4-person teardrop?

[SeasideJess]

Hi all,

I've been on and off this forum for a few years, just lurking and reading. I used to take the whole family camping in my (non-poptop) Vanagon (little twin boys on the floor, husband and I on the bed). Now the boys are 11 and getting bigger every day, we need some kind of trailer for our road trips. I really really want a teardrop, mainly because I adore the idea of an outside galley. Seriously. I want one. As the woman who's job it was to climb the stepladder and load all the camping gear onto the roof rack of our Vanagon, you have no idea how bad I want a simple kitchen that is just all set up for me and that doesn't involve lifting!

To cut to the chase, we now are the proud owners of a new-to-us 2006 Sienna, a v6 with plenty of pulling power for a small trailer. The thing is, all the poptop/tent trailers that sleep 4 have the silly blinkin' galley on the inside! (who wants to cook inside while everyone else is outside having fun?) And all the awesome nifty teardrops with their darling galleys....only sleep 2. Sadness.

So, am I just missing it? Is there something out there that I don't know about? Surely I'm not the only woman with two kids who wants to cook outside and sleep inside? So far, the only working idea I have is a teardrop with a rooftop tent installed. It's a good start, but I'm looking for other ideas.

Oh, just one thing, before you go there...please don't suggest the kids sleep in tents on the ground. That's fine for a long stay, but honey, let me tell you, I do NOT want to have to pull all their gear out and make them pack it up and pack up a tent every morning when we're on a road trip! I need simple and fast setup and takedown, and that means a teardrop or poptop berth for everyone, not just the adults. If I can find the right rig, we're going to take a trip across America this fall as part of the boys' homeschooling program, visit all the national parks, historic sites, etc.

Anyhow, that's my story! Anyone who can offer suggestions or shoot me a link I would sure appreciate it.

Best wishes, Jess Evans

[chartle]

Some pop ups have more portable stoves that hang outside. So you can still cook outside.

Growing up our family had a pop up and we never cooked inside. Of course we carried a dining canopy that covered the table.

Others will have to help you wit the 4 person TD design.

[Gage]

Well beings how teardrop trailers ar really meant for two and you don't want the kids to sleep in their own tent you might check into a T@B Clamshell. The restart of production for this model will be later this year but there are some nice used ones out there for sale.


It's not a teardrop. Just looks like one.

[eamarquardt]

The boys might want to sleep in a "pup" tent. They could be the ones that put it up and take it down. The new ones take only a few minutes to erect and stow.

Cheers,

Gus

[mikeschn]

Check out the 2+2 in Andrew's design library, up there in the menu. If ever there was an opportunity to sleep 4, that would be it!

Mike...

[SeasideJess]

Well beings how teardrop trailers ar really meant for two and you don't want the kids to sleep in their own tent you might check into a T@B Clamshell. The restart of production for this model will be later this year but there are some nice used ones out there for sale.


It's not a teardrop. Just looks like one.

Oh my gosh, look at you with your awesomeness! You found the trailer of my dreams! The T@B Clamshell is exactly what I'm looking for. I wonder if I can score a used one for under 6K.

Thank you!

[Gage]

I wonder if I can score a used one for under 6K.
Thank you!

That will be a challenge but who knows?

[Kathy53]

Check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/tabtrailers/

Then check out their marketplace in the file section. You may need to join to do this. (If you want a Tab it would be a good ideal to join as they are very helpful with info. They will even offer info with out being asked to.) If you anounce that you are looking for a
TAB Clamshell. Some one may reply. There is one listed in the market place but the file is empty. Don't know what is up with that.

[SeasideJess]

I wonder if I can score a used one for under 6K.
Thank you!

That will be a challenge but who knows?

Gage, do you know that they really can sleep 4? The pics I found of the Clamshell model (there aren't a lot of pics out there) seemed to show one bench seat, and then the dinette that makes into a double or queen bed. I couldn't make out where there would be a second bench seat. Hrm. I probably need to call the new manufacturer and find out what the old version of the Clamshells came with.

[SeasideJess]

Check out http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/tabtrailers/

Then check out their marketplace in the file section. You may need to join to do this. (If you want a Tab it would be a good ideal to join as they are very helpful with info. They will even offer info with out being asked to.) If you anounce that you are looking for a
TAB Clamshell. Some one may reply. There is one listed in the market place but the file is empty. Don't know what is up with that.

Thanks Kathy, I'll do that!

[mezmo]

Hi Jess/JEvans,

Welcome to this great forum!

From the description of the situation/requirements - there is a build
on here that is EXACTLY what you are wanting/needing. And I even
believe the tow vehicle is a Toyota Minivan. Follow through all 5 pages
but page 3 has the most pics of the finished result on a trip they took
with it.

It is the "Scenic II" build by forum member John.

viewtopic.php?t=29603

Check it out, I'm sure he'd be flattered if you could manage your own
version. It is certainly worthy of emulation.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[SeasideJess]

Hi Jess/JEvans,

Welcome to this great forum!

From the description of the situation/requirements - there is a build
on here that is EXACTLY what you are wanting/needing. And I even
believe the tow vehicle is a Toyota Minivan. Follow through all 5 pages
but page 3 has the most pics of the finished result on a trip they took
with it.

It is the "Scenic II" build by forum member John.

viewtopic.php?t=29603

Check it out, I'm sure he'd be flattered if you could manage your own
version. It is certainly worthy of emulation.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Hi Norm,

I checked out the Scenic II build. Very impressive. something like that would certainly do the job, but alas, there's only one, and I kind of doubt it's for sale!

I'm beginning to think my only real option is a teardrop with a small rooftop tent for the boys. I could mount the rooftop tent on the teardrop if it was sturdy enough, but it just occurred to me I could mount it on the Sienna, which, duh, has a factory roof rack. Then I don't have to worry about damaging my precious teardrop with a roof rack and two 90lb-11-yr-old boys up there. (That's a lot of boy, and they're not known for being all calm and quiet, either...I have to yell at them for wrestling inside their tent already.)

[chartle]

I checked out the Scenic II build. Very impressive. something like that would certainly do the job, but alas, there's only one, and I kind of doubt it's for sale!

I'm beginning to think my only real option is a teardrop with a small rooftop tent for the boys. I could mount the rooftop tent on the teardrop if it was sturdy enough, but it just occurred to me I could mount it on the Sienna, which, duh, has a factory roof rack. Then I don't have to worry about damaging my precious teardrop with a roof rack and two 90lb-11-yr-old boys up there. (That's a lot of boy, and they're not known for being all calm and quiet, either...I have to yell at them for wrestling inside their tent already.)

Do you really want two wrestling 11 year old boys 5 feet up in the air?

[Gage]

Gage, do you know that they really can sleep 4?

Well to be honest, I haven't seen the inside of a Clamshell T@B. But I would think that with a simple modification you could make a bunk bed setup out of the bench seat. Remember that the boys arn't always going to want to go camping with you. Then you just let the back cushion down and you have a bench seat again.

[Dean in Ct.]

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/rvs/2906374968.html
First time I heard of one was about 1/2 hour before reading this thread!