>> VISITING WITH HUELL HOUSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

>> WELL, GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOUSER.

IT'S ABOUT 9:30 ON A BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY MORNING.

WE'RE HERE AT GUAHOME REGIONAL PARK IN NORTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND I'M STANDING AT THE CAMPFIRE WITH -- >> DAVID LOCK.

>> DAVID, YOU INVITED US TO COME TO YOUR LITTLE OUTING THAT YOU'RE HAVING HERE THIS WEEKEND.

EXPLAIN TO EVERYBODY EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS.

>> THIS IS A GATHERING OF TEARDROPS.

YOU SEE TEARDROP TRAILERS BEHIND US.

THEY'RE LITTLE TRAILERS MADE 4 FOOT WIDE, 4 FOOT HIGH, ANYWHERE FROM 8 TO 10 FEET LONG.

AND THIS IS A GATHERING OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, NEVADA.

WE HAD ONE PERSON THAT WAS COMING FROM CHEYENNE, WYOMING, THAT COULDN'T GET OUT BECAUSE OF THE SNOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT WE ALL HAVE A COMMON INTEREST OF THE TEARDROPS.

>> TEARDROPS.

AND WE'RE COOKING BREAKFAST RIGHT OUT OF THE BACK OF A TEARDROP THIS MORNING.

GOOD MORNING.

>> HI.

>> WELL NOW, HAVE YOU GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN THE BACK OF THIS LITTLE TRAILER?

>> DEFINITELY.

I'VE GOT WATER, AND THE STOVE, AND PROPANE.

AND WE CAN COOK ANYTHING YOU WANNA EAT.

>> BECAUSE THE BEAUTY OF THESE -- DAVE, COME OVER HERE AND EXPLAIN TO US THIS WHOLE THING.

IT REALLY IS JUST A LITTLE TEARDROP.

>> YEAH.

THESE -- THESE -- IT'S A TEARDROP TRAILER.

THE NAME TEARDROP CAME FROM -- SOME OF THEM YOU'LL SEE THAT COME TO A POINT IN THE BACK LIKE THE ONE OVER BEHIND US HERE.

BUT THEY'RE BASICALLY DESIGNED FROM THE 30'S TO THE 70'S, AND THEY WERE TO BRING THE -- THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BACK TOGETHER OUT POSTWAR AND PREWAR TYPE THING.

AND THIS ONE IS A 1962 THAT'S BEEN TOTALLY RESTORED, AND SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN TOTALLY RESTORED.

YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THEM THAT ARE IN NEED WHERE THEY JUST PULLED THEM OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TREE AND STARTED USING THEM.

[ LAUGHTER ] AND WE HAVE SOME THAT ARE -- ARE ORIGINAL AND IN EXCELLENT SHAPE.

THE ONE BEHIND ME, HUELL, IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE.

HE WANTED IT THAT WAY.

>> OH, LOOK AT THIS ONE.

CAN WE GO OVER AND -- HOWDY, IS THIS YOUR TRAILER?

>> NO, THIS ISN'T MINE.

>> WHOSE IS THIS?

>> THIS IS NORM AND ANN'S TRAILER.

>> HOWDY.

>> OH, GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR -- >> NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR LITTLE TEARDROP HERE.

COME OVER HERE, LUIS, AND LOOK AT IT IN THE BACK.

THIS IS AMAZING.

YOU'VE REALLY PACKED A LOT INTO THAT THING.

>> THIS TEARDROP IS REALLY SPECIAL.

IT'S A 1937 GYPSY CARAVAN.

>> GYPSY CARAVAN?

>> UH-HUH.

IT WAS BUILT IN BELL, CALIFORNIA.

IT'S HAD THREE OWNERS.

ALL THREE OWNERS LIVE IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED CROCKETT, CALIFORNIA, AND SO WE HAVE ALL THE HISTORY ON THIS TRAILER.

>> NOW, THIS IS MADE OUT OF -- >> IT'S A VINYL OR AN OIL CLOTH.

>> AND THIS IS WOOD UNDERNEATH HERE.

>> THAT'S WOOD UNDERNEATH, BUT SEE IT'S PREWAR SO THEY WERE SHORT ON ALUMINUM.

SO THEY FOUND A DIFFERENT WAY TO DO THIS ONE.

>> AND LOOK AT THE -- IT'S GOT A LITTLE -- CAN WE OPEN UP THE REFRIGERATOR?

>> THAT'S AN ICEBOX.

WE'VE TAKEN THIS THROUGH HOT AUGUST NIGHTS AND STILL HAD ICE IN IT TO THROW AWAY AFTER A THREE-DAY TRIP.

>> NOW, WHERE'S THE STOVE?

>> THE STOVE IS A PROPANE STOVE THAT I USE -- A TWO-BURNER PROPANE.

>> AND IT -- SO IT PULLS OUT?

>> AND IT PULLS OUT, AND I USUALLY SET IT DOWN -- >> LOOK AT YOUR DISHES UNDERNEATH HERE.

YOU PULL THE TABLE UP, AND IT'S GOT DISHES.

>> THAT'S WHERE WE STORE OUR EXTRA POTS, AND PANS, AND LIDS.

I HAVE -- I HAVE A PANTRY AREA HERE.

>> UH-HUH.

>> VERY, VERY DEEP DRAWER, YOU KNOW, TO KEEP MY TOWELS AND VARIOUS OTHER SUNDRIES.

