Teardrop Trailer Road Emergencies

No matter how much you prepare, there may be a time when you have to deal with a teardrop trailer emergency on the road. Emergencies can come in many forms and while it's a little easier to anticipate what might happen with a much smaller trailer, they still need to be planned for and dealt with.

I received a blog comment from ML on a roadside emergency that happened while towing a teardrop trailer. The teardrop fell off the hitch and ML was fortunate enough to get some help from the local Jiffy Lube. The employees used a jack and some wood scraps to lift the teardrop back up onto the tow vehicle hitch and ML was able to get back on the road. However, many other emergencies can be avoided or remedied by keeping a few things in mind and carrying a few extra items in your car.

Flat Tires

A flat tire while towing can be one of the most common road emergencies. Of course, you can get a flat on both the trailer and the tow vehicle so be prepared to deal with two different types of emergencies. First of all, remember to bring a spare for both the trailer and the vehicle and visually check them every few months. Also be sure to have a jack that can be used on both as well as a lug nut wrench.

When you get a flat tire or blowout on a trailer, you will be able to feel the extra drag and the trailer may begin to sway. When this happens, slightly accelerate to level out and then slowly drive your way to safety. Get as far off the road as possible. Most states require that you travel in the right hand lane when towing, so pulling over during an emergency should be easier. Many insurance companies require that you don't remove or repair the tire yourself, so having roadside assistance is as important as having a spare.

To avoid having a flat, regularly check the tire pressure in all your tires and replace them every few years. When driving, keep an eye out for road debris, check your side mirrors regularly and stay below the speed limit.

My friends at the Long Long Honeymoon have a detailed and well documented video on how they survived a blowout on their Airstream Classic trailer—on the side of busy highway.

Hitch Issues

If you are a new teardropper, it takes a while to get used to using a hitch. When I hitch up the Sunflower, I have to be fully focused on what I'm doing or I'll forget something.

When hitching, you want to make sure the trailer coupling is completely over the ball on the hitch, the tongue lock is completely down, the safety pin is engaged and locked through the tongue lock, the safety chains are connected to the vehicle hitch (crossed so they don't drag on the ground) and the wiring harness is fully connected with the wiring kit on the trailer. You then want to drive forward a few yards to check the hitch connection and also have a partner check your running lights, brake lights and turn signals. To avoid hitch issues, regularly check all hitch components and don't exceed the weight limit on your hitch.

 Smoking Bearings

While on the road, you might see what looks like a smoking engine up ahead, but it turns out to be coming from a trailer. These are the trailer axle bearings burning out. A burned out axle can cause separation of a tire from the axle and a major road accident. Bearings prevent friction in the axle, but require regular greasing to reduce that friction. Machine shops recommend that you check the grease on the bearings every other year, but if you tow your trailer a lot, have them greased every year. Many RV or utility trailer manufacturers or sellers will perform this service.

Emergency Items
Here are a few items that you can carry in your tow vehicle or teardrop trailer that will help to put your mind at ease in case an emergency pops up.


Emergency Light Kit

We keep a 12-volt emergency tow light kit in our vehicle to use on the both the teardrop and our utility trailer. They cost around $30 and can be magnetic or attached via a harness.

Duct tape

Veteran and survival expert Mykal Hawke has said in the past, "Duct tape could save your life." It may also save your teardrop trailer...or your kayak.

Last year, we were coming back from kayaking at a lake in California. A thunderstorm was rolling in and the heavy mountain winds tore one of our kayaks and part of the kayak rack from the top of our Kia Sportage. The kayak went flying down the highway in a big, orange blur. Fortunately, our fellow teardrop friends were driving behind us and managed to slow down the minimal traffic and pull the kayak to the side of the road. We used our giant roll of duct tape to hold down the rack and get the kayak back to camp—with barely a scratch.

Having duct tape in your car at all times can help with minor repairs to broken or busted doors, windows, hatches, ice chests and other plastic or metal items.

Bungee cords

Our friends and owners of the Stargazers teardrop, were camping at Benton Hot Springs when a wind storm decided to show up. Their teardrop hatch had been left open and a strong gust of wind flipped it backwards across the roof and busted the hinge that runs along the top of the trailer. To get home (without the entire contents of their trailer falling all over the road) they duct taped and bungee corded the hatch down and drove extra slow.

Other items...

These small items don't take up much room, but can give you more peace of mind: extra hitch safety pins, road flares, flashlights, screwdrivers and wrenches, First Aid kit, two-way radios.



Photos by The Williams Family, ecustomhitch.com, How Stuff Works and Sears.

Insuring Your Teardrop Trailer

I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. I've been getting over a cold and have been catching up with work. Speaking of sick...keeping your teardrop trailer healthy also includes having it insured—just like your own body. I highly recommend getting insurance for your teardrop trailer either as a rider under your current vehicle insurance or on your homeowner's insurance.

