These were a couple of teardrop trailers I took a photo of in the Cappadocia area of Turkey.
It was nice to see that they are also popular in Asia. :-)
It was nice to see that they are also popular in Asia. :-)
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Five Things You Never Thought You Needed in a Teardrop
We try to keep the items in the teardrop trailer down to a minimum. You have a small trailer so that you can keep life simple, right? However, once in a while I find an item stashed in the teardrop that has really come in handy on our camping trips.
1. Cleaning Rags
I throw a couple of clean rags into our storage area with the dish towels. These are useful to have for wiping up spills on the tablecloth and doing some quick cleaning of the galley area after cooking. They are better than using paper towels (which tend to run out quickly) and I just wash them out and and hang them up on a clothesline.
2. Temperature gauge
I have a small temperature gauge that sticks to the window. It's nice to know the outdoor temperature before getting out of a warm bed in the morning. A smart phone with a weather app is useful, but we usually camp where we can't get cell service.
3. Wind-up Radio and a Pair of Two-way Radios
We have an emergency wind-up radio that has come in handy a few times for local news, weather and some off-beat music stations. The batteries in this radio are charged with few cranks of a manual handle and they last for about 45 minutes. We've also used two-way radios in a few situations when we've been separated from our friends while hiking.
4. Notebook
I always keep a notebook in the teardrop for jotting down recipes, notes on camping trips, hiking trail directions, to-do lists and a myriad of other informational tidbits.
5. Extra earplugs
Even though we usually camp in pretty quiet areas, there will be times when other people in a campground want to get up earlier than you. Since we also tend to sleep with the windows open, I always keep extra earplugs in several places around the bed: in the toiletry kit, the first aid kit and at the foot of the bed with my books and notebook.
1. Cleaning Rags
I throw a couple of clean rags into our storage area with the dish towels. These are useful to have for wiping up spills on the tablecloth and doing some quick cleaning of the galley area after cooking. They are better than using paper towels (which tend to run out quickly) and I just wash them out and and hang them up on a clothesline.
I have a small temperature gauge that sticks to the window. It's nice to know the outdoor temperature before getting out of a warm bed in the morning. A smart phone with a weather app is useful, but we usually camp where we can't get cell service.
We have an emergency wind-up radio that has come in handy a few times for local news, weather and some off-beat music stations. The batteries in this radio are charged with few cranks of a manual handle and they last for about 45 minutes. We've also used two-way radios in a few situations when we've been separated from our friends while hiking.
4. Notebook
I always keep a notebook in the teardrop for jotting down recipes, notes on camping trips, hiking trail directions, to-do lists and a myriad of other informational tidbits.
Even though we usually camp in pretty quiet areas, there will be times when other people in a campground want to get up earlier than you. Since we also tend to sleep with the windows open, I always keep extra earplugs in several places around the bed: in the toiletry kit, the first aid kit and at the foot of the bed with my books and notebook.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Camping Takes Practice
At the beginning of the camping season, my husband and I seem to have to learn everything all over again. Over the winter, we get a little complacent when it comes to preparing for summer and fall camping and our first trip out into the wilderness is usually an experiment and an example of what not to do.
Camping actually takes some practice. You don't go out on your first camping trip as completely prepared, expert campers. Even if you are an expert camper. You make mistakes (like forgetting the propane tank connectors!), lose things, break things and forget things. Items coming out of winter storage are sometimes broken or need replacing and the teardrop trailer will sometimes need some repairs or updates.
On our first trip out this year, we had to make a stop at the big box store to pick up some of our favorite foods and coffee we had forgotten to pack, and we also decided to stock the teardrop sleeping area with some extra lamp batteries and extra headphones for the iPad. With each trip, we will be more prepared, but we will also find additional items that we could probably use on our trips.
Make your first camping trip of the season an easy trip close to your home, preferably close to a town. This will allow you to work out the kinks and run into a store for supplies. Also, be sure to bring a small notepad or your iPhone or iPod for making lists on what you will need to get or bring on your next camping trip. By the time summer is at its height, you will be an expert teardropper.
Photo by Laura Gilmore/Flickr
Camping actually takes some practice. You don't go out on your first camping trip as completely prepared, expert campers. Even if you are an expert camper. You make mistakes (like forgetting the propane tank connectors!), lose things, break things and forget things. Items coming out of winter storage are sometimes broken or need replacing and the teardrop trailer will sometimes need some repairs or updates.