AND I MEAN, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED.

>> AND WHERE DO YOU SLEEP?

>> I CAN SHOW YOU IF YOU LIKE.

>> YEAH.

OH, BOY.

>> IT'S A NICE-SIZED DOUBLE BED.

THERE'S DRAWERS, AND IF -- IF YOU WERE A YOUNG COUPLE, THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM UP ABOVE THAT YOU COULD HAVE SLEPT A CHILD OR TWO.

>> LET'S OPEN THAT DOOR AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE SO LUIS CAN SEE UP THERE.

IS IT LONG ENOUGH TO PUT YOUR FEET?

>> IT'S A 10-FOOTER.

THIS ONE IS A LITTLE LONGER THAN MOST.

MOST YOU WILL FIND ARE 8-FOOTERS.

>> WOW.

>> BUT THIS ONE IS 10 FEET, AND IT REALLY DOES HAVE THE SHAPE OF THE TEAR.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS ONE ON A LONG PROFILE -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH, IT'S GOTTA TEAR ALL RIGHT.

BOY, THIS IS SOMETHING.

NOW, WHAT IS THIS ONE -- WHAT IS THIS ONE OVER HERE?

WHOSE IS -- >> THAT ONE BELONGS TO BRAD AND TO JACKIE.

AND I'LL LET YOU TELL THEM ABOUT IT, BRAD.

>> SO -- SO YOU ALL KNOW EVERYBODY.

>> OH, WE'VE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.

THIS ALL STARTED IN SHASTA FOR US ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> AND THIS GROUP HAS NOW STARTED -- >> SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GROUP.

TELL US ABOUT YOURS BECAUSE YOURS DOESN'T QUITE COME OUT TO THAT TEARDROP LIKE THE OTHER ONE DID.

>> CORRECT.

THIS IS A BEN ROY TRAILER.

IT WAS MADE BY BENNETT PETERSON AND ROY GREENWOOD BACK IN THE 50'S.

THEY STARTED IN '53, AND WENT THROUGH 'TIL '56.

THEY BUILT 480 OF THESE.

SOLD FOR $420 WHEN THEY WERE BRAND NEW.

>> THESE ARE CALIFORNIA TRAILERS.

>> THESE ARE CALIFORNIA TRAILERS BUILT IN BURBANK, CALIFORNIA.

>> CAN WE PUT THE BACK DOWN AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE?

>> SURE.

>> HOW HARD IS IT TO OPEN AND CLOSE THESE LITTLE THINGS?

>> VERY EASY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THIS IS THE UNIQUE PART ABOUT THIS TEARDROP.

LOOK AT THIS.

>> IT JUST GOES -- >> IT'S ALL WOOD, AND IT JUST SLIDES IN THERE.

>> BOY.

AND IT JUST COMES -- AND YOU'RE READY TO HIT THE ROAD.

>> THAT'S IT.

IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY TIME AT ALL.

>> NOW, DID YOU ALL HAVE A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IN THIS ONE LAST NIGHT?

>> AND FOR THE LAST FIVE NIGHTS.

>> YOUR LEGS AREN'T ALL CRAMPED UP FROM -- >> OH, NO.

>> -- BEING IN THERE 'CAUSE IT LOOKS -- WELL, I GUESS THERE'S MORE ROOM -- >> IT'S A 4 X 8 PIECE OF PLYWOOD.

AND YOU HAVE 2 FEET BACK HERE, AND WE'RE NOT OVER 6 FEET TALL.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM.

>> LOOK AT THIS, LUIS, HERE THEY GO IN THERE AGAIN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHEN HE RESTORED THIS -- THIS IS THE ORIGINAL WOOD, THIS ROUND PIECE OF WOOD HERE.

>> RIGHT HERE.

>> YEAH.

THE OTHER SIDE HE HAD TO REPLACE, BUT THAT WAS ORIGINAL.

THE CUPBOARDS INSIDE ARE ORIGINAL, THE DRAWERS BACK HERE WERE ORIGINAL.

>> 1956.

>> BEN ROY TEARDROP.

>> BEN ROY.

NOW HERE IS A -- BOY, THIS IS A BEAUTY.

IS THIS YOURS?

>> YES, IT IS.

>> WELL, TELL US ABOUT IT.

THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM.

>> WELL, IT'S A 1950 CAP MASTER.

THEY WERE MADE IN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, BY KING'S TRAILER SALES.

WE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT MORE.

WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL SALES BROCHURE SO WE DO KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT IT.

>> LOOK AT THE LINES ON THIS THING.

>> WOOD UNDERNEATH AND ALUMINUM ON THE OUTSIDE.

>> AND LOOK AT THE -- >> PLEASE COME IN AND SEE THE -- >> BACK -- WAIT A MINUTE, YOU GOTTA DOOR ON THE BACK OF IT.

>> I HAVE A DOOR.

>> COME ON IN HERE.

>> NO, IT'S UPSTAIRS.

YOU CAN GO UPSTAIRS ON THIS ONE.

IT'S ON THE SECOND STORY.

>> OH, LOOK.

YOU CAN GO UP INSIDE THE TRAILER.

>> RIGHT.

IT LIFTS UP -- POPS UP FOR EASY CAMPING WHEN YOU GET THERE.

>> NOW, THIS IS A BIG TEARDROP.

>> THIS IS A REALLY BIG TEARDROP.

