Greg and Marcia's Teardrop Privacy Screen

Greg and Marcia Pacetti, of Fairbanks, Alaska, have been camping in their homemade teardrop (nicknamed Sylvia) for over six years. After some time, Marcia put her foot down and said something had to be done about including a changing room with privacy. 

Greg (a freelance carpenter) turned their teardrop travel rack into a simple, but effective privacy curtain that can be used for showering, changing and the occasional potty break. He used a 1/2 inch conduit pipe with elbow connectors and a cotton shower curtain with clips to create the space. The curtain also protects the bed area from rain and sun. A bungee cord is used to stabilize the curtain against winds.

"The curtain does get dirty and wet so we spread it out somewhat in the car and it drys out," Greg said. "We then shake the dirt off and then start over."

The couple recently went on a monthlong teardrop trip of the American Northwest and Greg's favorite area was Jedediah Smith State Park in Northern California — famous for its redwoods.

"I've been dreaming of them my whole life," Greg said. "We got to sleep with the giants. This big trip was when we fell in love with the shower curtain. Because of this trip we've become very much in love with the Teardrop. The privacy curtain just might be a revolution....

Photos courtesy of Greg Pacetti

Friday Teardrop Photo

 Using a teardrop trailer as a changing room at Travertine Hot Springs in California.

There have been several times when we have used our teardrop for a changing room. This is usually at hot springs, swimming pools, or parks with lakes or rivers that you can swim in. If we have the teardrop with us, it's so nice to just slip inside and change into or out of swimsuits or dry off with the towels we have in our "closet" and into dry clothes. The curtains on the window offer privacy and we try to keep the bed free of items so we can lie down if we need to.

It's so much easier than trying to wiggle into your suit or clothes in the back seat of a car.

How do you change your clothes in a teardrop?

One of the biggest issues that teardrop campers have is changing clothes in a teardrop trailer. I've been slightly successful at putting on my underwear and tops while inside the trailer, but pants are more of a struggle. I usually wiggle into my jeans while lying down on the bed and then open up the door, step out to pull them up the rest of the way and zip up my zipper. It's not the most elegant way to put on pants, and some camping neighbors have gotten a nice view of my undies early in the morning.

Over the years, I've seen an interesting variety of screens and changing rooms made or purchased by other teardroppers. Some are attached to the top of the teardrop trailer and some are freestanding. It's most efficient and convenient to have a changing area right outside a teardrop door.

Here are a few ideas from the T&TTT forum and around the interwebs on how to get a little privacy while dressing and camping in a teardrop trailer:

 

A simple shower curtain on a rod can work if there is no wind. (Photo by boomboomtulum)

 

This awning is attached with bolts to the top of the trailer. (Photo by gage)

 

This could be great for changing clothes, hiding a porta-potty or as a dog house. (Photo by Tiny Camper) 

 

If you are interested in this type of teardrop trailer awning, you can visit the website of Marti Domyancic and her husband Bob. They make custom fabric awnings and shades for new and vintage trailers at their company in Northern California. (Photo by gage)

 

I've sometimes used our shower pop-up tent to change clothes. (Photo by oasismaker)

 

This is a brilliant, little setup using PVC pipe. (Photo by oklahomajewel)

 

This changing area creates wonderful shade. (Photo by toypusher)

Top photo by Wood  N' Mirror