To Tent or Teardrop, That is the Question

[rharris410]

As I read tntt.com, I'm becoming increasingly attracted by the teardrop allure. But one question remains, Will we be relegated to the dreaded RV areas of campgrounds?

Over the years, my wife and I have "progressed" from backpacking to tent camping, to get our hit of the wilderness West. Now we are considering the increased convenience and comfort of a small trailer but have reservations about joining the maddening RV crowd.

Are there others of you in this forum who have confronted this, and how have have you faired? Is there something we're missing? Perhaps there are off-setting freedoms and other benefits that come with a teardrop. Maybe to limit ourselves to campgrounds is a mistake, and there are other alternatives. Or maybe we should just hang in there with our tent.

Can any of you identify with this? Any comments?

[citylights]

When I go to an improved campground, I tell the host that we have a teardrop camper. They either know what that is, or when they say What the? We tell them we want to be with the pop up tent trailers. They always put us in the right place.

With that said, I prefer boondocking or unimproved camp locations. In those, the teardrop is nice to have the extra gear and comfort that is not provided by the campground. (6-inch thick foam mattress!) You just have to make sure your teardrop is capable of going where your tow vehicle can go!

For boondocking, keep in mind that you can camp just about anywhere on BLM land for 14 days without permits. Usually, that means a dry camp, but when you are looking for quiet solitude, it can't be beat. I can almost always find a quiet piece of BLM land to camp at within 30 minutes drive of any attraction I want to see in the Western US.

[KennethW]

I have found that most camp ground will allow you to camp in a tent site. If you want to get away, BLM and, forest campgrounds. Or forest and BLM disperse camping along forest roads.
also when you are traveling you can stay at Walmart or a 24 hour supermarket. That is something you can not do with a tent.

[eggsalad]

I primarily camp at a NWR, run by FWS. According to at least two Campground Hosts, since the sites labelled "No RVs" also say "Maximum 2 Cars", and since my camper is no longer than an ordinary car, I am free to use a "No RV" site.

I would guess this answer is always at the discretion of the Campground Host, if there is one on site, but I like the answers I've gotten!

[nevadatear]

We've always been able to stay in tent site except for one private koa.

[S. Heisley]

I have been able to camp anywhere that there was a 2 vehicle maximum.
The teardrop (mine has been described as a "hybrid td") is considered the 2nd vehicle.

PS. Welcome to a place where a dream can become a reality.

[S. Heisley]

Oh! I just thought of an exception.....

Some campgrounds will have certain sites that say "no trailers"
This is usually because they don't want an unhooked, unblocked or poorly blocked trailer rolling down a hillside or into a ravine, etc.
So, when you see this, consider it for your own protection.

[rharris410]

Thanks to you all for your information. You're pushing me over the edge, and I don't mean of a ravine!

R. Clarence

[tony.latham]

"Maybe to limit ourselves to campgrounds is a mistake..."

Why camp in a campground when you can boondock?








Tony

[S. Heisley]

...Mighty pretty, Tony!

[Roly Nelson]

When I travel cross-country with my teardrop, I have never been turned away because of no campsites available. I simply point to my cute little trailer and tell the host that I can slip right in between that little shed and the fence, and I'll be gone at first lilght. I'll even pay you in cash and no, I don't need a reciept. One rainy night I watched some tenters staking down their tent, tightening their ropes, blowing up their matresses, hauling their sleeping gear from the car to the tent, all the while as the rain got worse. I simply backed into my narrow spot, hopped in to my tear, kicked off my shoes and in a flash, I was asleep in my warm, dry, cozy little bit of heaven. To each his own, but getting up at the crack of dawn, slipping your shoes on and getting on the road in minutes, sure feels great. Now, where is the nearest breakfast joint? Waffle House, here I come.
Roly ~~

[Shadow Catcher]

Our experience is that when traveling from place to place tying to make miles each day we don't really care if we are in amongst the big RV's. For the most part they (the owners) disappear and you never see them. We do hook up to water power and sewer if it is available i.e. at the McDonald's of camp grounds, KOA (convenient, easy to find, close to highway, near railroad tracks...). We have on a number of occasions used the tent sites and of course boondocked but there is not a lot of opportunity in Ohio.

[Jaytlee]

After my second test run in my teardrop I have decided that I will only be tenting if I have too. I got to Davis creek campground at dusk and was basically fully set up with canopy and chairs in 8 minutes. Love the mattress and even sleeping surface. Today I am meeting with some other teardroppers at Hickinson petroglyphs campgrounds in Nevada. I am excited to meet some new people and check out some different designs. I am about 90 percent done but still trying to figure out my galley set up and light positioning. HAVE FUN

[bobhenry]

A point that has been missed is the fact you can take your bedroom with you wherever you go. I have "camped" in the kids back yard . my mom's back yard, several good friends. Party hardy and simply retire to your own bedroom on wheels. Early AM no need to wake anyone just get in the galley open and start breakfast. So you can go camping without a campground.

[memaggie]

I imagine that there is probably something in another thread, but just curious the best way to find BLM sites?