My first Teardrop camper outing, soon after taking delivery of the trailer in late autumn 2021, was exciting to embark on but didn’t go particularly well. Rainy conditions for the first half of trip sure didn’t help, though I guess did add to the learning value of the whole experience.

There were a lot of details and logistics I hadn’t considered about camping in a tiny trailer, including the simple but pragmatic matter of what to do with footwear when entering the trailer–especially when it is raining.

As with many things Teardrop, there’s a variety of solutions for how to get into the sleeper cabin without bringing in dirt and muck from your shoes. Some folks keep heavy-duty plastic bags in the cabin to put over their footwear as they enter then deal with taking them off inside. Personally I use a small “Rubbermaid” storage tote with cover that is stationed beneath the trailer at the door. So basically I sit in the doorway, take them off into the tote, then retreat inside; if it’s raining I might have unlaced them in advance to make the whole movement quicker.

I read on a forum about a Teardropper who welded rails onto the trailer undercarriage into which a shoe drawer slides (it is removed while on the road). I’m not skilled enough to do such a thing and, besides, the storage tote solution has the benefit of multiple functions.

It’s worthwhile making notes, especially during your first few Teardropping excursions, of what could work better and how. Though it never stops… even on my final trip of several in 2022 I was still thinking of little tweaks and additions… but that’s part of the Teardropping fun 😉

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So, that’s how I do things with my Teardrop Trailer but by no means the full story or the best way. What about you? Add your own methods, ideas and experiences using the comment box below for the benefit of all readers.