Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Not mine: 2011 Custom Special 6 X 12 on eBay

This is a standy from the eBay seller "pissygaz". I've seen both favorable and not-so reviews of his builds here on this forum.

The big thing I found interesting in this build (and worth the plug here from me IMHO), is the bed/dinette configuration. There is a permanent bed in the front, but then the dinette right next to it also folds into a bed, making one super-sized bed. Seemed like a nice design. You'll have to look at the pics (and there are a lot) on the eBay listing because I can't copying them here without hosting the images myself (which is rather legally controversial). There are other nice features/designs in there, too.

I have no idea what the reserve is on this, but the previous action didn't meet the mystery reserve price and bidding was up to (I believe) $3,200.

You can always link to the pictures, the only problem is the pictures go away when the listing on eBay goes away. The trailer does look nice though. Very large bed.







Dan

"comes with a bill of sale"

So no title on a new trailer?

I'm not sure I'd want to spend a bunch of money on that just to have to go get all the inspections done on it myself to be able to title it.

Wimperdink wrote:"comes with a bill of sale"

So no title on a new trailer?

I'm not sure I'd want to spend a bunch of money on that just to have to go get all the inspections done on it myself to be able to title it.

The state the seller is located in doesn't require a title on a trailer like that (TX).

Buy a $50k bass boat in TX and you'll get a title on the motor but no trailer.

yep, I only have a bill of sale and use it to get license plate.

So, If I build a cargo style trailer with an entrance door in the rear, I can call it a "teardrop" as long as I put a question mark behind my "statement" in the auction description so I can't be cornered for my blatant misuse of a term as long as it serves my interest in roping in people to buy my items...

Interesting...

Rob

48Rob wrote:So, If I build a cargo style trailer with an entrance door in the rear, I can call it a "teardrop" as long as I put a question mark behind my "statement" in the auction description so I can't be cornered for my blatant misuse of a term as long as it serves my interest in roping in people to buy my items...

Interesting...

Rob

I have no dog in this hunt, but this guy usually does produce more of a teardrop-ish style of trailer. It's not the first time on eBay that such marketing has been utilized, and it won't be the last.

He has an excellent feedback rating and has sold dozens of "teardrops" on eBay so his customers must be rather happy.

Wimperdink wrote:"comes with a bill of sale"

So no title on a new trailer?

I'm not sure I'd want to spend a bunch of money on that just to have to go get all the inspections done on it myself to be able to title it.

I posed the question to the seller (since I was the one who posted the link, I kinda felt obligated -- haha), and received the following response:

HI! In the state of Texas nothing under 4000 lb. requires a Title. It is considered Homemade and registered as such. A bill of sale is all that is required to transfer ownership and get it on the road in Florida. I can not remember, but it may need to be inspected in Florida as well. some state inspect some do not. The Camper is made to conform to all DOT rules such as lighting and safety chains and so on. Most Teardrops are being built and sold on Ebay this way. I do make smaller campers and use a Carry on Trailer frame so they come with a certificate of origin from carry-on and in most states they are Homemade or built as well . The camper that is up for auction now does not have a purchased frame it was custom built for this camper. I can register the camper in Texas after purchase in my name if you would like and transfer owner ship to you with a bill of sale and the receipt of registration from Texas. I can not list it as new on Ebay if I register it before the sale. Or I can not register it and just give you a bill of sale only which ever you prefer. I hope this all does not sound to confusing and if you have any other questions please fell free to ask.

Seems on the up-and-up.

Rennee is a good builder and seller, honest and above board. I bought a 5X8 from her and am very satisfied.

IP and OG,

I'm not disputing that the trailer/product isn't good, or that the builder isn't a good soul, only that it isn't a teardrop.

I've nothing against cargo style trailers, or any other kind of trailer, but if it is an apple, don't call it an orange.

Sell it on its own merits.

A lot of effort has gone into promoting and bringing back teardrops and it simply isn't right to mislead because slick marketing might help you sell more product.

I fully understand that it has and always will, but if no one ever questions the misuse of terms, terms become blurred and can change perception/reality.

I'd guess that maybe this builder has been subjected to the misuse of "teardrop" so often that she thinks nothing of calling whatever style trailer a teardrop, after all, no one ever questions it...


Rob

Hey InternetPilot... fair enough... In my state, any camper under 12' long does not need to be registered at all. Doesn't even need a plate. Same goes for utility trailers & boat trailers... Of course if we are leaving the state and don't want to be bothered we just go ahead and license them anyway.

I wouldn't have a problem buying one of his "new" trailers if it came on a prefabricated trailer that has a vin # and a certificate of origin as that serves as a title when you go to put it in your name. New = never been used, to me so I'd much rather have him title it then transfer the title to me when I purchase. Personal pref.


It doesn't appeal to me anyway so why am I whining about purchase logistics when I wouldn't bid anyway?

