Teardroppers of Oregon and Washington
Serving those who are or wannabe teardroppers

TOW Line
Number 21 October 2007
Published whenever
Marty Boehme, Editor
20232 S. Jasan Dr.
Oregon City, OR  97045
503-632-6563
teardrops@bctonline.com
www.teardroptrailers.org

IN THIS ISSUE
1-	Another Gathering in Oregon for Next year.
2-	Midwinter Luncheon Scheduled for February
3-	Pat and Jan Estes are Great Hosts for LeMay 2007
4-	Key Fob Commemorates Tenth LeMay Gathering
5-	Camp Lane Gathering a Great Success – By Lonnie Aaron
6-	Beware of Some Car Magazine Deals – By Hiram Stumpjumper
7-	Crusin’ Magazine’s comments on our Teardrop Display
8-	Warning – Strong Winds can Damage your Hatch Cover
9-	Five-wide Plywood is Located in Olympia
10-	LeMay Museum Update
11-	2007 Mt Baker Vintage Trailer Rally – By Pat and Joanne Ewing
12-	Reported on January 28, 1939 – A Tin Can Tourist Election
13-	Oregon’s Vintage Trailer Network – By Jerry Kwiatkowski
14-	Oregon’s Defination of a Travel Trailer – By Hiram Stumpjumper
15-	Tin Can Tourists are Rolling Along – By Jerry Kwiatkowski
16-	Masden’s Win Best Teardrop at “Crusin’ Sunday” – By Katie Boehme
17-	We’ve Got a Vintage Ice Box for Sale – By Barb Morris
18-	A Thank-You Letter from Nancy LeMay

ANOTHER GATHERING IN OREGON FOR NEXT YEAR
	The Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum, one of fifteen museums at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon has invited teardroppers to display their trailers during the annual Steamup.  It will be Saturday, August 2nd.  The requirement is to show up before 9:00 AM and stay until after 3:00 PM.  In return, the displayed trailer gets two free passes.  Details on camping are being made for Friday night to accommodate those traveling a far distance.  The display area will be on the museum’s very lush 1.5 acres of lawn. 
	Antique Powerland’s annual Steamup is one of the greatest shows in the Willamette Valley - especially for families.  All museums are open with vintage equipment operating at full tilt.  One popular event is seeing a vintage, steam-driven sawmill cutting logs into useful lumber.  Many steam tractors litter the grounds as do a vast assortment of those small putt-putt motors used years ago on remote country farms to operate water pumps, washing machines and other farm equipment.  A blacksmith shop hammers out stuff for spectators to see.
	A great attraction is the vintage trolley offering rides around the grounds.  A miniature railroad for both kids and adults operates all day.  Many food vendors feed you. 
	Antique Powerland is a few miles south of Salem at the Brooks exit number 263 off the I-5 freeway.  Turn west and drive one-quarter mile to the entrance of the parking lot.  The Steamup is always the last weekend of July and the first weekend of August.

MIDWINTER LUNCHEON SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY
	Our hosts, Danny and Jane Fantoni, are in the process of locating a great place for us to gather for a winter solstice in the form of a luncheon.  Discussions were held at our LeMay encampment about what to do about the traditional Midwinter Potluck.  The general feeling was that we forgot about the difficulty of finding a potluck site and go some place already set up for food with a private room.  So, the new tradition will be the Midwinter Luncheon.  As usual, we’ll review the summer’s calendar of upcoming events as well as make special presentations.  It should be great fun as we can treat our sweethearts to a Valentine celebration.
	Stay tuned for the specific date in the January issue of the TOW Line.

PAT AND JAN ESTES ARE GREAT HOSTS FOR LeMAY 2007
	Our on-site managers for the 2007 edition of the annual LeMay Encampment were Pat and Jan Estes.  They coordinated the largest attendance of teardrops in the 10 years we’ve had our trailers on display.  There were 37 entries!  Special guests from California were the “Five Wide Teardroppers” who caravanned north with four units.  This group of intrepid teardroppers has traveled extensively all over the western United States.
	Our display was well received by show spectators.  Lots and lots of questions and comments were made the day of the show.  Even a few “Seasoned Citizens” reminisced about their younger years about camping in a teardrop.
	One of the tasks that Pat and Jan did was to coordinate volunteers who pulled two-hour duty time to help the LeMay Museum staff man various posts around the Marymount Campus.  We formed a special detail assigned to the show’s featured vehicle, a beautifully restored 1940 Chevrolet COE “Paddy Wagon”.  We were costumed characters of a vintage policeman and prisoner strolling around the paddy wagon display.  Lots of memorable pictures were taken.
	Pat and Jan also had us do a straw vote on whose trailer we would like to see on next year’s dash plaque.  The overwhelming vote was for the Jim Smith woody.
	All these years, the groundskeeper at LeMay’s Marymount Campus has been a cheerful senior (and very seasoned) man by the name of Bernie.  He has always visited with us.  We’ve a great deal of affection for Bernie.  He tells us that teardroppers are his favorite.  And, bless his heart; Gordie Engelstad suggested that our group make Bernie an honorary teardropper.  It was enthusiastically approved.  Pat Estes volunteered to have a plaque made up for Bernie.  Stay tuned – the next TOW Line will have a report on the plaque and its presentation.
	Being that this was the first year for Pat and Jan to provide leadership for the encampment, a committee was formed to help them get their feet wet.  Steve and Peggy Birley handled the Continental breakfast provided for the campers.   Marty and Katie Boehme headed up the committee and took reservations.  Next year Pat and Jan will be our hosts for the eleventh gathering.  It will be on Labor Day weekend, as LeMay’s Open House is always the last Saturday of August.  Stay tuned for more information early next year.

