Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Posted: **Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:40 pm**

Greetings! It's been a while since I've posted here. I have been without my teardrop for almost two years now, but have the camping itch again. Besides needing the cash for a new house, one of the reasons I sold the teardrop is because I could never get anyone to go with me due to the lack of space.

So.....

WTB: Small Pop Up camper! I'm looking for something on the small end of pop ups....like with an 8' box. The trailer will be towed with a MINI Cooper, so I don't want anything big. Also, don't need anything too new....maybe 80s vintage? Looking for something in decent shape, but could use some "redecorating"....so something with decent canvas.

If you have anything like this and are looking to unload it, let me know....or if you see a good deal.

I'm located in Indianapolis, so would prefer something in a surrounding state if possible.

Thanks!

Chris (a.k.a.) IndyCubby

Posted: **Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:32 am**

Don't buy, build your own

Sounds like you need an Explorer Box, perfect size for a Mini Cooper.

Posted: **Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:13 pm**

Oh I have seen pics of your explorer box. What a great setup!

As it turns out, I found one fairly close on craigslist late last night and went to look at it today. It came home with me.

The price was right and it was in decent shape for its age. Good canvas and clean interior. There has been a small leak in the roof, but nothing terrible. I can handle fixing that. It appears that the roof was painted with house paint (????). I'm thinking about maybe covering it with vinyl or something. Other than the frame needing painted, It doesn't look too bad in person.

It's a 1988 Starcraft Starblazer. Here are some pics:

It's not a teardrop, but I think it will suit my needs for now. It sure isn't as pretty as a teardrop!!

Chris

Posted: **Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:08 pm**

IndyCubby wrote:Oh I have seen pics of your explorer box. What a great setup!

As it turns out, I found one fairly close on craigslist late last night and went to look at it today. It came home with me.

The price was right and it was in decent shape for its age. Good canvas and clean interior. There has been a small leak in the roof, but nothing terrible. I can handle fixing that. It appears that the roof was painted with house paint (????). I'm thinking about maybe covering it with vinyl or something. Other than the frame needing painted, It doesn't look too bad in person.

It's a 1988 Starcraft Starblazer. Here are some pics:

It's not a teardrop, but I think it will suit my needs for now. It sure isn't as pretty as a teardrop!!

Chris

And you can tow that with a MINI Cooper???????????? What does it weigh?
Philip

Posted: **Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:25 pm**

It's about 1000 lbs. The MINI is rated for 1650 lbs. We did fine on the way home. Length-wise it doesn't look that strange, but the camper is 6' wide...so that's a bit strange to see behind such a small car.

We were doing 70 - 75 mph all the way home with no problems. MINIs rock!

I've hauled all sorts of stuff on my HF trailer behind the MINI. I hauled a vintage BMW motorcycle all the way to North Dakota for a guy...no problem. The most fun thing was when I bought a piano from someone and hauled it behind the MINI. Talk about getting strange looks on the highway! You haven't seen anything until you've seen a piano flying by at 80 mph being pulled by a clown car! :lol:

Posted: **Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:09 am**

Sounds like a nice find

Wow I would think a Mini couldn't handle that much weight, doesn't the Mini only weigh ~2500 lbs?

Posted: **Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:42 am**

Good deal Chris!!! Nice to see you posting again , and back in the routine of posting pics!!!

I was going to ask the very same thing about the weight and pulling with the Mini.

Did you want a roomier camper for more people or more dogs?! haha

Julie

Posted: **Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:34 pm**

Schaney: Yes you're right, the Cooper is about 2500 lbs. It towed the camper well, though. I was wrong, the popup is about 900 obs. The MINI has some pretty grippy brakes, which helps quite a bit.

Julie: I can have more dogs AND people in this camper! :lol:

Posted: **Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:35 am**

Ok, 900 lbs sounds like a much safer load behind a Mini.

Posted: **Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:41 pm**

IndyCubby wrote:It's about 1000 lbs. The MINI is rated for 1650 lbs. We did fine on the way home. Length-wise it doesn't look that strange, but the camper is 6' wide...so that's a bit strange to see behind such a small car.

We were doing 70 - 75 mph all the way home with no problems. MINIs rock!

I've hauled all sorts of stuff on my HF trailer behind the MINI. I hauled a vintage BMW motorcycle all the way to North Dakota for a guy...no problem. The most fun thing was when I bought a piano from someone and hauled it behind the MINI. Talk about getting strange looks on the highway! You haven't seen anything until you've seen a piano flying by at 80 mph being pulled by a clown car!

I don't think I'd want to pull more than a 1000lbs behind Minilla.Philip

Posted: **Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:03 pm**

Creamcracker wrote:
IndyCubby wrote:It's about 1000 lbs. The MINI is rated for 1650 lbs. We did fine on the way home. Length-wise it doesn't look that strange, but the camper is 6' wide...so that's a bit strange to see behind such a small car.

We were doing 70 - 75 mph all the way home with no problems. MINIs rock!

I've hauled all sorts of stuff on my HF trailer behind the MINI. I hauled a vintage BMW motorcycle all the way to North Dakota for a guy...no problem. The most fun thing was when I bought a piano from someone and hauled it behind the MINI. Talk about getting strange looks on the highway! You haven't seen anything until you've seen a piano flying by at 80 mph being pulled by a clown car!

I don't think I'd want to pull more than a 1000lbs behind Minilla.Philip

That's a beautiful Cooper, Philip! I'm absolutely in love with mine. Here's Mr. Garish with a piano in tow....

And a classic BMW bike...

Posted: **Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:55 am**

Hey Chris ya got a week and a half till the shivaree at Mounds state park in Anderson ya better hurry up !

:lol:

Posted: **Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:24 am**

bobhenry wrote:Hey Chris ya got a week and a half till the shivaree at Mounds state park in Anderson ya better hurry up !

Oh that sounds like fun! Too bad I'll be out of town. I have an NEA convention that weekend in Chicago. :cry:

I think I'd be an outcast if I showed up in an boring old pop up anyway! I do miss my teardrop!

Posted: **Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:45 pm**

IndyCubby wrote: MINIs rock!

Yup Can`t fault you there. I spend 6 days a week fixing them at a main dealer and I love working on them. Unfortunately they are overpriced over here so I can`t afford one!
The only things that ever go wrong with them really are thermostats,power steering pumps, and gearboxes, but they do have their fair share of electrical problems. At least they are still made over here!!!