Teardrop Campers

[ditto1958]

I'm thinking about getting back into camping, and I recall Sir Henry's posts with pics of his teardrop camper. I used to tent camp, and I don't really want to get a camper... but alas, I'm getting older now. I'm thinking a small camper would be a good thing to try.

So, I'm looking for advice. I've done a little browsing on the interwebs, but haven't gotten a sense yet for what brands are good, how much they should cost, features to look for. I need something with an electrical system, and I need something that doesn't weigh a lot. Other than that, if I can fit in it, and sleep comfortably, I'm easy to please.

[RanchRoper]

If you drive a pickup, especially a dually, a camper on the back is a reasonable way to go if you can find a decent used one i.e. no leaks. If pulling with a car or SUV a teardrop looks pretty good for hauling around.

[Cofisher]

My sister and her husband have one of these. They got the 19 footer. It is an excellent Camper, with many amenities and systems.

http://escapetrailer.com/

They are pricey, but very well built.

[JEBar]

my second career consisted of almost 15 years working in the RV industry .... my duties included sales, limited service, teaching folks how to use their camper, and delivering units (literally) all up and down the east coast .... you are wise to spend some time doing research .... unfortunately there is a high volume of units that have plenty of glitz but little guts .... glitz makes sales, guts keeps it rolling down the country .... the questions you have raised are good ones .... they would take far more typing to answer than can be answered here .... if you are interested, send me a PM and we can arrange a phone conversation where we could cover whatever interest you may have

[RanchRoper]

...don't forget the rifle rack over the bunk...

[ditto1958]

my second career consisted of almost 15 years working in the RV industry .... my duties included sales, limited service, teaching folks how to use their camper, and delivering units (literally) all up and down the east coast .... you are wise to spend some time doing research .... unfortunately there is a high volume of units that have plenty of glitz but little guts .... glitz makes sales, guts keeps it rolling down the country .... the questions you have raised are good ones .... they would take far more typing to answer than can be answered here .... if you are interested, send me a PM and we can arrange a phone conversation where we could cover whatever interest you may have

Thanks, JEBar. My vehicle is a Saturn Vue, a crossover SUV without much towing capacity. I don't currently have plans to replace it, so I'd be looking for something small and light.

[JEBar]

Thanks, JEBar. My vehicle is a Saturn Vue, a crossover SUV without much towing capacity. I don't currently have plans to replace it, so I'd be looking for something small and light.

that certainly limits your options .... to cut weight, they have to cut steel .... you can cut all the foam insulation available and you don't save weight .... when you cut steel you have to reduce frame strength .... when you weaken the frame, design and build quality become critical .... there are a few pretty dang good ones out there, the trick becomes finding one that can accommodate your needs and wants

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina and I were doing a lot of weekend trips to the beach for kayak fishing back when my health was lots better. We were hauling the kayaks on the roof of the vehicle, and going two or three times a month. We saw a small teardrop camper outside a big box sporting goods store that was just large enough to sleep two and store clothing changes. Small heater for winter, fans for summer... no bathroom... but the price was under five thousand.

We looked hard at the little things, thinking they would be just the ticket. In the end, we figured five grand would pay for a lot of hotel rooms, with better heat, ac, hot showers, and we would have room to change clothes and not have to worry about dragging in mud or soaking the thin mattress if we got caught in the rain or rolled a kayak. The concept was cool, but in reality, if you weren't young.. the real world facts made things seem a lot less cool.

Even the small travel trailers only really work for a narrow segment. A friend in the business said he sold a bunch of them several times... the same one. Folks buy them... use them once or twice, then just don't use them. They sell them, and they find their way back to the dealer as a trade in for an upgrade, or... just what will you give me?

His best advice, borrow, or rent... and go for at least a long weekend before you commit...

[daytime dave]

ditto

Give JEBar a PM and call him. He's a wealth of information and a great guy to talk with.

I seem to remember my uncles campers had a growth problem. They kept getting bigger and bigger until they just didn't leave the driveway.

[BigAl52]

I have a 38ft Montana 5th wheel. All I can tell you is a guy I know that worked in the service dept of a local RV sales place told me RV doesnt stand for recreational vehicle it stands for Repair Vehicle. Look around and find a good used one if you can. When you buy one new you take a Huge hit in the pocket book. Makes the hit when you buy a new car look like chump change. Im sure Jim can also give you a wealth of knowledge and he is a great guy to talk to on the phone. Al

[Squatch]

This is the place to learn about teardrops. Check out the section on Foamies. You can build one of those yourself for a few hundred $.
http://www.tnttt.com/

I currently have a Fourwheelcamper. it's a small slide in pop up truck camper that's made for off roading. it has a nice queen sized bed, stove, fridge, furnace, and a solar system to run it all. It's not fancy but works well for quick trips.
http://www.fourwh.com/

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I'm with JeBar. So many RV's are stapled together junk with a high price tag. It's one of the reasons I have my 4wc. The frame is welded aluminum and they use a lot of marine spec parts.

Another nice option for quick set up is a Tent-Cot. I have 2 and use them often. It's basically a strong cot that folds up like a typical bag chair. There is a small dome tent that zips onto it. Great for sleeping off the ground on rough terrain. I use mine for river camping a lot.

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https://kamprite.com/product-category/t ... le-series/

Price is very reasonable.

[ditto1958]

Looking at websites for new and used teardrops, they seem to be awful expensive for what you get. Again, my intent is to get me off the ground and into a more convenient "tent." A teardrop would seem to do that. I could pull it behind my vehicle, and would not have to worry about erecting a tent in the dark or in bad weather. I also need to have power outlets, something tents don't tend to have a lot of.

Camp sites in the state parks here come with and without electrical hookups. Those with juice have asphalt pads for campers, and they're not good for tent camping.