Interview with Trailer Rental Company: Links Teardrops

Charles Link runs Southern California’s original teardrop trailer rental service. They currently rent a Little Guy Classic 5-Wide teardrop trailer and a 5x8 Hiker Off Road teardrop trailer. Charles was kind to give us a little insight into the teardrop rental business and his trailers.


How did you get into renting out teardrop trailers?

I first purchased a 1960 Canned Ham style trailer to restore and offer as a rental but then after the restoration was completed I decided that it was too nice and delicate to rent out. I then thought that a small trailer that was also good looking would be a great thing to offer to fellow campers to get people up and off the ground while camping. This is where the teardrop came into the picture.

Who rents your trailers?
Most of our renters are people who are looking to either build or buy a teardrop and there are the occasional couples who just want a single getaway in something small and easy to tow.
What is the response to the teardrop from newbie renters?
They all seem to love how easy they are to tow and how comfortable they can be. I'd say about 99.5 % of new renters love the trailers and have a great time.
What other amenities do you offer with your rentals?
Currently we only offer the campers themselves, but we are working on some additional ideas to add to both models that we have.

What should people keep in mind when looking to rent a teardrop trailer?
They are easy to tow, simple to maneuver and it's much cheaper to rent than to buy.
What should companies or individuals do to prepare to rent out their own trailer?
You must have a very open schedule, or work close to home. Be ready to handle repairs, maintenance, cleaning, storage, and lots of questions.  Do you camp in a teardrop and where do you like to go?
Yes, we do and one of the reasons for having them available is to use them ourselves. Ever since our first teardrop purchase we haven't slept in a tent. It feels like you’re in a small cabin all to yourself. We go anywhere from Joshua Tree, Idyllwild, Big Sur, Pismo Beach, San Diego, Ojai and many other beautiful places here in Southern California.

Links Teardrops can be reserved on their Facebook page. They have a two-night minimum on all their trailer rentals. The 2016 Hiker 5x8 lifted off road trailer rents for $95 a night with a two night minimum. The 5-Wide Classic Little Guy rents for $75 a night with a two night minimum.

Friday Teardrop Photo

Check out this rustic, little teardrop trailer in La Grange, Texas. It was shot in front of Old World Antieks by the ladies of Junk Gypsy. These two designers use flea market and garage sale finds for their funky chic Airstreams and shop.

Featured Teardrop: Micro-Lite Trailers

The goal of the Micro-Lite trailer company is to design and build teardrop trailers and sport trailers that don’t need to be towed by a huge truck or SUV. In fact, they even build trailers that can be hauled around by golf carts, motorcycles and ATVs.

The futuristic designs function for different types of fun. The most “teardrop-like” of all their products is the nearly 10 foot long Wazat II. This trailer has all aluminum construction and only comes in at 670 lb.

The heavier Car-Go Lite and Car-Go Lite Xtreme are open floorplans that can store motorcycles, scooters and other larger toys. There is no bed in the Car-Go Lite and Xtreme, but there is a kitchen in the rear with an optional microwave and AC. The Xtreme has a larger cargo area for golf carts and 4-wheelers.

The smallest design is the Twist TR7. This 440 lb. camping trailer is small enough to be towed by a motorcycle and has a rear entrance, all aluminum construction and a 110V/12V battery.

Micro-Lite offers several other non-teardrop trailers including the 400 lb. P’Up tent trailer (currently being redesigned) and the 1,500 lb. Vymeron standy camper that includes a bunk and space to haul motorcyles and other two-wheeled toys.

Photos by Micro-Lite Trailers

Friday Teardrop Photo

As a member of the Sierra Club, once in a while I get a nice little gift in the mail. In celebration of the 2016 U.S. National Park Centennial, the Sierra Club is giving out these nifty postcards. If you look closely at the one from Sequoia National Park in California, you will see a classic woodie car towing a teardrop trailer.

How to prepare for a teardrop trailer trip

We are still getting snowstorms in the mountains, but that doesn't mean we can't start planning for our summer and fall teardrop trips. Even though us teardroppers don't have to prepare as much as someone with a larger trailer, we still need to tick a few things off our checklist:

Where to go?

Now's the time to pick and choose where you want to travel. Do you want to explore a new part of the country or your own state? Why do you want to see a particular area? Asking these questions can help define what you want out of your travels which will save time, fuel and money in the long run.

Check out detailed maps or the Roadtrippers site for your locations and find trailer friendly roads, campgrounds and rest stops. As you are doing this, you might want to see if a teardrop rally is being held in the vicinity.

Prepare the trailer

This is also the time to check that everything on your teardrop is roadworthy. Check the tires, the lights, all bolts and connections and have the trailer bearings greased. This is also a good time to check that you have a full propane tank, a full water tank and that all stoves, refrigerators and other appliances are in good working order.

Stock up

If you have not already done a spring cleaning of the trailer, get that out of the way and then stock your teardrop with everything you will need for a season of trips. This can include the following:

• batteries for flashlights and headlamps
• extra canned or boxed food
• updated sheets, towels, clothing items
• fresh toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo
• broken items that need replacing

Photo by Little Guy Worldwide

Friday Teardrop Trailer

This unusual looking teardrop trailer by Trekker Trailers is called the Simple Sleeper. The little bump out (in lieu of a galley) holds the foot area of a long bed that can also become a lounger during the day.

Photo by Trekker Trailers

Featured Teardrop: Weis Craft Trailers

If you are looking for a very lightweight fiberglass camping trailer, but not necessarily a classic teardrop trailer, Weis Craft Trailers in Colorado have several options. All their camping trailers can be towed with 4 or 6 cylinder vehicles and cost less than $10,000.

Weis Craft's options include the 1,100 lbs. Little Joe that includes two long couches that become a bed, a sink and stove on the interior and a six gallon fresh water tank. The 1,480 lbs. Ponderosa is a bit longer than the Little Joe to accommodate a stowaway shower and toilet.

The Roughneck is more of a teardrop trailer shape with a bed that is placed on the floor, it's only 500 lbs. and includes an aluminum roof rack. It may be a little low for campers used to traditional teardrop shapes.

Weis Craft Trailers can be custom built or purchased directly from the company.

Friday Teardrop Photo

This photo is from the Colorado Teardrop Camper website. Colorado Teardrop in Boulder sells several models of teardrop trailers and rents out their Basecamp model for $85 per night. The website photos were shot by photographer Lex Quinn.