Hello From Chicago

[Mercury Mark 78]

Just want to introduce myself. I have fallen for the idea of a teardrop trailer. The past few years my wife and myself have taken numerous camping road trips across the country. While I love to camp, I see the advantages of having a small camper. When I was traveling I saw people pulling scamps and other trailers, and I thought to myself what a great idea. Then I saw someone with a teardrop and it was love at first sight. I love the idea that when I am traveling I do not have to worry about setting up a tent in the pouring rain or in the pitch black. Additionally a teardrop will fit in my garage. However, I have not realized my dream of a teardrop yet. My heart tells me that I should build my own, but my brain (and wife) tell me to buy one. So this is where I am at; looking for a trailer. The better half and I have set a rough budget of around 3,000 and I will be patiently looking. I figure that we can find something relatively nice with a simple setup (no sinks, water storage tanks, etc) at that price.

Brian

[gregp136]

A teardrop is a joy, for all the reasons you state. Welcome to the group from just north of you. Build or buy, this is a great group!

Greg(and Laurie)

[Tabazooron]

Welcome and good luck with your search and adoption.
You might look at the Tear Jerkers web site also. We are an active group!
I have to ask... where did you get that profile pic of the Mercury outboard?
Ron

[Mercury Mark 78]

Thank you for the advice.

As for the picture. While I would like to say that I took it myself I stole it from google images. However, I do have one hanging off the back of my old Starcraft.

[glenpinpat]

welcome like ron said also check out tearjerkers site. If you build you will find tonnes of great advice. With a 3000 budget you can easily find a teardrop in decent shape or build a really nice one to your own specs.Patrick

[Tabazooron]

As for the picture. While I would like to say that I took it myself I stole it from google images. However, I do have one hanging off the back of my old Starcraft.

OMG I'm old enough to remember.....

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome Brian. I live in Bartlett. Give us a little more info and we can try and help you find one.

[Mercury Mark 78]

Thank you all again for the warm welcome.

What I am looking for in a tear is:

5 X 8 or 10 (important since I definitely want to fit a queen size bed)
110 volt electrical system with at least one outlet in the cabin and one in the galley (12 volt would be nice but not personally as important)
two doors (one would also work, but I have read that people who have two would not go back)
a simple yet functional galley (No sinks, microwaves, or the like. All I want is a place to store some pots, pans, plates, utensils, a cooler, and a Coleman grill.)
Basic interior storage (a couple of cabinets and maybe a place to put a laptop for those rainy nights)
traditional teardrop design (maybe I am a bit shallow, but if I am buying a teardrop I want it to look like a classic teardrop)
Ability to jerry rig an air conditioner (I am a teacher so I do not get to pick when I go on vacation. So when I visit the south in the summer I will want to be able to stay cool)

However, quality is my number one requirement. I have seen some trailers that meet my needs, but seem to fall short upon looking at pictures. While my budget is 3,000 it is far from set in stone and I will pay for quality. However, I am 30 and I know this will be an occasional use toy so there are limits to what I will spend.

[Wild Bill]

Welcome from the far Western Burbs of Chicago. Bill

[terryf]

Welcome to the group

[Oldragbaggers]

Welcome to the forum!!
With all the talented folks on this forum that are on the their second or third (or more) build, I would think there are a few really nice tears out there to be had. This is a great time to start looking. You have a few months to find one before camping season rolls around.
Best of luck on your search. Post a pic when you find your baby.

[honeask]

Welcome Mark (and wife).
Glad to see you are starting this adventure while you are young, wish we had known about teardrops sooner, would have saved us a lot of tent setting up arguments.

[pjo129]

welcome to the forums. What part of Chicago? We used to live in Waukegan and my parents were in Cicero.

[NonProfit]

Welcome from Aurora, Illinois.