So we decided that we better get out for a quick trip before proper winter arrives here in Ontario. Also, I didn't want to make more changes in the trailer before sleeping and cooking in it at least once. Very few Ontario Provincial Parks are still open for camping this time of year but we finally managed to get a spot up at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. We had a great time and our new little teardrop exceeded our expectations. It was so easy to tow and set up and the whole outdoor cooking thing in a real kitchen is AMAZING! I was worried that Rebecca would get claustrophobic and/or cold sleeping in there and that didn't happen either so that was great. She loved it too. The moisture buildup inside in the morning is definitely a thing but I was expecting it so we were not surprised. I can see how this would be way less of an issue in the summer when it is warm and more ventilation can be had from the side windows or slightly propping open the galley door. I erred on the side of staying warm but, in retrospect, I think I should have have the side window a little more open. Running that 12V fan is out of the question because it is way too loud. What are other people doing about moisture buildup inside in the colder seasons? I decided to try the single burner butane stove that came with the trailer as it fits there so well. After using it though we feel that we really need two burners and, ideally, something a little more reliable in the cold. We found that the butane would burn well for a few minutes then slow right down. If I changed to a new can it would just do the same. I think I will try to fit our two burner Coleman propane stove in there somehow. What are other people using for stoves?? The water tote is great but leaked when not setup just right. At one point water leaked right back into the corner of the bed but that was our fault. I may look for a different option there. One great thing that we hadn't thought of was how easy it was to both set up and break camp. I can see how multi day, multi location trips will be so much easier with the teardrop. Also, when it came time to run back home all we did was throw everything in, close the doors and off we went. Inevitably you end up unpacking most things to clean and dry them out at home anyway and this saved so much time. I love it! Here are a few pics...

So today was the first real day that I started "doing stuff" to my new (used) teardrop. Things went great and it reminded me how much I love working on line in vehicles (trailers mostly), 12V systems and solar. Here is what got accomplished so far: -Removed dead deep cycle battery and replaced with two new ones wired in parallel. -Tested onboard 12V systems and all is well -Wired in a 1500W inverter that I had kicking around and ran a power bar off that. I will do this like my other trailer where all onboard AC systems come back to the dog house (front box) and I can patch inputs and outputs with a simple power bar. Sometimes I might be running off shore power (extension cord), other times the 12V inverter/deep cycles and another option is the Ecoflow Delta portable power station that I ordered today. It is good to have options! -Wired in the battery tender / trickle charger. -Replaced the flat 4-Pin trailer plug with a round 7-pin as my Toyota 4Runner has both flavours and the 7-pin gives me another trickle charge to the deep cycles while in motion. This part took some screwing around as it was getting cold and dark and the wrong lights were lighting up during the first few tests. All due to my dyslexia looking at the plug and reversing it in my brain. Through trial and error I got that all working and the trickle charge from the vehicle even seems to work. -SOrted out all the keys (7). Went to the locksmith hoping he could lessen the grand total but most locks are not re key able so I settled for nail polish marking keys and locks and I culled any that weren't in use. I think I got the grand total down to 5 which is still A LOT considering the trailer is so tiny. Stuff I Ordered For Future Projects: -2 nice little 4 plug power bars with 4 USB plugs too. One will go in the galley and another inside. These will run to the power bar in the doghouse. -The Ecoflow Delta 2. I have a smaller 500W Goal Zero portable power station and I LOVE it but always need more power. This will be handy for LOTS of stuff I do. -Some bungee pocket holder things for inside. I am anticipating a real $h!t show in there due to lack of space and I feel good organization will be key. -A 175W flex Renogy solar panel as the little one that came with my trailer will not stand a chance with the AC draw I am adding. -A new MPPT solar charge controller. I always worry that those cheap little PWM controllers might mess up and cause a short/fire/big mess. This will be a lot more efficient and I am using this trailer (and my other one too) as a solar test bed for whatever impending doom may be around the corner. -This trailer receiver hitch for the back so I can add my bike rack. -This chassis mount AC plug for external AC into the doghouse. -This little space heater as suggested on the Playing with Sticks YT channel. It has a thermostat and a timer so maybe, just maybe it will work off all this 12V generated AC power I will have on board to take the chill off as I intend to use this trailer year around. Phew... I think that was it. Yes, a very busy day. So much fun!

I remember seeing my first teardrop on a trip to Colorado over 10 years ago. It was a true vintage classic and home built for sure. The galley door was open revealing a modest yet well appointed kitchen and I remember thinking how cool that would be to cook right outdoors like that. Being someone who has loved spending time living in vehicles of all kinds, I was hooked! I guess life got in the way because somehow it took 10 years to get my own teardrop. A few friends have them now and we all do paddle board camping trips together. Until now I'd sleep in my tent on the cold ground and they would sleep in comfortable beds above the dirt and grime. Not any more! Obviously Covid made sourcing a teardrop trailer difficult but after regularly checking Kijiji for over a year I finally found mine. I am told it is a 2018 model and it appears to have not had much use. It is a 5X8 and similar to the Diamond in the Rough model that they make now. I already have lots of plans for her. First up I replaced the dead battery with two new deep cycles. I was tempted to go the lithium route for weight savings but they are too much $$$ and we are pulling with a Toyota 4Runner so we have lots of towing capacity. I am putting in more solar as well and just ordered a Renology 175w flex panel off amazon. The painted wood on the sides is showing a little age so yesterday I paid a visit to my vinyl guy and he is going to put silver aluminum sticky back material over the wood after we prime and paint it for a new, shiny look that will match the roof and checkerplate. He says it will look as good as factory when we are done. I think I want to change the galley a little but I feel it will be better to spend a few nights out first before I make any modifications there. My partner is gluten free and has a bunch of other food allergies as well so doing all our own cooking is HUGE on our adventures. I wish there was space for a larger 12V cooler but I think the plan will be to bring a large 12V cooler and run that off the trailer batteries or a battery generator and/or the vehicle while in motion and then pull it out at camp. Currently we travel with 2+ coolers on all our trips anyway so at least this means one less cooler in the vehicle and if we get a fancy 12V model we might even be able to make out own ice for the little one in the teardrop. I think a two burner Coleman stove is what we want too and I have seen some nice flip out stove tables mods on the instagram feed. I think I will also do a side table mod similar to what they offer from the factory but I will probably brace mine with aluminum extruded material (Mintitec) like I have used in previous trailer builds. I like the idea of either an awning or a freestanding side tent on one side for changing and more covered area when it rains. Any links or photos of what others are doing would be appreciated. I realize the awning requires a roof rack and that messes with the super simple aesthetic of the teardrop but it sure would be handy too. Hum... Anyway, lots of plans and I just can't wait to get out there. Too bad about the timing with winter and all but I feel like a "shoulder season inaugural voyage" is in my future.