Full-Timing In A Teardrop?

[Cathy P.]

I have come across 3 females and 1 male that are full-timing in teardrops on the internet and a couple have active blogs. It is quite interesting. I am familiar with full-timing in a small travel trailer but nothing that compares. What I see that attracts me most is the freedom from all the gadgets and everyone realizes pretty quite that if it says "RV" in the title you're paying much, much more than one would expect for A/C, furnaces, etc. and repairs on such range from impossible to just costing more than they worth.

So, I have been looking at the teardrops, nothing I would build. I joined years ago because we were going to build but time just went by and now I see that won't happen. I also looked at the Cricket, a smaller and unusual trailer. I do realize the down side of down size to that extreme but freedom and potential for more of an adventure are just really attractive.

I notice many of the teardrops have no insulation, some taller than others and some not necessarily teardrop shape. Weight won't be an issue as I have a 2007 Dodge Durango that can tow about 6,000 lbs and even loaded with bricks, I don't a teardrop would exceed that.

Just looking for input. If you were "dropping out" and taking off in a tiny trailer or teardrop for at least a 2 year adventure, what elements would you look for in your unit?

I hope to be off on my adventure by Fall 2016 if not sooner. Thoughts appreciated. Thank you!

[triker45]

You might check out jhblueroad.com.

[Rferg800]

The wife and I have about 3 more years till we are both full time retirees. Then we plan to do the same with a twist. I am building our teardrop with with one major requirement. Packed to travel it can't weigh over 450#. That is because our TV is a 2015 Spyder RT-S motorcycle. We plan on traveling the USA for about two years. No solid route just where ever the weather looks best.

[Cathy P.]

Here are the blog links I have: http://myteardroppinlife.blogspot.com/ http://www.jhblueroad.com/ (thanks on the suggestion, she is a minimalist) and this is the bigger T@B: http://gypsyteardrop.com/

I have come across lists of smaller manufacturing, often "mom & pop" and then Little Guy line.

Question: On the ones that have aluminum sheeting on the outside, does hail totally destroy them. While I love the look, I have been in a few hail storms and it seems like just about anymore you can get hail in most states.

I can certainly understand why someone would build their own especially in keeping the weight down since weights given by those manufacturing can be off by quite a bite.

[Vedette]

Hi Cathy
We too are looking to try long term road trip next winter.
Although we have logged over 34,000 miles in the past three seasons, we have not been out for more than a month at a time.
My 2 cents......would be to buy a "Manufactured" teardrop at the top end of your budget.
The more you pay, the more you will get, and the more comfortable you will be.
So far the "Camp Inn" looks to be the Cadillac of the market.
Smaller companies allow you to custom order your build to meet your needs.
Good Luck with your plan.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Socal Tom]

I would make it at least 9 ft long. This is so you can have a good deep kitchen. With a bed point enough to be comfortable in for you, bad sleep does not make a happy camper. I would include built in awnings like the ARB or fox wing. Then you don't t have to figure out where to store the awnings, and you can take them down quickly if the wind comes up. awnings give more room to spread out and escape the sun, and you could add sides for a porta-loo to avoid the long walk at night. I would make sure it had a place to haul trash outside ( or maybe a used porta-loo) . I would also include a water heater, and build in the water heater cabin heating method you can find on here. Oh and solar, and a built in propane .distribution system.
Tom

[Tomterrific]

My opinion. Buy something that pops up. Easy to tow and should be more comfortable for a long term stay. The A-frames seem popular and are hard sided.

T

[Juneaudave]

Based on our 6 month trip last year, my votes are:
A really good mattress
A galley that fits your cooking style
Interior lights and charging ports
Good ventilation and two doors
5 wide

And of course

Comfortable camp chairs and sturdy Sunshade

[mikeschn]

At the very least, a cabin car!!! Check out Rob's... it's a beaut!

http://48rob.yuku.com/topic/22#.Vt9350KVtu0

Mike...

[Shadow Catcher]

One of my goals with our tear was to make meal prep and cleanup as easy as home or it is not much of a vacation for Nancy. I grew up tenting and for 38 years of marriage that was what we did.
Compass Rose is 6X10 and in the galley a 3 burner cook top a gas grill and what she loves most a 6 gallon water heater. On the interior XM radio TV/DVD reading lights and lots of storage.
We have side tarps over the doors and a 14' long by 14' at the widest part tarp with mosquito netting in the rear tarp.
Roughing it can become very old very quickly.

[Cathy P.]

Thanks all! That one is a real beauty. I'm going with "less is more". I'm trying to escape most of the "cooking" part, TV/radio part, all those things that have flooded me in that last many, many years and with no real escape. I have cooked from scratch and if I never saw any kind of kitchen again, I would consider it a blessing.

When I asked myself, what do I really need, I did come up with comfortable place to sleep in a more or less secure vessel. I really dislike being inside and hope to be able to be off grid with "reasonable" comfort. Storage space will be an issue but I have noticed that size of the vessel doesn't really determine the amount of storage space available. So, I am looking carefully at several units online.

[Vedette]

Oh Cathy
TD campers love to cook in the great outdoors..........you are not going to fit in!
Buy a 12" Dutch Oven and embrasse it!
Brian

[kirkman]

Cathy....Look at this forum there are all kinds of fiberglass trailers out there in all sizes some with kitchens and bathrooms and ones with nothing but a bed, sink,and a table. They are very light and durable.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/
Here is a good place to look if you consider buying one.
http://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/

[KCStudly]

Even if you don't plan to do any serious cooking, if you are going to travel to remote areas (where the really great scenery is) you will want to have some form of cooler or refrigeration. Even if it is just to store your beverages and leftover meals from eating out at those fine dinning establishments.

If I was going out for more than a week the one big ticket item I would have to have (and may still add to TPCE) is a well known brand 12v cooler chest style refrigerator (ARB or Engel). They are a pretty "big ticket" item, otherwise I would have one already. You can occasionally find them used on Craig's list, but I haven't found the deal I'm looking for yet.

When you're settled in and the closest ice is 50 miles away, a cooler only lasts so long.

[Cathy P.]

I have been cooking for 40 years and even cooked in military dining facilities. I hope to return to more of a raw food diet when I'm only feeding myself. Seriously, one of the biggest issues in camping for the last 30+ years was I spent most of the time cleaning up, moving things around and cooking.

If you have to enjoy cooking in cast iron for the teardrop life, well, then I would have to reconsider my choice.

I'm looking at all the possibilities when I have the time. Thinking very carefully about what is needed. Again, "less is more". Thanks!