THIS IS MUCH BETTER THAN OUR OLD TEARDROP -- MORE TO THE TRADITIONAL STYLE.

>> SO THE TEARDROPS REALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO BE SMALL.

THEY COULD BE BIG, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THEM ARE SMALL.

>> MOST OF THEM ARE FAIRLY SMALL.

THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGER ONES YOU'RE GONNA SEE.

>> WOW.

>> WE HAVE A COUCH.

>> COME HERE, LUIS, AND LOOK AT THIS.

THEY'VE GOTTA -- A STOVE HERE, AND IF YOU COME OVER HERE AND LOOK RIGHT THROUGH -- HOLD THE DOOR OPEN FOR LUIS SO HE CAN SEE -- YOU CAN SEE RIGHT ON BACK THEY'VE GOT A COUCH.

>> THIS COUCH, AND IT LIFTS UP AND FOLDS DOWN LIKE THE OLD HIDEAWAY SOFAS, SO THAT'S THE BED.

>> WOW.

>> BACK BEHIND IT -- BACK BEHIND THERE IS CLOSET SPACE.

I HAVE ALL MY CLOTHES HUNG UP.

>> AND I'M STANDING UP -- ALL THE WAY UP.

>> ALL THE WAY UP.

>> AND MY -- MY HEAD IS BARELY TOUCHING THE CEILING, AND I'M OVER 6 FEET TALL.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND HERE'S YOUR SINK.

>> SINK.

>> WOW.

AND IT'S A STEP DOWN, TOO.

NOW, DO THEY BRAG A LOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THEIR TRAILER?

>> THEY SURE DO.

>> DO THEY?

>> THEY SAID THEY PAID THEIR DUES.

THEY SAID THEY USED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE, AND NOW THEY'VE HAD THOSE SO THEY PAID THEIR DUES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OH, LOOK, HERE'S A LITTLE ONE OVER HERE.

WHOSE IS THAT?

>> THAT'S OURS.

>> WELL, COME OVER.

OH, GOOD.

SO WE GOT THE LITTLEST ONE NEXT TO THE BIGGEST ONE RIGHT HERE.

NOW, DID THAT -- DID YOU ALL PARK THAT WAY ON PURPOSE?

>> WE -- NO, NO.

IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE.

>> THIS IS OURS.

>> NOW LOOK IN HERE.

WELL, ACTUALLY EVEN IN THIS LITTLE ONE THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM IN THERE.

>> AND WE HAVE SOME PLANS FOR SOME AMENITIES.

WE'RE GONNA PUT A TV IN WITH A LITTLE VCR, AND -- >> IN HERE?

>> YEAH.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE CABINET FOR IT AND MEASURED IT OUT, SO PRETTY SOON WE'LL HAVE THE TV AND THE VCR.

>> AND THIS IS -- WAS MADE BACK WHEN?

>> 1947.

WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL PLATE ON THE TOP OF IT.

>> CAN WE LET IT DOWN -- >> SURE.

>> SO WE CAN SEE THAT.

LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS -- >> AND WAIT.

IT HOLDS $60 WORTH OF GROCERIES EASILY.

>> $60 WORTH OF -- >> 60 BUCKS WORTH OF GROCERIES, WE CAN PUT INTO OUR -- OUR CAMPER HERE.

>> LOOK AT THIS, LOUIE.

IT JUST OPENS UP.

THIS IS THE REFRIGERATOR RIGHT HERE.

>> YUP.

>> AND THIS IS THE -- THIS STOVE WAS BUILT RIGHT IN WITH IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> THE ORIGINAL HANSEN STOVE IN ITS PROPANE LPG GAS THAT WE -- THAT WE HAVE HERE WITH A SMALL CANISTER.

>> AND WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS THING?

>> WELL, WE FOUND THIS ACTUALLY IN THE CITY OF WHITTIER, AND IT WAS SITTING IN SOME PERSON'S BACK YARD.

>> REALLY?

>> AND WE SAW IT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE, AND WE WENT OVER THERE AND MADE AN OFFER ON IT.

AND NOW IT'S OURS.

>> DID THESE STICKERS COME WITH IT?

OR -- >> THESE ARE THE STICKERS OF THE PEOPLE THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM.

AND THEN MINE ARE OVER ON THE FAR SIDE BECAUSE I'VE ONLY HAD IT A COUPLE YEARS.

>> SO THESE ARE ORIGINAL STICKERS FROM MOUNT RAINIER, YELLOWSTONE, JACKSON HOLE, YOSEMITE, LEWIS AND CLARK CAVERN, DEATH VALLEY, BIG SUR.

THESE ARE THE PLACES THIS LITTLE TEARDROP WENT IN ITS FIRST LIFE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

NOW IT'S ON ITS SECOND LIFE, AND IT'S ENJOYING IT VERY MUCH.

>> NOW, THIS HAS A WONDERFUL LOOK TO IT.

THIS IS GREAT.

THIS IS LIKE -- THIS WHOLE THING HERE IS LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME.

TELL US THE MOTIF THAT YOU'RE ESTABLISHING HERE.

>> WELL, HE'S THE ONE WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE MOTIF.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THIS IS YOUR MOTIF?

>> YEAH.

