I forgot CAULK! I really don't like caulking trailers. I accidentally left that point out in the edit. Anything else I missed? Always good to hear other opinions on the subject.
@@alwaysjoie309 Yes, good point. On traditional campers this is required. But, on fiberglass trailers like a Scamp or some of the offroad trailers with more internal sealing components this is not required. Our next video will be highlighting a tiny fiberglass trailer, which has no need to be caulked. And funny that you mentioned the small size. We were just chatting with someone on here a couple of days ago about this. Due to the shape of the trailer I can actually caulk the large 13' vintage trailer much faster than the little 4x8 teardrop. I never would have guessed that before actually doing it in person.
Timely point ...caulking 🤔 .Me to. I hate caulking, never remember where I put the gun, what type of caulking to get... yada yada yada That being said, I just finished sealing up the edges of 2008 T/D 5 wide and boy I must say, it look good ... Rather then a straight bead and the old thumb / finger edge clean trick, this time around I did a welded bead dab finish with a matt blk caulk . looks especially good up and over fenders also primed and painted rims black.. boom cheap overlander look, kind of😉. "Myrtle" looks a little tougher sitting in the driveway. Hope all is well, great content, stay safe...📽🎬👍
@@paulenright Love that you are sharing this I never thought of doing that. For us what made a huge difference was using blue painters tape instead of the old caulk and drag over with the soapy finger. Also may be why I don't like caulking as much though because I found it slowed down my process. But, the finish now looks straight from the factory. Do you have any place you post photos of your trailer? Would love to see it.
These cons are very minor issues for me, especially considering the climate of my region. Price is really the biggest issue. Always feels like a tall ask for a small unit.
Hit the mark with this one. KUDOs. As we've mentioned, we pull a nucamp and at first there was some concern. Backing up, pulling into crowded gas stations, winter conditions, you name it. True words of wisdom, slow down. We went with the nucamp because we liked to stand when we change our clothes. Late night toilet calls, showers and bathrooms. Things you may not appreciate at first but you will.
We agree with everything you just said there. I think what held us back originally from a standup camper was two things. Most weigh a bit too much for our 4 cylinder vehicle to tow. And we are willing to sacrifice comfort to have a traditional teardrop. Love the nostalgia factor. But, at some point in time we would love to have something small that we can standup in. Love the Scamp and Vintage trailer, but they are both a little too big for us. That is where these Nucamps fit in. Small, but able to live a normal life.
I worked for a helicopter company that ran tours with the Iditarod dogs, they are bred to just go go go. I think it would be abuse to not let them run their routes they absolutely love it
@@PlayingwithSticks Work on the edits though - splicing sitting down without a mask, then cutting straight to taking off a mask and delivering a line stuck out like a sore thumb! ;)
Haha. Yes I was aware of it when I cut it. I was interrupted to put on a mask. Beings this isn’t Hollywood, I’m completely comfortable with a cut like that. Not trying to sell a fake reality, just trying to drive home a narrative.
OMG, my second straight night watching your channel. I live in NYC, in the concrete jungle and I can't escape. I dream about owning a car and getting out to camp. I never even heard the words, "teardrop trailer" until yesterday but, thanks to you, I'm learning so much, especially about how to vacation in minimalist style. I loved your video about the Bean Stock Trailer. Less is more and, also, less to go wrong and less of a headache. If I win the lottery, I want to go camping with you and your family in Alaska. Drew, you're awesome!
You made our day with this comment! This is exactly why we do this. Like you we had no idea about this lifestyle either. Once we jumped in we had to let everyone know.
Thanks for the informative videos, always waiting for the next one! As a teardrop owner I carry a pop up shower/bathroom/change room not a big deal really. As you and your family do I have a couple of 10x10 canopies, one for keeping out mosquitoes. And Mother Nature is my kitchen and living room,simplicity at its finest.
Thanks for the video and the scenery! I prefer to talk about what I love about my lil trailer and laugh about the challenges rather than go the HATE route. At 72 I gave up tent camping for more security from critters, weather and discomfort. Solar pwr gives me some home comforts when boondocking out in nature. Backing became easier after extending the tongue 5 ft and adding a diamond plate front deck. That cargo space doubled with a 2x4 'back porch' and a 4x5 Roof rack (with a 6x8 awning) Motorcycles in my lil toy hauler/camper adds to the adventure....
This video was a a long time coming. As you may have noticed with the channel we gush over teardrop trailers. Our teardrop is like our third child. This video was more for potential owners. We wanted to give the other side of the argument just to give people a well-rounded understanding of the pros and cons of teardrops. Your set up sounds excellent John. We couldn’t agree more On just what a little extra tongue length can do for backing up
@@PlayingwithSticks Glad to hear you're a tiny camper lover too. We get to 'camp' while enjoying a good night's sleep... The steel frame/aluminum deck only added a couple hundred pounds and it added a lot of stability! No whipping even in 60mph gusty crosswinds. The add'l 23 sq ft of storage plus the 28 sq ft from the back porch and roof rack is needed with a 24 sq ft camper...
We rented a 13’ Scamp last month, and then a large teardrop this past weekend. This video is spot on with so many things. We thought size would be an issue, but it’s not. There may be a permanent teardrop in our future
My husband and I asked this exact same question today (“should we buy a tear drop or get a rooftop tent?”) as we were heading home from a week long AZ/UT trip with a rental teardrop. Thank you for this timely and thought provoking video! You have the best teardrop videos that are practical and full of info! Love them!
@@MothShadow We have on order a TC tear drop trailer and hoping it will be ready this Oct. We decided not to get a rooftop bc: too hard to take on and off and we’d get poor gas mileage when we’re not camping (our Jeep is our everyday vehicle too), top heavy especially for our 2door Jeep, and we also hate hearing the wind blow against our tent whereas the teardrop is more quiet. Those were some reasons and not all. Good luck on your decision.
You are 100% right about how backing up a smaller trailer (Casita 17, for me) is harder than a larger trailer. Like you I found that slowing down and making TINY adjustments was the way to go. It's not a race, folks. No one in the campground will be impressed at how fast you back in if you have to do it 27 times. It's much easier on your longevity if you take your time. BTW, I figured out why the name of your channel always gave me a kind of laugh, When I was a kid, we camped in a very large, heavy canvas tent with an exterior pole framework that had to be assembled. Somehow after every trip one or more poles got lost or misplaced so the next time we went out, we (the kids), had to go out in the woods to find "sticks" (branches that could be shaped) to use as poles. Hence "playing with sticks"! It almost got to be a ritual for the family. Funny now, not so much then.
Great points you have here. I also find myself feeling like I need to hurry. But like you said, if I do. I just find myself having to reverse and try again. Every time I just slow it down, the job gets done the first time. Great story about your childhood. It gave me a good laugh. Hoping to provide our boys with some of those inconvenient, but memorable camping moments.
You and your wife made me happy to see that my Toyota Matrix could pull a small trailer if I wanted or needed to. Also you really provide people with an in depth view of how these trailers compare to each other and what it is like to own and use them.
Glad this was helpful. We miss our Matrix everyday. We had to get a bigger tow vehicle to tow some of the larger trailers on the channel. I have a feeling someday I will pickup a used Matrix again. It was by far my favorite little tow vehicle.
I have a teradrop standy 5 x8. (the standy part inside is like 5'8 highest point) i just love it. Is simple and you still feel like camping. Has a little kitchen, and a tiny space even with the bed open for a portable toilet. Everywhere i go ppl want to see it. Its the best. I agree with tou when you say its a step up from car camping or tent. Yayy teardrops... 👍❤️💕...
More and more, experience campers like yourself, are talking about the realities of camping and vehicles of instead of only 'blue sky' and wishful thinking.. A very good thing, indeed.. While I am out there, whenever, wherever that may be, I am reminded of the fact that it is all work before any pleasure/satisfaction.... and then it's work again to take it all apart.. LOL! I dig those 'booties'.!!!
I think the best way a person can look at it is.. A teardrop can be a modular base that you can grow on as needed. it can act as a quick bedroom point that you can drive out to the lake for barbecues and such... Or it can be the "center point" with side access, back access, and even wrap around tents... Its all based on what you need and want. you can even set up "attached bthrooms" with outside showers, toilets, etc in a side mount tent that you can access from the inside or out (if your trailer has twin doors). You are worried or have problems with condensation? ceiling fan. Problems with excessive condensation in the winter? Shift from a propane heater to a diesel heater. Your teardrop is your bedroom, and an outdoor kitchen/barbecue for many things thats all you are going to need. People also seem to talk about "oh you can't always just pull over and set up on the side of the road." but the truth is, in the vast majority of situation, you can't do that with a full sized trailer either. sure you can "urban boondock" in some cases, but the truth is, if you're to tired to drive, just pulling into a rest area and taking a nap, in the back of your teardrop is often easier then trying to get the hacks down, and slides out on your Truck bed rv or such.
Number one issue! Is definitely changing of clothes. I have outdoor gear for high winds and rain, and going number 2 without a shelter isn't much fun either. But I am surely the king of I don't care just get it done it's only water. Haha! Great video!
Thanks for sharing! I think going down to the lower 48 this summer we are going to have to relearn some of our camping techniques. Especially when it comes to hard rain and winds. It really isn't something we battle up here.
