What I saw at the RV show

[Sandyman]

Ninjamini

Why don"t you look at a Scamp or Casita 13 foot. They can be pulled with a small car, have some storage, and a bed you can sit up on ( sleep 4). They also cost less than some of the ones you have listed.

Sandy C

[NinjaMini]

Thank you everyone for the thoughts. Anyone have any experience with any of these trailers directly?

Tom it was because I keep reading about rain causing a shut in in the camper. So I think at least sitting up is a good plus. Sanding is even better. But it's always going to be a trade off between ease economy and size.

Wincrasher I can't sit up against the back wall because ism 6'4" and the roof curves. So my head just won't fit. Spent an hour in one at the RV show. Sitting up really is not an option in a T@G.

Sandyman. They are both 1500 lbs and if I am going to get anything over 1100 lbs then I already have good choices.

[Ryoukoe]

Here are a couple of manufacturers you might want to check out. Rustic Trail Teardrops has many different sized trailers to choose from. I especially like the papa bear model which is 5x10 and at $3995 which includes a 6" foam mattress. The other manufacturer is called Runaway Campers and they make a 5x8 and a 6x8 trailer which are pretty light. Personally I am saving up for a down payment on a papa bear model from rustic as it is still under 800#.

[bc toys]

talk with Grant he builds trailers maybe he can help you

[Patti]

I'd be curious to know how many people have ended up having spend a lot of time in their trailer because of rain. With our tent, if the weather was a problem we got in the car and drove into town, or drove around looking at scenery, or you know--found something to do. I don't recall ever spending too much time inside the tent because it was raining. So I'm thinking the teardrop would be the same.

I've read about people watching a movie on the DVD while it rained awhile, or taking a nap. Which would be fine. But beyond that, I don't imagine hiding from the rain there.

[kayakdlk]

if the weather was a problem we got in the car and drove into town, or drove around looking at scenery, or you know--found something to do.

Exactly. I take a short nap if it is just a short shower passing through. I have a rain fly we put over the picnic table and can still cook and eat, play cards etc. if it is too much rain we head out of the campground (unless it is like a KOA with a game room) into town etc. Worst case I had was one trip while tenting that started out great, turned to rain over night so we went into town the next day and walked around, found a TV and saw that it was going to constantly rain for 4 days, so we packed up and headed back home, and it didn't stop raining for 4 days.

Dan

[asianflava]

We do all of the above depending on the type of rain. We also sit outside under the EZ-Up if it's just a drizzle.

[Socal Tom]

I camp a lot in the desert, so rain isn't the problem, but wind can be a problem. We respond pretty much the same way. Either find a larger space to hang out in, lay down and watch tv or read or occasionally we go for a driving tour ( I have a jeep so technically its an off road tour). I've actually considered getting some beach chairs that I could set up inside, but it really hasn't come up that often.
Tom

[Java Jack]

I agree with Sandyman. Based upon what you have posted, you should look at the tiny trailers like the Casita. They are light, small but you can stand in them. It seems you want something roomy while still being small and light therefore, the Casita or Scamp might better suite your needs. I don't think a tear is right for you because everyone you looked at you called a bed with wheels which you did not seem to like but is a very good description of a tear. Therefore, I think you need to look a little larger.

I personally have the CampInn 560 which is larger than a teardrop but smaller than the tiny trailers. Can't stand in it, but it does have a small couch that converts to bunk beds if needed in addition the the queen size bed. So, good for families with small kids. When kids get bigger, they go outside to the tent while mom/dad get comfort.

However, CampInn is not the cheapest tear on the market. The quality of craftmanship is superb and you would be hard pressed to find a tear as well made as these. But you pay a pretty penny for to get that quality of construction. For me, I don't mind paying for high quality and amenities that work for me.

I too looked at a bunch of different options before purchasing mine. I ruled all the others out for various reasons.

