Teardrop trailer advice

[luddite]

My wife and I recently became interested in teardrop trailers. We are outdoorsy people who do a lot of camping, hiking, kayaking, etc. We are interested in purchasing a teardrop trailer but we are not sure what to look for (we're looking to have one made). We are not looking for a luxury TT (we don't need a TV/DVD, radio, etc.), but a basic 4 X 8 model.

Does anyone have some advice as to what we should be looking for and what to avoid? For example, what size fan is adequate to cool the interior? How large of a tongue assembly should we get? What galley options work the best (built in min fridge or ice chest)? Do the size of the trailer wheels make a difference? We've visited the teardrop.net site and visited a number of manufacturers sites, but there seems to be a dizzying array of amenities available.

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Blake

[SteveH]

Blake,

First, welcome to the T&TT Forum.

Every thing I will tell you will be my opinion, but I would advise you to look for a 5 foot wide model. Next, I would advise you to get a roof vent with a fan built in, preferably one of the Fantastic fans. Refrigerators are just too big and heavy for a teardrop, again IMHO, so I would advise using an ice chest. Everything else is just whatever you want.

Good luck with your search and I hope I have been of some help.

[madjack]

Hiya Blake, I see you found us...I'll pass on a couple of thoughts...vents are basically a standard 14x14 and a Fantastic brand fan ventilator (or equivalent) is preferred for air volume, noise and power draw...I prefer an "A" or "Y" framed tounge since they have a bit more redundancy and resistance to sway than a straight tube does...

...mini fridges are neat looking and we have used them but will (probably)never use them again because they are not very efficient (12vdc model) and are all space hogs...space that is highly valuable commodity inna tear and would be better served with a good 5day cooler...they do make some 12vdc/120vac/propane units but they are rather pricey...

...there are many Harbor Freight and TSC trailers out there that have 12/13" wheels and do fine...I prefer 14/15" wheels because they ride better, are safer(matter of degrees), are generally longer lived and just plain look better...

...unless you are doing some serious off-roading I would recommend sticking with a torsion style axle(Flexiride or Dexter) over springs alone...they will generally give a better ride for your trailer...

...a last thought, is to have 2 doors, Td's are cozy to say the least and each of you having your own door is invaluable for those late night trips...besides it gives you someplace to go if a bear comes a'knocking in the middle of the night

...other amenities such as awnings, privacy tents, stoves ect. can be added much cheaper as aftermarket item as you see a need for them...

I hope you find exactly what you are looking for since teardropping is just so much fun that everyone needs to give it a try...let us know what you decide and hopefully post a picture or two(we luv da pics)....good luck
madjack

p.s. the first time the wife and I slept inna tear(4'er) we awoke at 3Am nose to nose and both said the same thing..."5'wide"...4' is OK but takes a little choreography to sleep just right...elbows are dangerous weapons

[Chip]

Blake welcome to T&TTT,,, ok now Questions,,, what part of the world are you in,, This will make a difference as to whether ya gonna want a/c or just fan and heat,, also are you gonna be extended camping or just a weekender,,, campgrounds with power and water or in the outback with no facilities???,,, lots to think about,,, also I agree with Steve,, forget the refridgerator go for a good ice chest that can be moved around and save space for other stuff,,, all the comforts of home could be nice but home is a lot bigger than a teardrop,, go as simple as ya can and avoid putting everything you can think of in the trailer and limit it to just what ya need,,, happy hunting

chipper

[emiller]

Not sure where you live but Ray in Phoenix builds Rayme teardrops starting I think they are still $4,500.00. You can see a couple here at my web site www.azroundup.net and click on the May 2005 gathering 3rd row down the silver, yellow and blue teardrops are 3 of 22 he has built.

[Italia]

5 ft wide and 2 doors in the teardrop is my suggestion.

Italia,

May I suggest that you try sleeping in a 4 ft wide for a few days before you buy one?

[luddite]

Thanks for the excellent advice all. We live in Washington state so it can be both cold and hot (especially East of the mountains. Not Louisiana hot, mind you). I tend to sleep hot, so I am concerned about ventilation.

We weren't planning to go the fridge option, unless many people swore by them (which they dont), so we are fine with an ice chest.

The biggest decision is a 4' or 5' wide trailer. We'd prefer a 5' but it typically runs $1500 - 2000 more than the 4' (at least the ones Ive seen). Considering we'll be bringing our 40 lb dog with us, perhaps more space is better. Are the 5' TT's significantly heavier? We will be towing our TT with a 4-cyl Honda CR-V.

We won't be off-roading with the TT, just car camping (in designated campsites or at trailhead parking lots).

In the end, we want to make the right purchase the first time, and not purchase something only to find out later that we want a different model.

Blake

[pgwilli]

Hi Blake,
We went to Idaho and bought our Hunter Fat Shadow.

Hunter doesn't offer a fantastic fan option, but they may be willing to incorporate one.
It is something I have thought about adding, but I'm long on thinking and short on round toits. (Thats why I bought instead of building my own.)
They do have a small computer type fan that will suck the hot air out, but we always sleep with both windows open anyway.

Your CRV should pull a 5 footer. Ours weighs around 1350# loaded for a trip (depending on how many dutch ovens we bring). We pull ours with an H4 Outback. I would recommend ordering your tear with brakes.
Welcome to the club.

[madjack]

Blake, our 5'er weighs in under a 1000#s dry weight...brakes aren't aa absolute necessity (think common sense and situational awareness) but when towing with a lighter vehicle, in the mountains, they can add GREATLY to peace of mind(and safety)...remember there is not only the expense of the brakes on the trailer but you have to have a brake controller for in vehicle as well...
madjack

[pgwilli]

Madjack's right of course.
Check your owner’s manual about towing capacity, but be careful about the spec weight of a manufactured tear and how you are going to pull out of your drive way with it.
I bought a Hunter Fat Shadow. Spec weight was 800#.
Then I added all the stuff I wanted to bring (after all, I wasn't carrying it on my back... like when I go into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness...). Point is my loaded teardrop is usually heavier than the weight allowable by Subaru for a trailer without brakes.
It cost just under $400 to get our car set up for towing with the draw bar, ball, brake controller and rewiring from flat 4 to a round 7 wiring with a charging circuit (we had a factory hitch).
Lots of stuff to think about, but you've come to the right place.

[bledsoe3]

Liddite, I don't know what part of WA you are, but there are several TD's up the I-5 coridor. Also there are several manufacturers in WA. Ed's cabinets, Bell RV and Pull a Toy. Post in the North West section and you'll probably get several offers to see some of the members tear drops in WA. I also reccomend 5' wide, two doors and a vent fan.

[luddite]

Hmmm....yes, a lot to ponder, but fortunately there are many alacritous posters with good advice. Pgwilli brings up a good point about the brakes and gross weight. Western Washington isn't flat by any means and there are a lot of mountainous back roads where I plan to use the TT.

I think I'll try and attend the Bellingham and/or Tacoma shows (in August) to see TTs first hand. This will give me an opportunity to talk with others and see TTs up close (I still haven't seen a "live" TT; only photos). Perhaps I'll see some of you at the show(s)?

Blake

[pgwilli]

Hi Blake,
I sent you a pm with some Gathering options inthe PNW.

[DRYVEM]

Hi Blake,

I also sent you a pm regarding teardrops.

Barbara

[Nytewyng]

Welcome to the forum, not having the time or skills I bought instaed of building. I was lucky found a nice deal on ebay....had to dirve 7 hours to pick it up and FINALLY this weekend we're heading to Connecticut for our first TD outing.....I probably wont sleep tonight........pictures will be posted upon our return