[hiker chick]

This RV Magazine website has a video of a 2010 Element at Honda HQ in California, with a brief glimpse of the Honda SUV tent. The caption, as you'll see below, mentions that they are going to be towing a So-Cal teardrop at some point.

So I'm going to stay tuned and be on the lookout for that video when it's posted.


http://rv.automotive.com/135391/041610rv-2010-honda-element-overview-video/index.htmlhttp://rv.automotive.com/135391/041610rv-2010-honda-element-overview-video/index.html

On Monday, April 12, 2010, RV Magazine visited the Honda Headquarters in Torrance, California, to take a look at the 2010 Honda Element. Why? We are going to tow a So-Cal Teardrops trailer with an Element. Stay tuned for that and more, coming up!

 

[hiker chick]

A separate video and mention of So-Cal teardrops

http://www.rvmagonline.com/features/040510rv-so-cal-teardrops-video/index.html

 

[NismoGriff]

I need to get my stuff together and start building one.....sheesh.

 

[Box4Rox]

This RV Magazine website has a video of a 2010 Element at Honda HQ in California, with a brief glimpse of the Honda SUV tent. The caption, as you'll see below, mentions that they are going to be towing a So-Cal teardrop at some point.

So I'm going to stay tuned and be on the lookout for that video when it's posted.


http://rv.automotive.com/135391/041610rv-2010-honda-element-overview-video/index.htmlhttp://rv.automotive.com/135391/041610rv-2010-honda-element-overview-video/index.html

On Monday, April 12, 2010, RV Magazine visited the Honda Headquarters in Torrance, California, to take a look at the 2010 Honda Element. Why? We are going to tow a So-Cal Teardrops trailer with an Element. Stay tuned for that and more, coming up!

But, but, but . . . . . . someone already did this FIVE YEARS AGO !! ;-)

 

[hiker chick]

Yes, Box, for those of us in the know it is not an original idea. You should do your own video!

Featuring Obi when he recovers (how is he doing?)

Interesting that the E they'll be using comes from Honda's HQ. I wonder what awareness Honda's brass has of Elements pulling teardrops and other towables.

Auto manufacturers have significant excess capacity these days. It's a wonder they aren't doing more to exploit the towable market that exists for their own models and which could increase the market for their cars.

Nissan had the short-lived collaboration with Airstream (the now discontinued Airstream Basecamp) but that trailer is too heavy for 4-cylinder SUVs.

With zillions of CRVs and Elements on the road, Honda could come up with a towable that specifically compliments those vehicles and is suitable as well for other 4-cylinder cars.

An Element-specific teardrop would facilitate a walled canopy that encapsulates the space between the Element and the Teardrop and provides rain and privacy coverage for the Teardrop doors.

The three components would then be sleeping (teardrop), kitchen (trailer tongue-E tailgate) and gear storage (Element).

Honda should also sell accessories that take advantage of the tailgate as a couch, which is how I use it during camp trips. A tailgate-sized cushion with side padding would be ideal.

If I was any good at CAD, I'd sketch that out.

 

[MoonDrop]

Reverse tear

Hiker Chick, sounds like a cool idea. You'r sorta switching the teardrop around. Would you call it a droptear? :grin:

 

[hiker chick]

Hiker Chick, sounds like a cool idea. You'r sorta switching the teardrop around. Would you call it a droptear? :grin:

Clever moniker.

Are you getting your tear out much?

 

[MoonDrop]

Chompin at the bit..

I've been taking it tailgating to steeplechase and Jack Russel races so far this spring. 1st trip is is in May to "Tearstock" near Bethel, NY. You should come. TearJerkers rented the whole park. And then Mem -day, Honda Nats etc, etc:grin: I have to sheath the Moondrop roof in aluminum. Luaon not holding up as expected. Still learnin and working out the kinks, but still enjoying and using. Have you been out yet?

 

[hiker chick]

I've been taking it tailgating to steeplechase and Jack Russel races so far this spring. 1st trip is is in May to "Tearstock" near Bethel, NY. You should come. TearJerkers rented the whole park. And then Mem -day, Honda Nats etc, etc:grin: I have to sheath the Moondrop roof in aluminum. Luaon not holding up as expected. Still learnin and working out the kinks, but still enjoying and using. Have you been out yet?

Not yet. Weather and work are not cooperating.

And then there's the pollen factor. The worst of it is past in DC but oak pollen is just getting cranked up in the mountains and I had a miserable couple of days at camp last year dealing with it. So this year I'm boycotting camping under oak trees until they leaf out.

 

[jesbecause]

Honda should also sell accessories that take advantage of the tailgate as a couch, which is how I use it during camp trips. A tailgate-sized cushion with side padding would be ideal.

If I was any good at CAD, I'd sketch that out.




How about the tailgate seatback ,http://handa-accessories.com/viewer.html?pic=element/elementtailgateseat.jpg I have this , it came with my lifestyle package and has been to many tailgating and camping activities , along with the table leg kit ! I also use the seat cushions for going to the games as well on the bottom of the tail .

PS that is Not Ms RUBY

RUBY

 

[hiker chick]

What's needed is padding on the tailgate itself (between one's bottom and the tailgate). It's most comfortable to sit at an angle with my back at a 45-degree angle at one end of the tailgate and legs stretched out on the tailgate. I presently use two closed-cell foam sleeping pads and a beach towel on top.

That Handa accessory thing would impede access to the gear and cooler that I keep in the back of the E, and would also make it harder for Gidget to hop up there from the tailgate.

But thanks for posting the link.

 

[MoonDrop]

shin banger

Hikerchick- Everytime I hear you write of using the tongue as your cooking area I think about hitting my shin or knee ergggghh But I was thinking about a design that would be a tongue mounted chuck wagon -type box with slide out drawers and slide out propane stove. Of course you would have to think about tongue weight. Maybe put on a swivel you would find on a bar stool so you could turn it depending what side you wanted to cook on. Any thoughts?

 

[hiker chick]

Hikerchick- Everytime I hear you write of using the tongue as your cooking area I think about hitting my shin or knee ergggghh But I was thinking about a design that would be a tongue mounted chuck wagon -type box with slide out drawers and slide out propane stove. Of course you would have to think about tongue weight. Maybe put on a swivel you would find on a bar stool so you could turn it depending what side you wanted to cook on. Any thoughts?

In the interest of not putting too much weight on the hitch, what I'm really looking for is a camp kitchen. The stove and other heavy gear can be hauled in the Element or the back of the teardrop.

Having surface areas for food prep and a place to set the stove are the most important things.

If I were handier, I'd consider using the Cabelas camp kitchens that I already have and configuring my teardrop's existing tongue platform to make use of the removable counter tops.

I've also been looking at a swing-out table that could be clamped to the tongue and be usable while lounging on the tailgate.