I did not like the tent trailer or Aliner because I did NOT want to set up anything before I could crawl in and sleep. When doing a long haul run, I want to pull off the road, climb in and sleep, no set up required.

I can fully set up my tear at the campsite in 10mins by myself, that is full hook ups, leveling, setting up side entrance tent, setting up shade canopy, camp chairs, etc. If my wife is with me, we can do it in about 5 mins.

Breaking down camp is almost as fast but takes a little longer as you have to jigsaw all your gear back into the vehicle.

[kudzu]

We've spend A LOT of time waiting out the rain. Hot, muggy, damp tents can be a real misery in the Southeast, plus there's the flooded tent site problem sometimes. Hours spent confined to a teardrop would be just as uncomfortable for me because I couldn't stand up. (For physical limitation reasons I need to stand up so it's a standy for me or I'd need to take refuge under an EZ Up. That can still be far less comfortable than I want. Because it rains so very often when we go camping (I feel like Eeyore with the cloud always over him) we've learned to usually just wait it out rather than go home. Am not sure about the going to town idea. Usually there isn't anything interesting for me there, though there could be in a few places.

... I did not like the tent trailer or Aliner because I did NOT want to set up anything before I could crawl in and sleep. When doing a long haul run, I want to pull off the road, climb in and sleep, no set up required.
I can fully set up my tear at the campsite in 10mins by myself, that is full hook ups, leveling, setting up side entrance tent, setting up shade canopy, camp chairs, etc. If my wife is with me, we can do it in about 5 mins.
Breaking down camp is almost as fast but takes a little longer as you have to jigsaw all your gear back into the vehicle.

We all have our own wants & needs. I completely understand not wanting to erect your camper & preferring to just climb in & go to bed. The Aliner only take a minute, meaning 60 seconds, to unfold. Then it takes us another 30 seconds to pick up the little drawer units & set them on the counters. A teardrop would only save you 90 seconds there, yet I can still understand not wanting that wee bit of hassle. However, in our case we need to carry some things in the trailer. In the Aliner those just stow away in the storage space under the beds, accessible from the exterior cargo doors. With a teardrop that extra gear would need to be removed to use the bed & then be put back in again. Or it would need to be strapped somewhere on the outside of the trailer. So set up, for our situation, would be as long or longer if the gear was stored inside. Either way it leaves gear outside the trailer, exposed to elements & more easily stolen.

The Aliner is less work, hassle & more comfortable for me than a teardrop but that is of course specific to my particular situation. Still, I'd really like a TTT, maybe 10 ft, that doesn't need folding. Someday I think I'll have it but for now my Aliner with it's super quick, minimal muss & fuss, set up it the best compromise. My only real problem with it is that it is still bigger & heavier than I like.

[JuneBug]

You could always get one of those things people use to sit up in bed and watch TV.

Little Guy sells the WondaWedge, which is an inflatable version of the land-based back support. Linky

Little Guy has certainly ramped their accessories section up to eleven; it is now an entire store with a bazillion products divided into product collections, including sheet sets with a tear drop motif, a pet play pen (really, a soft folding crate) and a little paddle boat and lots more.

[Java Jack]

We all have our own wants & needs. I completely understand not wanting to erect your camper & preferring to just climb in & go to bed. The Aliner only take a minute, meaning 60 seconds, to unfold. Then it takes us another 30 seconds to pick up the little drawer units & set them on the counters. A teardrop would only save you 90 seconds there, yet I can still understand not wanting that wee bit of hassle. However, in our case we need to carry some things in the trailer. In the Aliner those just stow away in the storage space under the beds, accessible from the exterior cargo doors. With a teardrop that extra gear would need to be removed to use the bed & then be put back in again. Or it would need to be strapped somewhere on the outside of the trailer. So set up, for our situation, would be as long or longer if the gear was stored inside. Either way it leaves gear outside the trailer, exposed to elements & more easily stolen.

