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.

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 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 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.

Five easy teardrop trailer meals

Over the years that I've been camping in a teardrop trailer, I've seen a large variety of meals prepared out of the back of a teardrop galley. Everything from bread and cookies out of camp ovens to appetizers and full course meals. We've done our fair share of major cooking, but sometimes you just want a quick, simple meal at a rest stop or after a long day of exploring.

You will need a basic propane stove or grill for each of these meals. We have a Coleman 2-burner stove with a grill that allows us to cook two dishes at once for a little variety. We can either do the cooking in the galley or on a small table near the galley. If we do this, we use the galley counter for food prep. This usually attracts a lot of attention in parking lots and rest stops.


Burgers and grilled veggies

One of the best camp foods is still one of the easiest to make. The good old burger (meat or veggie) can either be cooked on the grill or in a pan. You can then use the grill for some veggies like peppers, asparagus or corn on the cob.

Quesadillas or grilled cheese and soup

The ultimate comfort dish. We always have tortillas with us and fill them or bread with cheese and ham or prosciutto for the ultimate grilled sandwich. You can also grill up a tuna fish sandwich as well. The other burner can then be used for tomato soup.

Salmon fillet and couscous

This meal is done in about 15 minutes flat. Grill the salmon over the grill pan and cook some packaged couscous in a pot on the other burner. Top the salmon with some mango or tomato salsa.

Tacos

Heat up those handy corn or flour tortillas in some aluminum foil on the grill and cook up some ground beef, ground turkey or even pre-cooked chicken in a pan. Top each taco with premade salsa, quacamole or sour cream.

Shish Kabobs

This is a great way to get both your protein and veggies together on the same dish, but just be sure you pack some metal skewers. Spear some cubed beef, pork or chicken on the skewers with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, peppers and pineapple and grill. The other burner can be cooking up some couscous, orzo pasta or rice. Top both the side dish and the kabobs with tzatziki made with yogurt and cucumber.

Friday Teardrop Photo

 

Taken at a dry campground in the Eastern Sierras near Mammoth Lakes, California.