Tiny trailer for camping--------

[Maddog 521]

We're thinking about buying one of those teardrop trailers to go on an adventure. We want to travel from Texas up to the end of the Alaskan highway. We really don't want to buy a motor home or a big travel trailer and we don't own a 3/4 or 1 ton truck either. So the TD is a viable option. I know that space will be limited but the savings on initial cost and fuel should be a benefit.
Has anyone here ever owned and traveled in one of these? Is there anything I should be concerned about when considering one to purchase? Your input will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[scha]

Have you looked at a Casita or a Scamp? I have a Fiberglass Casita that is 17 ft long and is easily pulled by a standard pickup. Weight is 3,500 lbs. This is a small travel trailer, but it includes all the comforts of a larger unit. It has a small bathroom/shower, Air Conditioning, micro wave, gas stove top, refrigerator, etc. and it is perfect for two people. These are not cheap when you can find a good used one, but they are very nice units that are easy to pull, easy on gas mileage, etc.

Hope this helps. Steve

 

[Salty RI]

The TD's are coming back, we have a few camp grounds here and I see quite a few of them, I was talking to a guy last summer who built his own, remember they are just for sleeping, so on a rainy day, things could get a little tight.

 

[Bugkiller99]

There are many makes/models of small travel trailers. Get one with toilet and kitchen facilities. Most showers in the smaller ones are too small to be used and are wasted space.
As far as size, you can tow a fairly decent size trailer with a 1/2 ton truck and quality hitch.

So what size? Imagine yourself stuck inside in bad weather for several days. That'll help you determine what size trailer.

 

[Salty RI]

I forgot to mention about 20 years ago my wife's sister and her husband took a trip to Ak, they had a big 32 ft fifth wheel, they didn't want to take that big camper on such a long trip, they live in Fl, they ended buying one of those camper van's. They left Fl and came up here and spent a few weeks with us then they went north to Canada and took that Canadian highway across the country to Ak, it was a six month trip, when they got back they sold the van.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Mine is a 21' AeroLite, dual axle, aluminum frame and fiberglass construction. Fully self-contained (shower, toilet, range, microwave, stereo, TV-VCR, refrigerator, forced air furnace, A/C, etc) and only 2800 lbs. dry weight. Rated to sleep 6, but very comfortable for 2 people. Former owner towed it with a minivan, and my F150 hardly even knows it is there.

Years ago I had a 13' Road Runner that I used quite a bit. That was pretty cramped after a couple of nights. Used to carry a cabin tent along to have a little more space to relax in, using the trailer primarily as a bedroom if I was staying anywhere longer than a night.

Comfort counts for a lot when travelling. The little teardrop trailers provide a place to sleep off the ground and out of the weather, but not much for showering, changing clothes, cooking, eating, just relaxing a bit. A tent with comfortable chairs and folding table might be handy to have along on a trip. Add a 12V deep cycle battery charging from the tow vehicle, 12VDC-to-120VAC power inverter, couple of CFL lights or LED's, maybe even a small TV, and you could have a pretty comfortable camp just about anywhere. Take your laptop along and you won't miss anything on the S&W Forum.

 

[pawngal]

I have been considering a Forest River R-pod, sort of modern day teardrop, has a slide-out to ease the cramped feeling. Dealer says they can easily be pulled by mid-size SUV, full size car or minivan. Has all the creature comforts of a large RV. Length is 16-18 foot.

 

[twobit601]

A great place for RV information is a website/forum called iRV2.com.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

17' is a very big camper for 2 people. My wife had her families 18' Scotty, they camped 5 in it for 6 weeks at a time, twice. We camped 6 for long weekends and 4 day trips for 20 years after that. My best friend, had a mid 60's 12' tear drop of the old style, if you weren't over 6'2" you could stand in it at the car end. He could pull it with a compact pick-up or mini van. The new style tear drop are about 3' tall inside and weigh next to nothing, I have seen very small units pulled by touring bikes. My son (#2) has been talking of building his own from scratch. There are plans and info on the net. Ivan

 

[Grayfox]

I'll echo the comments about bad weather. You want something you can stand up straight in, move around easily and sit in comfort.
Being stuck inside by weather in cramped quarters can quickly put a serious strain on relationships.

 

[Jessie]

Have you considered a pop-up?
Some are pretty roomy inside and closed down, easy and cheap to tow.
Plus, you can throw a canoe or John boat on top when closed.
Only downside is fabric sides, but with heat, not such a big deal.

 

[model70hunter]

I neer froze to death in a pop up in the Boston Mtns one August.

I have a Ford F250 7.3 Diesel and a 30' RV. We tried a small one and if you do not understand cramped no room and the sardine feeling you will pretty quickly.

You might go rent one like you are looking at and take a weekend trip a time or 2.

 

[e3mrk]

We had a Dutchman Pop Up and Camped from Ohio to Yellow Stone Park,It was Me My Wife and Three Kid's.
We had a lot of fun and made a Ton of Memories,They pull well and have a lot of room inside and all but be sure to have a braking system on it.
Those Teardrop Trailers might be ok for one or two People but They just don't look comfortable if Your stuck inside in a day long rain.

 

[Big Cholla]

TD is NOT for Alaska

I have driven to and from AK twice. Once with a small camper on the back of a new pickup and once with a smallish travel trailer being pulled by a new pickup. Several have mentioned the necessity to have a comfortable place to relax while being out of bad weather. IMHO, that was understated. And not having a potty of your own is a major inconvenience. Again, IMHO, you should look at up sizing your tow vehicle and looking well built light camp trailers in the 16 to 20 ft. lengths. The ultimate end of what we miscall the "Al-Can" highway is Prudhoe Bay. If you actually intend to go that far take an extra spare tire for the tow vehicle and in any case two extra spares for the camp trailer. That road is gravel from just above Fairbanks on. While the Canadian part of the Al-Can is paved now, it is extremely rough from winter wear at times. Figure out your travel agenda and add a week to 10 days to it for contingencies and extra sight seeing. Take exceptionally good binoculars. Get a 200 to 300 mm lens for your digital camera. Take extra memory cards for that camera. Buy the latest issue of the "MilePost". Take rain gear for everyone. Good luck .............

 

[Coldshooter]

After you purchase one have a real good tire specialist make sure your tires are adequate for some areas with abrasive gravels. Then on the trip check them often. Hopefull you can find at least a 15 inch rim on a trailer.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Have you looked into renting a small RV or camper? If you're just looking for something for one specific trip, it might be a better option than buying.

Sounds like you have a great adventure planned...good luck!

 

[gunnails]

I recommend renting an RV, much cheaper for most over the long haul.

Take a trial short shake down trip before setting out on a long adventure.

 

[Maddog 521]

This is the trailer that I'm interested in. It's small but packed with features.

 

[walkinghorse]

Awning!

Slightly different. We travel with horses, so we have had a variety of camper types.
Pickup camper with bumper pull trailer, large gooseneck with living quarters, and now that there are only the two of us with two horses, small gooseneck, and two horses.
One item has been on all of them, AWNING!
Increases space, especially on rainy days, great for dining, visiting, watching the sun go down or come up, keeps some separation if needed, protected storage without having to dig things out, sun out of your face during naps in the recliner Latest ones, even the manuals are easy to set up and put up, can withstand moderate winds with some care, and upgradable to high levels. Can be obtained with side walls to make large room if necessary, or can stay simple. Available on most campers, but not sure how they would work on a teardrop?
To us the most essential camping accessory!

 

[Salty RI]

I heard in Ak you can't use a pop up unless you are in a camp ground that has a fence around it, because of bears.