How to prepare for a teardrop trailer trip

We are still getting snowstorms in the mountains, but that doesn't mean we can't start planning for our summer and fall teardrop trips. Even though us teardroppers don't have to prepare as much as someone with a larger trailer, we still need to tick a few things off our checklist:

Where to go?

Now's the time to pick and choose where you want to travel. Do you want to explore a new part of the country or your own state? Why do you want to see a particular area? Asking these questions can help define what you want out of your travels which will save time, fuel and money in the long run.

Check out detailed maps or the Roadtrippers site for your locations and find trailer friendly roads, campgrounds and rest stops. As you are doing this, you might want to see if a teardrop rally is being held in the vicinity.

Prepare the trailer

This is also the time to check that everything on your teardrop is roadworthy. Check the tires, the lights, all bolts and connections and have the trailer bearings greased. This is also a good time to check that you have a full propane tank, a full water tank and that all stoves, refrigerators and other appliances are in good working order.

Stock up

If you have not already done a spring cleaning of the trailer, get that out of the way and then stock your teardrop with everything you will need for a season of trips. This can include the following:

• batteries for flashlights and headlamps
• extra canned or boxed food
• updated sheets, towels, clothing items
• fresh toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo
• broken items that need replacing

Photo by Little Guy Worldwide

Four Ways to Plan for Your 2016 National Park Trip

This year marks the centennial of the National Park Service and parks all over the U.S. will be offering opportunities for visitors to learn more and be inspired by "America's Best Idea." Most likely many of us teardroppers will be visiting at least one National Park this year and here are five ways you can plan for your upcoming trip.

WATCH: "Rock the Park"

Rock the Park is a TV series (currently showing on Netflix and Hulu) featuring two enthusiastic young men tackling the backcountry of our nation's National Parks. They do everything from whitewater rafting and rock climbing to learning about how Yellowstone National Park recycles waste. While you might not want to go everywhere they do, their energy and the scenery is infectious.

LISTEN: NPR Road Trips: National Park Adventures: Stories That Take You Away 

NPR's Road Trips Series takes the excellent reporting of NPR into story formats that cover any type of road trip you can imagine. The National Park Adventures CD tells the stories you don't normally read about in guidebooks. The CD also cover lesser known parks.

ORGANIZE: Build Your Trip with Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov has a Beta version of their Build a Trip planner where you can discover and reserve camping, lodging, permits and tours at the National Parks, National Forests, monuments and public lands. You can add each location to your trip planner. You will need a Recreation.gov login and password.

FOCUS: National Geographic Illustrated Trail Maps

Nothing gives you a better view of a National Park than its hiking and walking trails. Be prepared for these trails with a waterproof National Geographic trail map. You can choose from illustrated maps that show trails, roads and landmarks or topographic maps for more experienced hikers. All proceeds from the sale of these maps are donated to the National Geographic Society.

Friday Teardrop Photo

Taken at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona (a very tiny trailer indeed).