During our Glacier National Park trip, I saw a world record number of teardrop trailers on the road and in the campgrounds. This wooden beauty was camped at the lush Avalanche Campground on the west side of the park.
Friday Teardrop Photo
During our Glacier National Park trip, I saw a world record number of teardrop trailers on the road and in the campgrounds. This wooden beauty was camped at the lush Avalanche Campground on the west side of the park.
Cool Tears July/August 2016
The latest issue of Cool Tears & Tiny Campers is now available. This issue comes with some great news. The regularly bi-monthly magazine will now be published monthly. If you are interested in receiving the magazine, all you need to do is add your name and email to their list.
This issue has a couple of great spreads of teardrop trailers in the wilderness, a feature on the newest PeeWee camper, and an interview with teardrop builder James Caverly.
Friday Teardrop Photo
I get overly excited about broken down or retro style roadside signs. I have to pull off the road, put the teardrop into place and get a shot. Odd...
This is the Sunflower in front of an abandoned gas station near Baggs, Wyoming.
Teardrop/Kayak Trip to Burney Falls
Normally our teardrop trailer camping trips consist of hours of hiking or backpacking, so it was so nice to take off last weekend and enjoy a very relaxing couple of days of kayaking and sleeping in.
We went with the Stargazers teardrop to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California and camped in the campground above Lake Britton. We spent the days kayaking on the lake, cooking up really good meals and talking about teardrop trailers.
I have heard of two friends in the last week who want to either borrow a teardrop, or are looking for their own trailer to purchase. They are both tired of tent camping and have probably been swayed by some of our trips to take the teardrop route. Can you blame them?
We went with the Stargazers teardrop to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California and camped in the campground above Lake Britton. We spent the days kayaking on the lake, cooking up really good meals and talking about teardrop trailers.
We also visited the Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park and saw a wide range of plant life, birds, frogs, fish and great views of snow-capped Mount Shasta.
I have heard of two friends in the last week who want to either borrow a teardrop, or are looking for their own trailer to purchase. They are both tired of tent camping and have probably been swayed by some of our trips to take the teardrop route. Can you blame them?
Friday Teardrop Photo
This Rebel teardrop trailer by Off the Grid Rentals is being towed by a 2016 Tesla Model X. The trailer was towed from Fountain Valley, California to Flagstaff, Arizona by Dan Edmunds of edmunds.com as an experiment of the Teslas's towing capacity. The trailer was perfect. The Tesla was not so perfect...
Featured Teardrop: My Mini Trailer
One reason that keeps many people from purchasing a brand new teardrop is the cost. Unfortunately, the little trailers have gone up in price over the past few years. Unless you want to build your own, the $6,000 to $12,000 cost for a teardrop can be a deterrent.
If you don't mind keeping it really simple, the My Mini Trailer company offers several options that range from $2,650 to $3,350. Other amenities can be added on for extra cost.
The My Mini Trailer comes in three different models: Carpe Diem Mini, Carpe Diem Woody and the Serenity X.
The Carpe Diem is a more simple trailer without a cabinet galley. A rear door kitchenette can be added on ($450 extra) that allows for storage or placement of a camping stove or food prep. Additional storage under the bed ($195) and an inside fold down table and cabinet ($50) at the foot of the bed area can also be added.
The Carpe Diem Woody has same features and functionalities as the Mini, but it has a beautiful maple wood finish instead of aluminum. Both the Carpe Diem models are on a trailer which includes a Swivel Jack that folds away in the front.
The Serenity X adds another foot to the width of the trailer, making it a roomy 5x8 feet. The Serenity can have the same fold down kitchenette as the Carpe Diem models and it can be color coordinated to any vehicle.
My Mini Trailer offers several add ons. For an extra $600, a portable AC/heat and dehumidifier unit can be added to the tongue, and for an extra $150 the company will include a spare tire. The trailer can also have a roof rack installed ($250) or an extra side door ($355). The company also offers a folding foam bed that can be converted into a chair or sofa for $235.
I wrote about My Mini Trailer in the #45 issue of Tiny House Magazine. Check out the full article there.
