Why Are Teardrop Trailers SO EXPENSIVE? (They are so SMALL!)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 лют 2021
- Micro campers should not cost this much! So why are teardrop trailers so expensive? Well, there are quite a few factors, but it starts with the basic principles of economics. Now don't get us wrong, not all teardrop campers are worth the price they are charging. But, I think there is a good argument for the majority of the small campers on the road today.
The question we often get is "Are teardrop trailers worth it?" The common misconception we run across is folks saying that these small camper trailers are overpriced. Expensive, yes! Overpriced? Sometimes, but more often than not I think they are priced pretty fairly. The more we get to know the best small camper trailers on the road the more we realize they have been priced pretty accordingly. It is easy to overlook factors in the teardrop camper build process the greatly influences their price. Plus there are a handful of other marketing factors that raise this price as well on these small camping trailers. So lets talk about this!
New to the Channel?
🔴Subscribe for more small camper tips and tricks videos ua-cam.com/users/PlayingwithStic...
🟢All the camper gear we use and abuse, click here: www.amazon.com/shop/playingwithsticks
🟢Looking to purchase a small camper trailer? Our Trailer vs Trailer Playlist. • Trailer vs Trailer: Ch...
🟢Trailer Gear that Will Make Life Easier On The Road (Playlist)
• Trailer Gear That Will...
Our absolute favorite camping gear:
🟡Clam Venture Instant Pop-Up Tent amzn.to/39iVxmP
🟡Portable Refrigerator amzn.to/2M6oYQo
🟡Expensive Projector, But Best for Camping amzn.to/2NFo4uE
🟡Portable Power Station, Our Favorite by FAR! amzn.to/3cfhghm
🟡Portable Solar Panels amzn.to/36fqVAJ
🟡BioLite Base Lantern amzn.to/2MsTJ1T
🟡Biolite Site XL ( Pairs Great with Base Lantern) amzn.to/36c5vVe
🟡Heated Mattress Pad (The Best Out There) amzn.to/36fSDgM
🟡$18 Heater amzn.to/2M6Iv3c
🟡Stanley Cook Set with Nesting Cups amzn.to/36fT22M
🟡Cook Table (Don't own, but know friends who do) amzn.to/2M6pKNi
By purchasing items through these links there is no additional cost to you. Our family gets a small kickback from amazon for any purchases you make using these affiliate links.
🏕️Camp and Camera's UA-cam Channel (Teardrop Trailer DIY)
/ @campandcamera
🏕️The offroad trailer you saw in this video from Valiant Trailers (Jordan's Trailers)
• Valiant Off-Road Teard...
👕Looking for your small camper t-shirt or hoodie? / @playingwithsticks
Stay safe out there and see you all out on the road or at the campsite! - Авто та транспорт
I’ve built two now. The first one set me back under $1500. Took me and a friend a week and a half spending weeknights after work. That being said it was basically an insulated box on wheels. Got the job done with no excitement. So yes you can build one for cheap and I encourage anyone who wants to build one to go out and do it! My second one was a bit more spendy, you can save a lot by building yourself but like was said in the video it can be a slippery slope once you start adding things on. Have a budget and more importantly have fun.
Omg that’s amazing!!! Where do u live?! Help me build one 😩😩😩 no joke!
Hey Drew! Thanks for the mention! You’re right, we’re all in this together. Teardrops are the coolest!
Hi Michael! Thanks again for all you do for the small camper community. We also really appreciated your breakdown of prices associated with your build. I think it really helps people have a realistic view of their options. And I have to mention thanks for setting the bar high as well. Pretty neat for folks to see your build and know what to aim for.
Only recently found your channel but some good information! My wife and I built a teardrop ourselves a few years ago and I would say the cost of everything was around $4k US which includes all tools and equipment we needed to buy to do the build. It wasn't particularly difficult but it did take us a little more than a year start to finish, also the kitchenette door was the worst part, we had a lot of problems with that. I don't want to build another one, but feel like I could see $10k or less being a good value for another teardrop if we wanted one. At 20k... I think I'd get the tools out again.
Dude! Word can’t describe how great this video is. How you broke this video up through transitions, camera angles, b roll, smooth talking!
I truly hope I get to meet you in person someday!
The Runaway trailer is a great trailer for the money with options $7000. Also, very well built as I have lost the trailer off of the hitch at 55mph (operator error in double checking the hitch) and very minor damage. Lover our Runaway Range Runner
Good suggestion Steven. Runaway is where we point many people towards when it comes to budget trailers. It has everything you need. It gets you to the same locations that trailers 3Xs the price can go. And you become a part of the Runaway community. It is almost worth buying a Runaway just for the community itself. They all take care of each other and are so active in terms of camping and hosting Runaway trailer rallies.
Those are pretty good prices on a trailer like that. The reason for the great price is the lack of a galley and simple construction. If a galley was designed in and it had a teardrop profile the cost would EASILY double, perhaps even triple due to the added cost of materials and much more labor.
Man, I gotta say that intro was beautiful. Great production.
Glad you enjoyed that. It was fun filming that section. I enjoy getting that drone up there and seeing what is around my camping location. Even though I feel like I know the area well, it always looks so different from that vantage point.
Weird how Hollywood gets worse while citizen-producers keep getting better.
Thanks for doing these video’s. We just ordered our first teardrop after 50+ years of backpacking and car camping in the PNW, and it was a big step! We still have trepidations but we have 12+ months to get use to the idea (due to manufacturing backlog.) We’ll be checking out your other videos over time.
This is a great video and I’m glad you posted it! You make all kinds of great points. I hope to build a square drop to pull with my Jeep some day.
I ordered a 6x10 cargo trailer, insulated, roof rack, roof vent, extended tongue, rv side door, rear barn doors, two 30x 30 windows, 30 amp electrical panel and rv detachable power cable, aluminum side vents, upgraded thickness skin, 16” on center frame everywhere. 3/4 plywood floor, 3/8 plywood walls, white aluminum insulated ceiling. Led lights. $5200
You must be located in the Lower 48, tough to find a basic 6X10' cargo trailer up here for that price.
@@kswaynes7569 I live in The northeast, trailer is In Georgia.
