Taken at Conway Summit on U.S. Route 395 near Mono Lake, California.
Featured Teardrop: Oregon Trail'R
Jon and Sawyer Christianson of Eugene, Oregon were born into a family of teardrop lovers and have made the design and building of the tiny trailers their current occupation. The Oregon Trail'R company is in its infancy, but their beautiful designs and thoughtful details elevate their teardrops to those produced by larger companies. Jon Christianson (oregonguy on the TNTTT website) gave me the lowdown on their company and why they love teardrops so much.
When and how did you become interested in teardrop trailers?
We were born into a teardrop loving family. Years before either of us were born, our parents purchased a 1946 Cub Modernistic teardrop and spent the better part of the next 3 decades exploring the western half of the United States. As kids, we each had a turn sleeping in a 4-foot long shelf above the bed until we were too tall, then moved into a pup tent. In 2004, our parents re-furbished the Modernistic and gave it to me and my new bride Jamie as a wedding gift. At this point, our parents upgraded to a Camp-Inn teardrop. In 2007, Sawyer spent several weeks in southern Oregon building a new kitchen for our parents, and slept each night in their teardrop. This was when he was bitten by the bug.
Later that year, both of us began designing and building our own personal teardrops, helping each other out along the way. During this process we realized that between us, we have perfectly complementary skills for teardrop building: Jon is a skilled welder, designer, and professional in home technology and Sawyer is a professional cabinetmaker and woodworker. Both of us are lifelong tinkerers, too. In 2009 we started designing a new line of teardrop trailers for production purposes, the following year we began the prototyping process, and have been steadily building our business, Oregon Trail’R, ever since.
You might be one of the only kit teardrop trailer designers I've found. What has been the response to the kits?
It’s funny actually, but we developed the kits as a “response” to much of the email and feedback that we’ve been getting. People have really responded favorably to our teardrops and designs. A small, but significant portion of the inquiries we get are people looking to build their own trailer, but love the look of our design. They want a solution that lets them apply their own “sweat equity” to the process in order to reduce overall costs, and give them greater control over the final stages of process.
The“D.I.Y.” and “Maker” culture has exploded recently, and we are very supportive of the whole concept. We think it is a great thing for people to get their hands dirty and really experience the build process intimately. Many people have the desire to build their own trailer, but lack some of the major tools, time, or skills to start from absolute scratch. Our approach to kits is not to offer a 100 percent inclusive package, but rather to supply a solid foundation and starting point for home builders.
Our kits address the major stumbling blocks that everybody runs into during the process of building a tear: what profile to use, how to shape it perfectly, how to make the sides match perfect, how to choose/build a chassis, how to attach the floor to the walls, how to attach the body to the frame, etc.
We include all the major components: walls, doors, partitions, bulkheads, spars, floor, chassis, etc, all pre-sized and shaped. The major design and build problems come already solved. We don’t include all the little parts and pieces and trim to finish it out, which allows the client some freedom to really make it their own. Clients will choose and install their own stop/turn/tail lights, entertainment packages, clearance lights, trim, and finish details, etc. We are also more than willing to supply anything else the client needs or wants on an ala carte basis.
What do you like best and least about teardrop trailers?
We love the fact that they can be towed almost anywhere by almost any vehicle, but our favorite thing is that teardrop camping is still “camping.” You spend most of your time outside, which is the whole point of camping anyway! Then at night, you get to sleep every bit as comfortably as you would at home.
I would say the least enjoyable part of the teardrop lifestyle is when you have unexpected inclement weather that just won't quit (does anyone else remember the 2009 Dam Gathering?), although it certainly adds to the adventure!
(Note by Christina: I was at the 2009 "Damp Gathering" and was pleased to see that my teardrop was completely watertight.)
Where are your favorite places to camp? What's on your "camping bucket list"?
A very hard question! A few favorite camp spots are in Yosemite National Park, South Umpqua Falls in the Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, or anywhere in the Redwood forests of northern California. Really, some of the best camp spots we've come across have been from exploring off the beaten path.
I'd say my "camping bucket list" includes a trip from Glacier National Park, through Yellowstone, Moab, and Zion National Park. My ultimate camping goal is to tow a teardrop the length of Baja, using mostly back roads.
Your builds are beautiful. What do you keep in mind when designing and building a tear?