I JUST -- WE'VE BEEN CAMPING SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID, AND I ALWAYS LIKED THE LOOK OF THE OLDER THINGS SO WE JUST -- WE FOUND THIS LITTLE TRAILER OUT AT THE POMONA SWAP MEET OVER IN -- JUST SITTING THERE ALL BY ITSELF.

AND I SAID, "I GOTTA HAVE IT, OR I'LL HATE MYSELF THE REST OF MY LIFE."

>> NOW WAS IT IN THAT CONDITION -- CLOSE THAT DOOR FIRST.

LET'S SEE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

MAN, THAT -- THAT HAS ALMOST A 30'S KIND OF A MODERN LOOK TO IT.

>> YEAH, IT'S A -- >> ART DECCO KIND OF -- I'M NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS.

>> IT'S -- IT'S A '49 STREAMLINER.

THE STREAMLINER WAS -- >> 1949?

>> '49.

STREAMLINER WAS THE COMPANY, AND THE ARROW CHIEF IS THIS MODEL.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY THE LARGEST TRAILER THAT THE COMPANY MADE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

IT'S GOT THE CHIEF RIGHT ON THE SIDE WITH THE -- WITH THE WONDERFUL RED.

>> THE -- THE OTHER TWO MODELS THEY MADE, THE SECOND SMALLER ONE WAS THE ARROW MAIDEN, AND THE SMALLEST ONE WAS CALLED THE PAPOOSE.

>> REALLY?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SO THEY -- THEY MADE A WHOLE LITTLE FAMILY OF THESE THINGS.

>> NOW, THIS IS AN OLD ONE.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> ARE THEY STILL MAKING 'EM OR CAN YOU -- DO YOU HAVE TO BUILD NEW ONES IF YOU -- >> NO.

WHAT -- WHAT YOU -- YOU CAN FIND THE ORIGINALS.

THEY'RE STILL OUT THERE -- IN FEWER AND FEWER NUMBERS AS YOU CAN TELL.

PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW -- I MEAN THEY'RE SCOURING BACKYARDS.

>> WELL, WE KNOW WHAT THERE IS OUT -- I MEAN, EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FOR THEM NOW.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

AND THERE ARE ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT MANUFACTURERS TODAY THAT ARE CUSTOM BUILDING TRAILERS, AND THEY'RE ALL BACKYARD BUILDERS, YOU KNOW.

HARDLY ANYBODY HAS A FULL-SCALE SHOP TOOLED UP TO BUILD THESE THINGS BECAUSE THERE'S -- THERE JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH DEMAND FOR THEM.

IT'S A VERY, VERY -- YOU KNOW, SPECIAL MARKET.

AND -- >> THIS MAY BE STARTING A NEW TREND.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS MAY BE STARTING -- >> WELL, I -- I HOPE THAT'S TRUE IN ONE RESPECT, YES.

>> NOW, THIS IS -- WHAT ARE WE DOING?

WE'RE SITTING AROUND COMPARING NOTES?

>> YEAH, YOU'RE DARN RIGHT.

WE'RE -- WE'RE COMPARING OURS AGAINST SOMEBODY ELSE'S, YEAH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, WHERE'S YOURS?

>> OH, IT'S UP ON THE HILL RIGHT THERE NEXT TO THAT MOTOR HOME.

>> AND WHAT DO YOU SEE DOWN HERE THAT YOU LIKE?

>> SHE HAS ONE IDENTICAL TO IT THAT THEY'RE RESTORING NOW, SO SHE'S TRYING TO GET SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO DO IT, YEAH.

>> I SEE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THIS SWAPPING OF INFORMATION GOING ON.

>> YES, SIR.

THERE SURE IS.

>> HOW HARD IS IT TO RESTORE ONE OF THESE THINGS?

>> WELL, I WORKED ON MINE FOR OVER A YEAR.

>> REALLY?

>> IT WAS NOTHING BUT A PILE OF ALUMINUM AND A FRAME.

THE WOOD WAS TOTALLY DRY ROTTED, SO IT'S BEEN PUT BACK TOGETHER -- EVERYTHING IN IT, YEAH.

>> WHERE DID YOU SEE IT -- SPOT IT THE FIRST TIME?

>> A FRIEND OF MINE FOUND IT UP IN HEMET SITTING IN A GUY'S YARD.

HE HAD DRUG IT DOWN ON A TRAILER FROM SEATTLE.

IT BELONGED TO HIS GRANDFATHER.

>> AND YOU SAW THE POTENTIAL?

>> OH, YEAH.

HE WOULDN'T SELL IT TO ANYBODY 'CAUSE EVERYBODY WANTED TO MODIFY IT.

AND I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO RESTORE IT, SO HE SOLD IT TO ME BECAUSE "IF YOU'RE GONNA RESTORE IT, I'LL SELL IT TO YOU."

>> YEAH.

SO THE IDEA IS TO BRING IT BACK EXACTLY THE WAY IT WAS.

>> YES.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THAT -- ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUNGER PEOPLE, THEY DON'T REALIZE WHAT THEY'VE MISSED BECAUSE THEY'VE NEVER BEEN INTRODUCED TO IT.

AND WE'RE HOPING TO BRING THIS BACK TO THEM.

>> OH, YOU'VE GOT A GREAT LITTLE TRAILER HERE.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AND IT -- IT SET UP IN THE SNOW FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND GOT DETERIORATED.

SO I PUT MY WIFE TO WORK AS A CARPENTER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, HE PUT YOU TO WORK?

>> YES, YES.