KEY FOB COMMEMORATES TENTH LeMAY GATHERING
	The committee formed to run TOW’s appearance at the LeMay annual Open House decided that something special should commemorate the 10th anniversary of our display and volunteer participation.  That something was a key fob that was presented to all campers.  It showed the TOW logo on one side.  Turning it over was the inscription “Celebrating our 10th annual LeMay Open House Campout and Teardrop Trailer Display”.
	It’s suggested that the fob be used for keys to your teardrop.  In fact, many of us have three sets of keys:  One in our pocket, one always in our tow rig and a third in the galley.

CAMP LANE GATHERING A GREAT SUCCESS
By Lonnie Aaron
	Once again, those who attended the Great Oregon Teardrop Campout had a wonderful time.  This was the 10th edition that started at Oregon’s Champoeg State Park in 1998.  The weather was great and we received unanimous compliments on our casual atmosphere.
	This years gathering had twenty-five teardrops attending.  Most of the teardrops were from Oregon.  We had one from Ogden, Utah, two from the San Diego area and three from Northern California and Sacramento.  About eight new trailers attended this year.
Gary and Shannon Wampole, the couple who started this campout tradition, showed up Sunday morning for breakfast and stayed until we cleaned up prior to leaving.  Of note was the Saturday arrival of Bill Darland, the intrepid owner of a very vintage Bolis camp trailer.  He did his traditional great job of hosting our Saturday night’s campfire.
	For the 11th Great Oregon Teardrop Campout, we are planning on reserving Camp Lane for the last weekend of July 2008.  We cannot confirm this until reservations open later this year.  We feel certain we will get the dates we want.

BEWARE OF SOME CAR MAGAZINE DEALS
By Hiram Stumpjumper
	Earlier this year, I either asked for a free copy of a car magazine or one was sent to me as a sample.  I was considered a future subscriber upon my review of the one issue.  Well, I did not like the copy so decided not to have it appear in my mailbox every couple of months.
	When the first bill arrived for a year’s subscription, I just ignored it.  Likewise, the second and third bills ended up in the recycle bin.   Finally, the bills stopped coming.
	However, last week I got a notice from a collection agency asking for $29.95.  The message was that I owed this amount for the one issue I received.  It appears that I was supposed to reply to the bills that I did NOT want to subscribe.  Not wanting my credit report to show this debt, I called the magazine.  They explained my error and forgave my dumbness.
(Editor’s note:  Hiram is a TOW Line contributing editor who lives in Aumsville, Oregon.)

CRUSIN’ MAGAZINE’S COMMENTS ON OUR TEARDROP DISPLAY
	The summer edition (July/August 2007) of the Pacific Northwest’s own car magazine shows a picture (on pg 35) of TOW’s display at the 2006 car show for the Northwest Car Collectors Association.  The caption reads “Two teardrop trailers regard each other ‘Through the looking glass.’  The before is Gary Sinkler’s ’46 Kit, the after “47 Kit belongs to Bill Jabs.”
	In addition, the text about the show mentions that  “a fair assortment of restored tag along motels were in evidence around the show floor”

WARNING – STRONG WINDS CAN DAMAGE YOUR HATCH COVER
	We’re reminded that sometimes a gust of wind can do bad things to your teardrop if its hatch props are not secured.  This is especially true for galley hatch covers that are lightweight.  Stories are told of sitting in a campground on the Oregon Coast with the teardrop trailer all set up.  A sudden burst of wind came up and flipped the hatch over onto the top of the trailer.  Most hatch covers hinges are not designed to be overstressed in this way and can be damaged.  Thus, it’s best to have a way of securing both ends of your hatch prop.  Usually, a pin will do the job.  Or use a safety rope secured at both ends.
	This reminder comes about from a story sent to us by Larry and Irma Reed.  While in Central Washington recently on a very windy day, Irma lifted the hatch.  The wind was so strong it ripped it right out of her hands, tore the cover completely off the trailer, flew forward, broke through the rear window of the pickup and just missed Larry’s head.