@@sierramantrvlnus Time will be something I think we may have a lot of. With us being forced to move through Canada so quickly we will have a lot more time near the coast.
new to the channel and recent subscriber. Me and the wife are getting a bit older and the tent camping we have done for the past 20 years has lost some of its appeal. Between the inflatable deflating at 2am with a rock between your shoulder blades and the easy heat loss during the winter months we are on the lookout for a good off road teardrop. Thank you for the videos, they are awesome and very well done!
I think you’re going to like the Avenue you’re pursuing. It will still give you that close to nature feel, but the nice creature comfort‘s from home. I think it’s a great blend. And the beauty of the off-road Teardrop, besides many of them being built to last for a lifetime, they are built to get you anywhere. Which is nice because it means you can get to all your favorite camping sites you’ve been going to. Once you start narrowing down your choices we’d love to hear what you’re looking at. Always fun to know what people are considering.
Funny you mention the Meerkat because your videos have made me fall in love with mine all over again. I was ready to sell it because the size with my family of 4 was just frustrating me...now I’m reframing to think of it like a teardrop that we can stand up in to change, and with a little more storage, and now I’m putting in the work to get it all organized and geared up for a summer of camping and can’t wait! Thanks for all of your amazing content!
When I see snow...I say no to tents. But I do like the speed and ease of a rooftop tent (in the summer lol) I like truck campers but I hate that I have to buy an expensive F250 because most trucks have a 1500lb payload like a tundra....and that gets maxed out fast. Of course I could use a pop-up but my wife prefers a regular camper. Great video!
Everything you said is our thoughts exactly. There always seems to be some sort of trade off when purchasing a camper. Maybe even a year or two ago I thought I could find the perfect camper that would do it alll. But still on a budget a as me use our daily commuter. So far I don’t think that’s possible. But it’s fun trying to find it!
Great video, thanks. I miss my 17 foot travel trailer, it was big enough to stand up in, had a full bathroom and kitchen, queen sized bed and table, but was also small enough that it was easy to tow. I hate my 30 foot trailer, getting gas, traffic around cities, etc... just so stressful, not worth the stress. I keep looking at teardrops, but spending $10-20k on something this small, just keeps me going WHAT, HOW does it cost that much...
That's the sweet spot! Just big enough to stand up in and wide enough and long enough to sleep comfortably in. My original RV was like 27' and that thing was soo problematic.
Hi, I have a teardrop camper. I think it is ideal for me here in Australia, especially I am wheelchair bound with a amputee right leg above. The knee is awesome for me to actually just go up to the side of the teardrop open the door pivot around and I’ll get an instant bed having a extra. Room for showering and porta. Potty is a great idea. Most of the places I go are all great, and I’m now only one there, so it doesn’t matter if I get dressed in the middle of nowhere. They certainly are some things that you might hate, but I think my like out why everything that I dislike about the teardrop camper.
We are right with you. Teardrop is always our number one choice. This was just a video to show the balance side of the argument because all our other videos are 100% teardrop love.
I love these things and after 20 years camping in a swag and sleeping on the ground this would be like a 5 star hotel but you can't carry it with you when you are hiking. I have been thinking about building one for many years now i just think they are the coolest things ever don't really care if there are better options lol.
A lot of valid points. Some I don't think necessarily apply to many people though. For example the whole changing clothes issue: your trailer is really tiny, particularly in height. Mine is about 6 feet tall, so you have a lot of room in there to do acrobatics. I generally don't do acrobatics because I'm European - so I just change outside and if someone happens to see me: look away if you're embarrassed or say hello - I'm ok with either. Condensation definitely is an issue in cold climates. I've only had it on occasion on december trips, but northern CA is not very cold in winter so we're talking 50s, not 20s. It's something you can overcome when you throw money at it: a propex or webasto ducted heater and double pane windows will take care of it if you're willing/able to spend the 4 digits on it. The top 4: Size. Mine is a Nucamp T@G Boondock (with a bunch of changes and upgrades), but the inside size is very comfortable for 2 and even still good for 3 adults. It's essentially a king bed and galley on wheels. #3 Comforts: I think in my case the biggest comfort is the heater and the electric fridge: both make for a pleasant off-grid experience. A teardrop is essentially a bed in a tent on wheels. Much more comfortable than a tent - you have as good a mattress as you want. For us that was the idea: we got too old to crawl into tents and sleep on a skinny pad on the ground - this is a real bed. #2 cooking outside. There's plus and minus things to it. I prefer outside unless I have a big A class with a full kitchen and mostly a range hood vented outside. In anything smaller than 30+ feet it stinks up the place so cooking outside it a plus .... unless you're camped in 35 mph winds in the desert when the sand goes everywhere. That's the days/nights to a) eat a energy bar while b) break camp and head for Las Vegas. #1 lack of bathroom. That may be an issue depending on where you go. Personally I have no problem to bring a chemical cassette crapper or even the solidifying crap into a bag over a bucket bags from Walmart and other places. In a location where pack in, pack out includes human waste any of these are a must. Otherwise a nicely dug foot deep hole behind a cactus will spurt new growth (dig deep and take the toilet paper with you - TP has no business outdoors, bring a plastic bag for that.). In summary: a teardrop is the type of amenity that is a huge step up from tent camping but still forces you to be out in nature. Why go "camping" when all you do is sit inside your 40 footer A class listening to the hum of the dishwasher while watching satellite TV? In that case, save yourself $200k and stay home.
This is the type of post we were hoping to get on here. I think a lot of people will benefit from this comment Uwe. When deciding on what trailer fits your lifestyle it is hard to make that decision just from listening to a sales rep. Always nice to hear from actual folks in the community. And that is a great point about the larger RVs. Like you, we have had good cooking experiences in our family's very large trailers. But when traveling in something like a Casita or Scamp we just didn't find it enjoyable at all.
My husband and I are really not campers but these teardrops make sense to me ……I would rather enjoy the outdoors than be confined inside, I only ask for a comfortable place to sleep out of the elements, I love outdoor cooking, food tastes better, that’s what camping is all about…….Thankyou for this video
Love your channel. I am just about to start my experience with teardrop camping. I have been a tent camper for 40 years now, so hopefully you will save me from making some of the novice mistakes. thx
You're videos are consistently great content! My biggest pet peeve was changing space as well. Our camper is taller but not comfortable to stand in. The ARB awning and screen room changed the game for us.
Like always, great video. totally agree on the galley and the bathroom points. While my kids were growing up we had a beautiful boat with a galley and a head. We never used the galley and always cooked outside and never used the head because, lets be honest, those systems are gross! Fighting wind and rain are the only challenges in my experience with Bean. You can totally mitigate that with a good annex and some coverage around the galley.
Thanks for sharing Mark. One thing we accidentally left out in the edit was caulking the trailer. So simple, but gets old doing it every year. That is one of the many things I think a Bean trailer has going for it. Just one less thing to maintain. And bigger than that one less thing to be worried about when camping and that is "will water get into my trailer?" As you know I love a traditional teardrop, but the more we use ours the more we wish ours was constructed with fiberglass. Yes, it wouldn't be traditional, but the design still looks traditional and we are more than fine with that.
I hear the same questions about my teardrop and I tell everyone all are fallacies not truths. I have a flexible awning on mine with zip out walls so I don't need the separate tent. I also built mine with a raised floor so I have more storage than I need under the bed with outside access doors.I had condensation problems at first but once you learn venting this goes away. I have owned many campers from pop ups (which I learned to hate) to 23ft campers (which always had something broke) but I will never go back now that I have my teardrop. I tell everyone if you don't want to be outdoors while camping stay home.
Another great video! I've been tossing up whether or not to buy one for so long! I fully understand racing to the coffee shop 😁 nothing better than a good coffee and something to eat when it's cold!
Thanks Stephanie! Getting the coffee after our camping trips has now become almost part of the routine. I wish I never created it this new routine. I find myself breaking camp early on the last day just to make sure I get to a local shop while they are still open. Half the time I get there and they are closed anyway.
@@PlayingwithSticks LOL, same for me. The only thing is, that I've worked so hard to perfect my camping coffee routine, I seek out the cute, local coffee shops, often only to discover that I wished we ate and had MY coffee back at camp. I bake too, so even that sets the bar pretty high when we visit such places. But I still look for them.
Teardrop campers are awesome if you're a dwarf. Most of them have 6'0" long interiors which isn't enough to lie down and stretch out. I can't sleep with my head and feet against the end walls. A Prius with the passenger side seats folded down has more sleeping space.
Well, we're used to camping in tent and backpacking, so our experience might be very positive even with the 3 kids. I'm putting the fiberglass on my DIY squaredrop this week, I'll let you know how it goes. 😉
This past winter we added a Foxwing with 2 sides and a larger changing room to our 5x9 teardrop. Since my camping season is late April through October condensation isn't a real problem. Our changing room has a Nemo pump shower setup and we keep a small portable potty in it.
That awning and changing setup sounds great. We have often thought the two room instant up shower tents would make a great side entry. One side could be used for showering and the toilet and the other side for lounging. Thanks for sharing this David. Would love to see pictures of your setup sometime. I can kind of picture it in my head, but not quite.
Loving your channel. I've been building a TD trailer off and on for a few years. Your vids have rekindled my enthusiasm and desire to make it happen. Thanks for providing excellent content that is relevant and well produced.
