Another newbie from WV

[British Car Nut]

I'm so new I haven't even filled out my profile yet but I didn't want that to keep me from introducing myself. My name is Mike (wife Kathy) from Vienna, WV. I'm 62. We both enjoy backpacking and tent camping. We have owned a Coleman popup in the past. Our first upclose look at a teardrop was 2 yrs. ago at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. It was all wood and looked like a rolling piece of furniture. We both loved it. The man who owned it, made it and made them to order at 10k per. Too rich for us. Being all wood, it was probably to heavy for our requirements anyway.
As my sign-in name implies, I'm into British sports cars. Loved them all my life. More recently I've gotten into motorcycles too. As a side note, I've joined forums for every vehicle I own. I can't say enough for them.
My wife owns a '04 Mini. My everyday is a '97 F-150. I'm looking to build a teardrop that can be pulled my the Mini and any of my other sports cars. Researching factory models, the one I think best suits our needs and the one I would like to replicate is the Little Guy Rascal which now retails in at $5,495. At 56" high it's almost identical to the height of the Mini. At a curb weight of 490 lbs. and 50 lb. tongue wt., the Mini should handle it fine without sacrificing the Mini's fuel ecomomy too much.
I will save my questions for another post. Thanks, Mike

[Oldragbaggers]

Hello Mike, and welcome to the forum.

Have you seen the book "Teardrops and Tiny Trailers?" There's a picture in there of a mini pulling a teardrop. It's a nice looking combo. Building lightweight and ultra-lightweight is a big topic of conversation here on the forum and there are lots of good ideas and tons of info floating around here. Check Roly Nelson's builds in particular.

You're among friends here. Any questions just ask. And be sure to start a build journal when you get started building, and remember (this is the most important thing.....) WE LOVE PICTURES!!!!

[John T. Hodgen]

Hey Mike and Kathy,
Welcome to T&TTT. I sent you a pm. Building your own is a Great satisfying project. We have 2-a 4x8 that I built in 4 months with no help and a cost of $1900.00, and a 1947 KenSkill. If you need to pick my brain with questions on building I'm here to help. I pm'd you my numbers.
I have always liked British cars, but never owned one. Now Motorcycles, I've been a rider for 50 yrs. Rode a '60 Panhead for yrs, I really miss that bike. One of the biggest mistakes I made was getting rid of it for a more "modern" bike.
Again, Welcome and looking to hear from you.
Til later by the fire--John T. & Linda

[Roly Nelson]

Hello Mike, welcome to the most helpful forum on the net. Good for you, planning on building a light-weight teardrop that you can haul behind the Mini. I have built 3 tears, an 8 ft woody that weighs less than 500 lb, a 6ft, 40inch wide cutie that tips the scale at 145 lbs and then there is my smallest of all......my 3ft x 3ft, wheel-less rig (less than 100 lbs) which slips right into my hitch reciever and just sort of levitates down the road behind my 4 banger hauler.

If you want a few tips about keeping the weight down, I might be able to give you a few of the ideas I came up with during my builds. Let me know the particulars of your planned build and we can discuss it. Feel free to PM me anytime.
Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif TD builder and user!