Ten years ago when I found my guy (Oregon, a maker who built one at a time in his garage, now left the business) he offered a 5x8 built for $8,000 or as a kit flat packed on top of the trailer for $4,000. Our home territory is northern Vancouver Island and our non-pandemic road trips are in northern BC, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. 10 years on and many dirt/gravel road miles on it and my insurance guy still wants me to insure for $12,000 replacement. It has given us way more than that in fun value. Everybody knows the price of everything but no one considers the value. Experiences, friendships made have limitless value.
Those last two sentence of yours are priceless!
Great video and so true! I made my teardrop three years ago and put about $4000 into it. It would have been even more expensive if I had purchased a new trailer to build on but I went to Craigslist and found a used 4x8 utility trailer for $200. The doors (which I ordered) and the power converter were the most expensive individual items. Fortunately, I had almost all of the tools necessary to build it except a good router - you definitely need a good router! It took me 9 months (like growing a baby!) and it was worth every minute of my time. My husband and I use it as often as we can and we love it! We also backpack periodically but the teardrop is so comfortable to sleep in and so much fun. If this is the kind of lifestyle you want then it is worth it - regardless of buying new, used, or building your own.
Thank you Drew. Amazing video with great content and beautiful images, as it is expected from you guys!
When we started looking for our trailer, we had the same thought as the title of this video. But as we kept searching and doing our research on materials, features, customization, etc., we started understanding their cost-benefit relationship. I'd say you went ahead and put everything into perfect words! And nowadays, for someone that is looking for something very specific (either in terms of features, price, size, etc.), I'd say just keep looking, cause certainly there's a trailer for every single need out there. And that's another beauty of these things. Each teardrop/squaredrop out there is kind of unique.
You summed that up perfectly Fabio. Glad you enjoyed the video. This one was a little different for us, so we weren't sure how the regulars like you would like it. It has been fun to see that it has been accepted well.
@@PlayingwithSticks Absolutely! And we noticed - and are enjoying a lot! - that you've been adding some fun elements to the latest vids. When you spoke with your trailer? Well, must say I could not relate more to it... Haha!
Another great video thank you! I'm continually impressed with your thoughtfulness and insight into the videos you produce. As a cabinet maker and Furniture maker I thoroughly agree that to a large extent it's the number parts that determine the amount of Labor not the size of each part! Teardrop campers can have as many parts as a larger camper trailer . Actually sometimes it's harder to design something small with tight clearances where exact dimensions make a big difference compared to a larger structure where an inch one way or another doesn't matter much. If you think about it would you value a big old 1990 F-150 to be worth more then a Maserati sports car because it is bigger?
I love your insights here with the cabinet building and the Maserati. Great points Richard!
I Love this channel!! I purchased my home made teardrop for $1300. I love it - Actually has more foot room than my friends - I can't wait for weather to warm up so I can get going again!!
wow that's cheap!!! let me know if you ever find another
Great video! It's spot on. We started in our home garage and it took off from there.
Thanks Brian! Fun to know this video made it to some of the professionals out there. I never even thought teardrop manufacturers would see this video. Love what you guys are doing by the way. There is just something about the beauty and simplicity of your build that we really love. Modern, but still keeping a bit of that vintage charm.
Great video as always - we have a Bushwacker teardrop and we love it. It is definitely entry level rv but it is perfect for the state park camping we do when visiting our out of state adult children and grandchildren.
Love hearing about the larger family campouts. Seems like a lot of folks are picking up Bushwacker trailers lately. They must be doing something right!
My teardrop company “Earth Traveler Teardrops” is briefly featured in your video! Good job with the explanation 👏🏼 I love your videos beautiful family , keep up the good work 🙂
Oh my goodness. We have never met someone with an Earth Traveler Teardrop. Are you an owner of a teardrop or an owner of the company? Either way how neat is that? We see that trailer pop up quite often. Do they all come with the tent that allows you to stand up or is that an add on feature? Thanks for the kind words Laura.
Yes I am the owner of ET. We are the new kids in town lol !! So far so good 😀 the design allows you to expand your interior living space by deploying the walls, popping-up the front and back rooftop. Tents are add-ons
What a great video, you really spell it out by discussing a lot of things I've never considered thanks a lot.
Exactly!! Great points, great video as always!
Thank you! We really appreciate the kind words.
I've just built my own "Squaredrop" style trailer out of a cargo trailer I picked up for $500 and spent $500 on the build. Since I'm a weirdo that prefers the cold I wasn't worried about heating, and I run the entire setup off 2 usb powerbanks. The powerbanks were actually the most expensive singular items I used. I totally see why people would buy a purpose built one though. Not everyone can build one themselves and there's a sort of safety or mind ease with buying one new. I could actually see myself buying one in the future. I just really enjoy customizing things and I didn't want to end up ruining an expensive camper. Building a micro camper completely to my own specs was a really enjoyable experience. Loved the video :)
Great video! You covered everything every teardrop owner thinks and feels about their little home on wheels. I was thinking of Cosmo Weems and his Vistabule teardrop ...and for as expensive as that one is... he certainly gets soooo much out of his camping experiences! Did you see his “snowed In” episode? He’s a teardrop champion! Michael Foster’s fantastic green teardrop getaway is one of the best DIY’s I’ve ever seen! He and Joanna are a sweet couple and I always look forward to their camping videos.
I hope you, May, and the little ones are doing well ... we just got our first vaccine on Tuesday and are looking forward to finally seeing our Texas families soon! It’s been a long haul, but we’re almost there, Many blessings. ~ Maria
Thank you for all the teardrop content. I’m pretty sure I’ve watched at least 3/4 of your videos now! I’m curious about 2 topics - what is the seam maintenance on a teardrop if you don’t but a single piece Bean? Also, what are the nitty gritty details about solar and batteries? I’d love to see vids on those topics! Thanks again!! Happy for you and your family that you have so many beautiful adventures together!
Building my own teardrop for my slingshot shooting tenements (yes I said slingshots) and wanted to say I love your videos you and your lovely family ROCK!! . Thank you for doing what your doing .