Ha, ha, my husband heard me listening to this video and said "SEE? I told you we don't want a teardrop trailer!" Actually, he would prefer we do not tow anything. My 1999 Ford Ranger extend cab is off road packaged and it is set up such that it can tow something. But frankly, the 3.0L V6 is slow enough on its own. The more I see your videos on tiny trailers, the more I feel maybe an upgrade on our truck bed topper (bought it with one already, and its not a good one) is the way to go. We just finished camping up in the Sawtooth Recreation Area, Idaho (Alturas lake, to be specific), and fortunately I opted to bring our Spring bar tent (for 4) instead of sleeping in the back, because turns out there is a fantastic campground that is "tent only". Since you cannot park your vehicle right up to your site, sleeping in something other than a tent would have barred us from this great spot. It is not high fly fishing time in mid-June, but most of the boondocking along the river (and some creeks) means you are neck and neck with fishermen who have whopping RVs and other trailers of that nature. We had a quiet, private site, and even with one night of 30mph plus wind gusts, our tent and triangle tarp held up well and was protected by some small pines. As for the indoor sink, toilet, etc....heck, if I needed all of that, I would stay home! Yes, sometimes its a real pain to prep, cook, and clean in the great outdoors, but eh, we survive. And I can say that, because 99.999% of the planning, prepping, cooking, and cleaning is done by me. Hubby remembers his camera and fishing gear and that's all he can do, ha. Love your videos and I quote them often when I'm telling my husband about what I'm going to do differently on our "next" trip. Take care!
I would love one! My husband doesn't camp. Theres a whole list of reasons he gives. I enjoy the outdoors, and like getting off the ground. The cost is what keeps me without one.
The cost is a tough one. Have you two ever looked into used pop-up trailers. I think it is a great trailer for couples that have different needs. The canvas makes one of you feel like you are sleeping close to nature, while the amenities makes the other feel close to home. So far for us the pop-up has been the best of both worlds. And what I really like about these is the price for used models.
@@LDaw_96 You know though I would take this mismatch any day over a spouse who won't go out at all. But, I do see your point that it would be nice if you both had the same vision for how you stay outdoors.
I also have a husband who refuses to go camping. I love it. I have gone the whole route. I'm a 72 year old lady. I've done tent camping, went to a pop-up, got a van that I loved. Now I am thinking about going back to tent camping again. If it weren't for the prohibitive price, one of these things might not be bad. For an overnight at the state park.
You get most of the pros of tent camping plus the comforts of a trailer. I agree with you, and thats why we are going teardrop. Biggest thing is that night time sleep to fully enjoy the day. Weve been tent camping for years and we know we dont care about cooking outside or going to the bathroom. In fact I prefer going to the bathroom "al fresco" even when campgrounds have bathrooms. Roof top tents are just tents on a roof top. You dont get the benefits of having solid walls, or the same wind protection. People dont realize these things because imo they have not camped much. Weve been through all, wind storms in the mojave, snow in the eastern sierras, and a massive rainstorm in big sur. Our REI tent survived it all, but we barely got any sleep. And cleaning everything after rain/snow. What a pain. Sure an RV, or big trailer is the ultimate comfort. But, is it camping at that point? A teardrop with a RTT sounds nice though. You have the option of sleeping up there when the weather is nice, or it offers space for the kids!
Yes, the cleaning and ensuring everything is dry after a storm is what really wears us out over time. That was our hesitation with a pop-up. Love the feel, but don't like popping something up again when we get back home. And you nailed it with the teardrop with RTT. That is the route we are moving towards. May and I both agree that the teardrop is our favorite camper at the moment, but miss the tent at times. We thought the combo of the two would be the best of both worlds for us. And like you said the RTT would make a great fort and sleeping area for the boys.
Fair question ~ you said it doesn't bother you to go potty outside, but does it bother May? Maybe I'm just a wussy old woman, but I wouldn't want to be doing business out in the weather, and when we were younger, I recall camping trips being postponed for that monthly thing, because it was a serious hassle to deal with in the woods. And if you don't bury it properly, you'll have animals.....generally unpleasant ones like bears and wolves. (Well, in Idaho, anyway.)
The number one thing hate about teardrop trailers is towing. I don't like to tow...anything! A close second is the price. They're ridiculously priced for what amounts to a sleeping box.
Your videos are awesome. My wife and I love camping and being outdoors but as we have gotten older the last thing we want to to is sleep on the ground or in the wetness. We live in Florida so the cold is not an issue. But we want to Travel and sightsee. Your videos are helping us plan ahead. We are shopping for a camper now and may go With a Runaway camper. The
Thank you for sharing this. I love hearing from people why they chose their trailer. What drew you to Timberleaf over the other brands? Are you from Colorado?
We just sold our full size RV for one of the reasons you alluded to - temptation to stay inside, cook inside, etc.. Now debating options that offer a warm dry place to sleep for a family of 4 and space for all the gear.
Camping shouldn't be glamorous. It's adventure, sweat, inconvenience etc. But, the small teardrop I've never understood. If you need a tent over the back to cook and eat dry, one over the door to change clothes, and one in the corner of the site to, well you know, answer nature, why not just tent it? I love seeing them. But, they're just not for me. I love vintage trailers. My 76 shasta 1950 is perfect for the 7 in my family. Boondock ready and forces outdoor living but, provides shelter and space when the weather is bad. Love your videos.
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. That was the aim of the video. I realized I have shared snippets here and there about what we don't like, but we have never put it into one formal video. It's tough making that decision on what trailer is right for you. And today, with these rapidly increasing trailer prices, I think that decision really requires a bit more time and information than it used to. Hope all is going well for you. I bet the spring fishing is starting to ramp up down there.
Spring has sprung and our ice is gone a little earlier than normal and time for open water fishing is here but unfortunately for me no kayaking until June as I recover from some surgery( no big deal just can’t lift anything or drag anything ) , but I’ll hit the shore and do some bank fishing like the good old days.
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 Glad to hear you will be recovered by June. We are starting to do a lot more bank fishing lately, due to having the boys. I am finding I really missed it. Go get some big ones for us. As I don't think we will be fishing for quite a while. Winter doesn't want to let go this year in Alaska.
To each their own. Some think teardrops are tiny & overpriced. But on the flip side they fit in tight spaces & no heavy duty tow truck is needed. Some of us wouldn't want to be couped up in a rv full time regardless of the size. Seems like the bigger the rv gets the more flimsy its made. Boondocking seems to work fine for your family getting away from the crowds. That said as your boys get bigger you'll eventually have to tow something bigger to accommodate them.
Ha! Yeah! Changing cloths in a low cramped space gets old after awhile! One of my first purchases was a pop-up shower tent with its instant up and 7 foot ceiling.
The only problem I have is getting cold, but I use a 12 volt throw. I open the top vent for safety, and condensation on the windows happens anyway. If I have to get out in the night, brrrr. By time I get my shoes on, all the cold air is in. And once after I'm settled, I have to take the dog out for a bit. But we survive it. That's my only dislike about a teardrop. I doubt I would use it in snow on the average, so in winter, I stay on the west side of the Cascades. Being 30 miles from the coast, I wait for a semi-good weather report, jump in and go. I'm sure my dog thinks I'm crazy.
I'm single and short for a grown man. I can sleep in places that others only dream about. A tear drop, to me, is just a bed on wheels and I have that with a sedan and a folding rear seat. Add a moonroof for moisture control and I'm good to go. I love the spring and fall for perfect weather. Have fun with what you own, don't dream about "someday".
Good points here. Like you we traveled all around the States in our Jeep for years. It was amazing. We even had a little bed in there with drawers that pulled out. I think for most of us, the teardrop is definitely just a bed on wheels. Meaning it is more about the outdoor experience, but having a comfy place to lay our head at night. But, I will say with time I have come to really appreciate all my gear being in one place. That was a bit of a struggle for us with the vehicle. As seasons changed and activities changed we kind of lost the spark of moving the gear in and out of the house. Great point on enjoying what you own. We like to say they all get you to the same destination. Even a bike could be your camper.
Great video! I don’t like that I have to go outside first thing in the morning if I want coffee. Sometimes you just want to take it slow in the camper and sip your coffee, you know?
We had a Little Guy we pulled behind two different Subaru Foresters. It was really too heavy for either. We made the mistake of putting bikes on a trailer hitch mount, and they broke it. We bought several attachments for being able to stand while changing, and I designed and built two myself, but we were never happy with them. We eventually switched to pulling it with a Ranger -- much more successful -- but we gave up on it after about three camping seasons. The experience of sleeping in it was very nice, though.
Yes, yes, yes on dressing in a teardrop. I forgot my privacy tent this week and had to wriggle out of wet clothing lying down. Ugh. I’d add how quickly a teardrop gets messed up. Because I’m sleeping in the middle of my ‘everything else’ space, I usually end up sharing the bed with my plastic shoe box, phone charger cord, extra pillows, blankets, and coats, possibly a heater or a dog and all her stuff. It always feels disorganized.
Looked at a Pee Wee teardrop last week. Several sizes / many options (including toilet room). Probably the best teardrop for the price. Out of TN. I am a prior Runaway owner.
This is so easy, can't stand up, no bathroom, no room for cooking .No room for anything but sleeping. For all the money of the teardrop camper . Mini van builds and an S.U.V tent . With the right tent setup you will have room to get dressed. Cooking and have a portable bathroom also. Plus the safety of sleeping in your converted mini van with a bedroom in it. For a lot money. Also no towing.
I love your commentary! I own a teardrop too, and I have a single difficulty. Cooking in my galley in weather and especially wind! I’ve been experimenting with tents to block wind. It’s an adventure in itself.
