Hi, all! We’re new here and are very interested in buying a teardrop trailer. I would greatly appreciate y’all’s opinions. Everything I know about the Camp Inn teardrops is garnered from research, and I fully understand that real life experience trumps reading!
We’ve been avid tent campers for years, and now that our kids are almost out the door we’re looking to move up to a small camper. I think we’d be very happy with the teardrop. It won’t cost every cent in our bank account to buy, and it’ll meet our needs well. I’m a planner, and my husband just happily goes along. He’ll love the teardrop, but he isn’t interested in obsessing over whether to get this or that detail.
Thanks for any help you can provide us! Please post comments on anything I’ve said and let me know where my inexperience is making me unrealistic. We are complete beginners to this subject!
First things first: We’re looking at buying the 550 body style. The larger 560 is awfully tempting – that sofa and larger cabin area would be very nice on rainy or cold days – but the practical part of me says that we would stay home on rainy days (we are fair weather campers), and since our kids are almost out of the house the 550 is space enough for the two of us. My only reason for going with the larger model would be in anticipation of grandchildren, but grandchildren old enough to go on outings with grandparents are at least 15 years in our future, and I can’t see letting that sway our choices today.
But my biggest reason for going with the 550 is the tow vehicle. Here I’m a bit out of my element and would appreciate comments: After years of driving big vans, I bought a Honda Civic three years ago, and I adore it. I love my little car and don’t want anything larger. I could go up one size to something like an Accord or a Camry, but no more than that -- I don’t want to drive something big every single day just so I can tow a teardrop occasionally. My husband drives a Tacoma pick-up, and he too is happy with that size vehicle. I really foresee us both sticking to this type/size car for the rest of our lives. So, those of you with experience: Are we realistic with the vehicles we have?
Still on the subject of the two vehicle, is it a big deal to have a hitch added to a vehicle? Are we talking maybe $200-300?
Which 550 do we want? I absolutely must have two doors and the windows on the front – those are non-negotiables. The biggest difference between the models seems to be that the two more expensive ones have the front storage area. I think we want this storage, but the practical side of me keeps saying, “But you’ll have a whole car trunk and back seat area. How much do you need to store?” How much can store in this extra space? I’m thinking that the lower area would be the most valuable: space for a tarp, water buckets, etc. Do you have it? What do you store there?
Next, heat and air . . . being a Southerner, I’m pretty sure we are going to pass on the heat. Our typical winter low is around 40 degrees, and we’re likely to stay home ‘til it’s 60 degrees or so. We’ve had our share of snow and ice over the last three weeks, but that’s very unusual. I like the idea of bringing along a little space heater. With good blankets and two people’s body heat, I can’t imagine we’d need more.
I’m less certain about the air conditioning. I read somewhere that it’s really not a need because you’re not in the trailer ‘til after the sun goes down, and then the fan’s enough. But, as I said, I live in the South, and most of our trips will be long weekends -- for us, that means the Carolinas, upper Florida, Tennessee, Virginia. We’d definitely want to camp at the beach. So I’m thinking we need it. But I’m also a bit afraid of it. Is it going to be noisy? Drippy? I know I’m going to end up getting it, but please make me feel better about that choice!
Now, that Fantastic Fan thing. Why do I need it? What’s fantastic about it? If I go with the air conditioning, why do I need the fan? I’m a bit afraid that it’ll be a potential weak spot in the roof that’ll leak as the trailer ages. Yet they call it “fantastic”, so it must do something good?
Next topic: Electricity. Oh, am I out of my element here. I think I understand correctly that “shore power” is going to be our best friend. When we arrive at a campground, we’ll pull out an extension cord and plug into the campsite’s power pedestal (a term that’s new to me) . . . and this’ll make the electrical outlet in the kitchen and the teardrop cabin work just like the ones I have at home. Right? If so, shore power is indeed our best friend!
How often is electricity NOT available at state/national campgrounds? We have a couple years more camping with our kids, so I suppose I should start paying attention to this when we tent camp.
I’m less clear on the DC power /battery. I am certain that we are not going to Boondoggle. Our comfort level is camping at a nice campground with water available, a fire ring and picnic table for our use, and a hot shower a short walk away. So why do I need batteries and generators? Can I forego these items? I’m thinking that it would cut out cost and weight. Advice, please!
Water also confounds me. I am not sure whether I want the sink in our teardrop. The sink looks piddly-small, and I think I’d rather just keep using my washbasin for dishes. I don’t think it’d be a whole lot more work than monitoring water levels and emptying out dirty water. Right now we keep a bucket of water by our fire, which is for safety and quick hand rinsing, and we keep good drinking water in a water basin. But I’d appreciate discussion on the topic!
If we didn’t have the sink, would we have a third storage bin across the back of the kitchen?
