I spent a lot of time comparing and considering Teardrop trailer options before I bought mine. And now I have a full camping season and 4000+ Teardrop kilometres behind me. So, what are some of the considerations I would suggest to prospective owners?

Trailer Size

A 4-footer (width) is great if you want to go minimalist and ultra-light. And if you’re solo. I would not recommend it for 2 people… it’s not impossible but keep in mind it’s not just about fitting in 2 people but also their stuff.

I really like the small, minimalist vibe of a 4×8 Teardrop trailer but it’s not for everyone. If you have the chance to chat with someone pulling a tiny Teardrop, see if you can get them to let you have a look inside 😉

Essential Trailer Options

Options I am pleased I chose, I’d go so far as to call Teardrop trailer must-haves:

• Regardless of trailer width, if there is option for larger size utility box on the front, get it! It allows more flexibility to expand your electrical system, and the extra lockable space is always useful.
• Something that is not easy to add or upgrade yourself is electrical wiring and outlets, so consider getting that done by the manufacturer even if you want to install your own electrical components. I got a 12V outlet added to the sleeper cabin, and a power bar split between sleeper and galley.
• I got diamond-plate aluminum put on the bottom since I like to travel the back roads, which are sometimes gravel. Like the wiring, this isn’t something you can easily add after manufacturing.
• Mine came with a trailer jack bolted to the tongue as standard equipment. This is essential, particularly if you want to unhitch or raise/lower the trailer at a camp site.
• Also standard on mine was a screened pass-thru from the outdoor kitchen through to the sleeper cabin. This is super-convenient, and also allows for a view out the back with the hatch open.

Options I Wouldn’t Bother With

I didn’t order these features and, over a year later, still can’t imagine much use for them:

• Some Teardrops have an option for a little sink in the galley. These tend to be too small for much more than washing hands and you lose a lot of valuable galley storage space to the sink, water supply and pump mechanism.
• Some have options for a custom galley with cute little cupboards and such. I remain pleased that I just got plain shelves, which allowed me to setup (and change when I wish) the kitchen in a way that made sense and was most practical.
• Stay away from built-in appliances. They look nicer but having a simple freestanding stove and/or cooler allows you flexibility, and is easy to deal with should it break while on a road trip.
• There are Teardrops with stained/finished wood sides. They look stunning, at least initially, but require far more maintenance and upkeep than those clad with a protective skin like aluminum.

Trailer Options I Wish I Had

Neither of these were possible options for me but, nevertheless, I wish I could have included them:

• My trailer came with standard 12″ wheels, which I chose mainly because it meant the hitch height matched my car (on which the ball mount is forever rusted into the receiver). I would have preferred 14″ wheels, which mean a bit less wear-and-tear from fewer turns, and a larger diameter to deal with potholes and bumps along the road.
• While I did some post-purchase upgrading to the Teardrop trailer electrical system, I ordered it with a flexible solar panel installed on the roof because the builder is better enabled to affix that properly. I got 100 watt panel, the highest that was available, but there are 150 watt flexible panels that would fit on a Teardrop and that would have better supplied my two-battery power system.

Other Pre-Purchase Considerations

Teardrops are small and light, and relatively aerodynamic as camper trailers go. I have seen them towed by subcompact cars (even a hybrid) but that doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea… check your vehicle’s towing capability to be certain.

In addition to various Teardrop manufacturers… RV brands, hobby-businesses, and everything in-between… if you’re a handy do-it-yourselfer be aware there are also Teardrop trailer plans and kits.

My motivation behind this Teardrop Trailer Travels blog is to create the web site that would have been useful to me when I was considering, and especially starting into, Teardrop trailer life. It is entirely non-commercial, and simply my effort to share some know-how, wisdom (questionable as it may be LOL), and experiences. Poke around the blog posts and you will likely find lots of information to help inform your Teardrop trailer purchase.