We design and build our trailers keeping in mind that they are meant to be used. Our trailers are built to handle the real life demands of a serious camping lifestyle. Our personal trailers get a real workout every season, and we fully expect each trailer we build to get similar use. We spare no expense to make this possible, using only the highest quality materials from the wood, steel, and aluminum products, right down to the fasteners, adhesives, and sealants.
We know that “the look” is a huge part of the teardrop appeal and believe that aesthetics do not need to be sacrificed in order to make a rugged trailer. We feel we have found an excellent balance and can deliver the whole package. We consider our trailers to be heirloom quality; beautiful, timeless, and durable enough to be passed on to the next generation.
When and how did you become interested in teardrop trailers?
We were born into a teardrop loving family. Years before either of us were born, our parents purchased a 1946 Cub Modernistic teardrop and spent the better part of the next 3 decades exploring the western half of the United States. As kids, we each had a turn sleeping in a 4-foot long shelf above the bed until we were too tall, then moved into a pup tent. In 2004, our parents re-furbished the Modernistic and gave it to me and my new bride Jamie as a wedding gift. At this point, our parents upgraded to a Camp-Inn teardrop. In 2007, Sawyer spent several weeks in southern Oregon building a new kitchen for our parents, and slept each night in their teardrop. This was when he was bitten by the bug.
Later that year, both of us began designing and building our own personal teardrops, helping each other out along the way. During this process we realized that between us, we have perfectly complementary skills for teardrop building: Jon is a skilled welder, designer, and professional in home technology and Sawyer is a professional cabinetmaker and woodworker. Both of us are lifelong tinkerers, too. In 2009 we started designing a new line of teardrop trailers for production purposes, the following year we began the prototyping process, and have been steadily building our business, Oregon Trail’R, ever since.
You might be one of the only kit teardrop trailer designers I've found. What has been the response to the kits?
It’s funny actually, but we developed the kits as a “response” to much of the email and feedback that we’ve been getting. People have really responded favorably to our teardrops and designs. A small, but significant portion of the inquiries we get are people looking to build their own trailer, but love the look of our design. They want a solution that lets them apply their own “sweat equity” to the process in order to reduce overall costs, and give them greater control over the final stages of process.
The“D.I.Y.” and “Maker” culture has exploded recently, and we are very supportive of the whole concept. We think it is a great thing for people to get their hands dirty and really experience the build process intimately. Many people have the desire to build their own trailer, but lack some of the major tools, time, or skills to start from absolute scratch. Our approach to kits is not to offer a 100 percent inclusive package, but rather to supply a solid foundation and starting point for home builders.
Our kits address the major stumbling blocks that everybody runs into during the process of building a tear: what profile to use, how to shape it perfectly, how to make the sides match perfect, how to choose/build a chassis, how to attach the floor to the walls, how to attach the body to the frame, etc.
We include all the major components: walls, doors, partitions, bulkheads, spars, floor, chassis, etc, all pre-sized and shaped. The major design and build problems come already solved. We don’t include all the little parts and pieces and trim to finish it out, which allows the client some freedom to really make it their own. Clients will choose and install their own stop/turn/tail lights, entertainment packages, clearance lights, trim, and finish details, etc. We are also more than willing to supply anything else the client needs or wants on an ala carte basis.
What do you like best and least about teardrop trailers?
We love the fact that they can be towed almost anywhere by almost any vehicle, but our favorite thing is that teardrop camping is still “camping.” You spend most of your time outside, which is the whole point of camping anyway! Then at night, you get to sleep every bit as comfortably as you would at home.
I would say the least enjoyable part of the teardrop lifestyle is when you have unexpected inclement weather that just won't quit (does anyone else remember the 2009 Dam Gathering?), although it certainly adds to the adventure!
(Note by Christina: I was at the 2009 "Damp Gathering" and was pleased to see that my teardrop was completely watertight.)
Where are your favorite places to camp? What's on your "camping bucket list"?
A very hard question! A few favorite camp spots are in Yosemite National Park, South Umpqua Falls in the Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, or anywhere in the Redwood forests of northern California. Really, some of the best camp spots we've come across have been from exploring off the beaten path.
I'd say my "camping bucket list" includes a trip from Glacier National Park, through Yellowstone, Moab, and Zion National Park. My ultimate camping goal is to tow a teardrop the length of Baja, using mostly back roads.
Your builds are beautiful. What do you keep in mind when designing and building a tear?