I'M AFRAID SO.

>> SO YOU REDID THIS THING?

>> WELL, WE BOTH DID.

I HAD THE CURTAINS MADE IN TWO CAT MATERIALS -- WE LIKE CATS.

A FRIEND OF MINE, RHONDA, MADE ME THE LITTLE CAT QUILT.

>> LOOK IN HERE, LUIS.

WE'VE GOTTA WHOLE CAT MOTIF GOING IN HERE.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE -- >> SO... >> -- CAN I GET IN HERE?

>> YOU SURE CAN.

JUST DUCK YOUR HEAD.

>> COME ON IN HERE WITH ME.

SIT DOWN HERE AND TALK TO ME.

>> I HAVEN'T BEEN WITH A STRANGE MAN IN A LONG TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HERE WE GO.

>> YEAH.

>> WE'RE IN THE TRAILER.

NOW, IT IS COZY IN HERE.

>> YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT.

YOU HAVE TO LOVE YOUR HUSBAND TO BE IN HERE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WERE TRAILER PARKS BIG BACK IN CALIFORNIA IN THE -- >> WELL, EVER SINCE THE WHOLE DUST BOWL PERIOD WHEN PEOPLE STARTED MOVING OUT TO CALIFORNIA, AT FIRST THEY WERE JUST A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET HERE FROM THERE.

AND A LOT OF TEARDROPS, THE ORIGINALS, DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE A TOP STRUCTURE.

THEY HAD TENT POLES, AND THEY WOULD THROW CANVAS OVER IT FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP IN WHILE THEY WERE ON THE ROAD.

BUT AFTER THAT, IT JUST -- THEY USED TO CALL PEOPLE "TRAILER RIDES" THAT WOULD TRAVEL AROUND THE -- >> CALL 'EM WHAT?

>> "TRAILER RIDES."

THEY USED TO CALL -- >> "TRAILER RIDES."

>> YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN KNOWN AS BACK THEN.

>> THAT WHAT YOU ALL ARE?

>> I GUESS SO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I GUESS SO.

>> BUT THEY -- THEY TRAVELED THE COUNTRY, GOING FROM PARK TO PARK, ESPECIALLY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAD DIFFERENT JOBS THAT REQUIRED THEM TO MOVE AROUND QUITE A BIT.

THEY JUST PICK UP THE TRAILER AND MOVE TO ANOTHER TRAILER PARK.

THEY ALL HAD FULL HOOKUPS.

THEY WERE LIKE LITTLE COMMUNITIES -- HAD PARKS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> BUT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IN THESE LITTLE TEARDROPS, WOULD THEY?

>> NO.

THEY WOULD HAVE HAD THE LARGER TRAILERS.

THE TEARDROPS KIND OF JUST SPRUNG OUT OF A LITTLE -- MAYBE WHAT WE'D CALL A CULT FOLLOWING OF THE -- OF THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY CAME OUT TO CALIFORNIA ORIGINALLY.

>> NOW, TALKING ABOUT THE ULTIMATE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE RIGHT HERE.

>> YES, SIR.

YES, SIR.

WE'RE OUT CAMPING.

WE'RE ENJOYING OURSELVES.

THERE IS NO WILDLIFE ANYWHERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY SO WE BROUGHT OUR OWN.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TEARDROP AND YOUR CAR, 'CAUSE THIS IS QUITE A COMBINATION HERE.

>> 1947 KINSKILL.

WE'VE OWNED IT AND CAMPED IN IT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

>> REALLY?

>> MY WIFE AND I ENJOY IT.

SHE'S COOKED A-MANY A MEAL BACK THERE.

WE'VE TRAVELED -- BACK IN '89, WE TRAVELED 7,000 MILES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND BACK ACROSS CANADA.

>> SO THIS ISN'T JUST A SHOWPIECE.

>> NO, SIR.

NO, SIR.

>> THIS IS -- THIS IS FUNCTIONAL.

>> THIS IS FOR MAKEUP.

THIS IS MY WIFE'S MAKEUP CASE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> NOW THIS SCREAMS AMERICANA RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE.

>> WE'VE HAD THE CAR ABOUT 15 YEARS, AND THEN WE ENDED UP GETTING THE TEARDROP ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.

>> AND YOU'VE GOT A TENT DOWN HERE, TOO.

>> YES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A TENT BECAUSE THERE'S FIVE OF US IN OUR FAMILY, AND ONLY TWO FIT IN THE TEARDROP.

>> IT JUST DOESN'T FIT THE WHOLE FAMILY, DOES IT?

>> NO, NOT THE WHOLE FAMILY.

NO.

>> NOW, DID YOU RESTORE THIS?

DID YOU BUY THIS?

WHAT'S THE HISTORY ON IT?

>> I BOUGHT THE TRAILER.

IT WAS WHITE IN COLOR, AND THEN I HAD IT PAINTED AND PINSTRIPED TO MATCH MY CAR.

THE CAR IS A 1937 FORD, AND THE TEARDROP IS A 1946 KIT.

AND WE USE IT AS OFTEN AS WE CAN.

>> NOW, WHAT'S IT LIKE TAKING THE WHOLE FAMILY AND GOING -- DO YOU ACTUALLY TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY AND GO OUT FOR A WEEK?

>> OH, YEAH -- WELL, NOT FOR A WEEK.

USUALLY JUST ABOUT WEEKENDS.

