[p]Hi,[/p][p]
[/p][p]My wife and I enjoy weekend camping in the teardrop travel I built from scratch a few years ago.[/p][p]
[/p][p]As we approach our retirement years - maybe 2-3 years out hopefully - we are wanting to "move up" to a travel trailer for longer stays. Last year, we started researching travel trailers and we both like Camplite. The 16-foot model would probably serve our needs, but there is a chance of friends and family joining us, so we are looking at the 21-foot model.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I love to tinker and build things. My wife says I can't leave well enough alone, so I'm sure I'll make some mods if we purchase a Camplite.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Here are a few pics of our teardrop:[/p][p]
[/p][p][a href="https://flic.kr/p/w2Yzys"]
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/19713058702_35bbfa1f5d_z.jpg)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/443/19725036211_434620f2e8_z.jpg)
Tom:
That is a nice rig you have there. Probably has some wood in it, right ;-).
The question of providing room for guests affects many of our retirement decisions, like home size. How many say that they need a four bedroom retirement home for all of the kids, when a motel (or even an RV in the driveway) will suffice for the rare time it happens.
With RVs we figure if the kids want to join us, we have a tent. The CL 16TBS works great for us.
David
[quote source="/post/13272/thread" timestamp="1436977806" author="@david"]Tom:
That is a nice rig you have there. Probably has some wood in it, right ;-).[/quote]
David, you're correct. The exterior is aluminum, but almost everything else is wood. Unlike production TTs, the joints are glued and screwed, and the exterior shell has 3 coats of epoxy before applying the aluminum.
[quote source="/post/13272/thread" timestamp="1436977806" author="@david"]The question of providing room for guests affects many of our retirement decisions, like home size. How many say that they need a four bedroom retirement home for all of the kids, when a motel (or even an RV in the driveway) will suffice for the rare time it happens.
With RVs we figure if the kids want to join us, we have a tent. The CL 16TBS works great for us.
David[/quote]
The 16-foot Camplite is my preference, but my wife likes the bathroom with sink in the 21-foot and its additional storage. Another factor for us to consider is that we have room at our home to store the 16-foot but not the 21-foot. I'm not crazy about paying storage costs and the higher potential for vandalism at the storage yard.
Take care,
Tom
Can't help but love those 'teardrops'! Years ago, after swerving into a local TV broadcast about the teardrop community, our RV journey began. How we ended up with a 26' LL toyhauler ....well, it's indicative of the long, strange but fun journey it's been. We love 'Woody', but Wife could never handle it alone, as with a teardrop.
Yeah, gotta love teardrops and wouldn't mind having one for more ease and spontaneity to say little of the fun, active community that teardrops owners enjoy.
Your teardrop is very nice looking indeed. Do you plan to sell it?
"The 16-foot Camplite is my preference, but my wife likes the bathroom with sink in the 21-foot and its additional storage."
I thought the same thing, at least about the sink. With an old married couple on board, using the kitchen sink isn't a big deal. If you had a bunch of people on board, maybe. But you won't do that with a 16'er. There was discussion on another thread about adding a flip up sink behind the toilet. Don't think anyone has done it though.
The storage is deceiving. The 16TBS has a huge amount of storage, it just isn't organized well- no shelves. Even so, half of our cabinets are unused. The shelving can be fixed, either with pull out bins or shelves. No problem at all for a good craftsman.
The other, maybe more important consideration is towing. The 16TBS can easily be towed by a midsize SUV or small pickup. The 21 really needs a full size SUV or pickup, or serious consideration of a WDH. LL doesn't recommend WDHs (read liability concerns) but it can be done with the right set up.
David
Gwbushhog,
Thank you for the nice comments about my teardrop. Although it will be hard to do, I'll probably sell the teardrop trailer if we get a Camplite TT.
David,
We are planning attend the Dallas and Fort Worth RV shows this winter. Hopefully one will have a 16TBS so we can see for ourselves. If the storage volume is there, I feel pretty confident that I can add shelves, drawers, etc. Our tow vehicle is a 2011 F150 with the HD tow package and integrated trailer brake so I don't anticipate towing to be an issue. I don't like using WDHs. A friend with a TT has added a Timbren SES kit to his F150 and really likes it. I may do that to ours if/when we get a Camplite.
Take care,
Tom
You should be able to tow the 21 just fine with your Ford with no WDH.
David
that teardrop looks incredible...you sir have some mad skills!
Great looking Teardrop! We are I the same boat as you, 2-3 years out from retirement. Having owned both a 16DB and now a 21BHS I can say that now having the extra room in the 21 is worth every cent we spent on it. We bought our 16 b4 they came out with the slide and longer camping trips with a 10 year old granddaughter really became cramp for us. We sold it and upgraded to the 21 with bunk beds for the grandkids and/or guests. So some insight. The 16 had a queen size bed but placed in camper sideways so I had to climb over wife to get in and out of bed. A pain at best so make sure you go with the 16 TBS layout for beds if you can handle twin beds. The jackknife sofa was worthless especially with no slide so I'd go with the dinette. Other than that and grandchildren who love to camp we would have kept the 16DB. The nice thing about the 21 is layout of queen bed, more room and customization if special ordered. Now that we have ours we would not go back or trade it for anything. We ordered it customized to our desires and they built it that way. Hit the picture and you can see some of what we had done. No graphics, no Adzel, solid surface countertops, retro white cabinet faces and no floor covering.
as for modifications the list on this forum is extensive and everyone is willing to help.
Hope my little bit helps and good luck with your pending purchase!
graphic(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/bvabob1/Our%20New%20Camper/image.jpg1_zpsdkorytdg.jpg)
I also started with a Tear Drop after many years of camping with tents, I had a Little Guy Silver Shadow which was very well built and great to just sleep in but not much room for anything else. So eventually upgraded to a Aliner which is also very easy to pull and fairly easy to set up, the main thing that scared me about the Aliner is the capability to withstand High winds, I spent one very scary night in it in Northern New Mexico. They say 3 times is a charm and my third attempt at finding my dream camper has been the 2015 14 DBS and after spending 6 weeks in it traveling around the country I have to say I think I have found it. Incredible experience with zero issues. Camper has plenty of room for me and my dog. Loved having a full size frig and all the comforts from home. Trailer also pulled like a dream with my Chevy Silverado 1500. I have done quite a few of the Mods mentioned throughout this site, including the shower head and changing out the shower curtain for a slider.
[quote source="/post/13301/thread" timestamp="1437066114" author="@craigd"]I also started with a Tear Drop after many years of camping with tents, I had a Little Guy Silver Shadow which was very well built and great to just sleep in but not much room for anything else. So eventually upgraded to a Aliner which is also very easy to pull and fairly easy to set up, the main thing that scared me about the Aliner is the capability to withstand High winds, I spent one very scary night in it in Northern New Mexico. They say 3 times is a charm and my third attempt at finding my dream camper has been the 2015 14 DBS and after spending 6 weeks in it traveling around the country I have to say I think I have found it. Incredible experience with zero issues. Camper has plenty of room for me and my dog. Loved having a full size frig and all the comforts from home. Trailer also pulled like a dream with my Chevy Silverado 1500. I have done quite a few of the Mods mentioned throughout this site, including the shower head and changing out the shower curtain for a slider.[/quote]Doubt the Silverado even knew the camper was back there! My RAM 1500 didn't breath hard when towing our previous 16DB. Now with a 21 BHS it knows it is there but tows fine. Sounds like you found exactly what you wanted so, camp on :).
Super nice teardrop. If it was just the wife and I that's what I would have. You did a great job on that trailer!!!