I have a SylvanSport Go...that I call upperclass tent camping. It took me a couple of years to be able to back it easily. Up until this year I pulled it with a Mini Cooper Clubman. Short car. Short tongue. Short trailer = Jack knife. You have inspired me to go farther off grid. My Subaru is helping too. I can go down roads with it that I couldn’t in my Mini. All that being said... I’m trying to justify a teardrop. Want want want.
That is funny that you mention this. We are kind of going the opposite direction. Love our teardrop, but at times have considered getting some sort of overland tent trailer. After staying in a pop-up trailer last summer for 3 weeks we realized how much we missed the feeling of a tent. We have been looking at the Sylvan Sport Go to get inspiration for what potential trailer we may get when we arrive in Thailand. I bet you turned some heads with that Mini Cooper/Tent Trailer combo. But, I also understand the desire to have a vehicle that can get through more of those back roads. To us when it comes down to a tent trailer or a teardrop it really is about storage. That is where we currently have the biggest need. Sometimes we even think about using the teardrop more as storage and sleeping on top of the teardrop in a rooftop tent. This way you get the best of both worlds. And if you really need the teardrop for sleeping you can just move the gear to the car.
I love my GOrmelia. I love the versatility. We use it as a trailer with regularity. All our gear is hauled in it on and it is easily setup by one person. Their customer service is top notch. You can stand up in it and it comes with an integrated awning. It is a single walled tent so condensation becomes an issue when temps drop into the 40 s and below. No wood parts so drying it out is simple. Easy to roll around.
Lol, I have been building the same teardrop for about 7 years on and off. I recently got the itch to finish it. The whole changing clothes and having to pee when it rains area concern, but they are a concern with tenting too so I guess its not a big deal to me. My main concern is the dog. She gets freaked out when were all sleeping in the bed and one of us moves our feet. That and being a dog she'll have dirty feet, meaning when she jumps up into the teardrop the bed will get messy. Oh well. Maybe a boot brush for doggy feet ? Good vid
Yes, the dog one can be tricky. We were thinking of doing a dog episode one of these days. We don’t have very good tricks, so we thought the video would be nice to show the areas we struggle and see if anybody has great solutions. That teardrop project sounds long, but in the end I bet it will all be worth it!
Not all tear drop are small ! Check out the Alto R1723 from Safari Condo. I own a 2009 and it is the most reliable and fantastic teardrop ou there. Light weight under 2000lbs. Also one of the only trailer that will never rot as there is no wood frame but only aluminium and polymer honeycomb. Go check it out
Soooo, whats the difference if you sleep in the car, suv or van? You still have changing clothes issue... and if you need a big trailer now you're just being one those a holes on the road. Smaller trailer or no trailer is better imo, I mean tents are just as small as the teardrops... just my opinion...
Good point. The whole reason to get a mini camper is to not set up a tent anymore and what do these people do? They set up a tent anyway to do the extra stuff they can't... 🤦🙄😒👎 Just get the next size up! It doesn't have to be 50' just something that works better than living in a suitcase...
I dunno. I'm 45, and I'm not getting much younger as time goes by. The whole crawling around on my hands and knees isn't really for me. I'm not tryna hurt myself getting out of bed.
I’m new to teardrop campers and so appreciate your video sharing and experience (thank you). What do you keep in the bullet storage on top your car? It would be great to see how everything is packed!
When I go camping, I pitch a tent. I'm getting older, now, and pitching a tent is quite a labor-intensive activity for me. Tent camping is all I have ever known. I love it. I just want a teardrop camper that replaces the tent. Not much moor. But every manufacturer wants to make teardrops like staying in the best motel. And at the price of a high-end R.V., I keep looking for a teardrop that fits this bill. No luck, so far.
You found the right place. We are huge advocates of a simple Teardrop. My current favorite is the road toad from camp-inn. I’ve never been in one but on paper it looks great. It’s all composite so it’s very light weight and you won’t have any of the issues with water. Another more affordable route to go is square drops. Basically by sacrificing the Teardrop aesthetic you’re going to save thousands of dollars. Check out hiker and runaway trailers. If you want a simple teardrop like our home built teardrop you sign this video check out little camper company. Hope this gets you started in the right direction. if you have more questions just let us know. I have a feeling you’re going to love Teardrop life!
I'm thinking about a teardrop trailer. It'll increase my options for short trips, when even a camping-averse person like me is willing to pare down to a bed, shelter, and basic kitchen in order to avoid paying for a hotel room (can't get a basic kitchen in your average hotel room, so you're already ahead there). Toilet? Stay at a cheap campsite with restroom facilities, or Walmart parking lot. Make sure to pee before settling in for bed. Shower? Use body wipes, otherwise budget for a gym chain membership (24-hour Fitness, etc) so you can use a real shower.
Ideally I'd go the pop-top campervan route, but I'm not sure buying and maintaining a second vehicle would be expedient for BF and I anytime soon. Probably best to get a teardrop trailer that's light enough for his car to tow. One negative for me is, if his daughter travels with us, a pop-top campervan is probably the best idea because they have a bed in the main area and one in the pop top tent thingy. Kiddo will be 12/13 by the time we're able to even think about this issue, so giving her a place to sleep in a teardrop trailer won't be as easy as it would if she were 5. Surely there are teardrop trailers with pop-tops? That would be perfect.
KUDOS and thanks MUCH for another great honest share! Love seeing you and pix of growing family too! My they are getting BIG!:) All the BESt to you and family from WA / PNWEst, Cheers and take care! :)
It actually does surprisingly well. There is a new trailer manufacturer out of Utah. They actually added a port on their trailer so the heater and ac can push out into the side entry that is built onto the trailer. Pretty neat design. One of these days we will post that video. I shot it when I was at an Outdoor Expo in Utah.
Haha. Yes. I was looking back at the last year's family photos. There is May, the boys...but where is Drew? Then I noticed every other photo is a teadrop standing by itself. Yep, I have been replaced.
Hey I have a Bend Teardrop trailer! Classic design and bargain price for a decent quality build, compared to big name & fancy-looking trailers. My 10' with solar, 12v power hookup, 10-speed fan, cargo box and some other bells and whistles came out to
Please tell me about your side tent. This one doesn’t seem to appear in your side tent video from a few years ago. I LOVE my classic style 2008 my Cozy Cruiser! But I need a side tent
Hey Drew! You're a little late with this video, lol! Last month I made a deposit to have a teardrop trailer built. Thanks for all the videos! They helped me to decide that a teardrop WAS right for me.
@@PlayingwithSticks I decided on an Aero Teardrops - Steel High Clearance trailer. They now offer a bunch of options, but I'm keeping mine fairly simple. I think it will be a good build for the way I like to camp! Take care...
I forgot CAULK! I really don't like caulking trailers. I accidentally left that point out in the edit. Anything else I missed? Always good to hear other opinions on the subject.
I think that happens in all campers though, right? At least on a small camper it’s less space to caulk!
@@alwaysjoie309 Yes, good point. On traditional campers this is required. But, on fiberglass trailers like a Scamp or some of the offroad trailers with more internal sealing components this is not required. Our next video will be highlighting a tiny fiberglass trailer, which has no need to be caulked. And funny that you mentioned the small size. We were just chatting with someone on here a couple of days ago about this. Due to the shape of the trailer I can actually caulk the large 13' vintage trailer much faster than the little 4x8 teardrop. I never would have guessed that before actually doing it in person.
Timely point ...caulking 🤔 .Me to. I hate caulking, never remember where I put the gun, what type of caulking to get... yada yada yada That being said, I just finished sealing up the edges of 2008 T/D 5 wide and boy I must say, it look good ... Rather then a straight bead and the old thumb / finger edge clean trick, this time around I did a welded bead dab finish with a matt blk caulk . looks especially good up and over fenders also primed and painted rims black.. boom cheap overlander look, kind of😉. "Myrtle" looks a little tougher sitting in the driveway. Hope all is well, great content, stay safe...📽🎬👍
@@paulenright Love that you are sharing this I never thought of doing that. For us what made a huge difference was using blue painters tape instead of the old caulk and drag over with the soapy finger. Also may be why I don't like caulking as much though because I found it slowed down my process. But, the finish now looks straight from the factory. Do you have any place you post photos of your trailer? Would love to see it.
@@PlayingwithSticks Hi Drew, love to share a pic of Myrtle r u guys on Instagram
the number one thing i hate about teardrop trailers is, I still don't own one
I have a feeling this is the best comment we will get on this video! Absolutely love this one.
You are so right! No trailer is the worst thing about having a trailer!
I still really want one.
Same!!!
Hahaha love it 😂
These cons are very minor issues for me, especially considering the climate of my region. Price is really the biggest issue. Always feels like a tall ask for a small unit.
Hit the mark with this one. KUDOs. As we've mentioned, we pull a nucamp and at first there was some concern. Backing up, pulling into crowded gas stations, winter conditions, you name it. True words of wisdom, slow down. We went with the nucamp because we liked to stand when we change our clothes. Late night toilet calls, showers and bathrooms. Things you may not appreciate at first but you will.
We agree with everything you just said there. I think what held us back originally from a standup camper was two things. Most weigh a bit too much for our 4 cylinder vehicle to tow. And we are willing to sacrifice comfort to have a traditional teardrop. Love the nostalgia factor. But, at some point in time we would love to have something small that we can standup in. Love the Scamp and Vintage trailer, but they are both a little too big for us. That is where these Nucamps fit in. Small, but able to live a normal life.
