How long before you got moving?

[IndyTom]

Well, since you dug this old thread up, let me add my two cents. I found this site completely by accident around Dec of 2005. I lurked for only a short time before joining and had decided on a design by Jan or Feb of 2006. My post after bringing home my first load of steel was posted around Mar. 11 of 2006. By May, we had a completed scratch built frame with a floor in place, along with the beginnings of the interior framing. Shortly after that, family events dictated that the build be placed on hold. over the next 5+ years, there were occaisonal days of work accomplished, but very little progress. Then, in Nov. of 2011, my younger son and I visited the RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame in Elkhart IN. I got so jazzed by looking at those beauitful old campers that I just had to get started back. There was nearly 6 years of neglect piled on top of the camper sitting in our garage, but after much work, my boys and I got things dug out and some fresh materials purchased and now good progress is being made. I would not have chosen to take over 6 years to build, but that is what life dealt me. Remember, you are now living on teardrop time, and it will be finished when it is finished. Just remember to enjoy the journey.

Tom

[DragonFire]

I was referred here by another member who built his teardrop. I knew I wasn't going to be able to restore my 18' Aristocrat after an injury that messed up my shoulder, and I had been eyeing teardrops for years...always did like them. So knowing 2 people who have them and are on this board, I gave teardropping a serious look. It just made sense..I always tent camped so the living area was always outdoors, as is the kitchen. Teardrop camping seems like glorified tent camping...just a more secure, sturdier shelter...that looks cool!

I joined this board after looking around for a few hours, it seems to have everything on here you need for good camping info...CI, Vintage Camping Equipment..info on solar, electrical upgrades, tires, recipes, campouts..and for the most part everyone gets along. Everyone is very civilized toward each other. So I decided it really was for me. and started looking for a tear. Looked at some, knowing I needed to start with something already built to see what I did and did not like, then move from there. I looked at Little Guy, looked on Craigslist..nothing felt right. Deciding this was going to take awhile, I looked at teardrops.net and looked a bit..scrolled down and the sky opened up, the sun was shining, birds were singing, and a beam of light shone down on..the Grasshopper. I was sold. That was it. Never knew something like that existed, but had to have it. Selling myself as the new owner of the Grasshopper took a bit of doing, but I've got it.

So I doubt I will ever build. It would be fun to help on a build but for me, nothing will top the Grasshopper. Not that I don't like what others have done...I'm really looking forward to seeing the tears at the Dam Gathering, but I have my perfect tear..perfect for me. I'm a vintage trailer nut, or maybe I'm just a trailer nut, or maybe just a nut. But I love looking at other trailers to see what others have done. I respect them all.

So...build, folks. Do a little here, a little there, but keep building. Keep learning about your craft. Keep selling your builds to others to spread the disease, I mean the virus, I mean the love of teardropping to new folks each time you finish a new build or 3. Don't worry about the time, just do it.

See you at the campground!

[bobhenry]

As usual I was bass akwards.

I started on Eggbert my little 3x5 motorcycle teardrop on 11/10/06 at 3:40 PM

I towed him for the first time on 11/27/06 at 6:30 AM when I took him to work to build the hatch and install the roof in the company shop.

I signed on with T&TTT on 2/9/07

And piddled and fiddled with the 3x5 until 6/23/07 when I lengthened and installed his new tongue I finished at 8:30 PM and then I deemed him done.

During this time I had started Chubby the 5x10. I found a 4x8 H.F. frame on e-bay for $75.00 and drove over and picked it up on 4/1/07 . By the time I had finished Eggbert the 3x5 at the end of June I had also revamped the frame and had the floor and sidewalls built for Chubby.

Our 1st semi official gathering was Jan 19th?? of 08 at the first Hoosier Shivaree 344 days after joining I had "completed" my 2nd teardrop ( well it was campable anyway )

[PSBreen]

All this craziness started when Cynthia saw that "RV Crazy" show on TV. That was back in the fall of 2010. We spent a lot of time lurking on the this forum and finally joined in May 2011. We gave some thought to buying a manufactured tear, but just couldn't find one that really fit us. After gathering ideas and developing a basic plan we started collecting materials and started cutting wood right after Christmas 2011. The going has been slow and sometimes frustrating, but we are making progress thanks to all the helpful people here.