Is the extra foot worth the extra money?

[drewh1]

I am looking at buying my first teardrop. Considered building one but decided right now, I would rather spend my weekends actually camping. So I am looking for a basic teardrop, that is built well and that I can customize with the features I want. I can't afford a big new one and so am looking at used.

I have found some great deals on 4x8's and 4x9's. It seems that 5x9's might be an ideal size but the price increases dramatically. So is the extra foot worth it? Right now it is me and my dog, but I am hoping to meet up with another warm body at some point so want to plan on two adults. I am also totally open to adding a tent or some sort of canopy to extend the space. I am a pretty basic camper and don't need a glamper!

So for those of you who have owned teardrops, what do you think? Should I hold out for a 5 footer or deck out a 4 footer with the money I save?

thanks,

drew.

[jonesnforcampin]

To me it would make all the difference in the world. I JUST started working on my build and went with a 5x8 trailer for my platform so I could fit a queen sized bed. With it being my wife and I, I don't see how we could sleep COMFORTABLY on anything smaller than a queen sized bed. We slept in a twin for a couple weeks when we first got together, but I have my fair share of marriage lbs now.

If you ever plan/hope to share it with a special someone I would think to go with the wider one.

[markhusbands]

I'll bet that most folks will say the 5' is worth it. They might be right, but I am building a 4'er because the price of the trailer and 4' material just made it seem like the cost effective way to go on a first build. I am not sure if I'll regret it. But I do know that the 48" camping mattress I have been successfully using for a while will fit nicely in it. I basically am planning for weekend camping trips more than extended road trips. So I am going for the 4'er and plan on enjoying it. I could see selling it and building or buying something bigger down the road, but I really think 4' is doable for weekend camping unless you're big/tall.

[PKCSPT]

I have a Little Guy 4 wide and it is just me and my dog (100lbs). It is comfortable enough I thoroughly enjoy it, the size makes it very easy for me to move by myself. One thing I wish it had was 2 doors, that will be a requirement for my next tear no matter how wide. I purchased an inexpensive SUV tent so when I want a little more room like when the grandkids come along I have it.
As long as it is just me and my dog I will stay with a 4 wide. Being a bit wide bodied myself if I were to share with another person no way I would do it in a 4. (However other than grandkids I doubt my husband would appreciate me sharing with another LOL) I think that extra foot could make a big difference for two.

[Vedette]

No question about it!
Go 5' wide!!!!
You won't regret it.
If you do choose 4' wide you will be buying 5' wide some where down the road....especially if don't plan on sleeping alone the rest of your life.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

39 nights in our teardrop this year without one elbow in the eye!

[Sarge]

I believe finding a 5 x 8 trailer will be much easier to find than a 5 x 9 and yes, I believe the extra foot is worth it.

Remember its not just 8 square feet bigger, it is something like 24+ cubic feet bigger (8x1x3) overall and that makes a big difference in storage and manueverability inside getting changed, etc.

My 2 cents.

Sarge

[Shadow Catcher]

We have a 6X10 and a some what claustrophobic wife. My observation is that there have been many who wish theirs was larger and darn few that wish theirs was smaller. One individual who camps solo said "My wife would sleep in that" when touring ours. I have noted however he still has the same four wide, by intent?

[rowerwet]

think about it, the reason you find a lot of 4' wides for sale cheaper, they all decided to make a bigger one and need to sell to get their money back....
for me the 5' wide is great, we sleep on a queen bed at home, why be squished? unlike a double or twin bed in a tent or house with plenty of space around it the bed in a TD is boxed in on every side and over your knees as well, that extra foot is really a lot more than just 1 foot, it is a lot of breathing air, and play space for two...

[rockinrobin]

I have owned both, go with five! Just my opinion! Ronnie

[bobhenry]

I still own both and the 4x8 is OK solo but there is a reason I have only camped in it once.

[Kody]

Definitely go for a 5 footer. I am building a 5 footer that will be 57 inches high inside, the trailer frame is 10 feet long, OAL of van is 11 feet 4 inches. The extra width and length also means more room for our GSD to sleep a lot more comfy. My wife has claustrophobia to some extent and the 57 inch height may only just be enough. Five foot wide means you can spread out somewhat and still keep nice and warm. Our T/D will have two doors, a window in each door and two smaller windows in the sides. Extra width also means extra storage space and there is never enough of this precious commodity in a T/D. A five footer will also have a higher resale value if you decide to sell it one day.

Kody

[GerryS]

For a single person who doesn't share, a 4 footer would probably work. But for more than 1, 5 makes a HUGE difference. Both in personal space, as well as storage.

You'll also get a bigger galley. You can't have too much space there....

[wincrasher]

My observation is that there have been many who wish theirs was larger and darn few that wish theirs was smaller.

That's what she said.

[drewh1]

There seems to be a consenus! I hear you loud and clear. Thanks everyone!

[Wolffarmer]

I built a 4x8 and am single. It works for me up to about a 2 week trip. ( Longest actually was 9 days ) It works for . But I am building a 5 by 9ish as I want some thing for a month or more longer trip and wet, winter weather. Or for two people if I happen to hit the lottery.

Randy