>> UH-HUH.

>> YEAH.

AND WE ACTUALLY FOUND IT WHEN WE -- WE BOUGHT IT, WE ACTUALLY FOUND IT.

IT WAS IN FRONT OF A GUY'S FRONT YARD, AND THE -- CHRISTOPHER AND MATTHEW WERE LITTLE.

I MEAN, REAL LITTLE.

AND WE REALLY WERE LOOKING FOR A LUGGAGE TRAILER.

SO WE SAW IT IN FRONT OF THIS GUY'S YARD, AND WE ENDED UP PURCHASING IT FROM HIM.

WELL, WE ACTUALLY TRADED AN ATC.

>> UH-HUH.

>> BUT THIS WAS -- MOTORCYCLE.

>> YOU TRADED A MOTORCYCLE?

>> WE TRADED A MOTORCYCLE FOR THE TEARDROP, YES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS LITTLE THING?

>> IT'S PRETTY FUN.

>> YEAH?

DO YOU EVER GET TO SLEEP IN IT?

IS IT A BIG DEAL TO GET TO SLEEP IN IT OR WOULD YOU RATHER SLEEP IN THE TENT?

>> WELL, I NEVER REALLY GET TO SLEEP IN IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHY IS THAT?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ACTUALLY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP IN IT WITH HIM.

USUALLY IT'S ME AND HIM GET TO SLEEP IN IT.

>> I GOTCHA.

>> SO THIS TIME HE SAID, "THAT'S OKAY.

I'LL SLEEP IN THE TENT."

AND SO MOM AND DAD GOT TO SLEEP.

>> WE GOT TO EXPERIENCE AN EVENING ALONE LAST NIGHT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IN THE TEARDROP.

LET ME SEE YOU ALL -- LET'S GET THE -- CAN WE GET -- NO, NO.

WE CAN'T GET THE WHOLE FAMILY IN THERE.

>> OH, SURE.

[ LAUGHTER ] SURE WE COULD.

>> BUT IT'S GOTTA BE A CONVERSATION PIECE.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

AS WE SAY, WE'VE HAD OURS ABOUT TEN YEARS.

AND THEY REALLY JUST COME WHERE EVERYBODY'S SEEN THEM WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

SO BACK THEN, WE'RE REALLY EMBARRASSED TO SAY THAT WE'D TAKE IT SOME PLACES, AND PEOPLE WOULD COME UP TO US AND SAY, "OH, MY GRANDFATHER HAD ONE OF THOSE.

WE HAVE ONE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY IT."

AND WE WERE TOO STUPID TO SAY, "OH, YEAH.

WE'LL BUY IT."

'CAUSE WE DIDN'T REALIZE.

>> YEAH, WE DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN WITH THEM.

BUT BEING THE COLOR IT IS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO MISS GOING DOWN THE STREET [ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY MADE THESE THINGS, DIDN'T THEY?

>> OH, THEY ABSOLUTELY DID.

OURS -- OURS -- THE -- NOT EVERYTHING IS ORIGINAL.

IT'S GOT THE ORIGINAL WATER FILL WHERE THE INSIDE IS WHERE THE WATER TANK IS.

AND THE TABLE BACK HERE IS ORIGINAL -- >> OH, YOU GOT THE WHOLE SETUP.

>> -- HOW IT SLID IN.

>> YEAH.

>> AND THIS IS AN ORIGINAL 1946 ICEBOX, AND IT WORKS REALLY, REALLY WELL.

BUT THE SINK, I'M SURE, HAS BEEN REDONE.

AND -- AND WE JUST DRESSED IT UP.

IT WAS REALLY SOMEWHAT LIKE IT IS, BUT WE PUT IN, YOU KNOW, THE NEW PAINT, AND THE LITTLE CUPBOARDS.

>> AND YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE ON YOUR BLOCK WITH A YELLOW TEARDROP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

[ LAUGHTER ] ABSOLUTELY.

>> YEAH, THE ONLY ONE.

>> YEAH.

AND WE SURE DO ENJOY IT.

>> WELL, LET'S GET A SHOT OF THE WHOLE FAMILY.

YOUR NAME AGAIN -- THE FAMILY'S NAME?

>> PAM AND DON PLANT, AND WE HAVE CHRISTOPHER -- >> CHRISTOPHER -- BOTH>> STEVEN AND MATTHEW.

>> GREAT.

LET'S GET A SHOT OF YOU JUST RIGHT OUT BY THE TEARDROP.

THE LAST NAME OF THE FAMILY?

>> PLANT.

>> PLANT.

THE PLANT FAMILY WITH THEIR YELLOW TEARDROP AND YELLOW CAR.

THEY'RE READY.

BOY THIS HAS A NICE LOOK TO IT HERE, BUT YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING OVER HERE THAT I THINK TOPS THE CAKE HERE TODAY.

YOU HAVE REALLY SET A MOOD HERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> A STAGE.

>> THIS IS THE WAY IT WAS.

THIS WAS MOTORING IN -- THIS IS A '42 CAR, AND THIS IS A 1948 KINSKILL TRAILER.

THIS WOULD BE A GENTLEMAN TRAVELING FROM BACK EAST OUT TO CALIFORNIA.

>> NOW LOOK, YOU'VE GOT YOUR DESERT WATER BAG.

>> DESERT WATER BAG.

>> THEY ACTUALLY HAD THOSE?

