A description of a basic teardrop build.

       Over the last 3 years i have been asked a lot of questions about how a teardrop is built.Our trailer is not a true classic teardrop in shape it is a semi tear tiny trailer.



our teardrop


     The frount top is the only radius {it is a 55 gallon drum lid traced on the side wood}I wish i had also radiused the bottom of the frount{I would have used a 5 gallon bucket lid for a pattern}.To get a sloped affect i made a cut from the top of the radius to the back hatch that fell 5 inches over  the length of the trailer to the hatch.

     The hatch was cut at a slope BIG MISTAKE in hindsight.The slope has cut storage space and allowed a small drip leak that i have never been able to stop.If i had made the back hatch straight and allowed a small drip lip on the roof i would have added 4 cubic feet of storage in the rear and had no drip problem.For  looks i would have used the 5 gallon radius on the lower back there also.



it is our style

    The best thing about a home built teardrop or tiny camper is YOU get to deside what pleasing to you and will work for what you need.ME and the wife have loved camping in ours and it has allowed us to go a lot more than if we had not had it.
    This web site is the holy grail for building a tiny trailer or teardrop with out going here for ideas i would hate to think what i would have hammerd out.      http://www.tnttt.com/   
   On a finale thought most pople that have done a build start with 1 sheet of plywood. DRAW WHAT SHAPE YOU THINK YOU WANT ON THIS SHEET. Stare at it ,ask the wife her in put, change it, imagine how it will pull. This is your template it all starts from what is on this sheet.It is a 20 dollar draft page. When it pleases you cut it out and you have a tempate for your trailer.
         A 4x8 is the easiest to build and cheapest.Also a 4x8 isbig enuff for a couple to sleep comfortable in.
       A word of advice on teardroping NO BEANS ALLOWED!!!
a fart at nite is deadly!!!


         

A farm homestead {the bud ogle place]

      A few pictures of a mountain farm. They raised 10 kids farming on land the Tax assessor deemed unfit for crops or cattle.

the mt where this farm is

    The farm is about 2 miles above and to the right of the building.The town is a mile below this picture.


from the porch of house up to barn

         

the corn crib



the hogs and chickens house

                                                                   These pictures and what little has survived a 140 years only give a  hint of what life was like in the 1870s.A lot of people call themselves survivalists but these people didn't just survive they thrived and left us a rich and vast knowledge base.I guess thats why i love history.

A few pictures mountain wildlife



a black bear




strutting turkey



he insisted on a picture



skinny deer



an old goat and his woman

    Some cute and some not so cute animals in the mountains.It was 80 with lots of sun but the day before we arrived it had poured and the mountain streams were fast and waterfalls were everywhere.

My view and the wifes view of nessesities



what my wife would live in

       


what i would live in

          Isnt it amazing what level of comfort a man and woman think is needed.

Having fun is also educational

          While the trip for us was a get away from daily life we had the chance to see how people lived in the 1880 till the 1930,s.Cades Cove was a farming area in the mountains.As we rode around the loop we saw deer turkey and squirrels that have taken he area back over.In the days that people lived there game was deep in the mountains the valley was fields and the lower rocky slopes was for livestock.Anyone that preps or thinks that we may one day be forced to return to homestead style farming should take time to go see this area and read what life was like.The thing that i think i found most interesting was how little a family had to start a homestead.Most started with just a plow,ax saw and a few house hold items and clothes.The trails were so rough wagons had to be heavy duties and were few and far between most used draft sleds and oxen were common to new settlers for the cattle started their herd.
       The cabins started small and were added to as needed.
This cabin was in good shape there was a pen for hogs a chicken coop,corn crib and barn across the road.


a farm house from circa 1900




The way to the smokey mountains.

        Ok got a good nites rest last nite was tired we had 4 very full days in the mountains.Nothing like your own bed after a trip.Later today i will unpack and repack the teardrop so it will be ready to go again.We left Monday morning at 4 am and arrived at Cades Cove campgrounds about 10 am.We could have made it sooner but we stoped and had breakfast at a waffle house{bad idea}and went though the Tellico area{good idea}.I made a few wrong turns that made the trip  longer but getting lost isn't always a bad thing.You get to see some things that aren't on a map.We found the Tellico cafe and bakery that has been on TV for its artisan bread,saw how to get on the skyway in chilowee.We didn't stop as we wanted to get to the campgrounds but now we know what we will do next time we are in the mountains.Off the main roads is where the flavor of an area really is. Chain stores and restaurants move in and you have to look for where the locals go.
       When we got to the camp grounds it took us less than 30 minutes to set camp put up the canopy ,chairs and stove.This trip we had a new ad larger 12x12 canopy.I think i will be going back to my old 10x10 canopy its easier to handle and the wind isn't as bad on catching it.After we fixed lunch it was time to ride in the Cove.It was sunny and about 75 perfect for a drive with the roof down.Will load some pictures tonite and post.

Just got back

     Just got home will post tommorow.Had a great time !!!!