Excellent video. We have owned a Runaway Range Runner and a Rockwood A122 A-Frame popup. Both have excellent strengths. We found the Runaway hard on bad knees and the A Frame hard on a bad shoulder. Now looking at a Cargo Trailer conversion.
I could see our family owning both of these at the same time. They would be a great pair. Currently our pair is a 4X8 teardrop and a 13' Vintage trailer. But, we also have a cargo trailer in the yard that we purchased last fall. We are excited to share it on the channel this summer.
Great video my build keeps adding up as I keep adding more extras. I just got an Kohler encube 1.8 it came with a 60 watt solar pannel. Your so right the cost keeps going up as we buy more.
And hey, you can easily justify that purchase having two uses. Camping and your backup supplies for the next power outage for your bugout camper😂😂😂
@@PlayingwithSticks Right 😀 also we have over 4k in our build.
agree 100 percent, i sat down and planned out a diy teardrop, materials cost was just at 6k, plus time, tools are not an issue i have all that were needed, i started doing a ton of research and found a braxton creek bushwacker for less than 10k out the door, i bought it, i have added several upgrades and being it is an off road style it has unlimited use for all i do, it is mainly a hunting rig but my wife is beginning to like it more and more with the upgrade's, unlike most my little 1300 pound camper looks a bit silly behind a ram 2500 crew cab . but i also tow a 5th wheel, thanks for the video, be safe.
Wow, they are really making that decision easy on you with such a small difference in price compared to your own build. Like you I have found the upgrades to be half the fun of owning one of these campers. And my wife also is loving this more and more each comfort item I add.
Bought a 2020 T@G XL SE (base model) in July of 2020. No sink or stove (didn't need them) but came with AC (nice perk). We wanted something we could customize over time. Best $9,998 spent. We have had a blast modifying it to what we wanted. And I've solo camped in it more than I ever tent camped in the past. So easy to pull even through the CO mountains with my Ford Escape. I've attended a NuCamp Rally and I will tell you getting to know the folks there and how they truly care about their customers was amazing. You can say I drank the NuCamp "Koolaid". LOL Thanks for your perspective and fun videos. I really enjoy them.
I plan on trying to build one some day. Just got to find a decent trailer to start… will be going for something that will keep me warm all year even in snow. I’m excited
Great stuff 👍
Always enjoy the teardrop content. I've ordered a teardrop from Gateway Teardrops in Arkansas and it should be ready in a month or so. Can't wait!
Just checked out Gateway. I really like their design. That extra bit of length not only adds functionality I think it looks great. Love hearing folks buying from their local teardrop designers!
@@PlayingwithSticks that’s what we liked about it, the extra length. it should be a fun camper.
I have just under $6k in my teardrops not including the approximate 500 hours of labor. People have to consider the materials and build technics of a producer because this determines the cost and longevity of their tear. Many of us small producers not only utilize all things high quality because we take pride in what we do but also because as a small producer one bad review or one large warranty issue could destroy our reputation and our business. Large manufactures have many hands on a RV. Some that care about their work and some that do not and the industry has big enough pockets to cover themselves for sub par craftsmanship. Great video with great points! Cheers!
Appreciate your enthusiasm and passion for tear drop trailers. I still would go with a square drop trailer over a tear drop. Versatility and functionality are far more important than "Looks".
You couldn't be more right there. We also may be moving that direction as well. Although May loves her cute teardrops. We both agree that squaredrops are more efficient for our growing family. More headroom, some have roofs that support a tent, and best of all they are more affordable but still get you to the same beautiful locations.
Another great video my friend, I have been thinking about building a teardrop for pulling with our Truck and camper for friends to come out with us when we go off road camping. Great info to know before i start. You just never know I may just add the build to our UA-cam Channel. Something to think about for sure. Thanks again
That would be a great subject for your channel. Let us know if you go down that route and we will start pointing folks your way.
Thanks for the video, we picked up our TC Teardrop last year and it has been worth every penny. For those worried about price their is a base model for under $5000.. Then as Drew said the sky is the limit for options. Everyone has a reason for or against a Teardrop, but ours is great and we take it everywhere and enjoy the comfort and easy. There is a model in your budget somewhere and you will not regret it.
Wow, a base model from TC under $5,000. That is great to hear that folks can still get into a nice teardrop at that price.
Love all your videos but THIS ONE tops them all. Great explanation of the cost and the WHY. Thank you!
That is so great to hear! It was one of those video ideas that has been sitting in my head for a while. So it was nice to finally make it happen.
Great video! I grew up camping. Started in a canvas pup tent 50 yrs ago, then a pop-up canvas camper 40 yrs ago, then back to tents. My tents have ranged from pup tents to dome/igloo tents up to cabin tents. I looked at buying vs building a small camper. If you really want to build your own for under &5000, get a pickup truck, and buy or build a cap for the bed of the truck that gives you enough room to sit upright. That is reality. You want a teardrop style, you will pay at least $5k and up!
That’s what we’ve been wanting to do for multiple years now. Basically convert to pick up topper into feeling like a teardrop
I was 1959 and I about 4 years old when my dad bought a used one. I loved that little trailer; it was my refuge and I spent many a summer night in it! I wish I had it now.
Now that is a great story! Many of us want to own something that looks historic. You actually slept in something that was a piece of history.
@@PlayingwithSticks lol, It was not history back then as it was 1959. The trailer was made in the late 40's or early 50's so it was about 10 years old or so at the time we owned it. Bet it is worth a lot today.
Thanks for another great share, video and pics of little ones :) Yes I understand that the sticker price shock is real! Especially now in the RV craze, and in particular compares to Class B's that are all the Van type rage... cost more than larger Class C's, and as you pointed out, manufactuers are raking in profits, 2021's sold out, so any new orders are 2022's with hefty prices increases. Very helpful information and thoughts, thanks MUCH again! Cheers, and all the BEST to you and family! :)
Good points you made about the RV craze. And yes, I have seen prices dramatically go up from all companies this year. Glad you enjoyed the video Marty! And thanks for the well wishes. Blessings to you and your family as well!
Great video We just bought a mean bean trailer. Talk about sticker shock! Haven’t picked it up yet. But we are so excited . Already have a handful of great adventures planned. I should have watched this video before ordering because we added every add on possible I think lol lol.
