Let's talk Teardrop Trailers

@SargeBSA how does this compare to a cricket perhaps I am off base here

 

Funny you ask, I visited the company last year during an open house event the prototype was sitting in the parking lot for size comparison its somewhere between a cricket and a mantis but weighs 6k lbs. I think from just touring their other models it will be well built but not having a kitchen inside is a turn off for me.

 

Yep same shape, basic floor plan, the outside kitchen is a the big difference and the weight must not be aluminum. Hell even has the lifting roof like a cricket

 

No aluminum, all steel frame construction. I really dig the trailing A arm suspension, when or if I get the chance build a better frame for my cricket totally going that route.

But I also like the suspension on the Bruder EXP-6

 

Does anyone have experience with Bean Trailers? They seem to have a much shorter lead time than most (3-4 months) and are fiberglass construction. Escapod is still my first choice right now but with a 1 year lead time, I dont want to miss out on an entire season of camping next year here in the Northeast. On that topic, does anybody know of other teardrop manufacturers that have a shorter lead time than say 9 months?

 

Glad your diggin it man, I used to work in mining and oil and gas field as a mechanical designer in Milwaukee and Colorado now so I like to add meat where meat is needed with a touch of cheeseheadness from my hometown.

Its also good to have friends in the fields to review who know welding and structural integrity to really bring that balance of weight and strength together.

Bruder is next level and Im a huge fan of there work forsure! I hope to be up there on there level those guys push the limits in many ways.

 

Nice! what brand/model is that?

 

VRV Flyer. It's no longer made but the Intech Flyer is similar. They had some sort of collaboration on the design.

 

Well my teardrop isn't from a factory, it's from my garage. After 4 months working on it at nights after college classes I finally got it done. It started with a northern tool 5x8 trailer, and I upgraded the axle and put on 15 inch wheels. It's got a sink in the back with 5 gallons of water, a fan mounted in the wall, a 12 volt charger in the bed area. It certainly isn't perfect, but I've taken it off the beaten path and it's held its own so far. Insulating it was the best move I made, as those cold nights are no problem. I made it out of baltic birch and the kitchen countertop is oak, as well as the shelf in the sleeping area.

 

It's got a 100ah deep cycle battery in the tongue box to run a heater and all the lights and stuff. I modeled the shape after the classic Benroy teardrop design from the 1950's, but everything is custom besides the shape of the walls.

 

That’s a really nice job and had to be a fun project. Really cool little camper!

 

Here’s my contribution. All aluminum construction, no wood, insulated. Great little trailer

 

Here is mine. So-Cal teardrop with 5'x11' body. Bed mattress is 8.5 ft long.

Has onboard water with pump. Just bought a porta potti so looking for ideas for a pop up tent for the toilet and to double as a shower tent. The rack mounted ones are nice but I removed my roof rack during storage so that would be a hassle.

 

We use the older version of this: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/Cabelas-easy-up-deluxe-shower-shelter-brown

Sets up quick, roomy. We really like it.

There are also the pop-up ones. Not as roomy, but setup is literally seconds.

 

Nice, Cabela's runs good sales and when combined with the 20% gift cards there is deals to be had. Out of stock at the moment though.

 

Keep your eye out for new stock. They are definitely worth it.

Nothing like showering at the end of the day, with a 1000 mile view out the window!

 

I was fortunate enough get a walk through of the prototype with Matt a few weeks back. I can say this thing is very freaking cool. May have to trade in my MXT in a few years!

 

That's awesome Jake, glad you stopped by to see the prototype. We have been hard at work on it and its come a long way, many lessons learned and hurdles overcame in the past few weeks.

The MXT is still a solid choice, that would be my go to setup due to its versatility and no need for anything bigger as a single dude with a dirtbike. The XT-12 jumps up a caliber for adventurists and im sure ill find myself in the position of wanting that instead. An incredibly utilitarian setup that meets or exceeds many checked boxes with off-road capabilities.

 

I too am extremely impressed. Being the opposite of you I feel pretty good about my woodworking skills, but as for metal, hmm, not so much. We bought our teardrop, after months of research, focusing on local (PNW) builders, after playing with the idea of doing it myself. Probably the right route for us, but again, your work is very impressive. Stay safe.