Teardrops

[eagles]

Can a Teardrop go into loop 1500? This is the tent/pop up look correct?

 

[parrothead64]

Yes, there is plenty of room for them.

 

[snowmedic]

A teardrop can go into the 1500 - 2000 loops. Here is one that was next to use last year in site 2019, even seen a couple of TT's in the same loop.

 

[bama_ed]

Vince is right (damn good looking sign, BTW).

The point about the "Tent" loops 1500 and 2000 is not that they are for tents or pop-ups only but that they don't have the sewer connection. (We all know how Disney doesn't enforce a rule if there is the slightest bit of wishy-washy-ness in the wording).



Tents (certainly) and pop-ups (most) don't have a sewer hookup or reason to so they are most amenable to those two loops. That's why those two loops are advertised as Tent loops IMO. It's sort of like Disney discouraging tents from the all-concrete Premium sites (you COULD stake down a tent off the pavement if you really tried but it might not be convenient).

As long as you know that your Tent site in 1500 or 2000 won't have a sewer connection and that there is a sand pad at the rear that you might have to back onto then everything is kosher. I've seen RV's in 2000 with tires in the coquina (crushed shell "sand" pad). It's all about setting and meeting (or exceeding) expectations.

Bama Ed

 

[eagles]

Thank you all for the replies. Heading down next week and not sure if I am towing the teardrop or not yet.

 

[peg110]

I so love how Bama_ed so clearly explains things. He is an AWESOME asset to this forum. Keep up the awesome job Ed.

 

[eagles]

I just re-read what Bama-ed typed out and re-looked at the photo above, which now does have me concerned. The driveways are short? So a teardrop will be in the sand while the car is in the paved part? If I do decide to take the teardrop I hope I can back it into the sport without too much embarrassment.

 

[bama_ed]

I just re-read what Bama-ed typed out and re-looked at the photo above, which now does have me concerned. The driveways are short? So a teardrop will be in the sand while the car is in the paved part? If I do decide to take the teardrop I hope I can back it into the sport without too much embarrassment.

eagles,

yes the driveways are short to allow a place for a car to park and a tent to go on the "sand" pad. A teardrop won't have a problem sinking or settling into the sand, I don't think. I took my pop-up (3500#) and put it in Tent loop sites with no problem. The sand/coquina is packed pretty hard after decades of campers.

I specifically mentioned about RV's in tent loops (which I have seen) because I'm not sure automatic jacks/levelers would do well in the sand (of course, Fort sites are pretty level anyway).

Are you concerned about tracking sand into the trailer? That's an issue so we had a strict no-shoes-in-the-trailer for the kids when we were in tent loops. Now I bring a welcome mat with lots of gaps to put in front of the trailer door.

The loops are all one-way driving and sites are angled so a small trailer such as a teardrop should have no trouble backing in. If your choice is a teardrop or a tent for this trip, I would always pull in favor of sleeping up off the ground. So bring the trailer.

A lot of it depends on the site you get - some are smaller and some are bigger. I did a post a few years ago about the sites in 1500. Let me try to find it.

Bama Ed

PS - found it. http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-new-project-the-1500-loop-will-my-tent-fit.2901476/#post-44451618

 

[eagles]

Thank you. I am not concerned about the sand. We always take shoes off before getting in. I was just concerned about the tear getting stuck or something. But that should not happen. My backing skills are not the greatest, I can do it, just not pretty. Also it takes a while. lol Will read you thread now.
Oh another question: Is there water at each site or is it shared water?

 

[bama_ed]

In the tent loops you have water, power, and a cable tv hookup at each site. You can check out a cable modem for free at the Meadow Trading Post check-out counter for cable internet service. During busy times they run out of modems but hopefully it won't be a problem this time of year. The modem comes with all necessary cables and a simple diagram.

Personally for us small trailer people like you and me, the Fort is not a problem. By the 10th wiggle, I'm almost always in my site straight.

The Fort is one of the nicest campgrounds you will ever stay at.

Bama Ed

 

[eagles]

Thank you again for the thread. It looks like each site has water, and the pics show a hose. Does each site still have a hose? I hope I don't have to bring a water hose also. lol

 

[bama_ed]

Well, you don't want to use the green hose that Disney puts on the utility stump. It's the source of a lot of jokes here sometimes.

That hose is for the Disney Cast Member to spray each site clean before a guest arrives at check-in. Also, in the non-tent loops campers use that hose to wash out pipes and tubes related to the sewer hookup for both gray and (especially) black water drains. Even in the Tent loops with my popup I have used the green hose to wash out my gray water pipe. So if you understand where the tip of that hose has been, you won't want to drink or cook with water coming out of it.

If you want to use a water hookup you need to bring your own white (no taste) hose. Or use a pot/pan/bucket for cooking, etc. There is a second water hookup for you to use.

Bama Ed

PS - btw does the Disney green hose even have the connector on the end? I seem to remember the end is just a green hose with the connector cut off so you can't hook it up if you wanted to. But if I am wrong, someone will correct me. I haven't messed with the Disney hose hardly at all...