Nice Pedro! That is such a fun trailer. We have been eyeing the step down from yours "the Bean Stock." Can't wait to hear about your adventures. You really are only limited by your tow vehicle with that trailer. That thing can go almost anywhere!
@@PlayingwithSticks phew! Was worried where bean landed on your opinion of worth the money or getting ripped off! Sounds like you like their product! The new bean stock for this year looks so nice! It really does look incredibly well made, and the buying experience was top notch! We have a raptor as our tow vehicle which is modest at best for a truck at towing, but plenty for this bean! Keep up the great content, it’s been a great resource to us!
The Beans are nice!
Life is short so in the big scheme of things what’s $20,000 dollars if you can afford one of these trailers and it brings you pleasure? As I’ve aged and have accumulated quite a bit of wealth I find it in and of itself to be all but worthless. It brings financial security but not much else because my needs are non existent and my wants are very few as well. Live as much as you can while you have your health.
I really appreciate this comment. I am known by everyone in my circle as a pretty frugal guy. But as I am getting older I am questioning some of my frugal principles. I think in general living debt free and focusing on needs/not wants has given our family more freedom and stability. This is one of the main reasons we are able to volunteer more often and be location independent. But I also now see how I missed out on some great opportunities in my younger years because I wouldn't do or buy some things just on principle. But like you said if it brings you pleasure and you will remember that purchase and where it took you for years to come. Passing up on that opportunity to save a buck may not be in your best interest. I now have a few regrets and I rarely have regrets in my life. And some of those regrets revolve around saving a buck or two and missing out on good opportunities with friends and family.
Great video! We absolutely love our Bend Teardrop trailer. Worth every penny.
Yes, love the extra length on their teardrops. Each foot of length really makes a big difference. And they still kept it looking like a classic teardrop, which really makes the Bend trailers neat!
@@PlayingwithSticks for sure. Dave does awesome work. We love how he keeps it simple with the focus on being outside and not over complicating the process
As always spot on bro good job.
Much appreciated Rick!
I gotta say I'd kinda like your take on the geo pro 12srk. I bought one already and I love it. I needed a little more functionality with it to convince the wife, and I needed something I could pull with my old Ford ranger that could handle some dirt roads. Keep in mind we are in California too. But I paid about $17k out the door, licensed taxed and insured. Its got a lot of features, and the build quality is pretty darn good.
Yep having a small camper sure does make those weekend getaways so much more enjoyable. When I finished mine I camped 15 weekends that first summer. I rarely tent camp anymore. I also put a 12x12 canopy over mine to prolong its life and the shade is nice. Camp on!
You sound like us. We still pull out the tent from time to time, but not near as often as we used to. Good idea with the 12X12 canopy.
Glad to have yo in back, how is the family? How was the video with the lady who traveled to Alaska? I watched it and enjoyed it. Stay safe.
Hi Joyce! The family is doing great. I think we are all getting a little nervous and excited about the big upcoming move to Thailand. Getting the house ready to sell, saying good bye to everyone at work, etc. Glad you enjoyed the Alaska video with She to Me. It was fun to collaborate with her. Hope all is going well with you!
I like the off road pop up option...the “tent like “ soft sides of the pop up makes me feel closer to nature vs the tear drop hard encapsulation vibe...the tear drop is more hipster and wins in the cool factor.
We feel the same way about the tent like feel. We just spent 3 weeks this summer in a pop-up camper. We thought we would never like a pop-up. We walked away from the experience absolutely loving it. It felt like tent camping, but with some of the luxuries of home.
Agreed. Pop-ups are great! Family used them for decades and siblings still do. The off road options were a pleasant surprise to me. I’ve been looking at them, but the shortest pop-ups don’t seem to have that option and are pretty stripped down. The closest, though I don’t consider it a real pop-up, is the Aliner Ranger 10 at 13 feet length or about the same as a Scamp 13, as opposed a 8 foot teardrop is 11-12 feet long.
I’m still looking, and pop-ups are still on the list. Great nostalgic feel😃
@@mikemead2315 One thing we ran across when looking at the aframe style pop-ups is they are quite large. They were longer, heavier, and even taller than we thought they would be. Would be nice if somebody made a little less beefed up version.
This guy is a natural. Well spoken. I'm learning some things.
Wise comments & well spoken.
Thanks Zack!
Drew: Good explanation. You do a good analysis of the psychology of ity bitty trailers.
Thank you Neal. We really appreciate that comment. Our favorite videos to make are the ones that are more about the phycology of camping, comfort, purchases, etc. For us its the intrinsic parts of camping that really get us thinking and really provide more value to our overall life.
I want one so bad but they cost waaaaay to much, You can get a nice rv for the price of a teardrop
Yes, this is the dilemma many folks have. It is actually my opening line, not the next video, but two videos from now.
Got a TD because dont need the ongoing costs of a 3rd vehicle, TD is small, comfortable light, others can take out.. pros and cons but theg hold their price unlike vehicles.🇳🇿
@@wendyhicks5685 Good reasons you listed here.
@@wendyhicks5685 that is a good point! They will hold value!
@se fi You don't need to be sorry. Different strokes for different folks.
Yeah! Like Camp & Camera, my friend built a “$1000 weekend” 4x8 teardrop, and he was shocked by the time it took to complete it and the final price. It took over a year and around $5k. For both the time and price, it was waiting for each little thing that he did not know he even needed until he could not continue without it, each taking at least a week to get delivered and $$.
We ran into similar issues last spring and summer fixing up the vintage trailer. It felt like two steps forward, one step back the entire process. Hurry up and wait is what I was calling it.
No regrets here with my purchase of an off-road trailer! In just 5 weeks from now I'll be retired and traveling full time with it...can't wait! Absolutely worth it. Yes I could have gotten something bigger for the same price... but I didn't want something bigger. Happy Camping!
Congratulations on the upcoming retirement. I can just picture you now taking that off road teardrop through all that beautiful wine country around you. Not to mention those short trips to the coast as well.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks...really excited to get out there. We'll be getting out of wine country though lol...do some longer trips to Montana, Idaho maybe or maybe go south idk....practice up on extended trips and learn for an eventual trip to Alaska :0
Yes, we bought new T@g for $10,000, about 5 years ago. This was worth it for us, because we didn't have to buy a new vehicle. Also we save on gas, we pull it with a 4 cylinder SUV. Congratulations on 78K followers!
