Hello from Linda!

[Ladymc]

Hi Evan and everyone! We don't currently own a Raindrop, but we're making plans to order one as soon as the "moolah boolah" comes in. Hopefully our big house (5 br./3 ba.) will sell soon - we have hopes of that in March or April (long story.)

Anyway - We currently own a 33 ft. Newmar 5th wheel which we really love, but are unable to drag all over the country - we're too short, and it's too complicated. Before we bought it I had seen teardrops and LOVED them, but thinking we were going to be full time on the road, knew that wasn't a good option for us.

We lived in the 5th wheel for 9 mos. last year in Texas (we're in Arkansas now) but had to come back to the Big House after Hurricane Ike and the financial crisis. So, here we sit waiting to sell.

But in the meantime, I'm making my lists out of what we want. We contacted the company and spoke with one of the two gentlemen there (I believe it was Cary?) He gave us the name of a Raindrop owner and we drove 5 hrs. to see it. Boy was it worth it! It just confirmed what we felt. But to see, touch, smell , sit in and dream make it so worth the trip. Plus we met some wonderful Raindroppers!

So since we have a lot of gear from the 5th wheel that we will put in the Raindrop, I think I've got things down to a science. I'm really good at visualization... (sorry, this may be a longer post than I originally intended, but I want to let people know who we are.)

We found out, even though we love the 5'er, we really prefer CAMPING to RVing. We'd be content to live in the 5'er in a campground and have a Raindrop to travel - but we'll see. Will probably buy a foreclosure after the house here sells, but we won't be in a rush about that since we do have the 5th wheel to live in.

I made my list out tonight of all the extras I want on the Raindrop and the costs. Everyone thinks we're crazy to do this, but we know what we like - simplicity and compactness and the Raindrop fills the bill!

I'm looking forward to seeing you in other forums!

Linda
ladymc

 

[Evan]

Linda,

Welcome and thanks for joining!!

I think you have been bitten by the teardrop bug. This is no known cure. But yes, some people will never understand what could be so appealing about a tiny little camper. I would show my brother pictures of ours while the build was in progress, and he would listen politely and then say: "But it's so SMALL!" Just can't understand - but then he has 3 small children.

So, which model are you looking at? the 550 or the 560?
As you prepare please feel free to ask away about everything - there's so many secrets to learn when it comes to packing all the right gear into the little things. There's lots of people on here just waiting for an excuse to give their opinions...

Evan

 

[Ladymc]

Evan,
We're going with the 560 Ultra. Gosh I sit here dreaming and drooling and this website SO fills a need. I can't thank you enough for setting this up!

We haven't told too many people of our plans. They just totally wouldn't understand and I don't want to hear it. In addition to the 5th wheel, we had a LONG BED 2008 Dodge 3500 1 ton dually (that I drove and towed the 5'er with.) My husband, Bill has limited vision and the rig was just too big for us to handle.

Plus, we're mini van people and we traded the truck in on a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country with Stow and Go seats, an inverter inside and boy is it the bomb! We got it specifically because we knew we'd be getting the Raindrop.

Our plan: (Tell me what's wrong so I can make corrections.)

Fold all the seats down, use 2 large plastic bins for food and clothes), throw anything else we want in there (like the porta potty) since we'll have the room.

Of course we'll have a lot of room in the Raindrop too. We have a small refrigerator that we put in the 5'er that we could put in the back of the minivan but I think we won't need it.

Question: I noticed in your blog about your Maiden Voyage that you said you had a shower - where is it? The outside shower? SURELY you didn't shower in the cold! Tell me how you do your potty. My husband is diabetic and needs to get up in the middle of the night.


Thanks!

 

[Evan]

There is a big difference between having a shower (in the back of the car) and actually using it.

We had the Coleman portable water heater that we got from Camp-Inn. (they offer this option, but don't list it on their web). This will heat water about 50 degrees hotter that it was - will probably work great for showers in normal weather - but not in winter with near freezing water.

We had this bathroom setup by Pett (highly recommended).

Portable Toilet with Shelter Kit
I think I got the whole kit for about $250 online.

Because we were on the road every day, we only setup the bathroom once when there were no restrooms. You could also put the toilet inside Camp-Inn's optional Side Tent for quick night-time visits.

The shelter is as it says - very easy to setup (less than 1 min) and has an opening at the top for a shower head. (would work with the Coleman portable water heater).
The toilet is also very good - no mess, just like the reviews say. The only thing to consider is the waste collection bags are about $1.50 to $2.00 each.

Evan