FIVE-WIDE PLYWOOD IS LOCATED IN OLYMPIA
	Kris Allen reports that a source for five-foot by eight-foot plywood that’s 5/8 inch thick can usually be sourced at Harel’s in Olympia, Washington.  Their address is 2321 Harrison Ave NW.  Contact by phone can be made at 360-357-6353.  Kris tells us that the sheets are good quality and sells for $49.95.  Thanks Kris for the heads-up.

LeMAY MUSEUM UPDATE
Teardroppers have a special interest in the LeMay car collection.  We’ve taken part in their annual Car Show since 1998 and recently celebrated the 10th display of our trailers.
Gleaned from the 2007 Car Show Volunteer Handbook written by the LeMay museum staff:
1.	The cost to build the entire museum campus – including the Pavilion, Collector Car Center, Administration and Education Center, Show Field and Retail Concourse is projected to be 90 million dollars.
2.	The new LeMay Museum will ultimately house approximately 1,000 vehicles.
3.	They’re on track for a ground breaking in late 2007; the new museum will open in 2009
4.	The five-acre show field will be a multipurpose, outdoor venue for car shows, auctions and swap meets, car club events, concerts and a concourse d’ Elegance.
5.	They anticipate that more than 400,000 guests will visit the new museum each year.
6.	There are over 1,500 charter members of America’s Car Museum.
7.	The current LeMay Museum at Marymount is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5, with the last tour starting at 3 PM.
8.	The fabulous Fifties Sock Hop is November 17th, held in the gymnasium at Marymount.  We sold out last year so get your tickets early.

2007 Mt BAKER VINTAGE TRAILER RALLY
By Pat and Joanne Ewing 
	This year was the largest vintage trailer rally yet.  We had 100 units including about a dozen teardrops and two tenters who were enjoying all the different trailers while looking for a unit of their own.  There were many new (old) units and folks that attended for the very first time.
Numerous people mentioned that they plan their vacations around this rally and like camping at the beautiful grounds.  With so much to see and do in the area they like going on little trips exploring and antique shopping.  Many come with friends and we are having a number of little groups camping together and enjoying each other’s company.
	For the 2008, the rally dates are August 13th to 17th. Which is a Thursday through Sunday.  As we grow we’ll be making changes and improvements to make the rally even more interesting and enjoyable for all.
	We personally want to give a big “Thank You” to all that helped out.  It couldn’t have been done without you.

REPORTED ON JAN 28, 1939 – A TIN CAN TOURIST ELECTION
	It was reported on the front page of the Spokane Spokesman Review newspaper on this date that TCT had an election in Tampa, Florida.
Frank Van Epps of Portage, Wisconsin was elected “Royal Chief” of the Tin Can Tourist of the World.  Tin Canners also voted to hold their winter convention next year in Tampa.  Traverse City, Michigan will be the location for their summer convention.

OREGON’S VINTAGE TRAILER NETWORK
By Jerry Kwiatkowski
	I would encourage you to become a part of this e-mail group in Oregon.  With 50 Oregon members and a part of the nation-wide group of 813 members, you will find a lot of valuable information and ideas on this forum.  This site was set up on a national level then broken down state-by-state for vintage trailer people to belong.  It is located on the Yahoo web site and you can join at the national level and also various state levels.  We belong to California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Arizona sites.  Links, pictures of past rallies, pictures of member’s trailers and postings are entered everyday. There is NO fee to belong!
A lot of Rollin' Oldies Vintage Trailer information will be posted on this web site in the future!   With help, we hope to get our own web site up in running in the next few months, anyone willing to take the task on and help us out? 

OREGON’S DEFINATION OF A TRAVEL TRAILER
By Hiram Stumpjumper
	One of the documents you might consider to carry in our teardrop trailers is the one about licensing our little home on wheels.  For Oregon teardrops, it appears that we escape the licensing issue.  That’s because the specifications for a “Recreational (Travel) trailers & Campers” includes the following:
	“A travel trailer is designed to provide facilities for human habitation (permanent sleeping and cooking facilities).”
	The catch is the wording “Permanent sleeping and cooking facilities.”  For those of us using a camp stove sitting in a drawer or used on a counter top, it seems that we would NOT have a “permanent cooking facility”.
	However, a license could be a good idea if you want a “vanity” plate that goes along with your trailer’s theme (hence BIGBEAR).  Or, you want NO dealings with a trooper stopping you.  Or, in case of theft, the trailer might be more recoverable.  Then you have to pay.
	Most of us with no license plate never have problems with the law anyway.  I’ve been stopped only once in 20,000 miles in six years.  Maybe I’m lucky and hopefully not foolish.