Thanks Karen! That $10,000 for the T@G is a steal today. You bought at the right time. I was just in a 2021 T@G a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful camper. It was the Boondock version.
I think you can build a rugged, cheap one that serves its purpose for $4,000 or less. Having someone more skilled put one together FOR you, $10,000 sounds pretty reasonable. Even though they're small, I'm not sure I'd want to pull even a teardrop behind a 4-cylinder SUV in the Rockies.
Great video and good points! I want a teardrop now lol.
Have you seen any of Jordan's Valiant trailers on the road yet here in Alaska? If you haven't ,wait until you do. We got offroad trailer envy the first moment we laid eyes on one. They are neat online, but when you see one in person, wow!
Just ordered my off road square drop...I'm excited to get it. The bigger picture for me was quality. These are built by small family owned businesses. Each one hand built. Not glued together on an assembly line by a guy hung over from the night before. I'll pay the money and the haters will continue to hate.
Happy trails!
And I think there is something to be said about how you supported this small business. I think it is a win-win for both parties.
I've been tempted to build one. I've a background building small boats and would use tools, materials, and methods I already have. However, the time spent building one would be better spent actually camping.
Yeah. You have some great experience thus ability to build one. I agree that it is time spent not camping. My friend’s took $5k and a year to build. Opened my eyes to the real time and money cost.
I really appreciate your point here. You have the skills and the tools, but value your time. Not to say that minimizes someone who finds that time building their teardrop is worth every second. But, if the camping is where you ultimately want to get, why not speed up the process a bit.
As production increases quality decreases. Great points all around.😀
I bought my first teardrop recently a Hero Ranger camper - built in Scandinavia rated to -21c..Designed for off-road use.Expensive but worth it
We're putting a similar heating system in ours. I cannot wait for cozy winter nights in Ernie (our teardrop).
Nice! That truly is extreme.
You named your teardrop Ernie! Love it. What kind of heater are you looking at? Is it a propex heater?
@@PlayingwithSticks We were just about to go with a propex, but our teardrop manufacturer (Colorado Teardrops) is looking to become a Truma vendor. So we’re doing Truma to help them test/provide feedback. Inspired by you and another amazing UA-cam couple, we’re starting our own UA-cam channel to document our adventures. We’re editing our first video now and will definitely go one on the heater install when we get it in a month or so!
@@kasimurphy2297 That is so cool to hear about your channel. Cannot wait to see it. Also love hearing about channels that inspire others. Who is the couple you were referring to? Most of the channels we watch are solo travelers so it is always nice to find a couple or family doing this on UA-cam.
We just got our first pop up trailer and went for used for starts to bring our cost down and make sure we really wanted to before investing to much and for us we feel we made the right choice
DREW I totally agree! Our teardrop put our feet into the teardrop/ rv world because we wanted to leave the tenting world but not the camping world. And that is what we did without many changes to our vehicles or our camping experiences. That was the selling point for us. We strongly suggest this to many.
Stay safe
Vie 🇨🇦
Thank you for sharing Vie! The benefits you experienced really is a strong selling point for many. You stay safe as well.
Love this!!! Practical reality rules!
Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes totally makes sense and not to mention the hitch you have to install on your car for example on my Prius I need to get that manually done. BUT I soooo want one to start having minimalistic trips.
Yes, good point Kelly. It doesn't really end with the teardrop. There are a few modifications on the vehicle as well. With some of the larger, but still small trailers, you may need to add a setup for using the electric brakes as well.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks and I've learned so much from your channel! I've been doing research for almost two months now, the goal is to get it by 2022. Thanks for the reminder of the lights, that is another not so high expense. =)
@@kellylujan4687 Glad to hear the channel is helpful. It is feedback like this that really gets us excited to make more videos.
Boy it really add ups quick. I got a 5x8 cargo trailer for 1,000 thinking it was a bargain but base on research im looking into the $4-5,000 mark in equipment.... but I will not go straight to spend that money. Instead, base on your tips and camping experiences accumulated I will prioritize what’s to be done/purchase next small step at a time. . Pretty much “the lean expedition trailer build up” lol. Awesome material!!
Great info ! I honestly prefer a smoot footprint if I’m going to get any camper trailers so teardrops are my thing. And I love the way they look. You might not want to talk to your trailer too often or your wife will think you’ve really lost it! Lol!!!!
Oooops @Maykou Hansen! I'll try to keep that in mind... 😂
Great vid (again 🔥). Is there any way we can get feed back on your Jeep? My wife and I pull a Dinoot/rtt combo and are considering a more off road capable vehicle. Would love to hear more about your thoughts on the Liberty so far.
Great vids, great story 👍
Yes. Jeeps are an interesting subject online. You either love them or hate them. This model has a ton of issues when it comes to consumer reports. However, If you look closely a lot of the issues comes down to window motors. But, then with any Jeep there comes that chance of transmission issues. We have owned multiple Jeeps in the family and have had nothing but good experiences. We tend to find a Jeep at a good price and take the risk that it may be a lemon. We picked up our Liberty for $5,000 and had only 49,000 miles on it. If you follow Slim Potato heads channel he used this same Jeep to tow his Aliner all around Canada and the US for multiple seasons. When it finally hit the end of it's life he went out shopping. To my surprise he ended up purchasing the exact same Jeep again. I think that says something about how well it does for this lifestyle. My biggest gripe is that it has really small storage in the back. Compared to our little 4 cylinder Toyota Matrix I would say this can store only half as much. And then with the Matrix you can lay the seats down and store about anything. The Jeep struggles in this area. But with the high towing capacity and low price it was a pretty good fit for us.
My SunRay 109 was $8K with furnace, AC, hot water, microwave, stove, sink, 16G water, outside shower, roof fan. I can sit up in it. Sleeps 1 or 2.
Yes! You got a lot of bang for your buck with that trailer. I have seen a couple of them being towed around up here. I am really starting to like the trailers with the squared off rear sections. Provides a lot more useable space.
