Teardrop Campers

[i386]

Anyone own or built one of these things yet? Not that I really need another project, but I'm getting the itch.

Google Image Search: Teardrop Campers

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Teardrop Campers

not me but father in law just finished his this summer and he's 82.
very avid bicycleist and that's what he uses it for.
last year logged 5000 miles on his bikes and will more than that this year.
he's getting ready for another trip and will be riding with the denver club, he was a long time member.
carries a portable shower like tent so when he get's up in the morning can slide out and stand up to dress.
pulls it with a little nisson pick up with topper, very cost effective.
the galley is a slide out so he can also use shelves for his ham equipment.
will get some pics for you.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Teardrop Campers

They serve a good purpose.... I have a friend that sells The Little Guy and they have quite a line-up.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Teardrop Campers

I got the itch a couple of years ago and then realized that they simply weren't for me. I guess they are o.k. for crawling in and catching some ZZz's or fair weather camping, but I wouldn't want to spend much time in one or go on a rainy trip in one. I bought an vintage (old...LOL) Apache hardside popup and fixed it up instead. It sleeps 8, has a stove and fridge, is easy to heat and cool and can be pulled with my 4 banger Toyota pickup. We recently spent 3 days in it in the rain. I'm glad I didn't do the teardrop thing.

Yeah, we checked out Little Guy's. Way overpriced, IMO.

 

[i386]

Re: Teardrop Campers

We like to tent camp but don't go very often. Even with most of the gear stored in plastic totes it's still a hassle to get all the gear together to go.

I was just thinking a sparsely appointed homemade teardrop camper might be a logical next step. I've got a 6x10 utility trailer that hasn't been used once in the two years I've owned a truck. The trailer is actually a modified bass boat trailer. It wouldn't take much at all for me to convert it to a camper trailer chassis. A 6x10 trailer would actually yield a teardrop camper bigger than most.

A friend of a friend has recently built one. We're going to take a look at it soon to get an idea if it's really something we want to pursue.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: Teardrop Campers

Lots of info and build pics here if you are interested.
http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/index.php?sid=cc0d1c064358d0b08e847f6626d3c86e

Jeff.

 

[mike64]

Re: Teardrop Campers

My wife and I want to get a small trailer someday. We like those 16' "Bambi" Airstreams, but those are pricey. We really just want something with a hardtop that we (me, my wife and 2 kids) can sleep in, and maybe sit in comfortably at a table and play cards if it's raining nonstop for two days. So we could almost get by with a teardrop, but just a little bigger. Your idea to custom build one right to your specs sounds like a great idea.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Teardrop Campers

There is a dealer just outside of Macon on 75 south you could get some good ideas on what you want or need to do,every time I go down there is almost always about 3 of them close to the expressway

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Teardrop Campers

My wife and I want to get a small trailer someday. We like those 16' "Bambi" Airstreams, but those are pricey.

Instead of building an tear drop that will only have limited value, I'd consider getting an older Airstream and refurbing it. They hold their value very well.

A few weeks ago, I met a couple that had bought a 1957 16 footer for 400 bucks. They had gutted it...actually took the body off the frame...and refurbed it. Custom inside and polished outside. It was beautiful.

I grew up camping. We had lots of campers. Airsteams were our favorites. When I retire, I plan on buying one....a very big one with a garage on the back. They just came out with them in 2009.

 

[Steroumai]

Re: Teardrop Campers

I have a friend that has been building a teardrop trailer for the last couple of months (he has too many projects to actually finish something in a short amount of time), and the process to build it 75% to completion so far has been simple. He bought a utility trailer frame online and we put the trailer and floor together in a weekend as well as had the sides cut out. The trailer is 9 feet long and about 4.5-5 feet wide. It is just meant for him to catch some sleep in since the roof on the trailer is fairly low (I think it is only 6 feet tall from the ground to the tallest point). The rear is going to be designed to have a hatch with a full pull out kitchen (atleast as full as you can get).

In my honest opinion the trailer is too small for me (it could just be bias since I don't like to have to crawl into my trailer to go to sleep). I own a tent trailer with a queen and double sized bed pull outs, and I find it perfect for when the weather turns miserable.

You might want to take a look at a tent trailer for you camping needs instead of the teardrop.

 

[esmith2039]

Re: Teardrop Campers

I went a bit cheaper... old pickup bed trailer free from the grandparents and a free camper shell from CL. Put in a mattress, tv and ac good enough for me!