Chick Built How-To Teardrop Videos

My teardrop friend Kay (Kayperkay on the TNTTT) now has her own YouTube channel, called CHICK BUILT,  featuring videos on the various aspects of building teardrop trailers. Kay has experience building, restoring and camping with various teardrops and tiny trailers and she provides some great information about considerations you should keep in mind when building a teardrop trailer. She's also a really funny gal.

1. Why did you decide to start a YouTube channel on building teardrop trailers?

I have seen many YouTube videos for teardrop build but the majority of them are picture galleries with very little explanation, particularly as to the "Why's" (I'm a big "Why?" asker...LOL). I am lucky that I'm engaged to the "Godfather" of teardrops, Mr. Grant Whipp, and he has not only taught me his secrets to building (and I guess you'd have a few secrets after 40+ builds), but he guides me every step of the way without "taking over" or telling me something is impossible.

As the administrator for a Tearjerkers Teardrop Group and a popular Facebook page with well over 4,000 members, I see more and more ladies building or planning a build and thought maybe I could help. I am a visual learner and everything I know about restoring vintage tiny trailers, I learned from Mobitec, The Canned Ham Man and his videos he uploaded to YouTube.  I thought I would do the same to help ladies out with their teardrop build.  

2. Tell us a little about your building/restoration experience?

I have been restoring teardrops and tiny vintage trailers for a few years now and I needed a new challenge. I decided I wanted to build a teardrop trailer and the plan is to build it for one of my BFF's who lives in southern California.

3. What are your future plans for the channel and your builds?

My only hope for the channel is to empower women to tackle things most believe aren't possible.  Women are so creative, we don't need all those special tools to complete a task, we'll just figure out another way to "get 'er done."  These little units are so small that with very little physical help (for the big stuff) we ladies are more than capable of building a safe, cozy and stylish teardrop of our dreams.

For the Teardrop Ladies: Camping Alone

On our teardrop travels we have notice there are a surprising number of solo teardroppers out there and some of them are women. Many women love to go camping alone or with their children or dogs, but some of them I've spoken to are fearful of hitting the road by themselves. I've been camping alone several times, but most of those times have been during a gathering with other teardroppers. I have traveled alone a few times, so I understand the trepidation of being in a strange place without a partner for company or safety.

I've had my fair share of travel scares. While traveling in Denmark, I was attacked by a group of teenagers on the beach (I scared them off with some self defense moves and some angry, foul language) and while in Ecuador several people tried to pickpocket me on the train. What they didn't know is that the wallet they were attempting to take from my jacket was my fake wallet – the real wallet is hidden on my body.

However, camping alone is different. You are usually out in the wilderness or a national or state park and when teardropping, you can feel vulnerable sleeping alone in what is essentially a box on wheels. Most women campers are fearful of strange men (or women) approaching them, petty crime like theft, rape and other violent attacks. We are always on the lookout for that white panel van and avoid parking right next to it.

On the TNTTT forum, there is a specific area just for lady teardroppers and the top threads are about safety and camping alone. Not every woman is going to broadcast their security camping secrets to the world, but here are the top tips from solo lady campers with a few additions of my own.

1. Camp in a well-lit campground where you feel safe and comfortable. 

Some private campgrounds have gates that lock at night as well as a full-time camp host. Introduce yourself to the host and ask if you can camp near them. There is no need to broadcast to the world that you are alone, but give them a heads-up that you need a little extra security.

If you are in a state or national park, talk to the local rangers and ask about the safety issues in the area. Get their office or cell phone numbers. Camp next to a family or older couple and let them know that if they look out for you, you will look out for them. Also, try to use the bathroom or shower in the daytime and avoid going out at night.

2. Carry some sort of self defense weapon and learn self defense

Depending on your state or county, some weapons may be illegal, so please check your local laws. If you are comfortable with guns, get a permit, take a class and learn how to use it correctly. Remember that the teardrop is a small place and a thief may have a much easier time finding it hidden under your pillow. Other weapons are batons, kubatans, bear spray, pepper spray and tasers. Other self-defense devices include body alarms, door alarms and panic buttons on car keys. These will usually deter someone just hanging around or a wayward bear. A large, good flashlight will also illuminate dark areas for you and blind someone who might be looking too closely around your teardrop.

Learning some self defense is good for any kind of situation, not just camping alone. A few years ago, I took a women's self defense course which gave me more confidence and strength in dealing with a bad situation. Keep your skills updated and don't advertise that you know them.

3. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense

If you read the post on Stacie Tamaki and her Glampette, she outfitted her teardrop to have a peephole in the door. She wanted to be aware of her surroundings without anyone being aware of her. No matter where you go camping, be aware of who else is around, where the nearest buildings and roads are, where the dark areas are and how to contact someone quickly. Keep your cell phone, keys and self-defense items close to you at all times. In addition, be confident in your ability to defend yourself and don't be helpless in any way. You are a solo teardropper – no way are you helpless!