I worked for a helicopter company that ran tours with the Iditarod dogs, they are bred to just go go go. I think it would be abuse to not let them run their routes they absolutely love it
Man, really loving the format you've grown into, with the info interspersed with the local scene. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Patrick. Glad you are enjoying it.
@@PlayingwithSticks Work on the edits though - splicing sitting down without a mask, then cutting straight to taking off a mask and delivering a line stuck out like a sore thumb! ;)
Haha. Yes I was aware of it when I cut it. I was interrupted to put on a mask. Beings this isn’t Hollywood, I’m completely comfortable with a cut like that. Not trying to sell a fake reality, just trying to drive home a narrative.
OMG, my second straight night watching your channel. I live in NYC, in the concrete jungle and I can't escape. I dream about owning a car and getting out to camp. I never even heard the words, "teardrop trailer" until yesterday but, thanks to you, I'm learning so much, especially about how to vacation in minimalist style. I loved your video about the Bean Stock Trailer. Less is more and, also, less to go wrong and less of a headache. If I win the lottery, I want to go camping with you and your family in Alaska. Drew, you're awesome!
You made our day with this comment! This is exactly why we do this. Like you we had no idea about this lifestyle either. Once we jumped in we had to let everyone know.
You have the best channel about teardops on RUclips.
Thanks for the informative videos, always waiting for the next one! As a teardrop owner I carry a pop up shower/bathroom/change room not a big deal really. As you and your family do I have a couple of 10x10 canopies, one for keeping out mosquitoes. And Mother Nature is my kitchen and living room,simplicity at its finest.
You would make a great camping buddy! When I read posts like this it just feels good to know there are others out there who feel the same way as us.
Thanks for the video and the scenery! I prefer to talk about what I love about my lil trailer and laugh about the challenges rather than go the HATE route. At 72 I gave up tent camping for more security from critters, weather and discomfort. Solar pwr gives me some home comforts when boondocking out in nature. Backing became easier after extending the tongue 5 ft and adding a diamond plate front deck. That cargo space doubled with a 2x4 'back porch' and a 4x5 Roof rack (with a 6x8 awning) Motorcycles in my lil toy hauler/camper adds to the adventure....
This video was a a long time coming. As you may have noticed with the channel we gush over teardrop trailers. Our teardrop is like our third child. This video was more for potential owners. We wanted to give the other side of the argument just to give people a well-rounded understanding of the pros and cons of teardrops. Your set up sounds excellent John. We couldn’t agree more On just what a little extra tongue length can do for backing up
@@PlayingwithSticks Glad to hear you're a tiny camper lover too. We get to 'camp' while enjoying a good night's sleep... The steel frame/aluminum deck only added a couple hundred pounds and it added a lot of stability! No whipping even in 60mph gusty crosswinds. The add'l 23 sq ft of storage plus the 28 sq ft from the back porch and roof rack is needed with a 24 sq ft camper...
We rented a 13’ Scamp last month, and then a large teardrop this past weekend. This video is spot on with so many things. We thought size would be an issue, but it’s not. There may be a permanent teardrop in our future
My husband and I asked this exact same question today (“should we buy a tear drop or get a rooftop tent?”) as we were heading home from a week long AZ/UT trip with a rental teardrop. Thank you for this timely and thought provoking video!
You have the best teardrop videos that are practical and full of info! Love them!
can you share what path you decided, and year later your thoughts / reservations?
@@MothShadow We have on order a TC tear drop trailer and hoping it will be ready this Oct. We decided not to get a rooftop bc: too hard to take on and off and we’d get poor gas mileage when we’re not camping (our Jeep is our everyday vehicle too), top heavy especially for our 2door Jeep, and we also hate hearing the wind blow against our tent whereas the teardrop is more quiet. Those were some reasons and not all.
Good luck on your decision.
You are 100% right about how backing up a smaller trailer (Casita 17, for me) is harder than a larger trailer. Like you I found that slowing down and making TINY adjustments was the way to go. It's not a race, folks. No one in the campground will be impressed at how fast you back in if you have to do it 27 times. It's much easier on your longevity if you take your time. BTW, I figured out why the name of your channel always gave me a kind of laugh, When I was a kid, we camped in a very large, heavy canvas tent with an exterior pole framework that had to be assembled. Somehow after every trip one or more poles got lost or misplaced so the next time we went out, we (the kids), had to go out in the woods to find "sticks" (branches that could be shaped) to use as poles. Hence "playing with sticks"! It almost got to be a ritual for the family. Funny now, not so much then.
Great points you have here. I also find myself feeling like I need to hurry. But like you said, if I do. I just find myself having to reverse and try again. Every time I just slow it down, the job gets done the first time. Great story about your childhood. It gave me a good laugh. Hoping to provide our boys with some of those inconvenient, but memorable camping moments.
Arkansan here. Lived in North Pole for 4 yrs. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. 😊
You and your wife made me happy to see that my Toyota Matrix could pull a small trailer if I wanted or needed to. Also you really provide people with an in depth view of how these trailers compare to each other and what it is like to own and use them.
Glad this was helpful. We miss our Matrix everyday. We had to get a bigger tow vehicle to tow some of the larger trailers on the channel. I have a feeling someday I will pickup a used Matrix again. It was by far my favorite little tow vehicle.
I just love your way of talking, gesturing. Very relaxed, friendly style.
I have a teradrop standy 5 x8. (the standy part inside is like 5'8 highest point) i just love it. Is simple and you still feel like camping. Has a little kitchen, and a tiny space even with the bed open for a portable toilet. Everywhere i go ppl want to see it. Its the best. I agree with tou when you say its a step up from car camping or tent. Yayy teardrops... 👍❤️💕...
That sounds lovely! 5'8 would be more than enough for us. Even 5' would feel amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Your content and delivery is simply incredible. Thank you.
More and more, experience campers like yourself, are talking about the realities of camping and vehicles of instead of only 'blue sky' and wishful thinking.. A very good thing, indeed..
While I am out there, whenever, wherever that may be, I am reminded of the fact that it is all work before any pleasure/satisfaction.... and then it's work again to take it all apart.. LOL! I dig those 'booties'.!!!
I think the best way a person can look at it is.. A teardrop can be a modular base that you can grow on as needed. it can act as a quick bedroom point that you can drive out to the lake for barbecues and such... Or it can be the "center point" with side access, back access, and even wrap around tents... Its all based on what you need and want. you can even set up "attached bthrooms" with outside showers, toilets, etc in a side mount tent that you can access from the inside or out (if your trailer has twin doors).
You are worried or have problems with condensation? ceiling fan. Problems with excessive condensation in the winter? Shift from a propane heater to a diesel heater. Your teardrop is your bedroom, and an outdoor kitchen/barbecue for many things thats all you are going to need.
People also seem to talk about "oh you can't always just pull over and set up on the side of the road." but the truth is, in the vast majority of situation, you can't do that with a full sized trailer either. sure you can "urban boondock" in some cases, but the truth is, if you're to tired to drive, just pulling into a rest area and taking a nap, in the back of your teardrop is often easier then trying to get the hacks down, and slides out on your Truck bed rv or such.
Number one issue! Is definitely changing of clothes. I have outdoor gear for high winds and rain, and going number 2 without a shelter isn't much fun either. But I am surely the king of I don't care just get it done it's only water. Haha! Great video!
Thanks for sharing! I think going down to the lower 48 this summer we are going to have to relearn some of our camping techniques. Especially when it comes to hard rain and winds. It really isn't something we battle up here.
I'm sure you will enjoy your trip down here. There is a lot to explore if given enough time.
@@sierramantrvlnus Time will be something I think we may have a lot of. With us being forced to move through Canada so quickly we will have a lot more time near the coast.
new to the channel and recent subscriber. Me and the wife are getting a bit older and the tent camping we have done for the past 20 years has lost some of its appeal. Between the inflatable deflating at 2am with a rock between your shoulder blades and the easy heat loss during the winter months we are on the lookout for a good off road teardrop. Thank you for the videos, they are awesome and very well done!
I think you’re going to like the Avenue you’re pursuing. It will still give you that close to nature feel, but the nice creature comfort‘s from home. I think it’s a great blend. And the beauty of the off-road Teardrop, besides many of them being built to last for a lifetime, they are built to get you anywhere. Which is nice because it means you can get to all your favorite camping sites you’ve been going to. Once you start narrowing down your choices we’d love to hear what you’re looking at. Always fun to know what people are considering.
Funny you mention the Meerkat because your videos have made me fall in love with mine all over again. I was ready to sell it because the size with my family of 4 was just frustrating me...now I’m reframing to think of it like a teardrop that we can stand up in to change, and with a little more storage, and now I’m putting in the work to get it all organized and geared up for a summer of camping and can’t wait! Thanks for all of your amazing content!
When I see snow...I say no to tents. But I do like the speed and ease of a rooftop tent (in the summer lol)
I like truck campers but I hate that I have to buy an expensive F250 because most trucks have a 1500lb payload like a tundra....and that gets maxed out fast. Of course I could use a pop-up but my wife prefers a regular camper.
Great video!
Everything you said is our thoughts exactly. There always seems to be some sort of trade off when purchasing a camper. Maybe even a year or two ago I thought I could find the perfect camper that would do it alll. But still on a budget a as me use our daily commuter. So far I don’t think that’s possible. But it’s fun trying to find it!
"Mask on or shove off" ?... Wow, great customer service.
Isn't it? How great that they protect their customers.