We design and build our trailers keeping in mind that they are meant to be used. Our trailers are built to handle the real life demands of a serious camping lifestyle. Our personal trailers get a real workout every season, and we fully expect each trailer we build to get similar use. We spare no expense to make this possible, using only the highest quality materials from the wood, steel, and aluminum products, right down to the fasteners, adhesives, and sealants.
We know that “the look” is a huge part of the teardrop appeal and believe that aesthetics do not need to be sacrificed in order to make a rugged trailer. We feel we have found an excellent balance and can deliver the whole package. We consider our trailers to be heirloom quality; beautiful, timeless, and durable enough to be passed on to the next generation.
Photos courtesy of Oregon Trail'R
Teardrop Trailer Trash
When we go camping, we tend to rely a lot on convenience food for our meals. We love those Bisquick Shake n' Pour bottles of pancake mix, cans of veggies, packaged tortillas and lots and lots of Ziploc bags. Not to mention the copious amounts of beer and wine we tend to drink. Unfortunately after all our cooking and eating, we end up with a lot of camping trash that needs to be tossed in a campground Dumpster.
If we are boondocking, we do take our trash and recyclables back home to put in the appropriate receptacles, but many campgrounds don't have recycle bins and we are forced to dump our cans and bottles in the trash or look for a public or local recycling facility. This is normally not something we want to do while on vacation.
I've tried to become more conscientious about our camping trash and will use plastic containers to store food instead of Ziploc bags, or we will wash and re-use the bags while washing our camping dishes. I will also ask a local or a park ranger where we can recycle our cans and bottles and will suggest that they need to add or update their campground recycling center. Also, to save on plastic bottles, we always have a Nalgene or Klean Kanteen with us in our packs and the teardrop trailer.
What do you do to reduce or recycle your teardrop trailer trash?
Photo by sweetheartsinner/etsy
If we are boondocking, we do take our trash and recyclables back home to put in the appropriate receptacles, but many campgrounds don't have recycle bins and we are forced to dump our cans and bottles in the trash or look for a public or local recycling facility. This is normally not something we want to do while on vacation.
I've tried to become more conscientious about our camping trash and will use plastic containers to store food instead of Ziploc bags, or we will wash and re-use the bags while washing our camping dishes. I will also ask a local or a park ranger where we can recycle our cans and bottles and will suggest that they need to add or update their campground recycling center. Also, to save on plastic bottles, we always have a Nalgene or Klean Kanteen with us in our packs and the teardrop trailer.
What do you do to reduce or recycle your teardrop trailer trash?
Photo by sweetheartsinner/etsy
Campsite Photos
Have you ever wanted to get a detailed view of a campground or campsite before you went camping? Before you pack up your teardrop, visit Campsite Photos.com, find your chosen campground and get a view of the perfect campsite before you even get into the car. It's a nice way to see if a site has shade for the summer, sunshine for the cooler seasons, a picnic table and fire pit, a view or privacy.
The website covers both public and private campgrounds around the U.S. and there are articles on camping resources, national parks, RV gear, photography and nature.
If you are an avid camper, you might even get paid for your campsite photos. Campsite Photos will pay a certain amount per campground for clear photos of each campsite and other photos of the surrounding area. Contact the website and tell them what campgrounds you are most likely to visit and they will let you know what they need. Once you become a Campsite Photos photographer, you will get a cool t-shirt and some business cards to give to your fellow campers.
Photo courtesy of Campsite Photos.com
The website covers both public and private campgrounds around the U.S. and there are articles on camping resources, national parks, RV gear, photography and nature.
If you are an avid camper, you might even get paid for your campsite photos. Campsite Photos will pay a certain amount per campground for clear photos of each campsite and other photos of the surrounding area. Contact the website and tell them what campgrounds you are most likely to visit and they will let you know what they need. Once you become a Campsite Photos photographer, you will get a cool t-shirt and some business cards to give to your fellow campers.
Photo courtesy of Campsite Photos.com
Sisters on the Fly Teardrop Trailers
The Sisters on the Fly is a group of nearly 3,000 women who camp, fish, cook, drink wine, go horseback riding, kayaking and whitewater rafting all for the sake of fun in the outdoors. While the goal is to be outside, the main catalyst for bringing all these ladies together is their vintage or unique trailers. Each Sister (designated by a number) travels to various locations around the U.S. in a trailer that is sometimes painted and designed specifically for the Sisters' themes of outdoor living.
