Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers

Jonathan Sechrist of Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers in North Carolina has been building teardrop campers since 2010. What started out as a fun project for a Craigslist sale quickly turned into a full-time family-run business.


Rustic Trail has several teardrop models—including a standy model with a tiny inside kitchen. The original 900 lb. Papa Bear teardrop comes in a base and standard model, the Grizzly Bear is larger with also with a base and standard model, and the Polar Bear is a 1,365 lb. lightweight standy. They are each built on a heavy duty metal frame with 14 inch aluminum wheels. The base models of each camper are completely finished outside but don’t include cabinets, beds or dinettes inside. The standard models do include solid birch cabinets, elevated beds and folding mattresses and lots of storage. The teardrops range from $4,700 to $7,875 and come in a variety of exterior and interior colors.



Rustic Trail also has affordable add-on features including an outside sink ($75), spare tire ($150), Thetford portable toilet ($175) and a front AC unit ($400).

Jonathan was kind to take some time out of his day to answer a few questions about Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers.



What are some unique aspects of your teardrop designs?

We do not offer a rear galley. Instead we offer a walk in camper (Polar Bear) with a bench and settee that transforms into a queen size bed. We also include cabinets and lots of storage.


What do your customers look for in a teardrop trailer? What basic features or add on features are requested the most?

Affordability, quality and accessibility. Our most asked for added feature is the AC and the front rack.




How did you come up with the Polar Bear design? What’s the reaction to the standy design?

The Polar Bear was a design for those that want to stand up. We have several customers that are well over six feet tall and several with back issues that find this camper exactly what they need. We have taken comments and ideas from our customers and introduced them to our line. Most people are surprised at the room the Polar Bear gives and it being so lightweight as well.



Do you camp in a teardrop? If so, where do you like to go?

We do camp. We have tried all three campers and love them all. Our favorite place to camp is the Outer Banks of North Carolina near Buxton. Being so busy we have not had the opportunity to camp very much. Our entire family works at RTTC. They have learned so much that we feel confident in letting them handle the shop. Our hopes for 2018 is to take the camper out and advertise a little more.



Someone is coming to Pilot Mountain, North Carolina to go camping. Where should they go?

Anyone wanting to camp in our area has several state parks and private owned campgrounds to choose from. About 20 miles north you have the Blue Ridge Parkway which is our favorite. The parkway offers many state parks.


Learn more about Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers from the Facebook owners group.

Photos by Rustic Trail Teardrop Campers



4 comments:

  1. After researching a lot of the teardrops listed on this blog, we stumbled on the Rustic Trail Teardrops. They looked too good to be true for the money. They are a great value. We have owned ours now for about 8 months with no buyer's remorse.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Jim. I also thought the owner was a great person to work with and their trailers a wonderful example of an independent company.

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    2. Jim, did you get the awning they offer? If so, do you find it easy to put up & provides enough shade for an afternoon sit on a sunny day?

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    3. They Have two options, The ARB and another one that extends out to 14' by about 10' wide.. simple to install, slides into a track...

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