The price. Yep that's it. That's why my hubby built his own. He loves it!
Congrats to your husband. That is such a great achievement.
Great video, thanks. I miss my 17 foot travel trailer, it was big enough to stand up in, had a full bathroom and kitchen, queen sized bed and table, but was also small enough that it was easy to tow. I hate my 30 foot trailer, getting gas, traffic around cities, etc... just so stressful, not worth the stress. I keep looking at teardrops, but spending $10-20k on something this small, just keeps me going WHAT, HOW does it cost that much...
That's the sweet spot! Just big enough to stand up in and wide enough and long enough to sleep comfortably in. My original RV was like 27' and that thing was soo problematic.
Hi, I have a teardrop camper. I think it is ideal for me here in Australia, especially I am wheelchair bound with a amputee right leg above. The knee is awesome for me to actually just go up to the side of the teardrop open the door pivot around and I’ll get an instant bed having a extra. Room for showering and porta. Potty is a great idea. Most of the places I go are all great, and I’m now only one there, so it doesn’t matter if I get dressed in the middle of nowhere. They certainly are some things that you might hate, but I think my like out why everything that I dislike about the teardrop camper.
We are right with you. Teardrop is always our number one choice. This was just a video to show the balance side of the argument because all our other videos are 100% teardrop love.
I love these things and after 20 years camping in a swag and sleeping on the ground this would be like a 5 star hotel but you can't carry it with you when you are hiking. I have been thinking about building one for many years now i just think they are the coolest things ever don't really care if there are better options lol.
A lot of valid points. Some I don't think necessarily apply to many people though. For example the whole changing clothes issue: your trailer is really tiny, particularly in height. Mine is about 6 feet tall, so you have a lot of room in there to do acrobatics. I generally don't do acrobatics because I'm European - so I just change outside and if someone happens to see me: look away if you're embarrassed or say hello - I'm ok with either. Condensation definitely is an issue in cold climates. I've only had it on occasion on december trips, but northern CA is not very cold in winter so we're talking 50s, not 20s. It's something you can overcome when you throw money at it: a propex or webasto ducted heater and double pane windows will take care of it if you're willing/able to spend the 4 digits on it.
The top 4: Size. Mine is a Nucamp T@G Boondock (with a bunch of changes and upgrades), but the inside size is very comfortable for 2 and even still good for 3 adults. It's essentially a king bed and galley on wheels. #3 Comforts: I think in my case the biggest comfort is the heater and the electric fridge: both make for a pleasant off-grid experience. A teardrop is essentially a bed in a tent on wheels. Much more comfortable than a tent - you have as good a mattress as you want. For us that was the idea: we got too old to crawl into tents and sleep on a skinny pad on the ground - this is a real bed. #2 cooking outside. There's plus and minus things to it. I prefer outside unless I have a big A class with a full kitchen and mostly a range hood vented outside. In anything smaller than 30+ feet it stinks up the place so cooking outside it a plus .... unless you're camped in 35 mph winds in the desert when the sand goes everywhere. That's the days/nights to a) eat a energy bar while b) break camp and head for Las Vegas. #1 lack of bathroom. That may be an issue depending on where you go. Personally I have no problem to bring a chemical cassette crapper or even the solidifying crap into a bag over a bucket bags from Walmart and other places. In a location where pack in, pack out includes human waste any of these are a must. Otherwise a nicely dug foot deep hole behind a cactus will spurt new growth (dig deep and take the toilet paper with you - TP has no business outdoors, bring a plastic bag for that.).
In summary: a teardrop is the type of amenity that is a huge step up from tent camping but still forces you to be out in nature. Why go "camping" when all you do is sit inside your 40 footer A class listening to the hum of the dishwasher while watching satellite TV? In that case, save yourself $200k and stay home.
This is the type of post we were hoping to get on here. I think a lot of people will benefit from this comment Uwe. When deciding on what trailer fits your lifestyle it is hard to make that decision just from listening to a sales rep. Always nice to hear from actual folks in the community. And that is a great point about the larger RVs. Like you, we have had good cooking experiences in our family's very large trailers. But when traveling in something like a Casita or Scamp we just didn't find it enjoyable at all.
I lived in Girdwood in the '80s. Beautiful place, cool people and lots to do outside.
funny thing is, when I think of a tear drop trailer I picture the bigger ones.. NOT the dog cart size ones
My husband and I are really not campers but these teardrops make sense to me ……I would rather enjoy the outdoors than be confined inside, I only ask for a comfortable place to sleep out of the elements, I love outdoor cooking, food tastes better, that’s what camping is all about…….Thankyou for this video
Love your channel. I am just about to start my experience with teardrop camping. I have been a tent camper for 40 years now, so hopefully you will save me from making some of the novice mistakes.
thx
THANK YOU for always getting to the point. I love you and May...and East and baby too. ❤ The Iditarod history and info was very interesting.
You're videos are consistently great content! My biggest pet peeve was changing space as well. Our camper is taller but not comfortable to stand in. The ARB awning and screen room changed the game for us.
Like always, great video. totally agree on the galley and the bathroom points. While my kids were growing up we had a beautiful boat with a galley and a head. We never used the galley and always cooked outside and never used the head because, lets be honest, those systems are gross! Fighting wind and rain are the only challenges in my experience with Bean. You can totally mitigate that with a good annex and some coverage around the galley.
Thanks for sharing Mark. One thing we accidentally left out in the edit was caulking the trailer. So simple, but gets old doing it every year. That is one of the many things I think a Bean trailer has going for it. Just one less thing to maintain. And bigger than that one less thing to be worried about when camping and that is "will water get into my trailer?" As you know I love a traditional teardrop, but the more we use ours the more we wish ours was constructed with fiberglass. Yes, it wouldn't be traditional, but the design still looks traditional and we are more than fine with that.
@@PlayingwithSticks I was going to respond "not on Bean" to your caulking statement! :)
I hear the same questions about my teardrop and I tell everyone all are fallacies not truths. I have a flexible awning on mine with zip out walls so I don't need the separate tent. I also built mine with a raised floor so I have more storage than I need under the bed with outside access doors.I had condensation problems at first but once you learn venting this goes away. I have owned many campers from pop ups (which I learned to hate) to 23ft campers (which always had something broke) but I will never go back now that I have my teardrop. I tell everyone if you don't want to be outdoors while camping stay home.
Another great video! I've been tossing up whether or not to buy one for so long! I fully understand racing to the coffee shop 😁 nothing better than a good coffee and something to eat when it's cold!
Thanks Stephanie! Getting the coffee after our camping trips has now become almost part of the routine. I wish I never created it this new routine. I find myself breaking camp early on the last day just to make sure I get to a local shop while they are still open. Half the time I get there and they are closed anyway.
@@PlayingwithSticks LOL, same for me. The only thing is, that I've worked so hard to perfect my camping coffee routine, I seek out the cute, local coffee shops, often only to discover that I wished we ate and had MY coffee back at camp. I bake too, so even that sets the bar pretty high when we visit such places. But I still look for them.
Teardrop campers are awesome if you're a dwarf. Most of them have 6'0" long interiors which isn't enough to lie down and stretch out. I can't sleep with my head and feet against the end walls. A Prius with the passenger side seats folded down has more sleeping space.
Finally someone sensible!
Still love my Alto 1713. Teardrop plus full standup and bathroom. No problem with food smells, we still cook outside as often as possibles.
Another great video, superb Alaska footage too, makes me miss home thanks 🙂
Well, we're used to camping in tent and backpacking, so our experience might be very positive even with the 3 kids.
I'm putting the fiberglass on my DIY squaredrop this week, I'll let you know how it goes. 😉
We just bought a 2017 Riverside Retro Jr (509) for $6800 Canadian dollars. It's mint, looks brand new. No water damage, no gravel rash or blemishes.
This past winter we added a Foxwing with 2 sides and a larger changing room to our 5x9 teardrop. Since my camping season is late April through October condensation isn't a real problem. Our changing room has a Nemo pump shower setup and we keep a small portable potty in it.
That awning and changing setup sounds great. We have often thought the two room instant up shower tents would make a great side entry. One side could be used for showering and the toilet and the other side for lounging. Thanks for sharing this David. Would love to see pictures of your setup sometime. I can kind of picture it in my head, but not quite.
@@PlayingwithSticks, I'll send you some pictures when I take it out of winter storage.
Loving your channel. I've been building a TD trailer off and on for a few years. Your vids have rekindled my enthusiasm and desire to make it happen.
Thanks for providing excellent content that is relevant and well produced.
Great information! Love the views, beautiful!
Glad you enjoyed it Sandy!
Hate to say it but Drew you have a calming voice on all your videos.
Ha, ha, my husband heard me listening to this video and said "SEE? I told you we don't want a teardrop trailer!" Actually, he would prefer we do not tow anything. My 1999 Ford Ranger extend cab is off road packaged and it is set up such that it can tow something. But frankly, the 3.0L V6 is slow enough on its own. The more I see your videos on tiny trailers, the more I feel maybe an upgrade on our truck bed topper (bought it with one already, and its not a good one) is the way to go. We just finished camping up in the Sawtooth Recreation Area, Idaho (Alturas lake, to be specific), and fortunately I opted to bring our Spring bar tent (for 4) instead of sleeping in the back, because turns out there is a fantastic campground that is "tent only". Since you cannot park your vehicle right up to your site, sleeping in something other than a tent would have barred us from this great spot. It is not high fly fishing time in mid-June, but most of the boondocking along the river (and some creeks) means you are neck and neck with fishermen who have whopping RVs and other trailers of that nature. We had a quiet, private site, and even with one night of 30mph plus wind gusts, our tent and triangle tarp held up well and was protected by some small pines. As for the indoor sink, toilet, etc....heck, if I needed all of that, I would stay home! Yes, sometimes its a real pain to prep, cook, and clean in the great outdoors, but eh, we survive. And I can say that, because 99.999% of the planning, prepping, cooking, and cleaning is done by me. Hubby remembers his camera and fishing gear and that's all he can do, ha. Love your videos and I quote them often when I'm telling my husband about what I'm going to do differently on our "next" trip. Take care!
