Is Simple Better?

Our good teardropper friends, the Stargazers, recently moved up from their teardrop trailer to a Jayco Jay Flight 14 foot camper. While they still like their teardrop, they needed something that would protect them from the elements during longer trips in their retirement years.

I've never been a fan of manufactured, boxy campers, but I've got to say that the layout of the inside of their Jay Flight is ideal. They have more than enough room to store food and clothes for longer trips, a queen bed, a bathroom, heater, and a delightful kitchen that can be used in 60 mile an hour winds and sideways rain.

My husband and I have been in the discussion phase of what we would want to upgrade to when he retires. While we like our friends' camper, the discussion has revolved around gas mileage, cost, size and our most needed amenities. I love the Sunflower and it's ideal for long trips with great weather. It's when we get into bad weather that we have to look at something different.

The thing is, we want to keep it simple. All we need is a comfortable bed, an inside kitchen, a place to store food and clothes, and maybe a table. A bathroom would be nice, but after years of not having one, we know exactly what we need to do. However, if a future camper had one, we would use it.

Finding all the items on our list is proving to be very difficult. We've looked at the T@B, the MeerKat, the RPod, the Chalet, the PaloMini, the Scamp, and the Passport ROV. These choices are either too expensive, the bed or the storage is too small, or there is just too much...stuff. Quality seems to be an issue as well and I don't feel like getting 12 miles to the gallon hauling around items we don't need.

We are sticking with the tiny yellow teardrop for now, but will be keeping our eyes out for small, efficient campers to be our future road warrior. Manufacturers, keep an eye on our list.

Riverside RV White Water Retro Teardrop & Standy

Riverside RV in Indiana is focused on designing and building lightweight teardrops and larger trailers with a distinctly retro design. Most likely you are interested in teardrop trailers, but Riverside RV also builds several standy campers under their White Water Retro line that I think would interest someone who is on the lookout for something with an interior kitchen.

The smallest of the Riverside RV Retro campers is the Jr. 509. This classic teardrop trailer is just over 13 feet long and comes with a rear galley, storage compartment and an optional 17 gallon water tank. The Jr. is still being developed, but take a look at their other lightweight options.

The 155XL is just a hair under 15 feet long with a generous height of 8.5 feet. Its dry weight is 1,937 lb. and the interior contains a full bed, dinette, kitchen, refrigerator and a tiny wet bath. It has an 11 gallon fresh water tank, 18 gallon grey water tank and a 5 gallon black water tank.

For something a bit larger, the 166 is nearly 16 feet long and 2,180 lb. It has the same interior features in a larger space and a retro style in the checkerboard floor, wood cabinets and the bright exterior colors that range from red to aqua.

Photos by Riverside RV

Featured Teardrop: PeeWee Campers

PeeWee Campers calls their designs the “21st Century” teardrop trailer for several reasons. The little campers don’t have the classic rounded rear for the galley which adds more interior room; they are lightweight without sacrificing quality or heavy-duty framing; and the outer skin is made of 1/8 inch Aluminum Composite Panels that include a solid polyethylene core. The result is a sturdy, but maneuverable trailer that can fit a full kitchen and two people.

The campers start at $8,499 for the Half Pint teardrop camper. This camper has a quite a lot of features including a deep cycle battery, 1 3/4 insulated side walls, roof vent, two mattresses, under floor storage and 15 inch wheels. The galley includes upper and lower cabinets, a countertop, two galley lights and a 12 volt receptacle. The Half Pint can be ordered without the galley, mattresses and side door for $6,799. PeeWee Campers also sells a Toy Hauler Cargo Trailer for $7,699.

The PeeWee Camper options are huge. You can choose from various exterior colors, custom graphics, tongue boxes, roof racks, solar power, rubber flooring, refrigerator, sink and cooler. You can also have a 2,000 watt generator installed on the tongue.

PeeWee Campers offers free delivery within a 1,000 radius of their factory in College Grove, Tennessee.

Photos by PeeWee Campers

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

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.

Five Best Folding Tables for Teardrop Trailers

Unless you've built a custom table into your teardrop design, most teardrop trailers do not have a dining table. In fact, many teardrop trailer owners bring several tables along on trips to create a dining/food prep area that tends to be lacking in these tiny trailers.

Of course, the best types of camping tables are folding versions, but you also want them to be lightweight, easy to set up and durable. They should also be easy to clean and should not take up too much space in a tight campsite, teardrop trailer bed or vehicle trunk. These are the five best tables I've run into over the years.

Ozark Trail Fold-in-Half Grilling Camp Table

This is our personal cooking/prepping/dining table. We were looking for something that would be safe for putting our Coleman stove on as well as to use for both eating and prepping. We also wanted something very light and easy to carry. I can carry this table with one hand using the handy handle. It does take two people to unfold and set into place because of its ratcheting legs, but this table is really sturdy and has a little paper towel holder.

Available at WalMart

Alps Mountaineering Camp Table

The first time I saw this table was on a whitewater rafting trip. The guides pulled this miraculous little table out of a bag they carried on their shoulders, folded out the legs and unrolled and attached the surface of the table. It's small, but so light, you can afford to bring several of them along for food prep and dining. For their size, they are also pretty sturdy.

