Off-Road Capable Tear Drops. Pro's/Con's?

Looking to pick up a small tear drop in the near future. I've got my eye on a 15 ft trailer, 1800 lbs dry with an outdoor shower, kitchen out back, and a pooper inside. It's lifted on some AT tires and looks fairly capable.

For those who have owned something similar, I'm looking for general pro's and con's of living with one. Any "gotchas" you've ran into etc.

I've never owned anything like this, never towed more than a small uHaul trailer to the next city over, and just want to hear about any general things that may be useful to know. Any issues towing? Do I really need an articulating hitch to go up some BLM road and hunt with it? etc.

 

At 1800 pounds it should tow easily. After that it's all about intended use. Not sure how many people will be staying in it but they are quite small.

 

That's probably a good piece of info to have lol. Only ones staying in this is me and my dog.

Just looking for more comfort in bad weather, or extended trips. I usually camp anywhere between 1-5 nights in a dispersed spot so hoping to set up whatever I get with enough for those longer trips with zero hook ups, and powered off solar.

 

I wouldn’t consider 15ft 1800lbs a “tear drop”. Sylvan Sport makes a pretty cool set up, check it out and I think it’s 800lbs dry. I’ve been looking at one.

 

Fair lol I'm looking for something between a traditional tear drop and a full on travel trailer. From what I've seen 15 ft seems to be a sweet spot for my intended use.

 

those are cool.. we looked at them at their manufacturing plant.. they are just tents on wheels though.. and very pricey for what they are in my opinion..

 

nice. just you and a dog will be perfect. i wanted a tear drop but with three dogs, a wife and a daughter they were just too small..

what o meant on the intended use is what offroad do you plan? if its real extreme then it may not be so great..

 

Oh, lol yeah nothing near what anyone would consider extreme. Most of the places I camp outside of maybe 1 spot I can think of, a subaru can get to.

 

Yeah. It’s basically a pop up. I agree a bit pricey. They are neat though and got to love the weight.

 

Like how you can use it as a utility trailer also.

 

Yeah. I liked it cause the ability to put bikes underneath or cargo you need. Also the gazebo tent that can be attached as an additional room. Definitely a spring, summer , fall camping.

 

Our Colorado tear drops canyonland pinnacle build will be complete and ready in July. 1300 lbs give or take a few dry. We will be in Utah for a shake down of it and then going to take the Magruder road corridor on the way back to the PNW.

 

Needs and wants are different, obviously but I have a 13' fiberglass trailer. It's my wife and two big dogs. We have a kid on the way and have no intentions of getting a bigger trailer. We spend two to three weeks at a time in it. Kitchen is inside. We don't have one but they came with shower and shitter as an option.

Loaded for a trip it's about 1300lbs.

15' for just me and one dog would be overkill. A trailer that big with an outside kitchen doesn't make sense to me.

Not trying to say my setup is for you or anything... Just giving you another data point.

 

Who makes this trailer? I'll look them up. This was the smallest trailer I could find with a pooper on the inside. Everything on the inside and under 15 ft would definitely be up my alley

 

Check out Aero Teardrops
http://aeroteardrops.com/

 

Was immediately priced out of this company lol. The base price is the top of what I'm willing to spend

 

Piece of advise:
Not many trailers advertised as “off-road” can go off-road. Many have a non-reinforced box frame that will bend pretty bad. An example would be most aframes; the off-road models have slightly higher clearances but no additional reinforcement has been made. To clarify how bad they bend, I can’t open my aframe’s door unless I am almost dead level

 

I have one of these guys and I can tell you from experience it is truly able to handle the off road experience:
https://www.socalteardrops.com/page.php?p=44

Check the website for specs, this thing will go anywhere you can get your tow vehicle. My 2014 Off Road TRD has no trouble with it what-so-ever.

I use a privacy tent for showering and a bathroom. The trailer itself sleeps two inside comfortably and the kitchen is in the back. The stove is propane, the fridge is electric. I have solar panels and am waiting on a wind/water turbine for additional off grid electricity.

For me: yes, you want an articulated hitch if you don't your hitch to be the determining factor on where you can and can't go with your trailer, providing your trailer is also up to the task. I have had mine places where I would not have been comfortable sticking with my ball hitch - getting to the spot in the picture below included.

@CoTacos - I would totally be happy to chat if you (or anyone else) wants to swap stories, talk about gear, or trailers (BTW I love mine - best money I ever spent on myself). I'm just getting started on building up my truck (waiting for some rock sliders from @Shmellmopwho and trying to figure what I want for front/rear bumpers and lighting) and am always happy to talk to others on what's worked for them. Feel free to PM me.

 

I’ve got a Kodiak adventure products little trailer and love it. For me it was all about a place to be comfortable and dry/warm for sleeping time. I’m about being outside when camping and being in the outdoors. It’s small and will follow me wherever I want. Little bit of organization in the rear and inside, once you are setup and happy - it’s always ready to go.

Db

 

You have any pictures of your Kodiac? Is the 5' ceiling height okay or annoying?