Archive for December, 2009

General information from teardroptribune.com

Welcome from Mel Mullet

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Hi, my name is Mel Mullet. Currently, I oversee the custom division here at Little Guy. Whether you want a sink, stove, fridge, microwave, direct-ducted AC, tv/dvd, sunroof, stargazing window, extended platform or cabin, stainless steel, custom wood options, etc…I got you covered.

Thank you for taking a few moments to read the Teardrop Times. Help me enjoy my job even more by sharing your ideas/stories/designs come straight from you. So whether it’s a recipe, a cool camping experience or an accessory you just can’t live without, send it to us (with or without pictures) and you may just wind up in the next issue! (I particularly like seeing what everyone does with their galleys!)

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Happy Trails…

Posted in General information |

December Featured Customer: JaFranklin Marshall

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

jafranklinThis issue’s featured customer is JaFranklin Marshall. He recently picked up his 5×10 Silver Shadow and had it equipped with a sink & stove…complements of Mel. He also had the AC unit ducted directly into his unit. This came on the heels of a well worn 4×8 home build, with no frills whatsoever, but as he says, he deserves this.

JaFranklin just returned from a gathering in the southeast, but particularly enjoys urban camping, staying in Walmart parking lots as he travels to his points of destination. He is retired and mixes in site seeing and National Park camping with visiting family and friend about 5 months out of the year. While JaFranklin admits his style may be unique, he insists you can’t always find a scenic place to stay. The next time you see a 5×10 accompanied by a very tall, older man, it just may be JaFranklin. Stop him and say hello.

Posted in Featured Customer |

Camping Stories: Deming Was Great for Us

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

By Ken Masden (TOWline25, teardrops.org)

This was our first vintage rally where we actually showed a vintage trailer. It was the 1935 Masterbilt being towed by our 1936 Oldsmobile convertible sedan. Of course Marty and I were just glad to be there basking in the glow of our trailer being shown (having just completed the trailer the day before leaving for Deming and having a few car problems on the way up). There was a steady stream of folks through the trailer with lots of favorable comments. Everyone was amazed by the bathtub. Most everyone took a look through the scrap book Trudy Glassett so kindly made for us and were amazed as to how bad the trailer looked when we drug it home, then when Rod Glassett tore it completely apart and then how nice it came back together. Rod really did most of the “back together” part. Then my friend and neighbor Alan Whitney and I did a lot of work on windows and other details. Ed Kelson did the beautiful exterior paint job and Doug Cronn did the interior paint (which also turned out great). Marty’s friend Carol made our curtains for the final touch. Doug Keister sent us eight great photos he took of the car and trailer at the rally that will be added to the scrap book. The weather was hot and muggy, but everyone was having fun. The speakers did great. Doug Keister’s presentation was superb. Doug autographed his new book Teardrops and Tiny Trailers for everyone. Forrest Bone with TCT did a fine presentation also. The potluck went well with plenty for everyone. The desert potluck went fine also. Pat Ewing, our host, said he was more relaxed than ever before and thus able to enjoy the rally this year. The car died (or almost died) about five times on way to the rally. I think the fuel pump may be weak. After the first time, I figured out that I could hit the electric fuel pump switch and hold it long enough to climb hills and/or accelerate. I also learned how much gas I could give it before it conked out.

During the rally, I took a couple of guys into town. The car died, but Bob Johnson was with me. He had us going again after (hopefully) fixing it for good. Del Little was along also and helped diagnose the electrical problem that we had (not just the weak fuel pump issue this time).

We had no car problems on the way home. This time the Birleys and Jacobsons followed us down the highway. Just to be safe!

I thought this was the best meet that Pat and Joanne have ever hosted. We spent most of the time showing our Masterbilt. Gary and Sally Lodholm’s trailer was beautiful and big crowd draw also. There may have been more trailers than ever before and such a variety too.. So many beautiful ones, we didn’t know where to start looking. We loved the beautiful wood interiors on a lot of trailers. Many were as beautiful as one would see in a fine yacht. It was a great rally – fun to get together with old friends and make new friends. Thanks to Pat and Joanne Ewing (and the many volunteers who helped them make the rally a great success)! A good time was had by all!

Posted in Camping Stories |

Campfire Chatter: Cargo Pouches

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

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Teardrops are really ideal and practical, but sometimes you need some extra storage space. Need more space to store items in your Little Guy Trailer? Can’t fit in any more cabinets? This two pocket holder is great for holding cooking items, books and magazines, maps, car keys, insect repellent…You name it, it can be held. Comes with a snap kit to install in your Teardrop with ½” screw snaps. Put it on the sidewall, above your head or at the foot of your bed.

For more information, or to purchase, please visit the Teardrop Shop
Until January 1, 2010 save $10 off your order of $50 or more on a purchase from the Teardrop Shop when you use the discount coupon code: TENOFF50

Posted in Campfire Chatter |

Dutch Oven: Recipes for the Campsite- Apricot/Jalepeno Barbecue Dutch Oven Pork Spare Ribs

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

spare-ribs

A special thanks this month goes to OutdoorCooking.com

Rub

Rub ribs in this mixture prior to placing in Dutch oven.
• 1/2 cuponion powder
• 1/2 cup garlic powder
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp salt
After ribs are rubbed and stacked in your 14″ Camp Chef Dutch oven, fill Dutch oven with Ginger ale until ribs are completely covered. Place DO over coals and simmer for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. 15 coals on the top and 20 on the bottom should accomplish this very easily. You can use a camp stove, but it is essential to keep the flame low so that the ribs only simmer and do not boil.

Apricot/Jalepeno BBQ Sauce

After the ribs are cooked (done when no pink is visible in the middle of the meat), pour the ginger ale out of the Dutch oven. Soak the ribs in this BBQ sauce and simmer for another 15 minutes.
• 1 – 1/2 cup apricot preserves
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup mustard
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 3 chopped jalepeno peppers
I usually use this recipe for about 5-7 pounds of spare ribs, so adjust quantity if necessary for above ingredients.

Posted in Recipes from the Campsite |

Ask Gus

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Phil (New Mexico) –
Hey there Gus, quick one for you…do you have a 12 volt package on your trailer? I like the option of power when I stop for the night, but am worried about the weight.

Hi Phil…
You are right to be concerned. While a 12 volt package is ideal in a teardrop, if you are hauling yours with a bike, you need to be aware of the overall weight – most notably your tongue weight. A deep cycle battery will add 40+ lbs to the trailer, not to mention some of the other pieces/parts that go along with it. I would suggest adding an external 120 v outlet and a couple internal recepts that will allow you to plug your trailer in and plug in whatever you need – always remember, keep your tongue weight in line with your vehicle’s limitations, if you don’t, you’ll contribute to damaging your vehicle and possibly yourself.

Posted in Ask Gus |