@@PlayingwithSticks It’s great for my needs. PT camping and it fits in my garage w/o roof rack. The issues people have are when they think this is “off road” or can be stored outside for years without maintenance.
@@kjlcycler Yes, that would be our teardrop as well. It holds up well, but if I was to push it past its limits or leave it outside it would need some major overhauls in less than a year or two.
Just because I appreciate quality (long term use and dependability) plus spending other peoples money. I can see you upgrading to a Valiant! Beautifully built, high end units and worth the long term life and use. I'm in the Anchorage area.
How neat that you are in the Anchorage area. We will be chasing the Northern Lights this weekend in one of Jordan's new trailers. You are absolutely right. One of these days we will have to upgrade to one of his XTDs.
I know a lot of people say they can build it cheaper, I’m one of the fortunate ones who actually did. Even still, it was by no means inexpensive. Great video and content as always! Thanks for shedding light on this particular subject, because everyone that sees my build( I built a squaredrop with a Jurassic Park theme that matches my Jeep) they want me to build them one and balk at the price lol. Now with material prices skyrocketing, you’d be lucky to keep the materials under 5k.
Yes, those prices! We tried to purchase some aluminum skin for our vintage trailer. It was outrageous. Thanks for sharing your story.
The trailers in my area are around 23k so materials for 5k doesn’t sound bad!
Great video. I built my own trailer and spent just under $4,000. I did have my trailer frame custom built and got hubs to match my truck bolt pattern so I can run the same wheels as my truck. It sure beats $15,000 for the trailer I wanted to buy, the Oregon Trailer Do-Drop Alpha.
Thank you for sharing. Great idea running the same wheels. For folks who want to see RubberTrampRenegade's build and budget you can start by checking out this video ua-cam.com/video/cHfQKX0QoTQ/v-deo.html He also has a walkaround video of the camper here ua-cam.com/video/RIdru-DtCWQ/v-deo.html
@@PlayingwithSticks wow, thanks!
Of course! You put a ton of work and effort into not only your build but making these videos. We all really appreciate it!
Such wise words, as always.
My fiance and I decided to go with the rugged rhino 5x8 in Florida instead of the local one. It is a beast and comes with a lot of things that the wife wants... happy wife, happy life.... We put the deposit down and are waiting for the pick up date!
Thank you for all the knowledge and information you've provided us! I can't wait to see what more you you for us.
I just looked at the 5X8 rhino again. I really like the simplicity of the galley. There is so much open space above the counter. I can imagine our family slowly over time adding little hooks, magnets, etc. to that area to make it so functional. Happy wife is right! You got it figured out :)
@@PlayingwithSticks I'm curious as to what you think about the design? It's a "squaredrop" but I think that helps woth the functionality of the kitchen/sink/pump ect.
It's more flashy than what I wanted, but the wife loves the rhino liner, ac unit and sink (even though I'm the one that cooks).
Current teardrop shopping advice. Hold out if you’re looking for a used teardrop. In a couple of years there will be a surplus on the used market at reasonable prices. Even before the pandemic there were plenty of people offloading 2 year old trailers on the regular. Just be patient. Great video!
There's a used Hiker Trailer group on Facebook where people sell their used teardrops. Probably similar groups for other brands.
That is what we are hoping as well. Our family is due for a new teardrop that can support a rooftop tent. They were pretty easy to find a few years ago, but now we aren't seeing any in our classifieds.
Thanks for sharing this Ben. Great idea!
Yeah! I am hoping people will find out they had their fill of camping after this “Beanie Baby” type camping craze leaving a glut of new and used campers by then failed companies at fire-sale prices.
However, my fear is it is a rediscovered joy fueled by retired baby-boomers and young families that is hear ti stay. Still, people who stick with camping “grow” into various campers and manufacturers will grow and compete to fill the need, so there is still a chance of cheaper and more used campers soon. 🤞
@@mikemead2315 I think it’s a fad at the moment. Before the pandemic I saw several year old campers being sold by people after their first year. Teardrops and the lifestyle are awesome if you really know what you’re getting into. But there are a lot of people that fall in love with the idea, but quickly realize it’s not necessarily better than a camper you can sit in and spend a rainy day. I hope the community grows, but I’d also like to see the prices come back down to earth.
Great video again Drew. It's easy for people to judge from a far or try to justify why or why not someone should have spent X amount on that product or hobby. The reality is that we use products everyday that are inflated but we don't complain about it because we don't have the "time" to make it ourselves and/or the knowledge. Those shoes you're wearing that you paid $70 for probably cost the manufacturer $5 to make but we don't go around slamming someone for paying such an inflated amount and tell them they should just make their own shoes do we?? Without realizing it, we are putting a value/dollar amount on our time and my time is worth a lot. The problem is most people don't really put a high value/dollar amount on their time. The value is all in the eye of the beholder and everyones situation is different at any given point in time. As long as you're not going deep in debt, can pay for all your bills and properly take care of your family while being able to bless others, who cares if someone bought a trailer/boat/car etc for X amount if that's what they and their loved ones enjoy.
The other issue I've been noticing that some, not all, people that start looking at camping trailers and/or overland trailers and complain about price, have never truly gone tent camping or backpacking for any length of time to know the difference that quality gear gives them vs cheap gear. They haven't experienced camping with high winds, flash floods, snow, the cold, packing up in the cold rain, setting up in the rain, making food in the rain or just basic food prep without having enough flat table top space, your tent leaks in the middle of the night, making a trench at 3am around your tent to prevent further leakage, having to change/get ready in a tent, you get a hole in your tent due to a branch falling, water seeps in and soaks your sleeping bag and gear because it was touching the sides of the tent, etc etc etc etc etc. Once you experience these memory makers, you laugh about them and reminisce but you tell yourself never again. That cheap tent that leaked and you didn't get a minute of sleep, now all of sudden you are willing to walk into REI and drop down $500 on a quality tent or make the leap to a teardrop so you have a more "enjoyable" experience due to your past experiences. Trust me, I've been there and my wife's first camping experience was like that and I said never again will I go cheap at the expense of me and my wife's comfort, staying dry and warm, and being safe. There is no guarantees obviously with anything but I've found that experiences and what you enjoy is what drives value. If you have no experiences, the only value you can derive from is just looking at price and that's just a shallow way of looking at anything in life.