TIN CAN TOURISTS ARE ROLLING ALONG
By Jerry Kwiatkowski
	TCT, the worlds first travel club for RV owners was renewed in 1998 as an all-make-and-model vintage-trailer and motor-coach club.  Forest Bone, in Bradenton, Florida renewed the club.  It’s open to everyone interested in the enjoyment, preservation, and the promotion of vintage trailers and motor coaches.
If you are interested in joining, please e-mail me and I will send you an application.  A yearly $20 fee is charged to belong.  Mention you belong to Rollin' Oldies Vintage Trailers and ROVT may benefit from it financially.  Linda and I are current members and plan on inviting TCT members in the Northwest to join us at upcoming Rollin' Oldies Vintage Trailer Rallies.
My e-mail address is jerryk20002000@yahoo.com.  Or call 503-831-4991.
The ball is rolling and vintage trailers are now the "in" thing!  I have seen three tiny trailers disappear in my area in the past month.  E-bay is going crazy along with Craig's list selling them for sometime inflated prices.  If you have a vintage trailer or two, you'll be pleased to know that the super big trailers built today are losing value, but your vintage trailer is appreciating in value.

MASDEN’S WIN BEST TEARDROP AT “CRUSIN’ SUNDAY”
By Katie Boehme
What a blast!  “CRUSIN’ SUNDAY”, at Port Orchard Christian Living Center, was way more than a car show.  The church provided free coffee, Krispy  Kreme doughnuts, as well as a barbeque, root beer floats and pop.  There were lots of free kids activities too, including free rides in a Wells Fargo wagon pulled by horses.  Great entertainment was presented on a stage, including the nation’s #1 Elvis impersonator (accompanied by “Anne Margaret”).  Boy was he good – made some of us oldies feel like we were back in our high school “daze”. 
August 26th granted us fair weather for twelve teardrops on display (ten us caravanned over from LeMay event led by Gordie Engelstad).  They were a real crowd pleaser, lots of “oohhs” and “ahhas” – saw some young teens yelling at friends “ you gotta come see this!”.   Ken and Marty Masden were surprised and delighted when judges selected them the best tear. They looked very classy in the winner’s parade with their black ’36 Ford pulling their Glassett-made black tear.  John Alden, a “ Five Wide Teardropper” from California also won the long distance award.  Several tear owners won door prizes and we each received a bag of goodies (all this with no admission fees – what a deal!)
Hats off to our fellow tear owners Larry and Irma Reed who were part of the large team of volunteers putting on this fabulous event.  They both provide leadership and willing hands.  Larry was up at 4 AM just to go fetch 70 dozen Krispy Kremes (much appreciated Larry!)  This event is always on the 4th Sunday of August.  It’s all free so put this one on your calendar, it’s a keeper.  (P.S. – there’s also a great church service at 10 AM).

WE’VE GOT A VINTAGE ICE BOX FOR SALE
By Barb Morris
	We’ve recently bought a 1965 15-foot Oasis TTT (Tiny Travel Trailer).  John has taken out the original icebox and installed a modern refrigerator.  We’d like the original to go to someone who could use it.  It’s in OK condition, a Trav’ler brand and turquoise in color.  It has a shelf inside with additional storage in the door.  It sits upright and is 18”W X 18” D X 24” H.  We’re asking $40 for it, but no reasonable offer will be refused.  Maybe we’ll bring it to the Midwinter Luncheon if it doesn’t sell before then.  Call us at 425-353-4136 for more details.  
	We still have the U-Haul TTT, but the Oasis certainly has more room and more storage.  We did take a weeks vacation in it to Leavenworth and Lake Chelan since neither John nor I had ever been there before.  The weather was mostly sunny with cool nights. 

A THANK-YOU LETTER FROM NANCY LeMAY
	Nancy traditionally sends a thank-you letter to all the volunteers who helped put on the annual Open House.  The year was the 30th anniversary.
Approximately 6000 guests attended this year.  There were 520 volunteers.  Classic cars shown by private parties and clubs (including teardrop trailers) totaled 352.  Parts cars sold at the auction numbered 126 and over $100,000 was raised by the auction.  The show was very much a success.
Along with the letter was a refrigerator magnet exactly the same size and with the same graphics on it as the dash plaques we all received.  Thank go out to Nancy!
	Nancy adds, “I want you to know how much I appreciate your dedication to Harold’s ongoing legacy.  He would have had a blast and been right in the middle of it all!”