If you don't mind keeping it really simple, the My Mini Trailer company offers several options that range from $2,650 to $3,350. Other amenities can be added on for extra cost.
The My Mini Trailer comes in three different models: Carpe Diem Mini, Carpe Diem Woody and the Serenity X.
The Carpe Diem Mini is four feet wide and nearly eight feet long. It has a birch/maple plywood interior and an aluminum skin with a UV resistant vinyl roof. It weighs in at under 1,000 lb. and includes a single door, double windows, carpeted interior, interior LEDs.
The Carpe Diem Woody has same features and functionalities as the Mini, but it has a beautiful maple wood finish instead of aluminum. Both the Carpe Diem models are on a trailer which includes a Swivel Jack that folds away in the front.
My Mini Trailer offers several add ons. For an extra $600, a portable AC/heat and dehumidifier unit can be added to the tongue, and for an extra $150 the company will include a spare tire. The trailer can also have a roof rack installed ($250) or an extra side door ($355). The company also offers a folding foam bed that can be converted into a chair or sofa for $235.
I wrote about My Mini Trailer in the #45 issue of Tiny House Magazine. Check out the full article there.
Friday Teardrop Photo
This train set would not be complete without a tiny campground occupied by tiny teardrop trailers.
3 reasons why teardrop camping is better than backpacking
This summer I've been attempting to segment hike the entire 165 mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Several of the segments require overnight backpacking and we tackled a 24 mile portion over the Labor Day weekend.
While I have some good backpacking gear, somewhat strong legs and lungs and enjoy getting into the backcountry, the entire time I wish I was camping out of my teardrop trailer instead. Beyond the point that a teardrop is eons more comfortable than a backpacking tent, there are a few other reasons the tiny trailer is superior.
1. Efficiency
A backpack is a very efficient way to camp, and while I can't strap my trailer to my back, the teardrop seems to be even more efficient. With the Sunflower, setting up camp really only takes about 10 minutes. Setting up my backpacking tent, air mattress and getting items organized for the night seems to take at least 30 minutes. Not to mention I need to take another 15 minutes to do minor blister surgery on my feet.
When backpack camping, the constant bending over while cooking, packing, organizing and cleaning takes a big toll on my lower back. The teardrop trailer has a nice, level prepping and cooking space that's just my height and doesn't require me to constantly bend over.
3. Cleanliness and organization
While I have some good backpacking gear, somewhat strong legs and lungs and enjoy getting into the backcountry, the entire time I wish I was camping out of my teardrop trailer instead. Beyond the point that a teardrop is eons more comfortable than a backpacking tent, there are a few other reasons the tiny trailer is superior.
1. Efficiency
A backpack is a very efficient way to camp, and while I can't strap my trailer to my back, the teardrop seems to be even more efficient. With the Sunflower, setting up camp really only takes about 10 minutes. Setting up my backpacking tent, air mattress and getting items organized for the night seems to take at least 30 minutes. Not to mention I need to take another 15 minutes to do minor blister surgery on my feet.
2. Less pain
When backpack camping, the constant bending over while cooking, packing, organizing and cleaning takes a big toll on my lower back. The teardrop trailer has a nice, level prepping and cooking space that's just my height and doesn't require me to constantly bend over.
3. Cleanliness and organization
No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to keep anything clean while backpacking. Bits of dirt and debris get into my bed, my clothes are filthy and everything is so close to the dusty ground. While the teardrop does get dirty, you can camp in it for a longer amount of time without having to wash everything.
The same goes for organization. In the trailer, everything has its place and I can find something very quickly. I strive to be very organized with my 60 liter backpack, but things still manage to wander to the bottom of the bag or into a random pocket.
I probably need a little more practice with backpacking, and I'll continue to head out onto unknown trails with my pack. However, my teardrop will still be my preferred way to get out and see nature.
Friday Teardrop Photo
The Sunflower parked at the Golden Eagle Campground near Fort Carson military base in Colorado Springs. During my last night there a roaring thunderstorm came into the area and I took shelter with my new friends in the Casita travel trailer next door to me. We spend the storm chatting and drinking wine.
Sometimes us tiny teardroppers have to make friends who are a little bit larger.