I've been camping/backpacking all my life using Walmart brand tents and mattresses and some REI gear for backpacking, car camping out of a Prius for over a decade, etc. slowly upgrading my gear and saving. You enjoy the great outdoors with what you can afford and have right now slowly adding to it conveniences and gear over time that make "camping" more enjoyable to you and whoever is with you. There is no right or wrong way as long as you're getting out there with friends and family and enjoying the limited time we have on this earth with those that mean the most to you. I would spend over $20k again and I obviously have 🤣 if that means my wife and family/friends can travel with me all over the country making lasting memories while providing us some conveniences of home and a more enjoyable experience. I will always pay more for quality stuff over trying to save a buck as it can save me so much time and aggravation down the road and because I put a high value on my time, it's worth it to me.
You said this so well! We are just starting to learn the lessons that you have already learned. A lot of subpar camping experiences of ours has come from cutting corners or purchasing gear that had to be sold 2 years later for the right gear for our needs. May and I said there was a time in our life where gear didn't matter. But now that we are doing this so often gear plays a much bigger part in our overall camping experience.
Wow are you using a drone to make those opening shots?!?! Very very cool!
The only thing I didn’t hear is that most of these small mom and pops don’t necessarily want a bunch more business. They could lower their price and sell more but they may not have the facilities available or want to diminish the quality of their product to make them faster. Most are backlogged for months and they have no need to lower their price. The other thing I’d like to note is the product origin and quality. The cheap 20ft trailers are full of “made in China”. You can buy products from wherever you want but let’s be honest. China isn’t exactly known for their quality. Chinese engineering doesn’t mean the same thing as German engineering or Made in the USA. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for sharing this additional info. We appreciate the perspective.
I bought myself one of those harbor freight trailers but I'm not sure I want to go through all the work to build something. Can you suggest what I should do? Should I just keep it as a regular travel trailer and buy my own teardrop as well?
Because you don’t have to spend the big money on a big truck,you are required to spend it on the trailer. I already owned a 3/4 ton truck,so I bought a nice 26’ camper for $25k
I appreciate your point of view, and that these trailers may be worth that much to you. As an engineer, designer, and fabricator, I can assure you that the manufacturers, using modern mass production methodologies, are taking advantage of a current trend. They are grossly overcharging for a simple build. And worse yet, many of them are creating the same leaky, creaky mess that most RV’s are. Look around at how many RV’s are covered with tarps in a vain attempt to keep them from rotting away. A horrible example is how may cab over campers are gobbled with silicone on the joints. Yes, a few manufacturers have created a very robust (and hopefully leakproof) construct, but for the most part they are still using the antiquated (low cost) build structures that leak like a sieve after just a few years (or even months) of use. Yes, your example of a home built camper was $5k plus, but that builder is probably paying retail for his materials and components (many of which are not included in a nominal price point camper). Look around and you’ll see that the modern consumer has been drawn into many overpriced, and poor quality, products. “What the market will bear” has become the determination of price, not value and quality builds. This is just my opinion, of course. I just hope that the consumer begins to understand how much they are being manipulated.
I agree with everything you said. However, we must also keep in mind that trailer manufacturers are also consumers.They consume materials, labor, and overhead and, here, in the US, those are all going up, fast. There are some mass-produced campers that use sophisticated construction methods, but those methods involve significant capital investment and overhead. So, in a way, the manufactirers are also victims of manipulation, especially the small ones.
Great video. An easy way to get over the sticker shock with teardrops is to look at the price of offroad trailers. At least with the $20k teardrop you have solid walls and a roof. With some offroad trailers, $20k still only gets you a roof top tent.
Yes, very true. We often feel it would be a bit hard investing in something with that much canvas.
Trust me I’m just finding this out, I have a 2018 4 x 8 New Wave teardrop, and it has been stored inside And I’ve only used it twice. the last of its kind when I bought it it was the last one he built, now there is only a 5 x 8, and I had every option added to it. Except for the outdoor shelf. mine still can be pulled with a four-cylinder. And I have no idea what to sell it for.
The Mrs and I had been looking into teardrop campers and decided most of them were just too expensive. You had to look for a little while but we could find nice, used, Bigfoot truck campers for about 8K$-12K$. You can put those on your truck or put them on a trailer and tow them like teardrop. And they have a lot more room and amenities.
Well said!
Thanks Joyce!
Spot On! I bought a barely used Tiny Camper Rugged Rhino for a great price. But it didn't take me any time to spend another $1,700 on mods and equipment. I also track my labor time pretty close and so far it's about 45 hours. If I was offered twice what I paid for it originally, it would probably be a wash. It is what it is. Worth every penny if that's the lifestyle you want.
I did a cargo trailer conversion ( 5'x10' ) - the trailer itself had windows and a door, and barn doors on the back. The materials cost to get a bed / futon, front cabinets, side cabinets, electrical for lights and USB charging, etc., cost $1,500. $500 of THAT was for the Jackery 500 "solar generator." The futon mattress was repurposed, so that was "free." The entire build itself was three sheets of plywood ( two regular, one "finish" ), and a few 2"x4" studs. It took about 3 weeks, part time, to finish, and it's fully functional and used by my son as a dorm room for one semester in far north New Hampshire ( with diesel heater installed ). I opted for cargo trailer because - there's more room, and I didn't want to have to be in my bed all day if the weather was bad.
This is great to hear! We also picked up a cargo trailer this fall and have been slowly converting it. They really do make great little affordable campers.
@@PlayingwithSticks Main thing to remember is that rain happens. Teardrops don't handle that well, in my opinion.
Excellent presentation, as always. I'm one to be shocked as well, at the 5 figures these cost. Moreso from the major manufacturers who crank these out on assembly lines. The quality isn't there to warrant the high cost. They're high because they're in demand. Whatever the market will bear. Anyway, thanks again. Good stuff!
You nailed it with the ones I alluded to not being worth it. Yes there are a few ma and pa that I also think are not worth the cost. But, mostly it some of the major manufactures making them look pretty but still cutting corners.