 

[peg110]

Thank you. I am not concerned about the sand. We always take shoes off before getting in. I was just concerned about the tear getting stuck or something. But that should not happen. My backing skills are not the greatest, I can do it, just not pretty. Also it takes a while. lol Will read you thread now.
Oh another question: Is there water at each site or is it shared water?

I have found the smaller the trailer, the harder the backing. (A lot to do with the wheel base). Anyway, the nice thing about a small trailer is that you can usually, pretty easily lift it off the hitch and position it by hand. Also even easier if you have a wheel on the front (instead of just a jack).

 

[eagles]

Oh yes, If I could lift it I would just move it into place. lol I have had guy friends do just that. But I am weak and can not lift it. There have been times I have backed into spots like a pro. But that has been the exception rather than the rule. Adding hose to the list.
I normally throw a tarp over the tear, because it usually rains when I camp. I think this time of year in Florida it rains often also. So with that said, is there any problems with just throwing a tarp over the camper? Can you tie to trees? Is it possible to stake down into the sides off of driveway?
Sorry for all the questions. But I have wanted to camp here for years and always end up in a resort. This time we are doing the camping, checking in on the 23rd. So this is about all I can think about. Want to make sure I am totally prepared.

 

[snowmedic]

does the Disney green hose even have the connector on the end?

The green hose on the stump does not have a connector on the end. Like you said, I wouldn't want anything to do with it either.

Eagles, yes you can put a tarp over your trailer. When we used a tarp over our tent we used the trees to tie off to as well. We have even ran some para-cord from tree to tree to throw our wet pool towels over to dry, and to hang some Christmas lights from so we wouldn't have to burn a lantern. I try to put the ropes up high and near the more foliage so not to walk into them. Last year we had some smaller children from other sites just wonder over to our site unsupervised, so I was glad that I did have them up high.

 

[Teamubr]

I have found the smaller the trailer, the harder the backing.

Absolutely! I can back our 48 ft race car trailer and put it anywhere within inches. Put a jet ski trailer behind my long bed, crew cab, dually and it's a nightmare.

The longer the trailer wheelbase compared to the tow vehicle, the easier it is. Nice, easy, predictable reactions.

A little tiny trailer behind my giant truck, I twitch and I jack knifed the trailer.

j

 

[peg110]

Absolutely! I can back our 48 ft race car trailer and put it anywhere within inches. Put a jet ski trailer behind my long bed, crew cab, dually and it's a nightmare.

The longer the trailer wheelbase compared to the tow vehicle, the easier it is. Nice, easy, predictable reactions.

A little tiny trailer behind my giant truck, I twitch and I jack knifed the trailer.

j

Years ago when stationed at West Point, NY (On the Hudson River) I had a "Jet Ski". The "Single" trailer we used was the same way. Narrow from wheel to wheel AND short in length (Hitch to tail). Even with a Jeep (easy to see all around) this was a real pain. A short turn of the steering wheel translated to a HUGE change in the direction of the trailer. Ended up getting a "Double" trailer some time later (and of course a second Ski). Much Wider wheel to wheel, and much longer Hitch to Tail. Also MUCH easier to back then the smaller one. No I have a 27' TT and my biggest issue is not control of the trailer as much as it is visibility behind it (or up top when close to trees or building gutters (that's another story too!).

 

[Teamubr]

my biggest issue is not control of the trailer as much as it is visibility behind it (or up top when close to trees or building gutters (that's another story too!).

Years ago when I got my Class A license, one of the requirements on the driving test was to do a walk around before you backed into a dock. I've always been in the habit of stopping in the road, getting out and walking around where I'm going to go. I have a backup camera on my camper and I've had my DW try to use hand signals, calling out and even using radios. None of those work as well as getting a visual in my head of where I need to go and then putting it there.
If we wanted to start another thread about "helpers" when backing, I could keep people laughing for hours. Let's just say that my DW and I agreed pretty quickly that she shouldn't help. Especially after she nearly got pinned between a tree and the trailer.

j

 

[eagles]

HAHA you all are funny. I belong to a teardrop community and for the most part the majority has it down pat. However, I am not part of that majority. I do know the theory and the turning of the wheel, but in reality it doesn't go as planned. Now if I can get it moving correctly the first try then all is usually good. But if I mess up with that first try, then the rest is just a horrible mess and will take forever to correct it. Normally at that point a friend will in fact unhitch me and just move it into place by hand.

 

[peg110]

HAHA you all are funny. I belong to a teardrop community and for the most part the majority has it down pat. However, I am not part of that majority. I do know the theory and the turning of the wheel, but in reality it doesn't go as planned. Now if I can get it moving correctly the first try then all is usually good. But if I mess up with that first try, then the rest is just a horrible mess and will take forever to correct it. Normally at that point a friend will in fact unhitch me and just move it into place by hand.

Well, if I saw you struggling, I'd be sure to lend a hand if I could.