On our first trip out this year, we had to make a stop at the big box store to pick up some of our favorite foods and coffee we had forgotten to pack, and we also decided to stock the teardrop sleeping area with some extra lamp batteries and extra headphones for the iPad. With each trip, we will be more prepared, but we will also find additional items that we could probably use on our trips.
Make your first camping trip of the season an easy trip close to your home, preferably close to a town. This will allow you to work out the kinks and run into a store for supplies. Also, be sure to bring a small notepad or your iPhone or iPod for making lists on what you will need to get or bring on your next camping trip. By the time summer is at its height, you will be an expert teardropper.
Photo by Laura Gilmore/Flickr
Monday, May 20, 2013
Teardrop Trailer Radio Show
Teardrop trailer fans now have their own radio show. Brooke Folk, a professional radio host has debuted TearDropTrailerRadio.com, a weekly radio show on TalkShoe. The show will cover everything about teardrop trailers including manufactured and home-built trailers, gatherings and tips and tricks from teardrop owners and listeners. This show is for veteran teardroppers and people still shopping around for their own trailer.
The first show was May 18th, 2013 and featured GoLittleGuy president Joe Kicos. Brooke will soon be getting his first teardrop trailer, a Little Guy 6 Wide Platform named "Angel". Brooke is also writing an ebook on the history of teardrop trailers.
The show will be broadcast every Saturday at 11 a.m. EST, but if you miss it you can listen online at any time or download the show for your portable device.
Listen to the first episode here.
The first show was May 18th, 2013 and featured GoLittleGuy president Joe Kicos. Brooke will soon be getting his first teardrop trailer, a Little Guy 6 Wide Platform named "Angel". Brooke is also writing an ebook on the history of teardrop trailers.
The show will be broadcast every Saturday at 11 a.m. EST, but if you miss it you can listen online at any time or download the show for your portable device.
Listen to the first episode here.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday Teardrop Photo
Outdoor cooking and camping at the Dam Gathering.
Taken at Antlers Resort & Marina in Lakehead, California near Shasta Lake.
Taken at Antlers Resort & Marina in Lakehead, California near Shasta Lake.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Featured Teardrop: Trekker Trailers
Being a fan of small spaces (I also write for the Tiny House Blog), I try to keep up with what's going on in the tiny house and tiny trailer industry and I frequently check out the Tiny House Listings site to see what's for sale or rent. Currently on the site is a 5x10 teardrop trailer by Trekker Trailers. It is being sold for $7,900, but you can try before you buy.
The trailer is the company's current rental camper
so you are welcome to try it before you buy it. It is a year old but Trekker will be giving the buyer a full one year warranty. The camper has a full size 3 layer memory foam mattress
plus a bunk in the back for a child. The mattress can be rolled out of
the way to allow for table and chairs. There is plenty of storage inside
and out. The sink on the side is portable and hangs on the inside for travel. The galley is unusual in that it slides out from the side of the tear.
Trekker Trailers offers several trailer designs including the 650 lb. Simple Sleeper for $4,900 for a 4 foot wide model or $5,900 for a 5 foot wide model. The Simple Sleeper is designed to be towed by motorcycles or small cars. It has a rear cargo area for gear, can be fitted with A/C and have a drop down floor and a bed that can be folded into a couch. It does not have a galley.
Trekker also offers the Adam's Cabin for $5,900 which is an unfinished teardrop trailer that you can customize yourself. It's a 5x10 and weighs 1,000 lbs. You finish the lighting, cargo rack, interior and mattress area. The finished Adam's Cabin sells for $9,400.
Photos by Trekker Trailers
Trekker Trailers offers several trailer designs including the 650 lb. Simple Sleeper for $4,900 for a 4 foot wide model or $5,900 for a 5 foot wide model. The Simple Sleeper is designed to be towed by motorcycles or small cars. It has a rear cargo area for gear, can be fitted with A/C and have a drop down floor and a bed that can be folded into a couch. It does not have a galley.
Trekker also offers the Adam's Cabin for $5,900 which is an unfinished teardrop trailer that you can customize yourself. It's a 5x10 and weighs 1,000 lbs. You finish the lighting, cargo rack, interior and mattress area. The finished Adam's Cabin sells for $9,400.
Photos by Trekker Trailers
Friday, May 10, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)