Tent On Wheels

[halfdome, Danny]

It's been said here many times, teardrops are just tents on wheels.
I saw this in Costco's magazine and was amused.
Might work for some but why, just throw the tent on the ground and save a pile of money. Danny

[Alfred]

It's been said here many times, teardrops are just tents on wheels.

Hey Danny,

I saw one of those at the NC Mountain State Fair a few weeks ago - I was thinking the same thing, interesting concept but seemed like a lot of money for a tent on a trailer.

$2799.00 and that is after the $700 mark-down, plus it weighs 880lbs dry (wonder why it weighs so much?).


I wonder how well the tent fabric holds up to the elements? I've never gotten more than a few years out of most of the tents I have owned.

AL

[Mightydog]

I agree. Tents don't last too long before they start to rot/wear out OR you want something new. That seems to be a bunch of money that could be better spent. Of course, there are those who think we're crazy for sleeping in something the size of many people's dog houses. To each thier own.

[jandmz]

I agree. Tents don't last too long before they start to rot/wear out OR you want something new. .

I think it all depends on how well-made it was in the first place. This is my "Tent on Wheels". It is a 1966 Apache, and still has the original canvas. The canvas did have some repairs done back in '02, when I first bought the camper. It got new zippers, screens, 3 or 4 patches and seams restitched. But, I don't think that's bad for a 46 year old ($350) camper...

[Mojave Bob]

Well, first, the tent will last a LOT longer if it doesn't constantly have to be in contact with the ground and all of the related sticks, rocks, and so forth. The hard floor of the trailer will far outlast a poly tent floor. You also don't have to worry about a 2am discovery that your tent is in the one spot of the campsite that floods. I really like the cargo deck on top of it. I would not pay that price, nor does the tent concept appeal to me over a hard camper, but I can see that as a huge upgrade over a basic tent-on-the-ground. One downside is it isn't weather-tight when closed, so it would want to be stored inside, and if you arrive in the rain, you may find your tent is already wet.

[mallymal]

Re the original Costco number, when you add up the cost of a tent and the cost of a trailer, someones making a mighty markup for marrying the 2 together!

Re the 1966 Apache, that is very COOL ... and especially if you only paid 350 of your dollars for it, what a great score

[Woodbutcher]

Maybe if you look at it as a lite version of a " POP-UP" the price won't seem so bad.

[tearhead]

Yikes! The worst of all worlds! Flimsy, not waterproof, and pricey for what is probably less stable and less comfortable than a tent.

[schaney]

Hmmm, there are many reasons not to sleep in the dirt:
- the built-in flat sleeping surface requires no rock clearing, removing branches or grading for a level sleeping surface.
- moves you out of the 'critter zone', no more surprise visitors like coons, skunks, snakes and ants in your tent.
- in rainy conditions; no worrying about the strange 'natural attraction' run-off has for ground tents or digging protective moats.
- tents stay cleaner when off the ground and out of the dirt. Have you ever setup camp in the dark only to be dealing with the mess of an old fire it too close to your tent in the morning?

Not all tent fabrics are created equal, a good cotton canvas tent can easily last 20-40 years.

There is more than one way to get a dry roof over your head for camping, I personally think going Softsided is a great way to go.

[mkitchen]

Something about folks in glass houses not throwing stones? Many a person can't see having a travel trailer that a fellow needs to stand outside to cook and can't stand up in the thing. We teardroppers are a minority.

I have a roof top tent on my four wheel drive trailer and I am very happy to have it over setting up a tent on the ground. A good tent can and will last 20 to 40 years if well taken care of. My old Eureka was purchased in the late 80's and is still doing well. We used it once a month at least and now my son and his family is using it.

Teardrops, cargos, tent trailers; we are all just camping in a bit more comfort than we did with ground tents, but we are still camping, not RVing.
Mikey

[pjo129]

I agree with everyone else re: the price

One plus is for older or less agile people or in my case just plain BIG you are off the ground which makes it easier to get into and out of. That's why I'm looking at tears and tiny trailers.

we are all just camping in a bit more comfort than we did with ground tents, but we are still camping, not RVing.

[k1w1cruzer]

This was the first camper i built, it was like a palace

packed up really well

just got too big for two people so I sold it and started restoring this little camper

I'm not saying they are any better than a teardrop but just another way of reaching the great outdoors and enjoying it

[schaney]

k1w1cruzer, like your second trailer ...

[chartle]

plus it weighs 880lbs dry (wonder why it weighs so much?).

It looks like a lot of extra steel grating is adding to the weight. Much more than on a normal black cargo trailer with 1 foot sides.