4. Be prepared while inside your teardrop

Before getting into your teardrop for the night (and locking the doors), be sure your campsite is cleaned up and tidy, have any entertainment items inside with you, and make sure your curtains are closed. It's also good to have emergency water or food in the teardrop with you in case you get hungry or thirsty before the sun comes up.


5. Don't freak out

In the dozens of times we've gone camping in the teardrop, we have never run into any nefarious people. People in campgrounds tend to look out for each other and their belongings and don't tolerate loitering. There is no need to panic and spoil your camping trip, so if you are camping alone, just be prepared and aware. Because you are in a teardrop, you will have people approach you to admire your trailer. There is no need to tell them you are alone, but you may end up making more friends than you thought you would on a solo trip.

Photo by Designspiration

Featured Teardrop: Stacie's Glampette

I met Stacie Tamaki, owner of the Bay Area The Flirty Blog, at the Treasure Island teardrop gathering and was seriously impressed with her new teardrop trailer. The Glampette, a self-contained and light (600 lb.) trailer was built by Fred "Alaska Teardrop" Markoff from the TNTTT online forum. Stacie recently returned to her home in California after picking up her new trailer from Fred's studio in Michigan, and had a lot of tales to tell of her nearly 5,000 mile round-trip to pick up her new baby with the yellow trim.

What impressed me the most about Stacie's trailer is the way she designed it to accommodate her safety requests since she travels alone, along with her dog, Kitai. Her teardrop enables her to stay inside to cook, use the bathroom and it even has a peephole in the door to check out her surroundings before opening it up.

Why did you decide to get a camping trailer?

I saw "Audree", blogger "The Fancy Farmgirl's" vintage, glamped, 1959 Fireball canned ham in a 2011 blog post Tiffany had written and realized I wanted a glamped-out trailer of my own some day. I thought it would be fun to do overnight trips around Northern California but instead I've taken a three-week trip, followed by a two-week trip, followed by a four-week trip since June.

What led you to teardrop trailers?

I wanted to tow a trailer with my everyday car, a 1994 Acura Integra. It's a 4-cylinder rated to tow 1,000 lbs so I knew a traditional canned ham was out of the question as it would be too heavy. I started researching on Google looking for smaller alternatives and discovered teardrops in the process.

Tell us about the building and buying process.

When I realized I wasn't going to be able to find what I wanted already out there, I decided to try to build it. So, I designed the trailer, took a MIG welding and metal shop class and realized it would take me at least five years to build a sound, safe trailer. In the meantime, I'd met builder Fred Markoff on the Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers forum. He goes by the name "Alaska Teardrop." Fred builds his Alaska Teardrop and Northern Lite Traveler trailers the way I needed to build mine, with a welded steel frame instead of wood (wood is heavier). He, along with many other members, posted into my design idea thread and began advising me on design and construction methods. One thing led to another and by the time I realized I didn't want to do the build on my own, that I needed to hire a professional instead, Fred was in my sights as the perfect man for the job.

After convincing him to let me hire him we drew up a contract and he began work on The Glampette in December 2012. She was completed in May 2013. During the build process he emailed me photos of his progress every other week and we'd talk on the phone once a week about details. When she was done I drove (alone) from California to Michigan to pick her up.

What features did you want in the trailer?

Because I'd always be traveling alone I wanted my galley and storage to be inside the cabin, not on the rear under a classic teardrop hatchback, so I'd feel safer not having to leave the trailer at night. I also needed it to have a dry weight of less than 600 lbs so that my car could safely tow it. I wanted more vertical interior height so I could sit upright inside with room to spare. I also wanted to be able to store and use a Thetford porta potty inside the trailer in case of late night emergencies when I might not feel it would be safe enough for me to wander an RV park or campground alone. Basically what began as a teardrop design became a mini canned ham profile instead. I call The Glampette a canned "SPAM" due to her more petite size and shape.

I keep my cooler in the car (usually filled with eggs, fruit, homemade (frozen) lentil soup) but all of my cookware and dry food goods are stored in the trailer on the bottom shelf of the interior galley. I also eat a lot of Subway when I'm "traveling" since they're often open at the 24 hour Pilot Travel Centers.

 Where do you like to go camping?

To be honest I began as a traveler, more than a camper. That entails driving from point A to point B, usually 10 to 11 hours each day along the interstates and stopping at dark to be safely off the road at an RV park. I've also stayed at Walmarts, numerous Pilot Travel Center truck stops, a winery, and a restaurant. Only recently I went camping in Wisconsin and along Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP). I'd definitely recommend camping in the UP. Many of the state parks and national shorelines are right along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan so the views were stunning, especially in the fall with the leaves changing color along Highway 2 as you travel from park to park.

What advice do you have for women teardrop owners?

Don't let fear hold you back from hitting the road on your own. I got caught in a tornado and large hail storm in June (and had to be pulled out of 3 inches of hail by a wrecker), three sleet storms this fall, torrential rain, lightening and thunderstorms, 30+ mph winds in South Dakota, a 28º (F) night in Oregon, and many gorgeous days of blue skies and sun enjoying the landscape as I traversed I-80 and I-90 to and from California. I haven't regretted a moment of it.