The Aliner is less work, hassle & more comfortable for me than a teardrop but that is of course specific to my particular situation. Still, I'd really like a TTT, maybe 10 ft, that doesn't need folding. Someday I think I'll have it but for now my Aliner with it's super quick, minimal muss & fuss, set up it the best compromise. My only real problem with it is that it is still bigger & heavier than I like.

Totally agree, everyone is unique with their own needs. It's great the A-liner works for you. Yes, they have gotten really easy to set up and take down and having room to stand is nice. My only point was that it didn't work for me because of the set up/take down requirements as I didn't want to go through that at each rest stop on a long haul, no matter how easy. But that is just me, for others its a great option. I certainly like it over the tent trailers for sure as it is way easier. I think if all my trips were local, I would not mind the minimal set up time but I just really love the trailer on long hauls because it really makes the drive so much easier.

A traditional tear drop did not work for me either as it was too small for me. That is why I went with the Raindrop model from CampInn. It provides a couch for sitting and reading or watching TV so you get a little extra room or a place to get away in bad weather. We also have a fully enclosed 12 x 12 Northern Breeze screen room with full side walls that can be snugged down for nasty weather camping. With a small heater, it provides us a spacious place to sit and hang out and keep dry/warm if needed even in the worst weather. But we generally don't take that unless we know there is a chance of bad weather. Normally, we just have our Quick Shade.

I think the most important thing here is to buy what best meet your needs and go ahead and spend the little extra money to get what you want because if you use it a lot, you will never regret it. However, if you buy something you think you can live with but not what you want or meets your needs because it was cheaper, you will regret it each time you take it out.

In the end, as long as you are happy with your purchase, get outdoors and camp. Let nature heal your wounds and destress your life.

[kudzu]

Totally agree, everyone is unique with their own needs. It's great the A-liner works for you. Yes, they have gotten really easy to set up and take down and having room to stand is nice. My only point was that it didn't work for me because of the set up/take down requirements as I didn't want to go through that at each rest stop on a long haul, no matter how easy. But that is just me, for others its a great option.

We just finished a trip from Georgia to Cali & back. Folding & unfolding the camper was a snap. Leveling it for the 3-way refrigerator to work properly was what I found most annoying! Seriously, if it's level enough for me to sleep well & not spill my coffee when I set it down, why isn't that good enough for the frig! The main reasons I can think of for a non-folding camper are added storage space & the ease of getting to things on travel days when you suddenly realize you've left something in the camper, like your phone or wallet. (Both of which happened to us.) We can actually access most things without unfolding the camper but if you need something in a remote corner then it's an extra couple minutes. Shouldn't be a big deal but I'm very impatient & easily frustrated. Also, A-frames have very limited awning options. Overall though I've been happy with what I now call my "wee house". After a 5,000 mile round trip I can safely say this was a good choice for me at this point in my life. It's not the foamie I was going to build but I can do a heck of a lot of folding & unfolding for the time it would have taken to build a trailer.

[Java Jack]

Fair point on the buying vs. build. I came to the same conclusion...building would be fun but I would rather spend the time camping at this point in my life.

We have a small Dometic fridge that runs off AC or DC. It works OK but not like a RV fridge therefore, we manage with both fridge and ice chest. For things we don't want soggy, we put in fridge, drinks, frozen meats, etc. go in Ice chest.

Had not considered the awning thing, good point. I think awnings are more important to RVers than they are teardroppers because RVers congregate either inside or immediately out their door. Teardroppers congregate behind the trailer in the galley area and therefore, rely more on canopies.

[doris s.]

I looked at a T@B over the weekend. It cost $18k for the clam shell/kitchen out back. I felt it was made very cheaply made for the cost and I don't want a TV and all the extras. My husband and I are going to build a standy (our second build) in the style of a T@B instead. We'll get a better product for much less. Of course the labor to build is time consuming but it will last longer and have everything just the way I want it.

Doris