[Harold]

This may interest you.

Teardrop Camper - Page 2

can't see the pics unless I create an account...not exactly interested in doing so.

 

[MikeTowpathTraveler]

Chesapeake Light Craft is a highly regarded boat/kayak kit manufacturer that came out with this design: Build-your-own Teardrop Camper Kit and Plans

Stitch and glue construction, like their boat and kayak kits. Great looking rig!

 

[Harold]

Chesapeake Light Craft is a highly regarded boat/kayak kit manufacturer that came out with this design: Build-your-own Teardrop Camper Kit and Plans

Stitch and glue construction, like their boat and kayak kits. Great looking rig!

That is probably the best looking kit I have seen. Big reason I opted not to build though is because of the pretty low quality of most of the base trailers used for the kits. The Hiker Trailer I am renting and may wind up ordering has a high quality welded and powder coated trailer, and custom built for that matter.

 

[MikeTowpathTraveler]

For sure, the CLC is a beauty and there is something to be said about the amount of work required to build one; stitch and glue construction is all about sanding, sanding and more sanding to achieve the finish that the CLC gang shows on their site.

I like that Hiker trailer and sounds like you and the Mrs are in for a great, fun time, camping out in the rental you are looking at! I hope you post up your experience with the trailer.

Mike

 

[Harold]

The other discouraging part about building my own is that my garage is not a good one for that kinda thing. I only have a couple electrical outlets, and it's just a cinderblock box. It's next to impossible to control the conditions in there to do any kind of detail work, or much of anything with power tools. In fact, I keep all my tools in my basement, which is finished better.

So wintertime build projects just aren't pleasant in there. And no way I'll do a build project during peak riding season. I would LOVE to have a wood kayak, though.

I'll definitely post up about my experience with the little teardrop. I'll be getting plenty of pictures.

 

[Harold]

A little late is better than never. Here are some pics of the trailer we rented (and have submitted a build order for).

The one we rented was outfitted in a pretty basic manner. Small GoalZero battery to run the light/fan in the cabin, and a couple of power strips inside for the shore power. It worked pretty well for this trip, but it was kinda warm early in the weekend (when we didn't have a power hookup and had to rely exclusively on the battery) and I wasn't sure how long I could run the fan without draining the little battery, so I didn't run it all night.

It was quite comfy inside, though. Probably not gonna work for you if you require a kind sized mattress.

The few extras we felt missing during the trip, we're addressing with our order.

It pulled great behind the Subie. We still managed 28mpg, and that was taking surface roads with all the associated traffic lights in a few areas. The freeway route is under construction and sucks to drive lately, so surface roads it is. I'm thinking my little Honda Fit could even manage it, albeit working a bit harder at it.

We're getting a roof rack with a Fox Wing awning. We also plan to carry the bikes up there, and right now, I'm thinking that the 1up roof carriers will be what we use.

The other big extras include a full power system with a deep cycle battery and a solar panel for keeping the fan running for ventilation even when dry camping.

And lastly, a large tongue storage box. That's basically where stuff that's infrequently needed will go. Battery system. Propane tank. Wheel chocks and leveling jacks. Etc.

 

[goodmojo]

I have one of these HOME - RunawayCampers.com

the navigator has a built in air conditioner which I run off a honda eu2000 generator

The trailer weighs 800lbs and people tow with a prius. There is a facebook group where people sell used ones at a discount.

I use a hitch splitter and carry one bike on a 1up rack.

seems like the new price is significantly higher than when I bought mine. I bought mine used for 2500

 

[slcpunk]

I have been looking at similar trailers. I like the idea of a hard sided one, but not sure the teardrops are quite big enough. Literally "sleep only". That could work, but still unsure. Anyway, the things that I started to learn towards ( pretty close in price ) are the motorcycle type popup trailers like these:

Leesurelite Trailers

They look a little cheesy...the roof material seems like a heavy tarp? But the weight and size are great - and you end up getting a sleeping area and a little dressing/sitting room out of it. Setup isn't too bad.

smaller for storage too, which is a consideration depending on how big your driveway/garage/lot is.

Anyway love the discussion, even if the tie to "bikepacking" is pretty weak. ( Yes - any solution must be able to put a rack mount on there for bikes! )

 

[Harold]

It's related to camping and riding...car & biker is also an imperfect fit. There is an rv thread in the 50+ forum, too, which is also imperfect.

I put mine here.

I considered popups of various kinds, and have friends with them. Even though they do have more space and tend to be much cheaper, the wife and I are not enamored with fabric sides and masses of bug netting.

The teardrop we're buying is tall enough to sit up in, and there are some foldable mattresses that make that a little more comfy.

That is why we rented one first. We wanted to know how comfy it was first, and whether it was a good platform for us.

 

[Cleared2land]

Just keep us informed.

