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

Barnwood Teardrop Trailer for Sale

If you don't mind looking like the Clampetts while you're camping, this handmade barn wood teardrop trailer will be perfect. Made from barn wood, nicely aged galvanized metal and reclaimed pipe, this teardrop only comes in at 1,000 lb. You gotta love those feed bucket fenders.

It has a basic bed area with storage at the foot and head and a basic galley with cabinets, but no stove or sink. This teardrop is for sale in the Sacramento, California area for $4,800.

Featured Teardrop: Perkgana

Some teardrop owners or soon-to-be owners are willing to pay a fair amount of money for a custom designed teardrop trailer. With the Perkgana teardrops by designer Mauricio Narvarte of Utah, you won't have to mortgage your house for your teardrop. His beautiful designs start at around $5,690 and Perkgana even has DIY kits available for only $3,890.

The Perkgana teardrops include the 8x5, 1,100 lb. L'escargot and the 7 foot by 48 inch, 550 lb. Hedgehog. L'escargot comes with a full electrical package in the galley and interior, a cargo basket, two doors and a queen mattress. The smaller Hedgehog comes with a single door and window, 14 inch tires and a simple interior. If you need a little more space and clearance, the Hedgehog XC is 60 inches wide and comes with a cargo box, 15 inch tires, a 5 inch foam mattress and LED underbody lights.

The Perkgana DIY kit includes everything you need to build your camper (excluding the Northern Tool trailer). Two models are available (a 48 inch wide body or a 60 inch wide body) and all parts are precut and pilot holes are provided. No cutting or measuring is required and all you need are a few hand tools.

Photos by Perkgana

December Cool Tears Magazine

The December issue of Cool Tears and Tiny Campers is now available online. This issue features the awesome Rockin' Raisin by Mike and Casie Bazay that has room for their whole family. Other stories feature the Tiny Camper Company and a teardrop that celebrates the University of Michigan.

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

November Cool Tears Magazine

The November 2016 issue of Cool Tears & Tiny Campers is now available online or or as a print copy. You can read all about Bob Aisenbrey's "Tuff Dog" overland camper and a beautiful wooden canoe and teardrop set by Corey Loeffelholz.

Friday Teardrop Photo

This summer I was at Great Basin National Park when the Strawberry Fire broke out. My campground, the Lower Lehman campground was fine, but the campground next door was evacuated and during the fire one firefighter lost his life. It was a little unnerving to go to sleep in the trailer with a fire raging just one hill over.