>> YOU USED THEM ALL THE TIME.

IF YOU DID CROSS THE DESERT, YOU NEEDED THAT BECAUSE THE OLDER CARS DIDN'T HAVE PRESSURIZED RADIATORS SO WATER WOULD BOIL AT 210.

AND IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE RADIATOR SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO PUT MORE WATER IN IT.

>> SO YOU GOT THE WATER BAG.

>> THERE WAS A WATER BAG.

YOU STOPPED AND FILLED THE RADIATOR AND THE WATER BAG.

THIS IS A SWAMP COOLER.

THIS IS A -- COOLS THE AIR.

GOES INSIDE OF HERE.

THERE'S A STRING INSIDE, AND THIS TURNS THE BURLAP SACK INSIDE.

AND YOU GET MORE WATER INSIDE.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

>> SO AS THE AIR COMES THROUGH THERE, YOU GET WATER AND YOU HAVE A BASIC SWAMP COOLER FOR THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.

>> EARLY AIR CONDITIONING.

>> IN VEGAS, THESE RENTED FOR ABOUT A $1 A DAY RENTAL.

>> YOU GOT YOUR LUGGAGE UP ON THE TOP.

>> LUGGAGE ON THE ROOF RACK.

>> YOUR FISHING POLE.

>> YOUR FISHING POLES.

>> AND -- >> THE KINSKILL.

THE INFAMOUS TRAILER AND WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.

>> NOW, WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE "INFAMOUS TRAILER"?

>> NOW, THESE ARE -- THESE HAVE HELPED -- TOLD A LOT OF STORIES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE THESE THINGS, AND THEY GO BACK TO THEIR CHILDHOOD RIGHT AWAY.

>> YEAH.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE OF OUR AGE DID SOME CAMPING IN THESE.

THESE ARE QUITE -- RENTING -- RENT US -- THEY RENTED THESE OUT A LOT ALONG THE BEACH AREAS.

>> THESE ARE JUST AS BASIC AS THEY GET.

>> BASIC AS THEY GET.

JUST PRIMITIVE LIFESTYLE.

>> MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM.

>> THIS IS ALUMINUM SIDING.

>> IT'S GOT A WONDERFUL LOOK TO IT.

>> IT'S ALL ORIGINAL LOOK.

>> WHAT -- SO THIS IS ORIGINAL?

>> THIS IS ALL ORIGINAL TRAILER HERE.

I BOUGHT THIS FROM A NEIGHBOR ABOUT TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE.

NEVER KNEW HE HAD IT UNTIL WE RAN ACROSS A FRIEND.

AND AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR, I KNEW I WANTED A TRAILER TO GO WITH IT.

SO HERE I AM.

>> SO IS THIS WHAT -- WHAT WE WOULD HAVE SEEN IN A STATE PARK, OR A NATIONAL PARK, IN A CAMPGROUND IN THE 40'S?

>> RIGHT.

IN THE CAMPGROUNDS, RIGHT.

THIS IS -- PROBABLY THE 40'S, EARLY 50'S YOU WOULD SEE THIS ERA OF STUFF RIGHT HERE.

>> THEY WOULD HAVE PACKED UP THE FAMILY IN THE CAR.

>> PACKED UP THE FAMILY IN THE CAR, THREW EVERYTHING ON TOP, AND AWAY YOU GO.

>> THE FISHERMAN AND THE HUNTERS ARE ORIGINALLY WHAT STARTED THESE.

THEN THEY WANTED -- IN THE 30'S, THEY WENT TO A LITTLE BIT BIGGER BECAUSE THEY WANTED IT FOR FAMILIES.

AND THE WOMAN GOT INTO THE PLAY.

THEN IN THE 40'S, THEY HAD ALL THESE LEFTOVER ALUMINUM SKINS FROM THE AIRPLANES.

>> LIKE THIS ONE DOWN HERE.

>> YES.

AND SO ALL THIS HAD TO BE PUT TO USE.

YOU KNOW, USE THINGS.

AND SO THEY MADE THEM OUT OF THE ALUMINUM SKINS, AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE ALUMINUM.

>> AND THEY REALLY BASICALLY MADE THEM THEMSELVES, DIDN'T THEY?

>> RIGHT.

IN THE SEPTEMBER OF 1947, "MECHANIC'S ILLUSTRATED" MAGAZINE, THEY HAD THIS ARTICLE.

AND THIS WAS TO -- TO SHOW YOU HOW TO BUILD A TEARDROP.

AND MOST PEOPLE DID THEM HOME-BUILT.

THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT MADE THEM.

AND THEY WERE VERY DETAILED ABOUT THE WAY THEY GAVE YOU INSTRUCTIONS TO DO IT.

>> SO YOU COULD BUY PLANS, BUY MATERIAL.

>> YOU BOUGHT A MAGAZINE, YOU HAD THE PLANS.

THAT'S IT.

>> AND BUILD YOUR OWN TEARDROP.

>> RIGHT.

PRECISELY.

>> SO THAT'S WHAT THESE SIGNS MEAN ON SOME OF THESE THAT SAY -- >> THEY SAY "HOME BUILT."

>> "HOME BUILT."

>> YEAH.

>> THEY REALLY WERE BUILT AT HOME.

>> THEY WERE SOMEBODY'S IMAGINATION.

THEY LOOKED AT A BASIC PLAN, AND THEY SAID, "I CAN DO THAT."