Man, you make a strong argument for square drops in this video.
Good! That will probably be our next camper as well. Many can support a rooftop tent, which we need for the boys. No wasted head room from the sloping ceiling, many have no wood in the design. The list goes on and on. Really the teardrop comes down to looks and history. Other than that the squaredrop competes with it or beats it in many areas.
I would love for you to review the Ukancamp teardrop
Dear,
what are the dimensions inside of your trailler (length, height, width)?
Awesome intro, 😎👍 I just got word my SUNRAY 109 is on its way
Nice! I was just telling someone how much I appreciate the trailers with the rounded fronts and squared off backs. Best of both worlds. They look good, but you get no wasted space in the back from the curved design, well in terms of headroom.
Great video as always. I am currently thinking about pulling the trigger on a Hero Camper myself, but like you say the price gets ££££££££
You are the second person to mention a Hero Camper in the last 24 hours. It is so neat to see Denmark making a beautiful/functional trailer. Coming from a Danish family it just makes it that much cooler! My dad and I were just reminiscing yesterday about our trips to Denmark. I couldn't imagine how much more fun they would be with a teardrop in tow.
@@PlayingwithSticks Lockdown has us looking at new ways to enjoy the UK countryside :) Thanks for sharing on your channel. If I get one I will do some videos on my channel also.
I would love to get my hands on one of the old U-Haul CT13 travel trailers❤️❤️❤️
Yes! Two times up here we missed getting a Burro trailer by like minutes. Like you we would love a trailer like this. I love my fiberglass trailers but I like the rare ones even more
I love my Tab 400 by Nucamp! Just started my new UA-cam about camping with it! I look at is as an investment. They don’t depreciate like normal trailers in my research.
I'm thinking about building one. What do u recommend? Building or buying one
my prototype is 98% complete, it's a 5X8 with a full size Queen Serta sleeper mattress, its made of all 100% baltic birch and the entire teardrop is wrapped in fiberglass, it will never leak, ever. without mentioning the inverter, batteries, coffee machine or other accessories i want 20K for it, rigged with its current configuration i need 23K. By myself it takes me 3 months to build one.
Gosh I'm sooo glad I got my vintage Little Guy 4x8 (no interior electricity or built in kitchen) b4 the big trend began. I've been adding a few luxuries, Maxx fan, solar generator and panels to power it, solar exterior lights , hatch awning and some galley items. But I'm getting them as I go. I so agree get as basic as possible Absolutely love my teardrop.
And don't you find it is kind of fun doing the add-ons as you go? I think for our family that is one of our favorite parts about small campers. Each trip learning what we need and then making small modifications along the way. We thought we were pretty basic on our trailer. Sounds like you have us beat with the no interior electricity. Like you we don't have a kitchen either.
@@PlayingwithSticks Doing the add ons has been fun. Push on battery lights work great inside.
@@1cosmocat It is funny we set ours up for electricity, but all we use it for are lights. We could have easily went with the push lights and been more than happy.
Camp and Camera Mike is the best. Thats how I found out about Teardrop trailers. His videos are very good ,very detailed.
I don't think anybody could have built a trailer as well as he did. And remember he didn't just build a trailer. He built a trailer while filming the whole process. I don't think there is any stat for this out there, but doing these videos I think I can say shooting a video while building would probably take you at least 4 times as long.
Just commenting to see if you respond, SUCH a big fan omg.
You are awesome Jake! You crack me up. If anyone is reading this, Jake just started his UA-cam channel. It is all about budget camera and video gear and how to get the most out of it. I think his 3rd video will be coming out this weekend. Check it out if you are interested in filming with your iPhone or budget dslr etc. ua-cam.com/channels/-jktXF88CmedCuOqxSNxFw.html
+playing with Sticks What do you think of the bushwhacker teardrops? I saw they have for like 10k and it comes with AC. I feel like don't we need AC while sleeping in hot weather places like the south or in California.
I have a 2009 Little Guy 5 wide and we are contemplating selling it for maybe a truck camper (like a palomino) or pull behind travel trailer. Do you have any idea what our teardrop would be appropriately priced at? I can’t seem to find any to reference at least in my area. I have some videos on it on my channel if you care to check it out! Thanks for another great video!
I wish I could help you here. I am not very familiar with lower 48 prices. Up here in Alaska that trailer would go anywhere from $3,000-$6,000. Typically though I see them at about $4,000. Remember because of the trailer shortage your trailer is much more valuable than it was 2 years ago! I just put a few of your videos in my watch later folder. Really interesting topics.
Drew ya need to wash that little bad boy!! 😂😂
You are so right! I was actually a little embarrassed putting this video up. And it all comes down to laziness. This time of year I have to hand wash because the caulk starts coming unattached if I power wash when coming back home. This doesn't happen with most teardrops I believe. Just ours because our skin is made of super slick plastic material that the caulk does not stick well to. We have tried every type of sealant imaginable. We have to re-caulk our teardrop annually, but I try to push it all the way to spring. You are going to laugh when you see our video two weeks from now. I think it is even more dirty 😂
Ahhh, how annoying. But once a year is ok I guess?
Nah, our teardrop is pretty clean. It's an off white so we take a bit of pride in having it clean for when were ready to go on our trips.
We keep it in the garage and I give it a wash after every trip.
It's tiring, but better than putting it in the g'rage dirty.
I enjoyed your video. I had a large motorcycle and pulled a motorcycle pop up tent camper with it...disposed of the bike and kept the pop up. Even smaller than a tear drop, cost used under 1K, pull with any vehicle. When the tent is opened and set up, sleeps four...bare bones. Beats a sleep on the ground tent, and be pulled by even the smallest vehicle, folds down to 4x6x 18" tall, opens up to a queen sized bed on one end and what I call a dance hall on the other end! Pulls like a dream. No $5000 tear drop for me, and when I pull into a commercial camp ground and set it up, I have all my neighbors come out and watch from their giant motor homes! HA HA It is an 87 and still going strong!
We would love something like this. We are in the market for a tent on wheels. After staying in the pop-up camper last summer we loved it. But, would like something lighter like your version.