Speaking of the kitchen . . . I’ve never been a fan of propane camp stoves. We have a nice one, and it’s covered in cobwebs. What I THINK I’d like in my teardrop: An electric frying pan and an electric hot pot. This’d allow us to get up and make a big breakfast (which we enjoy) without building a fire. The electric frying pan seems like much less work than the propane stove. In college I had those two items – an electric frying pan and an electric hot pot -- and I fed myself for four years with just those items. No, no, I’m lying -- I had a toaster oven too. I could cook an amazing array of things using just those appliances.
We tend to eat out for either lunch or dinner when we’re camping, and then we have sandwiches and snackies for the other meal. When we do cook over the fire, we like to do it right. We already have a lovely collection of dutch ovens, pie irons, and more. Actually, I have all of my grandmother’s grandmother’s cast iron cookware (and it’s every bit as good as when she bought it, probably pre-1900), and I especially like the little round pot that my grandmother says she called “her spider”.
If indeed we were to forego the propane stove, how tall is the stove storage area? Could a small electric frying pan slide into it? I say small because we’re only two people – no need for a big, family-sized pan. Or, if I end up skipping the sink, could I have two pull-out drawers instead of that slide-y area?
One more thing about the kitchen: I particularly enjoyed looking over this site’s threads about customization. I started a computer file of ideas, which now contains “lifted” pictures of that warming rack made from an old grill, the homemade knife block, and more! I am very into both cute and efficient!
Last topic – for now! Entertainment. I’m thinking we’ll skip the TV in the cabin. We have iPads, which can download movies, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t stream TV in future years. But I do admire some of the other teardrop brands (Big Woody is the other one I like, and I’ve seen some pictures of nice homemade set-ups) that feature a TV spot in the kitchen area. I think it’d be nice to be able to sit out by the campfire in our comfortable chairs and watch TV. Any ideas on including a TV in the kitchen area? With its small screen, I don’t see the iPad doing the job out there. I’m thinking it’d need to be secured in some way; otherwise, it could bounce around and be damaged in transit. The only idea I have is IF we skip the sink and have two drawers instead of the stove-storage spot; in that eventuality, the space between the two “sides” could hold a good-sized TV – but then the cooler’d have to go into the car trunk during transport. Your ideas?
Finally, thanks for any help you can provide a new teardrop camper! We’re not looking to buy for probably three more years – but once our kids are out of the house, I’m sure we’ll be making a purchase. That gives me time to determine exactly what we want!
We’ve been avid tent campers for years, and now that our kids are almost out the door we’re looking to move up to a small camper. I think we’d be very happy with the teardrop. It won’t cost every cent in our bank account to buy, and it’ll meet our needs well. I’m a planner, and my husband just happily goes along. He’ll love the teardrop, but he isn’t interested in obsessing over whether to get this or that detail.
Thanks for any help you can provide us! Please post comments on anything I’ve said and let me know where my inexperience is making me unrealistic. We are complete beginners to this subject!
First things first: We’re looking at buying the 550 body style. The larger 560 is awfully tempting – that sofa and larger cabin area would be very nice on rainy or cold days – but the practical part of me says that we would stay home on rainy days (we are fair weather campers), and since our kids are almost out of the house the 550 is space enough for the two of us. My only reason for going with the larger model would be in anticipation of grandchildren, but grandchildren old enough to go on outings with grandparents are at least 15 years in our future, and I can’t see letting that sway our choices today.
But my biggest reason for going with the 550 is the tow vehicle. Here I’m a bit out of my element and would appreciate comments: After years of driving big vans, I bought a Honda Civic three years ago, and I adore it. I love my little car and don’t want anything larger. I could go up one size to something like an Accord or a Camry, but no more than that -- I don’t want to drive something big every single day just so I can tow a teardrop occasionally. My husband drives a Tacoma pick-up, and he too is happy with that size vehicle. I really foresee us both sticking to this type/size car for the rest of our lives. So, those of you with experience: Are we realistic with the vehicles we have?
Still on the subject of the two vehicle, is it a big deal to have a hitch added to a vehicle? Are we talking maybe $200-300?
Which 550 do we want? I absolutely must have two doors and the windows on the front – those are non-negotiables. The biggest difference between the models seems to be that the two more expensive ones have the front storage area. I think we want this storage, but the practical side of me keeps saying, “But you’ll have a whole car trunk and back seat area. How much do you need to store?” How much can store in this extra space? I’m thinking that the lower area would be the most valuable: space for a tarp, water buckets, etc. Do you have it? What do you store there?
Next, heat and air . . . being a Southerner, I’m pretty sure we are going to pass on the heat. Our typical winter low is around 40 degrees, and we’re likely to stay home ‘til it’s 60 degrees or so. We’ve had our share of snow and ice over the last three weeks, but that’s very unusual. I like the idea of bringing along a little space heater. With good blankets and two people’s body heat, I can’t imagine we’d need more.
