Let's talk Teardrop Trailers

I went with a relatively new outfit out of Tigard, Oregon, and glad I did when I did, as their prices have jumped considerably. I special ordered mine with high clearance, 16” wheels to match the wheels and the bolt pattern on my rig at the time, a 2007 SR5, and as my plans included getting to some quite out-of-the way places I went with 10 ply tires. I tend to do a lot of winter snow camping (as opposed to summer snow camping? ) and both the clearance and the tires have served me well. I’m sure C rated would have been fine, but what the hell. I also traded out the 12 volt marine battery for two 6 volt Trojans, and have never regretted that decision.
I’ll try to get some interior shots at some point.

 

What is the reasoning for using two 6 volt vs the 12 volt?

 

For me the plusses are three-fold (when run in tandem).....6 volt batteries are known to have a longer life in general over 12 volt batteries, they have larger Ah capacities – when fully charged, 6V batteries have bigger capacities compared to 12V batteries, and they have a bigger discharge and recharge capacity...you can discharge and recharge them more often than 12 volt batteries.
Some possible disadvantages are they are generally more expensive than are 12 volt batteries, a little more uncommon should you run into problems and need to replace them when traveling, and size-wise you may have to retrofit the framework you keep your battery(ies) in if you’ve been using 12 volt.
I use a lot of solar power when possible and I almost never go places where I hook into power. Using a 12 volt fridge, LED’s, a ceiling fan, and charging electric toys (phone, Ipad, etc.) and out for a week at a time, I have more confidence in the system, and I have yet to feel threatened with loss of charging ability.
I am no expert, and others with more experience should chime in, but the above has been my understanding when running 6 volt batteries in tandem, and so far I have no complaints.

 

Thanks for taking the time for a solid write up.

 

How are you heating the trailer in winter?

 

sub'd-love these things!

 

I has no idea there were so many manufacturers.
A lot of "cottage" high end stuff out there too.
I think they are pretty cool.
Really liking all the pics in this thread.

 

Down quilt and a big dog.
I haven’t yet had the chance to get out in the snow with the new truck, but it will be very soon.

 

Indeed. These guys out of Eugene, Or. were high on my list, but in the end the price and more to the point their wait times had me looking elsewhere. I drove the four hours to see them and they do make a high quality product.

https://www.teardropsnw.com/offroad

 

WOW! Beautiful!

 

Those guys are awesome. I asked them several questions while building mine and they were always helpful. They'd love for you to buy one of their trailers, but they also support those who aren't necessarily going to be a customer for a complete trailer. They also offer kits should you want to build your own but want to speed the process up.

 

When I saw them around five years ago they were deep into about 20-25 units heading to Japan. Needless to say I didn’t want to wait for the end of that run as they were estimating a more than one year wait time.

 

Can anyone suggest a model in which the bed can be folded up into a couch, and maybe when the bed is out has enough space to put a small camp toilet at the end of it. I recall seeing a few models like that when looking a few months ago but now I cant find them.

 

I don’t know where you’re located, but the teardrop I bought has the option of folding the futon-like mattress into a “couch”, with the option of a pop up table that comes out of an alcove in the middle of the floor. I'm sure there would be room for that camp toilet as well. They are out of Tigard, Oregon

http://aeroteardrops.com/gallery/

 

Camp Inn makes a Raindrop teardrop, has a couch/bed/bunk bed setup

http://tinycamper.com/raindrop560ultra.htm

 

Thanks guys, looking now

 

Ocracoke, NC.
TAG

 

Great set up, how does it tow ?

 

Love this thread. I’m getting ready to start a build this winter with a friend who has been doing them for a couple of years. I’ve been wanting one for as long as I can remember and finally have the chance to make it happen. Planning to do an off-road setup with matching wheels/tires to the taco, queen bed for me and the wife, going to stick the kids on cots in an awning room. What would you do different if starting over?