Available at CampSaver

Westfield Folding Table with Storage Bins

This compact, folding table not only has some great storage space, but the legs can be adjusted to four different heights. The two cloth storage containers zip up to keep food and cooking items clean.

Available at Camping World

Eureka Catskill Table

Not only is this folding table large enough to seat four people, but it also has one adjustable foot to level it on uneven ground. This table also has some storage space underneath including two bottle holsters and a paper towel rack. It also has webbing for clipping on camping tools.

Available at CampMor

Ozark Trail Aluminum Side Table

I really don't know what we would do without a few of these little aluminum tables. We've used them for roadside lunch breaks, as cocktail tables, prep tables and even as showering and bath tables. They are super light and we just keep one or two of them on the teardrop trailer bed while towing the trailer. They are indispensable for teardrop trailer traveling.

Available from WalMart

Featured Teardrop: Little Guy T@G

The Little Guy Worldwide company just keeps coming up with new trailer ideas and the T@G teardrop marries two of their most popular designs: the T@B and the classic 1940's teardrop like their popular Silver Shadow. The T@G is a stylish and modern teardrop trailer that is light enough to be towed with a Toyota Prius.

The T@G has a 100 percent aluminum frame and a silver or white fiberglass exterior with brightly colored trim and graphics. The doors feature a portal window like the T@B, two additional windows and a full galley with a sink and a stove. The T@G comes in two versions: the 875 lb B@sic and the 1,105 lb Max.

The B@sic includes a 3-speed, dual directional roof vent, fiberglass fenders, alloy mag wheels, wood cabinetry, LED lights and a high quality, padded queen sized mattress. The tongue of the trailer features the T@B LP tank, which also houses the battery. The galley is set up for an optional fridge/freezer. The trailer has 12v and 110 power with multiple outlets, LED interior lights, porch lights, a 30amp inlet and a 25 power cord that you can use to charge up the battery at campgrounds. The B@sic starts at $8,995.

The T@G Max includes all the B@sic features as well as 12v fridge and freezer chest for the galley, a 19 inch LED TV with DVD/CD/AM/FM/MP3 and mounted speakers and installed AC. The Max starts at $10,995.

 

 

Photos by Little Guy Worldwide

Featured Teardrop: American Teardrop Outbacker

This alien looking teardrop trailer was really just a flash in the pan, but seems to have made a few friends along the way. The American Teardrop Outbacker was only manufactured for one year in 1989 until the Wenatchee, Wash. company went out of business in 1990. However, these trailers seem to retain their look and value over time and keep popping up on the Web.

Shawn Johnson purchased his 350 lb. polyethylene Outbacker from a CBS producer in Hollywood and is taking it across the country on a job search. He's currently in Long Beach, Wash. looking for a home to buy.

"Life on the road with this trailer is fun," Shawn said. "I can't get gas without someone asking about the trailer. I forget sometimes I'm towing it due to it being so light."

Shawn mentioned that he is definitely camping during the wrong time of year, but his job search is taking him into colder areas. He added that his favorite types of camping gear are vintage stoves and lanterns and he is looking forward to adding a Dutch oven to his arsenal of gear.

Laura and Michael Moncur of Starling Travel also purchased an Outbacker to tow with a Toyota Prius on a cross country trip. They have a detailed post on their blog about what it's like to travel with this lightweight teardrop trailer as well as a good video on how to set up camp with an Outbacker.

Featured Teardrop: Le Splash

Since I've been in the City of Light for several days now, I'm continuing on with my French teardrop theme and featuring a teardrop trailer by the UK company Camp-Runner. Their Le Splash teardrop trailer is an unusual and sleek design that features a back door and no galley. This very lightweight trailer only weighs 573 lbs and can be towed with a motorcycle or a Smart Car.

The fiberglass Le Splash is being offered as an outdoor sports enthusiast's trailer and contains a mattress, clothes storage, a stargazer window, 3-speed fan and a 220/12V charger/converter. It has a roof rack for surfing or skiing equipment and a front rack to store bicycles.

Camp-Runner offers several lightweight teardrop trailers for the European market including the Alpina by Little Guy and the Mediterane. The Cargo is an open model that's used for transporting sporting goods.

Photos by Camp-Runner

Featured Teardrop: Runaway Campers

Runaway Campers, based out of Marion County, Florida are not your typical teardrop trailer. These boxy, lightweight trailers are essentially a blank slate in which to create your own camping experience. Runaway Campers weigh around 630 lbs and are just over 11 feet long. They can be towed by nearly any type of car just like a teardrop, but they do not have a rear galley.

The trailers can be used in a multitude of ways: as a protected sleeping area, to store additional camping gear, to plug in a refrigerator or heater and to get out of the less desirable elements. Each of the trailers come in different colors and have large windows and skylights.

The campers are factory direct from the company, so the basic BaseCamp costs $2,395, and the CoolCamp with a 5,000 BTU air conditioner and cargo box costs $2,895. You can also order additions like a compact refrigerator ($125), custom curtains ($75), a 12 volt to 110 volt power converter package ($299) and 13 inch high profile tires and rims.

 

 

 Photos by Runaway Campers