 

[BlackCanoeDog]

Prolite Suite

My story is similar to Harold's, in that I was looking for a camper that was small enough to allow my wife and I to get into any place that my Crosstrek could take us, and give us the backcountry camping experience that we so loved during a life time of canoe tripping. Something we could have outfitted and ready to go for a quick weekend backcountry boondocking getaway, a vacation trip to the coast, or camping at a mtbiking destination trailhead.
Also like Harold, I started out looking at teardrop trailers, then small toy haulers, etc etc. Nothing really hit the mark until I saw The Prolite Suite. It is like a reverse teardrop but taller, so I can stand in it with a slouch. Great for getting dressed etc. Another advantage of the taller trailer is having a full awning coming off the side high enough to stand under. And the bed is raised off the floor with ample storage underneath for a lot of gear, porta potty, deep cycle AGM battery, etc. The bed also makes up into a couch and we have a sweet camp kitchen set up, allowing us to cook inside when bugs or weather get nasty!
Because we prefer boondocking or unserviced campsites, I have a 100W portable solar panel which puts out 5 -6 amps in full sun, keeping the battery charged, which in turn runs a portable Indel B truck fridge/freezer with Danfoss compressor that only draws 0.76 amps/hr. We use a small pop-up shelter for the porta potty.
The Suite weighs 550 lb empty. With battery, camping gear, etc it's probably ~700 loaded. It has 11" ground clearance, so it can follow the Crosstrek anywhere! On long road trips I get 25-26 miles/ US gallon on the highway, pulling the trailer and with 2 mtbikes on the car roof.
Here's the best part. As Harold said, teardrops are relatively scarce. The Prolite Suite, even more so. Imagine my surprise when I saw a used one on Kijiji only 100 miles away! It was only 6 months old, had been used 6 times and was JUST like new! I bought it for ~ 2/3 the cost of new. Have had it for 3 years now, and I LOVE this thing. I consider it to have been one of my best purchases, and I even sleep out in it at home many nights of the summer since our back yard is just like a park too Some pics of the Suite in service...

 

[Harold]

I looked at the prolites. I like them, but the scarcity was really hard to deal with south of the border. I was considering driving to Canada to check them out. There are now a few dealers this side of the border, but the prices are not as attractive as I'd like. Especially for the model (s) that interest me most.

 

[Harold]

Just mailed my deposit today. The build begins. Already looking at little customizations I can do on my own after I get it. Things like curtains for the windows, galley organization, and so on.

 

[BlackCanoeDog]

I looked at the prolites. I like them, but the scarcity was really hard to deal with south of the border. I was considering driving to Canada to check them out. There are now a few dealers this side of the border, but the prices are not as attractive as I'd like. Especially for the model (s) that interest me most.

The Taxa Tiger Moth is the closest I have seen to the Prolite Suite. Very similar concept ...double bed that makes up into seating area, can make up a meal inside if weather/bugs suck etc, compact, light weight, high ground clearance. And I have the reverse problem to you ...no dealer network for them in Canada.

TigerMoth Camper - Taxa Outdoors

 

[Harold]

That is an interesting trailer. Prob more expensive with the plumbing and that big kitchen slideout. I like that the teardrop I have on order has the same size bed I sleep in every night.

I am probably going to do some customization once I get it, too. Going to add propane first for cooking. I have a couple ideas for water, also. I really like the rotopax products, and may use them for water.

Also a slideout in the galley, particularly for a cooler. But I am also mulling over some ideas for prep space & stove space.

 

[Harold]

Just keep us informed.

I picked up my Hiker yesterday and started getting it ready for Sedona. First thing I did when I got it home was to put the 1up bike trays on the rack (even before stuffing the mattress inside - I waited until today for that).


20170224_145414 by Nate, on Flickr

The blur by the tongue is Wes, the builder, putting the VIN sticker on the tongue, using a piece of cardboard to keep dry because it started raining unexpectedly.

Trailer and tow vehicle. I have a better drop ball mount now to address the bad angle of the trailer while being towed.


20170224_152509 by Nate, on Flickr

Roof rack!


20170224_182144 by Nate, on Flickr

Got it insured this morning, and stopped by the BMV to get plates. Starting to load it up for Sedona now. I'll be stopping by Harbor Freight in a bit to grab a trailer dolly so I can move it around in my driveway. I live in a really bad spot to be trying to back it into my driveway off of the busy street, so I just pull straight in then unhitch it and push it around where I need to. The rental tongue weight was trivial to do that, but the tongue box on this one makes that hurt a bit.

 

[H0WL]

Looks like the perfect bike adventure pod! What's the weight unloaded?

 

[Cleared2land]

What's on the back-side?

 

[Harold]

Looks like the perfect bike adventure pod! What's the weight unloaded?

960lbs according to the title

What's on the back-side?

Galley/storage. My plan is to build a slide-out tray for a cooler on the bottom shelf (basically the floor of the camper). My current cooler is the wrong dimensions for the trailer. It's too tall, so I have to put it in the car. Will probably wind up getting an RTIC 45qt cooler.

 

[HotHead]

Thanks for the pics! I've been wondering if this was still in the works. Enjoy!