Of course, several of these adventurous women have teardrop trailers. Here are a few of these tiny trailers of the Sisters on the Fly.
If you are interested in becoming a Sister on the Fly, the membership cost is $60 a year and that allows you access to their forum, their event calendar, your own number and choices of various events around the country like Texas Trout Fest, Springtime in Temecula Wine Country and Dutch Oven Divas.
Of course, several of these adventurous women have teardrop trailers. Here are a few of these tiny trailers of the Sisters on the Fly.
 |
| Sister #2986: The Teardrop Inn |
 |
| Sister #1559: Suzy-Q |
 |
| Sister #2688: Doodlebug |
 |
| Sister #2940: My Wild Thing |
 |
| Sister #273: LakeDawg FishCamp "ManMagnet" |
 |
| Sister #1408: Cupcake |
 |
| Sister #1568: Moment's Notice |
 |
| Sister #1562: Rise 'n Wine |
If you are interested in becoming a Sister on the Fly, the membership cost is $60 a year and that allows you access to their forum, their event calendar, your own number and choices of various events around the country like Texas Trout Fest, Springtime in Temecula Wine Country and Dutch Oven Divas.
How do you shower?
One of the questions I get about teardrop camping is how we bathe or shower when our tiny trailer doesn't have a bathroom. Even though I love to camp and don't mind the dirt and grime that comes with it, I am extremely picky about keeping clean while camping. I have to have a nightly shower before going to bed and after a day of hiking, kayaking or exploring. My husband is totally the opposite, he thinks that you should stink while camping, so I have had to battle him when it comes to our individual camp shower needs.
Sometimes we will camp at a campground that has hot showers. These can be either free or fee showers. Campgrounds in drought prone states like California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona will charge a dollar or two for a 3-5 minute shower. States with plenty of water like Oregon and Washington usually have free hot showers.
When we are boondock camping we usually bring along a pop-up shower tent. The particular tent we have is simple and does not have a floor, so I purchased a plastic water heater tank catch pan to use as a floor. I also built a small platform out of 2x2 redwood to stand on while bathing.
Our first few attempts at using a solar camp shower failed miserably because either the water would not heat up in time to take a hot shower or it cooled off too fast at night. The typical solar showers are also really heavy when filled up and nearly impossible to lift over your head to a branch or a hook on a car roof rack so you can take a shower. However, my camping girlfriend and I have come up with our own solution. We just heat up a small pot of water on the fire or the stove, grab a cup and take it into the shower tent. We then just dip the cup into the pot and dump the warm water over our heads. It feels fantastic and we have more control over how much water gets used, which is necessary when camping in a place with limited water.
Another solution (but not available in all areas) is to utilize local hot springs. We camp quite a bit in the Eastern Sierras which has hot springs dotted all around the area. We lounge around in a hot spring for an hour or so and then wash off with some soap and a bottle of water. Also, if you don't mind a cold bath in the middle of the summer, you can always jump into a lake or river to wash off, just be sure to use biodegradable soap and shampoo.
Sometimes we will camp at a campground that has hot showers. These can be either free or fee showers. Campgrounds in drought prone states like California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona will charge a dollar or two for a 3-5 minute shower. States with plenty of water like Oregon and Washington usually have free hot showers.
When we are boondock camping we usually bring along a pop-up shower tent. The particular tent we have is simple and does not have a floor, so I purchased a plastic water heater tank catch pan to use as a floor. I also built a small platform out of 2x2 redwood to stand on while bathing.
Our first few attempts at using a solar camp shower failed miserably because either the water would not heat up in time to take a hot shower or it cooled off too fast at night. The typical solar showers are also really heavy when filled up and nearly impossible to lift over your head to a branch or a hook on a car roof rack so you can take a shower. However, my camping girlfriend and I have come up with our own solution. We just heat up a small pot of water on the fire or the stove, grab a cup and take it into the shower tent. We then just dip the cup into the pot and dump the warm water over our heads. It feels fantastic and we have more control over how much water gets used, which is necessary when camping in a place with limited water.
Another solution (but not available in all areas) is to utilize local hot springs. We camp quite a bit in the Eastern Sierras which has hot springs dotted all around the area. We lounge around in a hot spring for an hour or so and then wash off with some soap and a bottle of water. Also, if you don't mind a cold bath in the middle of the summer, you can always jump into a lake or river to wash off, just be sure to use biodegradable soap and shampoo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)