Let's talk Teardrop Trailers

Where are you located and how much?

 

First trip of the year for us. Just a quick overnighter to Camano Island to test out our new Propex Furnace. The test would have probably gone better if I had filled the propane bottle first.



Outside got into the 30's, inside stayed above 60 even without the furnace. We still managed to have a good time despite the chill.

 

A couple more pictures from the Camano Island trip for all the snowbound members


Deploy Stabilizers!


There was enough slope on the site that the driver's side trailer wheel was about 2" off the ground to get the trailer level.

Yep, those are trailer parts on the picnic table. I had ordered up acoustical ducting for the furnace and it showed up as we were hitting the road to go camping. I've worked in worse locations:



Speaking of furnace, here's the semi-final install, before I got the acoustical ducting. I also need to finish securing the duct elbows. The furnace is mounted on the wife's side of the trailer. She's short and doesn't even touch the cover for the furnace:



The hot air outlet is on her side, the cold air return is on my side. I had to move a couple things around on my control panel. The vents act as a little shelf for charging things like cell phones.

I also figured out what was going on with the furnace. I had plenty of propane, I did not have plenty of propane pressure. The regulator was set a little too low. For some reason it worked fine while at home during my testing, but when camping it was a no-go. This morning I made a water manometer and adjusted it to within Propex' specs. Can't wait to get out again, it sucks for me that I won't have the chance for another three months. *sigh* Yay work.

 

Thought this thread needed another home built.

First trip with the Tacoma.


Added a 3500# axle, and matching wheels.


Then the truck changed


More camping

Setting up at night, not a problem.



While I don't have a really a build thread on either, I have been camping in the Teardrop since 2010, and had the Tacoma since 2013. I plan on doing some interior pics, and a bit of a walk through this camping season.

 

Took the teardrop to the Ozarks this last weekend.

 

Had mine out a couple weekends ago, tows so much better than my 4 cylinder Outback does for sure.

 

This weekend I towed our NuCamp Tab 400 camper about 30 miles to Mahoney State Park in Ashland, NE. Perfect weather, lovely weekend.

The only downer was I made some booboos with dewinterizing the camper, so the water was pink the whole weekend. Will have to flush it out thoroughly next time before we go.

Towed like a champ. I definitely felt it was there—a bit over 3000 lbs—but the truck never struggled. No problems with bumpy ride or sway—I use an anti-sway bar and hitch which helps out quite a bit. I have a manual—was able to use 6th gear going downhill or flat when at speed (no faster than 65) but otherwise 5th or 4th for steeper hills. Not quite as effortless as towing with our prior Avalanche, but easier to drive and maneuver. Gas mileage was 15.4 for the trip back.

Yes, I was a happy camper...

 

Good looking little trailer! What are the details on this teardrop?

 

Took the trailer out for some spring skiing this weekend

 

Rented a Hiker Trailer from their Indy location last weekend for a trial run. Learned about them due to this thread. It was great fun and they're super people to work with. Now, trying to figure out just what we need to accommodate us and our 4yo granddaughter. Leaning toward a 5x10 with a bunk that could also be used for storage and a sofa.

 

I was going to suggest not going wider than 5', since that closely matches the track width of our trucks, but I see they only build 4' and 5' wide models.

My only other suggestion is, if you plan to take it off-road, get as short of one as you can comfortably fit it. If your plans are milder off-road, the extra length should not be a problem.

Ours is 8' long, with a long tongue. I have not had a problem off-road with it (not that I necessarily would have with a 10' long model). However, once in a while we think a little extra room inside would not be a bad thing. But, there are only 2 of us - you will have 3 people.

 

Ours is a 5x10 with a long tongue. It's about 80" wide at the fenders but it follows the truck real well through the woods

 

Ours is essentially a tad shy of 5x10. We've got bunk beds for the two kiddos (6yo and 3yo) and a slightly modified queen for my wife and I. Our wheel wells extend inwards slightly, but it's not nearly as narrow as the tent we used to use. My wife also lost a couple inches of foot room to the furnace, which also isn't a big deal since she's short. I recently picked up an awning room so that we have the option of more sheltered space in poor weather:





The only issue I've run into with the awning room is that it's designed for a CVT awning but I have Smittybilt awnings. I'm going to have to do a little bit of sewing on the attachment flaps to take some slack out, the inside ceiling is a bit saggy. The awnings on both sides of the trailer also make it possible to set the room up on whichever side works best for where we're camping at the moment.

For what it's worth regarding the 5x10 and smaller trailers, there are more than a couple people on TNTTT who built a 4x8 trailer first and then built a 5x10 trailer when they realized that 4x8 was a smidge too cozy, especially if you're sharing the space with others.

 

I agree. My wife and I sat in a 4x10 before we built ours that was all it took to know a 4 wide doesn't fit an American sized couple

 

Finished my recent build, teardrop 2. First build was 15 years ago and we were wanting a little more space. Just took it out a couple weeks ago for the first time, worked and towed great

 

And your build thread is where?

 

Do you have more pictures of the door awning dealie? It looks almost like a tent extension of some sort

 

Lots of pics, but not organized
https://m.imgur.com/account/exminnesotaboy/albums

 

My wife and I have a small dog. In my first teardrop camper, she threw together a “doggie popout” so he could have his own space. So, with the new camper, she made one to fit that one as well. It’s not waterproof, but she sewed a clear plastic waterproof cover and it seals up well during rain when we need to put it on. The base is approx 27” x 12” - just enough for him. It is held in by turn buttons and can be flipped in and the door closed very easily.