48Rob wrote:IP and OG,

I'm not disputing that the trailer/product isn't good, or that the builder isn't a good soul, only that it isn't a teardrop.

I've nothing against cargo style trailers, or any other kind of trailer, but if it is an apple, don't call it an orange.

Sell it on its own merits.

A lot of effort has gone into promoting and bringing back teardrops and it simply isn't right to mislead because slick marketing might help you sell more product.

I fully understand that it has and always will, but if no one ever questions the misuse of terms, terms become blurred and can change perception/reality.

I'd guess that maybe this builder has been subjected to the misuse of "teardrop" so often that she thinks nothing of calling whatever style trailer a teardrop, after all, no one ever questions it...

Rob

If we were sticking with strict definitions, most of the builds on this forum wouldn't qualify to be called a teardrops, yet they always are, and you would be a very busy person trying to correct the majority of the posts in the For Sale forum. You have the half-circle looking Benroys, the squared off Weekenders, square-backs with no galley, etc. All of these are pretty much considered "Teardrop Campers". Sure, this one on eBay by size alone is more of a TTT or "standy", but it has just as much of a teardrop shape to it as some of the squareback galleyless models I've seen built/sold here that have been called teardrops. Little Guy produces a "Reverse Teardrop" model that they still call a teardrop, and (again except for size) it's looking very familiar:



I think the definition of a teardrop camper has evolved to include any small camper that has the design almost entirely centered around a bed. Sure, the purests aren't going to agree with that, but I'm sure Johnson & Johnson doesn't like it that Curad self-adhesive bandages are called "Band-Aids" by 99.9999% of the population. In other words, Johnson & Johnson needs to get over it.

As for this particular trailer, this seller apparently produces about 1 "standy" per year (this would be that one) -- the rest of her builds qualify to be called "Teardrop Campers" as much as most of the campers built/sold via these forums. She typically offers more of a reverse teardrop or galleyless squareback type of trailer. Considering she's built over 80 "teardrops", I would have to say that she's promoted the "teardrop/TTT" lifestyle more than just about anyone else here. Anyone else here built/sold 80 campers? She also typically does this at around the $2,500-4,000 mark instead of the $8,000-12,000 that I see even some home-builts going for here. It's difficult to bring back the "teardrop" lifestyle to the masses when the masses simply cannot afford the product or the product is within $500 of a $10,000 2011 Gulf Stream AmeriLite 15-foot travel trailer with a lot more amenities.

Again, I'm not affiliated with this seller in any way (not even as a customer...yet), but I just don't understand why you're coming down so hard on a fellow teardrop builder. As a buyer who frequently searches eBay for "teardrop campers" I am glad that her builds show up.

IP,

Standing up for something you believe in isn't always popular.

I thought I was fairly clear with my explanation;

I fully understand that it has and always will, but if no one ever questions the misuse of terms, terms become blurred and can change perception/reality.

Some people don't care if the term "teardrop" is diluted to the point that any RV, motorhome, or big 40' box trailer is called a "teardrop".

I understand reality.
It is not my intent to "correct" everyone, or be the police.
I state my opinion now and then because I believe it is important.
A few people took notice.

Rob

48Rob wrote:Some people don't care if the term "teardrop" is diluted to the point that any RV, motorhome, or big 40' box trailer is called a "teardrop".

Well, that's a bit exaggerated, don't you think? We went from a 15' (tongue to bumper) oversized "Reverse Teardrop" style trailer to a motorhome or even a 40' travel trailer? C'mon...

Anyway, I think I see clearly where you're coming from now that I checked out your album here on the forum, and see that you have a rather nostalgic/classic auto & teardrop setup. It looks awesome, and I sincerely mean that. Howver, I think it likely makes you too much of a purist, and therefore you'll likely never completely accept the fact that everything "moves on". Just like the design of the automobile has moved on from what you have in those photos, so has the design of teardrops. They're still called automobiles (even minivans and SUVs), so there's really no blasphemy in calling larger or otherwise improved trailer design a teardrop.

Wait a minute....you don't work for Johnson & Johnson's Band-Aid division, do you?

InternetPilot wrote:They're still called automobiles (even minivans and SUVs), so there's really no blasphemy in calling larger or otherwise improved trailer design a teardrop.

Ummm while all automobiles... They still seem to stay true to their original definition of Car, Truck, Van, Suv, Wagon or the newer Crossover, Hybrid, etc.

By the same logic... All the trailers are still Campers or Trailers... Can't Teardrops be Teardrops within a specific gray area, Cargo Conversions, Goosenecks, TTT's, popups, etc?

I wouldn't advertise my Conversion Van for sale as a Hybrid because of its nature to be different than a normal van and to get viewed by a crowd that may be interested in small vehicles too.

(not trying to troll but rather exercising my inability to withold my 2 cents. )