Let's talk Teardrop Trailers

That looks awesome, I definitely want high clearance. I probably don't need it, but I love overkill in this area. Anyone know what mfr uses this in their teardrop trailers?

 

I’ve got the same in a 2021. Just spent a week in it a for a MTB stage race which got me to 50 nights in mine in 2 1/2 yrs. First year was sparse with kid #2 still in HS but making up for lost time. Man prices have gotten insane.

Pic from said recent trip.

 

https://www.tinycampercompany.com/upgrades-3/5x8-kong-off-road-series. $12K (probably the cheapest with those axles).
They sell many different trailers; on the lower end is either a leaf spring with the axle or Dexter #9 (2200 rating) Torsion axles.

The $20K to $40K Overland trailers typically have the Tibren.
https://www.overlandexpo.com/compass/best-overlanding-trailers/

Check out the $73K Overlander, the rear suspension is a beast, but coil springs and shocks take up room and leave a narrow passage.
https://www.lifestylecampers.com.au/our-range/reconn-r2-elite/specs-options/

 

I checked these out at a RV show and of the teardrops/squaredrops I have seen this was one of the only I could lay in without laying diagonally, seemed super well built and built with usability in mind. if they weren't as expensive as they are I would have picked one up.

 

Apparently Price and Quality are related.

 

I have heard that a time or two. Compared to other tear/squares with like features they seem about accurate. After building my own trailer I can see where they get the prices though.

The slide out kitchen I would have preferred to source my own cook stove/fridge but didn't get a chance to talk to a competent sales rep to see if you could get a blank slide out or if you had to buy them with the prebuilt in kitchen items.

 

I'd love to add a slide out pitch to my CTC conversion.

 

I did my first shakedown cruise with the taco and my intech. Not really that much different than towing with my wrangler but it does track better and the visibility is improved

 

What wrangler engine and transmission combo did you have ? What did you like or dislike with each Toyota vs Jeep?

 

2014 2dr 3.6l 6mt. 3.73 gears. 285/75/17 e rated wildpeaks. I put 4dr springs and better brakes on it. Honestly it was a freak at towing considering the short wheelbase. Once out of the mountains I could see 18mpg pulling the trailer. The pentastar seemed a little happier at lower revs compared to the yota 3.5l. A wrangler jk manual with 3.73s isn't that much different than a taco manual with 4.30s. 5th in the jeep is 1:1 and 4th in the taco is 1:1

The taco is pretty much stock other than 265/75/16 wild peaks. Same brake controller on both (tekonsha p3) I won't have a full report until next month. I have a 1100mile round trip coming up. My trailer is light dry weight is around 1700lbs and I do whatever I can to keep it light ( I get water when I get there, lithium battery, flexible solar vs glass, aluminum tongue jack, titanium cookware

 

Nice rig

 

Hey y'all,

If you're looking for lightweight, affordable with some great options like torsion axles, custom build, etc.....don't sleep on Hiker Trailers!

We have models in 8, 9 and 10 foot with plenty of ground clearance. I'm 6'2", 220lbs and I sleep like a starfish.


Starting prices range from $5999.00 to $13,595.00 for base models.

I can run 21 gallons of water, instant water heater for a shower, plenty of power options with portable power stations/solar and standard battery systems.


Full disclosure: I work for Hiker Trailers in brand development on the east coast. In the pics below, we had customers take their trailer over the overland course at Overland Expo East in Arrington, VA. They also have been living out of their Hiker for about 5 months now. (2 adults, 1 large dog) The other two are of my truck with a trailer that I pull for road shows.

These trailers are KILLER base camps, and we even throw RTT's up top so you can bring the family, if you want.

 

Axle-less suspension is becoming more and more common.

I believe OFF GRID offers Timbrens.

 

Vorsheer uses Timbrens as well. Most boutique, off-road trailer manufacturers will offer some flavor of axle less suspension. If I were you I would stay away from Black Series. Quality Control and fit/finish are issues which is why my Denver dealer stopped carrying them.

 

Not sure whether to thank you or blame you. Hahaha pretty sure it’s the latter. Not a teardrop but I knew nothing about the InTech Explores until I started reading about them in this thread. Picked her up today and couldn’t be happier.

 

Please explain what is an axle less suspension. Not familiar with that. Is there and advantage?

 

Good for you, enjoy the heck out of it. I'll have to look that make/model ups on the web.

 

Thank you Bob. We sure will. Going to take the whole month of July and make our way through Idaho, Utah, and Colorado before coming home.

 

Lots of trailers use a solid rear axle where the left and right wheels are connected by a shaft. The trailer is supported by leaf springs that rest on the shaft, very much like how your truck's rear axle is. The problem with leaf springs is that they really need shock absorbers and need to be dialed in for the weight of the trailer. They're cheap but, without shocks or tuning, have a reputation for riding harsh. They also have a reputation for hanging up on obstacles driving off road. I think this is a bit unfair as a teardrop with the same size wheels and tires as the truck will have more ground clearance at the axle than the truck will.

Independent, or axleless, uses a short swingarm mounted to the frame rails. Timbren is the most popular in the US. You can get them with all sorts of combinations of spring rate and lift. They do need to be aligned and this is done by installing shims between the suspension and frame. Improper alignment will wear your tires quickly. They also had some issues with bending, though it has been a while since I've seen any complaints. Timbrens use rubber cushions for shock absorption and they can be changed out to tune your trailer.

Torsion axles are sort of a cross in between solid and axleless. They still have a tube going across the trailer but it's tucked up higher. They also use rubber as the spring but, unlike Timbrens, when the rubber wears out then you need to change the whole axle. I've heard complaints that rough road driving tends to shorten the torsion axle's life span.

My first trailer used leaf springs tuned and with shock absorbers. My current trailer build project is using Cruisemaster ATX independent airbag suspension, but it's also a larger and heavier trailer. Cruisemaster also makes coil spring independent suspensions as well. The downside, besides the price and weight, is changing out coils if you need to tune the weight and the trailer tends to ride higher due to how everything attaches. Plus side of the airbags is adjusting the ride height for on or off road, leveling in camp and dialing it in for my exact load.

Lots of options out there

 

I have a Gnome Home teardrop, built near Edmonton Alberta (Canada) which has the Timbren suspension. Rock solid, and the trailer has higher clearance than my '08 Taco 4x4.