I’m less certain about the air conditioning. I read somewhere that it’s really not a need because you’re not in the trailer ‘til after the sun goes down, and then the fan’s enough. But, as I said, I live in the South, and most of our trips will be long weekends -- for us, that means the Carolinas, upper Florida, Tennessee, Virginia. We’d definitely want to camp at the beach. So I’m thinking we need it. But I’m also a bit afraid of it. Is it going to be noisy? Drippy? I know I’m going to end up getting it, but please make me feel better about that choice!
Now, that Fantastic Fan thing. Why do I need it? What’s fantastic about it? If I go with the air conditioning, why do I need the fan? I’m a bit afraid that it’ll be a potential weak spot in the roof that’ll leak as the trailer ages. Yet they call it “fantastic”, so it must do something good?
Next topic: Electricity. Oh, am I out of my element here. I think I understand correctly that “shore power” is going to be our best friend. When we arrive at a campground, we’ll pull out an extension cord and plug into the campsite’s power pedestal (a term that’s new to me) . . . and this’ll make the electrical outlet in the kitchen and the teardrop cabin work just like the ones I have at home. Right? If so, shore power is indeed our best friend!
How often is electricity NOT available at state/national campgrounds? We have a couple years more camping with our kids, so I suppose I should start paying attention to this when we tent camp.
I’m less clear on the DC power /battery. I am certain that we are not going to Boondoggle. Our comfort level is camping at a nice campground with water available, a fire ring and picnic table for our use, and a hot shower a short walk away. So why do I need batteries and generators? Can I forego these items? I’m thinking that it would cut out cost and weight. Advice, please!
Water also confounds me. I am not sure whether I want the sink in our teardrop. The sink looks piddly-small, and I think I’d rather just keep using my washbasin for dishes. I don’t think it’d be a whole lot more work than monitoring water levels and emptying out dirty water. Right now we keep a bucket of water by our fire, which is for safety and quick hand rinsing, and we keep good drinking water in a water basin. But I’d appreciate discussion on the topic!
If we didn’t have the sink, would we have a third storage bin across the back of the kitchen?
Speaking of the kitchen . . . I’ve never been a fan of propane camp stoves. We have a nice one, and it’s covered in cobwebs. What I THINK I’d like in my teardrop: An electric frying pan and an electric hot pot. This’d allow us to get up and make a big breakfast (which we enjoy) without building a fire. The electric frying pan seems like much less work than the propane stove. In college I had those two items – an electric frying pan and an electric hot pot -- and I fed myself for four years with just those items. No, no, I’m lying -- I had a toaster oven too. I could cook an amazing array of things using just those appliances.
We tend to eat out for either lunch or dinner when we’re camping, and then we have sandwiches and snackies for the other meal. When we do cook over the fire, we like to do it right. We already have a lovely collection of dutch ovens, pie irons, and more. Actually, I have all of my grandmother’s grandmother’s cast iron cookware (and it’s every bit as good as when she bought it, probably pre-1900), and I especially like the little round pot that my grandmother says she called “her spider”.
If indeed we were to forego the propane stove, how tall is the stove storage area? Could a small electric frying pan slide into it? I say small because we’re only two people – no need for a big, family-sized pan. Or, if I end up skipping the sink, could I have two pull-out drawers instead of that slide-y area?
One more thing about the kitchen: I particularly enjoyed looking over this site’s threads about customization. I started a computer file of ideas, which now contains “lifted” pictures of that warming rack made from an old grill, the homemade knife block, and more! I am very into both cute and efficient!
Last topic – for now! Entertainment. I’m thinking we’ll skip the TV in the cabin. We have iPads, which can download movies, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t stream TV in future years. But I do admire some of the other teardrop brands (Big Woody is the other one I like, and I’ve seen some pictures of nice homemade set-ups) that feature a TV spot in the kitchen area. I think it’d be nice to be able to sit out by the campfire in our comfortable chairs and watch TV. Any ideas on including a TV in the kitchen area? With its small screen, I don’t see the iPad doing the job out there. I’m thinking it’d need to be secured in some way; otherwise, it could bounce around and be damaged in transit. The only idea I have is IF we skip the sink and have two drawers instead of the stove-storage spot; in that eventuality, the space between the two “sides” could hold a good-sized TV – but then the cooler’d have to go into the car trunk during transport. Your ideas?
Finally, thanks for any help you can provide a new teardrop camper! We’re not looking to buy for probably three more years – but once our kids are out of the house, I’m sure we’ll be making a purchase. That gives me time to determine exactly what we want!
How much use will you get out of it by then? In my opinion, it's certainly worth the $2,500 extra for the larger model. To be fair, I should point out that some people prefer the look of the 550 (more of the classic teardrop look), and it is probably 150 to 200 lbs lighter.
. Pretty much everything else cannot be added later. The two options with the most regret for not getting up front are the air conditioning and furnace. Neither can be added later and I get asked all the time to add them. We have built several customers new trailers because they wanted to add these things that they did not get up front. That is the only solution to not getting everything you need up front, order a new one. I recommend avoiding that problem as best you can. 