Less Than Expected Teardrop Sightings

[Dusty Mark]

We just finished a trip from Minnesota to Virginia to Maine to Minnesota for a grand total of 3 teardrop camper sightings over the course of a 3,900-mile road trip. That's less than 1 sighting per 1,000 miles traveled. I was driving the interstates to maximize time at each destination, but I was expecting to see more teardrops out there. Is that normal, or kind of low from your experience?

[Bill n Robi]

Not counting the route to a gathering, that's low. See 3 or 4 going the opposite way, 1 or 2 in a campground, and might pass one or be passed by 1 or 2 - that's on a quick 700 mile round trip, one week outing. What has surprised me is very few home built in that list, most are store bought. I can't say about CT conversions as you can't tell unless they have obvious modifications.

Made a page in our log book to take names, what and when but not many entries in 3 years.

[Dusty Mark]

I saw a T@G and what looked like two home-built "woodies" all on the freeway with none in the five campgrounds I visited. Perhaps there are less in the northeast...

I spoke with a grocery store manager who is in the final stages of his build in Pennsylvania.

[friz]

I just got back from a 1300 mile tour of Colorado. I saw one almost every time I looked in the rear view mirror.

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[Dusty Mark]

I guess I did too! We stopped by Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis and got to see their original teardrop. The staff was very friendly.

[GPW]

We’ve Never seen a TD around here except from folks that visited … but there must be a Gazillion cargo trailers , a few outfitted with windows and roof ACs could possibly be used for camping … odd eh ?

[friz]

I guess I did too! We stopped by Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis and got to see their original teardrop. The staff was very friendly.

That trip is on my list. I want to show up on a demo day and see which kit I want to build next.

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[QueticoBill]

I feel like TDs are a southwestern and west coast phenomena, and into Rocky Mountain states a little, and rare in Northeast, and farther between in Midwest. Obviously exceptions by predominately.

[jondbar628]

We travel between our places in Fl and OH usually 4 times a year. North to south, it's sometimes the eastern route to I-95 in SC, sometimes terribly boring I-75 through GA. 880 mi. either way. Same two routes south-to-north.......We've seen a few tears through the years, but not many. Only one that I was confident was an owner-built. And that one had CA plates. ....jd

[Bill n Robi]

I feel like TDs are a southwestern and west coast phenomena, and into Rocky Mountain states a little, and rare in Northeast, and farther between in Midwest. Obviously exceptions by predominately.

I agree and the weird part is too few gatherings, at least in the south half of Calif. I think that it is too easy to head out and find your own niche, be it mountain, beach, desert - just to many choices and too many places to go. We are only spending 70 days camping this year but that's February to November, not everyone has a long camping season so maybe that's a factor. When we looked at getting one, we made the commitment to use it, not store it.

[S. Heisley]

I feel like TDs are a southwestern and west coast phenomena, and into Rocky Mountain states a little, and rare in Northeast, and farther between in Midwest. Obviously exceptions by predominately.

I agree and the weird part is too few gatherings, at least in the south half of Calif. I think that it is too easy to head out and find your own niche, be it mountain, beach, desert - just to many choices and too many places to go. We are only spending 70 days camping this year but that's February to November, not everyone has a long camping season so maybe that's a factor. When we looked at getting one, we made the commitment to use it, not store it.

I, too, agree that there seem to be more teardrops in the west, where the weather is better for longer. Also, since a teardrop fits in most garages, you don't see them parked outside. Southern California has better weather than Northern California; but, not by much, at least, in my book. I usually see a couple teardrops every time I go out on the freeway or am on my way to a campground in the mountains. I sometimes see a couple teardrops being pulled on the street that connects my suburb area with the main highways; but, I don't know the people who own them. Most of those units look professionally manufactured. (Rarely, if ever, do I see a tiny travel trailer...makes me feel like a bit of a novelty. HaHa!) Though not as active as Bill and Robi, I try to get out at least once a month (or more) from April to November.

As far as the gatherings go, there are still quite a few; but, some people have broken away from the usual groups and have their own gatherings by private invitation only as space can be limited in the chosen campgrounds.

[Vedette]

We see more and more each year.
Last trip we saw at least 5 on a 1200 mile return trip.
Besides the ones we saw at the Gathering we were attending.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Noreast]

IDK I live in New Hampshire, travel to Maine often, and I've been seeing teardrops or "ttt's" on a near daily basis since summer season began. (Vacationers i assume)

it's about a 50/50 split between more traditional or commercial styles and the off-road/adventure trailer. Maybe even more of the "adventure" style ones..

[Bill n Robi]

I feel like TDs are a southwestern and west coast phenomena, and into Rocky Mountain states a little, and rare in Northeast, and farther between in Midwest.

As far as the gatherings go, there are still quite a few; but, some people have broken away from the usual groups and have their own gatherings by private invitation only as space can be limited in the chosen campgrounds.

I don't think 'private gatherings' are too common, maybe restrictions as to age, type, etc of TD and tow vehicle and sometimes space available in the campground hosting the event. Hopefully once we are moved to the eastern sierras we can try to set up some gatherings, get something started there. Have some areas to check out that I think might be fun.

[jondbar628]

I had this long elaborate sociological reply. ( Quite brilliant, if I may say), But I got timed out. IN a nutshell, it's mostly ( but not all, about regional cultural differences in the US). Us Americans all view things through different lenses & circumstances. That's why we are what we are....We don't want to change that....It's what makes us a great country....though many disagree..........jd