented builders on this forum.

There alot of folks around the Northeast that have built their own trailers and have done an amazing job with them. You should try to get to a teardrop gathering over the course of the next spring/summer. It would be a perfect opportunity to check out some of the builds up close and personal and meet some of your neighbors. You'll be able to get some ideas as to what would work for you and what wouldn't. The New England chapter of TearJerkers has several of gatherings around our area. There's even a big one right near you near Jewett City. They're a fun group to camp with. There's a link to TearJerkers up above in the forum menu. You should pop over there as well and introduce yourself.

Have a blast with your build and take lots of pictures. The folks on here love pictures!

Hopefully we'll get to meet around the campfire sometime soon.

[Steve_Cox]

Hi Dean,

Sounds like you have the tear drop thing figured out. It's about keeping the water out.

Happy Holidays,