When we purchased insurance, we were mostly concerned with a car accident, damage (or total loss) to the trailer and liability and destruction of someone's property, so we opted to insure it with our car insurance. The trailer is insured with Geico, our vehicle insurance, for its value of $5,000 and the insurance costs us an extra $150 a year.

I had to call up our insurance agent and describe the trailer in detail. This is where the humor comes in again. Just like my DMV registration visit, the agent had no idea what I was talking about and she could not imagine a camping trailer less than 8 feet long speeding down the highway or being insured by her company. Once I explained what it was, she got a better idea and did not have to send an agent out to inspect the trailer. She did say that the trailer was only covered if it is attached to the primary towing vehicle, so if we were to lend the teardrop out to someone, extra insurance by the renter or borrower would need to be purchased.

We don't have the teardrop insured with our homeowners insurance in case of theft. In fact, I was curious if there are any insurance experts out there know if the trailer is covered for theft from a parking lot or campground?

In addition, I have heard that if your teardrop trailer is homemade, you may have a more difficult time finding an insurance company who will cover the trailer. You may have to call around or check out this post in the TNTTT Forum.

Photo by Adventure Duo

For the Teardrop Ladies: Camping Alone

On our teardrop travels we have notice there are a surprising number of solo teardroppers out there and some of them are women. Many women love to go camping alone or with their children or dogs, but some of them I've spoken to are fearful of hitting the road by themselves. I've been camping alone several times, but most of those times have been during a gathering with other teardroppers. I have traveled alone a few times, so I understand the trepidation of being in a strange place without a partner for company or safety.

I've had my fair share of travel scares. While traveling in Denmark, I was attacked by a group of teenagers on the beach (I scared them off with some self defense moves and some angry, foul language) and while in Ecuador several people tried to pickpocket me on the train. What they didn't know is that the wallet they were attempting to take from my jacket was my fake wallet – the real wallet is hidden on my body.

However, camping alone is different. You are usually out in the wilderness or a national or state park and when teardropping, you can feel vulnerable sleeping alone in what is essentially a box on wheels. Most women campers are fearful of strange men (or women) approaching them, petty crime like theft, rape and other violent attacks. We are always on the lookout for that white panel van and avoid parking right next to it.

On the TNTTT forum, there is a specific area just for lady teardroppers and the top threads are about safety and camping alone. Not every woman is going to broadcast their security camping secrets to the world, but here are the top tips from solo lady campers with a few additions of my own.

1. Camp in a well-lit campground where you feel safe and comfortable. 

Some private campgrounds have gates that lock at night as well as a full-time camp host. Introduce yourself to the host and ask if you can camp near them. There is no need to broadcast to the world that you are alone, but give them a heads-up that you need a little extra security.

If you are in a state or national park, talk to the local rangers and ask about the safety issues in the area. Get their office or cell phone numbers. Camp next to a family or older couple and let them know that if they look out for you, you will look out for them. Also, try to use the bathroom or shower in the daytime and avoid going out at night.

2. Carry some sort of self defense weapon and learn self defense

Depending on your state or county, some weapons may be illegal, so please check your local laws. If you are comfortable with guns, get a permit, take a class and learn how to use it correctly. Remember that the teardrop is a small place and a thief may have a much easier time finding it hidden under your pillow. Other weapons are batons, kubatans, bear spray, pepper spray and tasers. Other self-defense devices include body alarms, door alarms and panic buttons on car keys. These will usually deter someone just hanging around or a wayward bear. A large, good flashlight will also illuminate dark areas for you and blind someone who might be looking too closely around your teardrop.

Learning some self defense is good for any kind of situation, not just camping alone. A few years ago, I took a women's self defense course which gave me more confidence and strength in dealing with a bad situation. Keep your skills updated and don't advertise that you know them.

3. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense

If you read the post on Stacie Tamaki and her Glampette, she outfitted her teardrop to have a peephole in the door. She wanted to be aware of her surroundings without anyone being aware of her. No matter where you go camping, be aware of who else is around, where the nearest buildings and roads are, where the dark areas are and how to contact someone quickly. Keep your cell phone, keys and self-defense items close to you at all times. In addition, be confident in your ability to defend yourself and don't be helpless in any way. You are a solo teardropper – no way are you helpless!


4. Be prepared while inside your teardrop

Before getting into your teardrop for the night (and locking the doors), be sure your campsite is cleaned up and tidy, have any entertainment items inside with you, and make sure your curtains are closed. It's also good to have emergency water or food in the teardrop with you in case you get hungry or thirsty before the sun comes up.


5. Don't freak out

In the dozens of times we've gone camping in the teardrop, we have never run into any nefarious people. People in campgrounds tend to look out for each other and their belongings and don't tolerate loitering. There is no need to panic and spoil your camping trip, so if you are camping alone, just be prepared and aware. Because you are in a teardrop, you will have people approach you to admire your trailer. There is no need to tell them you are alone, but you may end up making more friends than you thought you would on a solo trip.

Photo by Designspiration