Super helpful. Didn’t talk me out my interest in one so thats a good sign!!
Sounds like you’re one of us! Welcome to the club.
Teardrop caravans offer affordability without compromising quality. They provide an excellent way to explore without breaking the bank.
I would love one! My husband doesn't camp. Theres a whole list of reasons he gives. I enjoy the outdoors, and like getting off the ground. The cost is what keeps me without one.
The cost is a tough one. Have you two ever looked into used pop-up trailers. I think it is a great trailer for couples that have different needs. The canvas makes one of you feel like you are sleeping close to nature, while the amenities makes the other feel close to home. So far for us the pop-up has been the best of both worlds. And what I really like about these is the price for used models.
I have the same problem. A husband miss-match on the outdoor. He’ll talk RV as long as he can just sit inside the whole time.
@@LDaw_96 You know though I would take this mismatch any day over a spouse who won't go out at all. But, I do see your point that it would be nice if you both had the same vision for how you stay outdoors.
I also have a husband who refuses to go camping. I love it. I have gone the whole route. I'm a 72 year old lady. I've done tent camping, went to a pop-up, got a van that I loved. Now I am thinking about going back to tent camping again. If it weren't for the prohibitive price, one of these things might not be bad. For an overnight at the state park.
@@PlayingwithSticks I do have a popup. Older one. Really more than I need. I hope to use my van for longer trips. I got lots of plans!
You get most of the pros of tent camping plus the comforts of a trailer. I agree with you, and thats why we are going teardrop. Biggest thing is that night time sleep to fully enjoy the day. Weve been tent camping for years and we know we dont care about cooking outside or going to the bathroom. In fact I prefer going to the bathroom "al fresco" even when campgrounds have bathrooms.
Roof top tents are just tents on a roof top. You dont get the benefits of having solid walls, or the same wind protection. People dont realize these things because imo they have not camped much. Weve been through all, wind storms in the mojave, snow in the eastern sierras, and a massive rainstorm in big sur. Our REI tent survived it all, but we barely got any sleep. And cleaning everything after rain/snow. What a pain.
Sure an RV, or big trailer is the ultimate comfort. But, is it camping at that point?
A teardrop with a RTT sounds nice though. You have the option of sleeping up there when the weather is nice, or it offers space for the kids!
Yes, the cleaning and ensuring everything is dry after a storm is what really wears us out over time. That was our hesitation with a pop-up. Love the feel, but don't like popping something up again when we get back home. And you nailed it with the teardrop with RTT. That is the route we are moving towards. May and I both agree that the teardrop is our favorite camper at the moment, but miss the tent at times. We thought the combo of the two would be the best of both worlds for us. And like you said the RTT would make a great fort and sleeping area for the boys.
Fair question ~ you said it doesn't bother you to go potty outside, but does it bother May? Maybe I'm just a wussy old woman, but I wouldn't want to be doing business out in the weather, and when we were younger, I recall camping trips being postponed for that monthly thing, because it was a serious hassle to deal with in the woods. And if you don't bury it properly, you'll have animals.....generally unpleasant ones like bears and wolves. (Well, in Idaho, anyway.)
The number one thing hate about teardrop trailers is towing. I don't like to tow...anything! A close second is the price. They're ridiculously priced for what amounts to a sleeping box.
Your videos are awesome. My wife and I love camping and being outdoors but as we have gotten older the last thing we want to to is sleep on the ground or in the wetness. We live in Florida so the cold is not an issue. But we want to
Travel and sightsee. Your videos are helping us plan ahead. We are shopping for a camper now and may go
With a Runaway camper. The
Thank you. I was looking at tear drops & leaning towards Timberleaf. After my ideal built? The price was very reasonable. Going with Timberleaf.
Thank you for sharing this. I love hearing from people why they chose their trailer. What drew you to Timberleaf over the other brands? Are you from Colorado?
We just sold our full size RV for one of the reasons you alluded to - temptation to stay inside, cook inside, etc.. Now debating options that offer a warm dry place to sleep for a family of 4 and space for all the gear.
Camping shouldn't be glamorous. It's adventure, sweat, inconvenience etc. But, the small teardrop I've never understood. If you need a tent over the back to cook and eat dry, one over the door to change clothes, and one in the corner of the site to, well you know, answer nature, why not just tent it? I love seeing them. But, they're just not for me. I love vintage trailers. My 76 shasta 1950 is perfect for the 7 in my family. Boondock ready and forces outdoor living but, provides shelter and space when the weather is bad. Love your videos.
I’m 6’7 can’t wait to see how this turns out
A great way to do a "top 10" - keep changing it up with some great locations and history.
Glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for the feedback.
Just found this. Like the fact that you're in Alaska and discussing winter camping. I'm in Wyoming: been to Alaska on a cruise and I'm in awe. 10Q ;)
Hey man this is a great channel and I’ve subbed. Hard work, well done
Great video as always Drew and some good points for anyone thinking about a teardrop to consider. Thanks
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. That was the aim of the video. I realized I have shared snippets here and there about what we don't like, but we have never put it into one formal video. It's tough making that decision on what trailer is right for you. And today, with these rapidly increasing trailer prices, I think that decision really requires a bit more time and information than it used to. Hope all is going well for you. I bet the spring fishing is starting to ramp up down there.
Spring has sprung and our ice is gone a little earlier than normal and time for open water fishing is here but unfortunately for me no kayaking until June as I recover from some surgery( no big deal just can’t lift anything or drag anything ) , but I’ll hit the shore and do some bank fishing like the good old days.
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 Glad to hear you will be recovered by June. We are starting to do a lot more bank fishing lately, due to having the boys. I am finding I really missed it. Go get some big ones for us. As I don't think we will be fishing for quite a while. Winter doesn't want to let go this year in Alaska.
The "mask on or shove off" sign XD
Hiker trailer-it’s a square drop and awesome!
Thank you for sharing Jonelle. Love the squaredrops.
To each their own. Some think teardrops are tiny & overpriced. But on the flip side they fit in tight spaces & no heavy duty tow truck is needed. Some of us wouldn't want to be couped up in a rv full time regardless of the size. Seems like the bigger the rv gets the more flimsy its made. Boondocking seems to work fine for your family getting away from the crowds. That said as your boys get bigger you'll eventually have to tow something bigger to accommodate them.
Ha! Yeah! Changing cloths in a low cramped space gets old after awhile! One of my first purchases was a pop-up shower tent with its instant up and 7 foot ceiling.
Big fans of the pop-up shower tents as well. They serve so many purposes.
The only problem I have is getting cold, but I use a 12 volt throw. I open the top vent for safety, and condensation on the windows happens anyway. If I have to get out in the night, brrrr. By time I get my shoes on, all the cold air is in. And once after I'm settled, I have to take the dog out for a bit. But we survive it. That's my only dislike about a teardrop. I doubt I would use it in snow on the average, so in winter, I stay on the west side of the Cascades. Being 30 miles from the coast, I wait for a semi-good weather report, jump in and go. I'm sure my dog thinks I'm crazy.
I'm single and short for a grown man. I can sleep in places that others only dream about. A tear drop, to me, is just a bed on wheels and I have that with a sedan and a folding rear seat. Add a moonroof for moisture control and I'm good to go. I love the spring and fall for perfect weather. Have fun with what you own, don't dream about "someday".
Good points here. Like you we traveled all around the States in our Jeep for years. It was amazing. We even had a little bed in there with drawers that pulled out. I think for most of us, the teardrop is definitely just a bed on wheels. Meaning it is more about the outdoor experience, but having a comfy place to lay our head at night. But, I will say with time I have come to really appreciate all my gear being in one place. That was a bit of a struggle for us with the vehicle. As seasons changed and activities changed we kind of lost the spark of moving the gear in and out of the house. Great point on enjoying what you own. We like to say they all get you to the same destination. Even a bike could be your camper.
Great video! I don’t like that I have to go outside first thing in the morning if I want coffee. Sometimes you just want to take it slow in the camper and sip your coffee, you know?
When my kids were little we had a 28ft Winnebago with a full kithchen. I almost never cooked inside preferring to use the camp stove outdoors.
We had a Little Guy we pulled behind two different Subaru Foresters. It was really too heavy for either. We made the mistake of putting bikes on a trailer hitch mount, and they broke it. We bought several attachments for being able to stand while changing, and I designed and built two myself, but we were never happy with them. We eventually switched to pulling it with a Ranger -- much more successful -- but we gave up on it after about three camping seasons. The experience of sleeping in it was very nice, though.
Thank you for sharing this.
All in all, you are must better off with a pop-top....when you can stand up and sit normally at a table.
Thank you, Drew. Well done, as always.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
Yes, yes, yes on dressing in a teardrop. I forgot my privacy tent this week and had to wriggle out of wet clothing lying down. Ugh.
