Greetings from the Glorious San Fernando Valley

[Freddy the Element]

Been lurking around here for several months, it's time to come out of the shadows!

As a kid in the 70s, my Dad would rent a Winnebago Brave and take us up to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. I think I marvelled more at the motorhome itself than the beautiful environs, enjoying the concept of a self-contained living space with lots of ingenious use of space, tables that turned into beds, and waking up with a new view every morning. Since then, I've always wanted an RV, but I've observed over the years that most people spend an enormous amount of money on a motorhome or travel trailer, use it 7 times, then let it moulder and rust away in their driveway. Throw in the cost of operation and maintenance, plus storage concerns, and it was something I figured I would never do.

A few years back, we bought a Honda Element (AWESOME!) and I figured we could camp in it versus a tent (tents have never been my thing). After joining the Honda Element Owner's Club, I came across their Camping section and saw photos of Hiker Chick's sweet Little Guy setup and it looked perfect. Then, after a couple miserable nights in the Element at Lassen National Park last summer, I decided I wanted to explore the teardrop further.

So here I am. My wife is wary, but open-minded. The plan is to buy, not build. Needs to be something that the Element can handle going up mountains with, needs to be something a 6'6" man and a tiny wife can sleep in comfortably, and needs to be less than 156" long in total so it can fit in my garage. A sink and stove would be a big plus. Oh, and I don't want to spend much more than a few thousand since I've never even touched a teardrop, much less slept in one!

So we'll see. Either way, having fun reading about it all and seeing the amazing array of designs out there.

Finally -- I'm not Freddy -- that's the car's name, thanks to my niece! My name is Cass.

[Wolfgang92025]

Hi Cass,

Welcome to the fun.
To get a better feel for what a teardrop is all about, you should try to go to a gathering. Their you can see all types and price ranges.
Might also see into renting one for a weekend. I know of a couple places in San Diego and I would expect to find someone in the LA basin that you can rent one from.
Best of luck in finding the right gems for you and your wife.

[cherokeegeorge]

Hi Cass, your more then welcome to come see my Camp-Inn, and I'm right around the corner

[Freddy the Element]

Hi Cass, your more then welcome to come see my Camp-Inn, and I'm right around the corner

Oh wow, you are indeed -- I actually work in Burbank, which is not far at all! Maybe my wife and I can have a quick look one day. Thanks very much for the offer, it's very kind of you.

[cherokeegeorge]

any time, just PM me when you want to set it up.

[bc toys]

Welcome from Vegas hope you enjoy it here. The great memories we have of the childhood aren't they great to think back on.

[JSadler]

A big Nashville welcome to you!

[Oldragbaggers]

Welcome to the forum Cass. It seems you have hit upon the perfect solution for you and I hope you find your ideal teardrop soon. Hope to see you around the forum.

[DMcCam]

Howdy and Welcome from Reno Cass! My wife and I love our Element as well but they do have their limitations. Our 2004 has a 1,500 lb towing limit coupled with the 150 lb tongue weight which is a bit of a challenge when looking at Teardrops. I'll be very interested in what you find out on your journey.

All the best,

Dave

[Roly Nelson]

Welcome to the forum, Cass. This is the right place to be, if you are interested in a teardrop trailer. But you must beware, because looking at a Camp-Inn will alter your thoughts about gettin something that is "just average". The first time I saw one, I wanted to go out and throw stones at my woody. Good luck on your search for getting that ideal rig that will accomidate a 6 ft 6er, for just a few thousand. I'm sure there is one out there, all you have to do is put out the word, and the perfect tear will appear.
Roly ~~ another So Cal TDer, a bit south of you.

[Freddy the Element]

Howdy and Welcome from Reno Cass! My wife and I love our Element as well but they do have their limitations. Our 2004 has a 1,500 lb towing limit coupled with the 150 lb tongue weight which is a bit of a challenge when looking at Teardrops. I'll be very interested in what you find out on your journey.

All the best,

Dave

Yes, there are limitations with the Element. We also have a Volvo with a 3,300 lb. rating but I just can't imagine using it for camping when the Element is just so darned versatile, rugged, and ideally suited for sightseeing (from the front seat anyways). At any rate, I sort of like the challenge of that limitation -- that's what drew me to teardrops in the first place, the creativity of it. Most teardrops are under those limitations anyways. Thanks for the welcome and input!

[Freddy the Element]

Welcome to the forum, Cass. This is the right place to be, if you are interested in a teardrop trailer. But you must beware, because looking at a Camp-Inn will alter your thoughts about gettin something that is "just average". The first time I saw one, I wanted to go out and throw stones at my woody. Good luck on your search for getting that ideal rig that will accomidate a 6 ft 6er, for just a few thousand. I'm sure there is one out there, all you have to do is put out the word, and the perfect tear will appear.
Roly ~~ another So Cal TDer, a bit south of you.

Hi Roly. It's funny you mention the dangers of looking at a Camp-Inn because I thought the same thing after that generous offer -- "I'm going to show my wife the Bentley of teardrops and then end up purchasing the Honda of teardrops." Well, one must start somewhere.

Seen plenty of teardrops over the last 6 months that essentially fit the bill and in my general price range, but they always seem to be over 1,000 miles away -- either that, or they are more than I can spend. But I am a patient man -- at any rate, I won't be able to do any serious shopping until early May anyways. In the meantime, if anyone gets a line on something suitable, send me a PM! Thanks.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the Forum Cass.
I too have never slept in a teardrop, but am currently in the middle of our build.
Can't wait to finish it an start a whole new chapter in our camping lives.
Good Luck with your search.
&
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[DMcCam]

Howdy and Welcome from Reno Cass! My wife and I love our Element as well but they do have their limitations. Our 2004 has a 1,500 lb towing limit coupled with the 150 lb tongue weight which is a bit of a challenge when looking at Teardrops. I'll be very interested in what you find out on your journey.

All the best,

Dave

Yes, there are limitations with the Element. We also have a Volvo with a 3,300 lb. rating but I just can't imagine using it for camping when the Element is just so darned versatile, rugged, and ideally suited for sightseeing (from the front seat anyways). At any rate, I sort of like the challenge of that limitation -- that's what drew me to teardrops in the first place, the creativity of it. Most teardrops are under those limitations anyways. Thanks for the welcome and input!

Hi Cass, We're with you, the Element is an awesome camp vehicle! We looked at all the available manufactured trailers before we decided to build our own Teardrop. Mostly the decision was based on the extraordinary help from the membership here, getting exactly what we wanted and the cost of building vs buying. There are also members who do fantastic custom builds too!

Cheers,

Dave

[Freddy the Element]

Hi Cass, We're with you, the Element is an awesome camp vehicle! We looked at all the available manufactured trailers before we decided to build our own Teardrop. Mostly the decision was based on the extraordinary help from the membership here, getting exactly what we wanted and the cost of building vs buying. There are also members who do fantastic custom builds too!

Cheers,

Dave

Hi Dave,

I looked at your build journal, man, I was impressed just with the foamcore model! I am a graphic designer and your skills put me to shame. Did you use AutoCAD for the technical drawing? Love the icon on the side. You will have one awesome teardrop at the end of all this.

If I had the time and facility, I would totally attempt to do what you are doing. In fact, I'd probably just steal your entire idea shamelessly. But for the first time around, I am going to go second/third/ninth hand. If it works out, I'll get something nicer down the road, whether I build it myself or buy it. Thanks so much for the input, it is nice to know people are interested.

- Cass