Episode 137 – The Pros and Cons of Teardrop Trailers

On this week’s show I am continuing my exploration of all the available trailer types out there for Girl Campers and everyone else and this time it’s my personal favorite, the Teardrop trailer. Born in the 1930’s as a mobile shelter for the Great Depression nomads traveling from job to job, they’ve evolved and steadily held the public’s interest for close to 90 years. From the 1940’s dreamer reading the plans under covers by flashlight in Mechanix  Magazine to today’s dreamers clicking away on line at all the different options, the teardrop remains an American classic, a symbol of bold spirits and a means for just about anybody to hit the road and see America the Beautiful.

The first Teardrops were made in the 1930’s and served mostly utilitarian purposes for the Great Depression era job seekers traveling from town to town. They were sparce, offering a bed and a rear camp kitchen to store a propane cooking stove and coffee pot. They were made from salvaged materials and used old car tires. In the 1940’s they were made from WWII scrap materials and were projects for the home mechanic. A 1947 article in Mechanix Illustrated contained the plans for a homebuilt trailer and set off a wave of enthusiasts building them for recreational purposes. In 1945 the Kit Kamper Company was formed in California and is still in operation today. They quickly discovered that there was a market for already built trailers and not just the kits. They made a few prototypes and at their first exhibition took over 500 orders.

The teardrop trailer is still popular today and is experiencing a bit of a boom. The trailers resonate with those who wish to travel lightly, cost effectively and without the necessity of a large tow vehicle. Below is my list of the pros and cons of teardrop trailers.

 The Pros

* Fits in a garage. Many people have HOA restrictions that do not allow a trailer to be parked in their driveway, A garagable teardop is a good solution for those who want their trailer accessible and don;t want to pay additional storage fees. It also protects it from the weather saving the cost of building an outdoor cover or purchasing an expensive cover for it.

* Towable by most vehicles. There are teardrop trailers available that are as light as 1K pounds. If you have a vehicle that you are attached to and don’t want to own a large tow vehicle you can find a teardrop to fit that car. Being able to travel lightly and not have a separate tow vehicle is a big plus to teardrop owners.

* Price. The teardrop comes in a wide range of prices. There are many national teardrop manufacturers as well as many small privately owned builders who can custom build a teardrop to your size, specifications and budget. Of all the available trailer types out there, the teardrop is the most budget friendly.

* Easy to tow and maneuver. Because of its light weight the teardrop is easily towed and maneuvered. It’s much less intimidating to the new RVer. Among the Girl Campers it’s often referred to as the starter trailer. Many newbies start out with a teardrop and once they feel comfortable towing move up to something larger. It’s also much easier get around in a teardrop. Getting gas, backing into campsites and hitching up are all easier with a small trailer.

* Beats a tent any day of the week. The statistics show that the top buyers of teardrop trailers are those graduating from tent camping. There’s comes a time when even the most die hard minimalist just wants a real bed to sleep in off the ground. A teardrop allows you to keep your gear stored for quick weekend getaways and still allows you to enjoy the outdoors without TV’s. holding tanks, generators and all the accouterments that come with large RV’s.

* Add on options. Teardrops have great add on options that maximize and expand the available space. Big awnings, visors,