I’d add how quickly a teardrop gets messed up. Because I’m sleeping in the middle of my ‘everything else’ space, I usually end up sharing the bed with my plastic shoe box, phone charger cord, extra pillows, blankets, and coats, possibly a heater or a dog and all her stuff. It always feels disorganized.
We have an Aliner pop-up. It basically solves all the "don't likes" and keeps all the "likes " on your list.
Any issues with leaking or bugs coming in the cracks?
Looked at a Pee Wee teardrop last week. Several sizes / many options (including toilet room). Probably the best teardrop for the price. Out of TN. I am a prior Runaway owner.
This is so easy, can't stand up, no bathroom, no room for cooking .No room for anything but sleeping. For all the money of the teardrop camper . Mini van builds and an S.U.V tent . With the right tent setup you will have room to get dressed. Cooking and have a portable bathroom also. Plus the safety of sleeping in your converted mini van with a bedroom in it. For a lot money. Also no towing.
Love it! Thanks for your input.
Thanks that was a really good informative video
I love your commentary! I own a teardrop too, and I have a single difficulty. Cooking in my galley in weather and especially wind! I’ve been experimenting with tents to block wind. It’s an adventure in itself.
you get wrap around tents, with floors
JETSTREAM XT DELUXE have a look, you can have them made
I have a SylvanSport Go...that I call upperclass tent camping. It took me a couple of years to be able to back it easily. Up until this year I pulled it with a Mini Cooper Clubman. Short car. Short tongue. Short trailer = Jack knife. You have inspired me to go farther off grid. My Subaru is helping too. I can go down roads with it that I couldn’t in my Mini. All that being said... I’m trying to justify a teardrop. Want want want.
That is funny that you mention this. We are kind of going the opposite direction. Love our teardrop, but at times have considered getting some sort of overland tent trailer. After staying in a pop-up trailer last summer for 3 weeks we realized how much we missed the feeling of a tent. We have been looking at the Sylvan Sport Go to get inspiration for what potential trailer we may get when we arrive in Thailand. I bet you turned some heads with that Mini Cooper/Tent Trailer combo. But, I also understand the desire to have a vehicle that can get through more of those back roads. To us when it comes down to a tent trailer or a teardrop it really is about storage. That is where we currently have the biggest need. Sometimes we even think about using the teardrop more as storage and sleeping on top of the teardrop in a rooftop tent. This way you get the best of both worlds. And if you really need the teardrop for sleeping you can just move the gear to the car.
I love my GOrmelia. I love the versatility. We use it as a trailer with regularity. All our gear is hauled in it on and it is easily setup by one person. Their customer service is top notch. You can stand up in it and it comes with an integrated awning. It is a single walled tent so condensation becomes an issue when temps drop into the 40 s and below. No wood parts so drying it out is simple. Easy to roll around.
@@CinkSVideo We couldn't find anything about the GOrmelia online. Could you post a link? sounds really interesting.
GOrmelia is what I named my SylvanSport Go. It means “Splendid Princess” in Gaelic...cause she is a splendid princess.
@@CinkSVideo So sorry. I didn't realize this post had come from you. Quite embarrassing. Okay, looking at it now it all makes sense. Haha.
Amazing video! thanks! i folow your chanel! from Brasil!
Lol, I have been building the same teardrop for about 7 years on and off. I recently got the itch to finish it. The whole changing clothes and having to pee when it rains area concern, but they are a concern with tenting too so I guess its not a big deal to me. My main concern is the dog. She gets freaked out when were all sleeping in the bed and one of us moves our feet. That and being a dog she'll have dirty feet, meaning when she jumps up into the teardrop the bed will get messy. Oh well. Maybe a boot brush for doggy feet ? Good vid
Yes, the dog one can be tricky. We were thinking of doing a dog episode one of these days. We don’t have very good tricks, so we thought the video would be nice to show the areas we struggle and see if anybody has great solutions. That teardrop project sounds long, but in the end I bet it will all be worth it!
Not all tear drop are small ! Check out the Alto R1723 from Safari Condo. I own a 2009 and it is the most reliable and fantastic teardrop ou there. Light weight under 2000lbs. Also one of the only trailer that will never rot as there is no wood frame but only aluminium and polymer honeycomb. Go check it out
Soooo, whats the difference if you sleep in the car, suv or van? You still have changing clothes issue... and if you need a big trailer now you're just being one those a holes on the road. Smaller trailer or no trailer is better imo, I mean tents are just as small as the teardrops... just my opinion...
Good point. The whole reason to get a mini camper is to not set up a tent anymore and what do these people do? They set up a tent anyway to do the extra stuff they can't... 🤦🙄😒👎 Just get the next size up! It doesn't have to be 50' just something that works better than living in a suitcase...
I dunno. I'm 45, and I'm not getting much younger as time goes by. The whole crawling around on my hands and knees isn't really for me. I'm not tryna hurt myself getting out of bed.
I’m new to teardrop campers and so appreciate your video sharing and experience (thank you).
What do you keep in the bullet storage on top your car? It would be great to see how everything is packed!
I love Alyeska. Have been there a few time. Stayed at Bud and Carol's bed and breakfast. Not sure if it's still around since Bud passed.
When I go camping, I pitch a tent. I'm getting older, now, and pitching a tent is quite a labor-intensive activity for me. Tent camping is all I have ever known. I love it. I just want a teardrop camper that replaces the tent. Not much moor. But every manufacturer wants to make teardrops like staying in the best motel. And at the price of a high-end R.V., I keep looking for a teardrop that fits this bill. No luck, so far.
You found the right place. We are huge advocates of a simple Teardrop. My current favorite is the road toad from camp-inn. I’ve never been in one but on paper it looks great. It’s all composite so it’s very light weight and you won’t have any of the issues with water. Another more affordable route to go is square drops. Basically by sacrificing the Teardrop aesthetic you’re going to save thousands of dollars. Check out hiker and runaway trailers. If you want a simple teardrop like our home built teardrop you sign this video check out little camper company. Hope this gets you started in the right direction. if you have more questions just let us know. I have a feeling you’re going to love Teardrop life!
@@PlayingwithSticks I am a maker and have been thinking about making my own. thanks for the comeback.
@@stanleydenning Love it. We will be highlighting DIY within the next month or so. Keep your eye out for those videos.
I'm thinking about a teardrop trailer. It'll increase my options for short trips, when even a camping-averse person like me is willing to pare down to a bed, shelter, and basic kitchen in order to avoid paying for a hotel room (can't get a basic kitchen in your average hotel room, so you're already ahead there). Toilet? Stay at a cheap campsite with restroom facilities, or Walmart parking lot. Make sure to pee before settling in for bed. Shower? Use body wipes, otherwise budget for a gym chain membership (24-hour Fitness, etc) so you can use a real shower.
Ideally I'd go the pop-top campervan route, but I'm not sure buying and maintaining a second vehicle would be expedient for BF and I anytime soon. Probably best to get a teardrop trailer that's light enough for his car to tow.
One negative for me is, if his daughter travels with us, a pop-top campervan is probably the best idea because they have a bed in the main area and one in the pop top tent thingy. Kiddo will be 12/13 by the time we're able to even think about this issue, so giving her a place to sleep in a teardrop trailer won't be as easy as it would if she were 5. Surely there are teardrop trailers with pop-tops? That would be perfect.
KUDOS and thanks MUCH for another great honest share! Love seeing you and pix of growing family too! My they are getting BIG!:) All the BESt to you and family from WA / PNWEst, Cheers and take care! :)
Thank you so much Marty! We are getting really excited to make it down to your neck of the woods this summer. Hope all is going well for you!
I absolutely miss Alaska
If you use a side tent for it does the ac or the heater enough to keep the temperature of the tent good as well or no
It actually does surprisingly well. There is a new trailer manufacturer out of Utah. They actually added a port on their trailer so the heater and ac can push out into the side entry that is built onto the trailer. Pretty neat design. One of these days we will post that video. I shot it when I was at an Outdoor Expo in Utah.
I used to be called cute. Now my teardrop took all the attention from me😭😭😭
Haha. Yes. I was looking back at the last year's family photos. There is May, the boys...but where is Drew? Then I noticed every other photo is a teadrop standing by itself. Yep, I have been replaced.
Tragedy
You can always put a tarp up over your kitchen or a popup
We feel the bigger kids and gear thing so hard. We're gonna get one of the big suckers from Bend teardrops -- still teensy compared to most campers.
Hey I have a Bend Teardrop trailer! Classic design and bargain price for a decent quality build, compared to big name & fancy-looking trailers. My 10' with solar, 12v power hookup, 10-speed fan, cargo box and some other bells and whistles came out to
Nice video. Question: how do these little trailers get power? Thank you.
Please tell me about your side tent. This one doesn’t seem to appear in your side tent video from a few years ago. I LOVE my classic style 2008 my Cozy Cruiser! But I need a side tent
Hey Drew! You're a little late with this video, lol! Last month I made a deposit to have a teardrop trailer built.
Thanks for all the videos! They helped me to decide that a teardrop WAS right for me.
That’s awesome to hear Steve! What did you end up going with?
@@PlayingwithSticks I decided on an Aero Teardrops - Steel High Clearance trailer. They now offer a bunch of options, but I'm keeping mine fairly simple. I think it will be a good build for the way I like to camp!
Take care...
@@stevemccuen8131 Awesome! Love the elongated body on these. And like you I like the simplicity.