I have two cell phones (an ATT & Verizon) for better cell coverage, an AAA membership that includes my trailer, a tool box, a tire patch kit, a portable tire compressor, an alarm on my car with a panic button I can activate from inside the trailer, and I use a as much common sense as possible to stay safe. I have several other safety layers but I don't disclose what they are publicly because the element of surprise would give me an advantage if I ever need to use one.

Always have a spare and know how to change your own tire. Even if you have AAA you may not always be within range of a cell tower to call for help.

Learn how to downshift going both up and downhill. This is especially helpful when traveling through passes on rainy days. Not needing to use the brakes to slow yourself adds an extra measure of safety that reduces the chances of sliding across wet pavement.

Also, learn to back up your own trailer. Find an empty parking lot and practice until you get it. Just take it slow (very slow) so you can see where you're going and make minute corrections. Once you figure it out it just gets easier and easier.

What do you like most and least about teardrop camping?

The thing I like the most is the self sufficiency aspect. I love that my trailer is like a tiny studio apartment. From the moment I got it I felt like I could get rid of everything at my house and just live (comfortably) from the trailer. The thing I like the least? That would have to be the mosquitos in the midwest. They're far more plentiful and aggressive than the California mosquitos I'm accustomed to. And for some reason they love me! I had swarms of them biting me on both of my trips back east until the first light frost hit Michigan in early October.

What are your favorite camping accessories?

Hmm...I love my awning. It's nice that it creates shade I can set my chair beneath but most of all I just love the way it looks. Theres's something so nostalgic and whimsical about the old rope and pole style. I also love the aqua grill I found on Etsy. It screams vintage style with its chippy paint and unique design. I set it outside my trailer to use as a fire-safe cooking platform for my ultralight propane back packing camp stove. It also doubles in the trailer as a shoe rack. I can put my wet, muddy, or dusty boots on it to keep my floor and blankets clean when I turn in at night.

What has been the reaction from other teardrop owners and non-owners?

In general people can't get over the small size, or that I can fit inside of it to lie down. But once they sit inside they all say it's more spacious than they thought it would be. Those who have built or restored a trailer all compliment the quality of Fred's construction techniques. He did an outstanding job building me a sturdy, well insulated, well built, water resistant, light weight trailer. Equally, most are blown away that I travel alone. Both women and men have said they would be too afraid to. For some reason it doesn't phase me. I don't take any risky chances with my safety so it truly doesn't seem anymore dangerous than when I'm at home. I'll even check local crime maps online ahead of time to make sure I'm staying the night in a safe part of a city or town I'm unfamiliar with. Bad things can happen anywhere.

I want to experience life to its fullest potential. The Glampette has already taken me on more adventures than I could have hoped for, and I've only had her for five months!

 

Photos by Stacie Tamaki and Christina Nellemann

International Glamping Weekend

Okay, teardrop camping could be akin to glamping. So what? There is nothing wrong with enjoying the beauty of the outdoors in the comfort of your own bed, with a glass of wine after a warm, outdoor solar shower. After being profiled in newspapers and magazines as a credible and affordable way to camp, it now seems like glamping finally has some clout. This is being celebrated with the International Glamping Weekend, hosted by MaryJane Butters, author of Glamping with Mary Jane and MaryJane's Outpost.

The International Glamping Weekend will be held June 1-2, 2013 all over the world. On her site you can search for a local glamping gathering, join a glamping group and get tons of information on various types of glamping and where to glamp. This doesn't only apply to teardrop trailers, but to anyone who wants to be outside, just not sleeping right on the ground.

You can even get a free "I'd rather be Glamping" bumper sticker from the website by sending in a SASE to the address provided. Mine is in the mail right now.

Sisters on the Fly Teardrop Trailers

The Sisters on the Fly is a group of nearly 3,000 women who camp, fish, cook, drink wine, go horseback riding, kayaking and whitewater rafting all for the sake of fun in the outdoors. While the goal is to be outside, the main catalyst for bringing all these ladies together is their vintage or unique trailers. Each Sister (designated by a number) travels to various locations around the U.S. in a trailer that is sometimes painted and designed specifically for the Sisters' themes of outdoor living.

Of course, several of these adventurous women have teardrop trailers. Here are a few of these tiny trailers of the Sisters on the Fly.

Sister #2986: The Teardrop Inn

Sister #1559: Suzy-Q

Sister #2688: Doodlebug

Sister #2940: My Wild Thing

Sister #273: LakeDawg FishCamp "ManMagnet"

Sister #1408: Cupcake

Sister #1568: Moment's Notice

Sister #1562: Rise 'n Wine

If you are interested in becoming a Sister on the Fly, the membership cost is $60 a year and that allows you access to their forum, their event calendar, your own number and choices of various events around the country like Texas Trout Fest, Springtime in Temecula Wine Country and Dutch Oven Divas.