AND THEY GAVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLOURISH IN THEIR OWN GIVEN TALENTS.

SO THAT'S HOW THEY ALL GREW WITH THESE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

THERE'S NOT A ONE HERE -- OUT OF THE 62 HERE, THERE IS NOT A ONE OF 'EM ALIKE.

EVERY ONE OF THEM HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY, AND WE LOVE IT.

WE JUST LOVE IT.

>> NOW HERE COMES ONE.

WHAT'S THE STORY ON THIS ONE?

>> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, BUT I CAN TELL YOU -- [ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS IT -- HERE, THIS IS -- THIS IS PART OF THE INTRIGUE.

THIS IS PART OF THE MYSTERY OF -- OF TEARDROPPING IN GENERAL IS WE DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T KNOW THE ENTIRE HISTORY, AND PEOPLE SHOW UP WITH A TRAILER LIKE THIS -- NOW, WE GOTTA FIGURE OUT WAS IT MADE BY A MANUFACTURER, OR WAS IT BUILT FROM A SET OF PLANS?

QUITE OFTEN, THE OWNER WANTS TO KNOW THE SAME THING.

HE JUST HAS IT 'CAUSE IT'S COOL.

>> THIS ONE LOOKS OLD.

>> THERE YOU GO.

YOU'VE GOT A 1957 TRAILER LICENSE PLATE ON THE THING.

>> 1951.

>> '51, EXCUSE ME.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

LET'S GO OVER AND ASK HIM.

WHAT'S THE STORY -- WHAT'S THE STORY ON YOUR TEARDROP?

>> WELL, IT'S A 1946, WHAT THEY CALL A SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION.

DOESN'T ACTUALLY HAVE A MANUFACTURER.

SOMEBODY MADE IT IN '46, AND IT HAD ABOUT 20 COATS OF PAINT ON IT.

AND -- >> WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT.

IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>> WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT, AND IT'S GETTING THERE.

>> WELL, YOU'RE CAUSING QUITE A STIR DRIVING IN HERE THIS MORNING.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, WE BOUGHT IT UP IN ANZA, CALIFORNIA, FOR $300.

MY SON WAS -- WE WENT IN TO GET A SODA POP, AND HE SAID, "DAD, THERE'S A TEARDROP FOR SALE ON THE BULLETIN BOARD."

SO WE WENT OVER THERE AND BOUGHT IT.

>> WELL, DRIVE ON BY HERE.

LET'S SEE THAT THING GO OUT, GO DOWN THE ROAD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> IT LOOKS GOOD.

[ ENGINE ] LOOK AT THAT OLD TEARDROP.

[ LAUGHTER ] NOW, THAT'S THE WAY THEY WOULD HAVE LOOKED PULLING INTO A CAMPGROUND BACK IN THE 30'S, OR 40'S, OR 50'S.

>> WELL, WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THEY WERE IN A LITTLE BETTER CONDITION WHEN THEY WERE RELATIVELY NEW, BUT YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- THAT'S PART OF THE APPEAL, YOU KNOW.

>> THESE -- THESE WERE MADE TO FUNCTION IN WHAT ERA IN AMERICAN CAMPING LIFE?

WHAT WERE THEY MADE FOR?

>> WELL, THEY WERE MADE FOR GETTING OUT AND ENJOYING AMERICA.

NOW, WE'VE TRACED THE HISTORY AS FAR BACK AS 1934.

SO WE'RE ASSUMING -- FROM ADS IN MAGAZINES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT -- THAT THEY APPEARED IN THE VERY EARLY 30'S.

MAYBE AS EARLY AS 1932.

BUT IT WAS AFTER THE WAR -- AFTER WORLD WAR II WHEN THE GI'S RETURNING FROM EUROPE AND JAPAN WITH WANDERLUST, AND THE BETTER ROADS, AND THE BETTER CARS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT -- THAT SOMEBODY IN CORPORATE AMERICA CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT WE COULD CAPITALIZE ON TEARDROP -- YOU KNOW, ON GETTING THESE GI'S OUT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> SO THESE WERE MADE AS A CHEAP, INEXPENSIVE, ACCESSIBLE WAY TO GET OUT AND SEE AMERICA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> WELL, THAT'S IT.

THAT'S OUR VISIT TO THE TEARDROP TRAILER -- WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED?

JAMBOREE, CAMPOREE?

>> "SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TOURING TEARS GATHERING."

>> A GATHERING!

AND BOY WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF FUN.

THESE OLD TEARDROPS HAVE BEEN PART OF AMERICANA SINCE THE 1930'S, AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY BACK IN THE 90'S.

AND WE HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY.

I HOPE YOU HAVE LEARNED AS MUCH AS I HAVE ABOUT THESE WONDERFUL, OLD, TEARDROP TRAILERS.

EVERYBODY HAVING A GOOD TIME TODAY?

ALL>> YES!

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S WAVE GOOD-BYE.

>> BYE.

>> BYE EVERYBODY.

>> GOOD-BYE FROM THE TEARDROPPERS.

♪ HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU [ LAUGHTER ] >> I KNOW THIS SONG.

I DO.

♪ 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN [ LAUGHTER ] CAPTIONING EQUIPMENT DONATED BY LLOYD RIGLER AND PERFORMED BY RAPIDTEXT, NEWPORT BEACH, CA.

>> VISITING WITH HUELL HOUSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.