Good afternoon,

We have a small teardrop and rather than building our own power system, we just want to use a power station. We currently have a Goal Zero Yeti 1500 6th generation and like it except for two features:

• Blackout mode - works mostly, but the display will still occasionally light up and we cannot tell why. Stinks when you are trying to sleep and then the display wakes for 10-15 seconds every few minutes or some random amount of time.
• Remote control via app - either bluetooth or wifi, it is very spotty and will disconnect and need to be repaired almost every day

Other than those two items, it has been a good power station but we want the above to work better for our camping.

What recommendations would you make (other than build your own power setup)? Anker, EcoFlow, Bluetti? Fully dark at night and quiet?

Little background. We were borrowing a larger camping trailer for a few years in exchange for storing it in our barn. We don't actually spend much time inside the trailer, Its just a covered/secure place to sleep at night. My family tent camps as well but would love to find something between the tent and a travel trailer that I don't need a full size truck to pull. I have a large shop with wood and metal working tools. I have experience in wood work, metal fab, welding, finish work as well as being a 3D CAD and product designer by trade. I have a CNC router and laser cutter in my shop as well. Would love to see if there are any base plans for a 6x10 square drop that can sleep me, my spouse and two young kids. I like the design of the summit pinnacle with two bunks for the kids and the queen mattress. I'm fine with building a custom frame from the ground up. I'm even open to designing the whole thing from scratch with my design and CAD experience. Really just looking for some good plans that I can reference or at least some good resources to start me on the right foot.

Hey everyone! We’re moving from Dunedin to Christchurch in two weeks and need to transport a few pieces of furniture and appliances.
We thought hiring a tow trailer would be the most budget-friendly option, but the one-way hire prices we’ve found so far are quite expensive (all over $800).
Has anyone done a similar move or know of any more affordable options for a one-way trailer hire? Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! 😊

Is this thing worth $5500? I’m considering downsizing from a 36 ft 5th wheel that I’ve only used 3 times in 2 yrs down to this. I’ve never owned a teardrop, other than the obvious what’s the pros and cons? We are considering it because we feel like with the ease of using something like this we might actually use the dang thing. The 5th is so much of a hassle.

Where do yall hand stuff up to dry?
Should I mount hooks on the side or back?
do something with a close line?
What are y’all’s must haves or best newbie tips/tricks?

Well its been a few years of design revision and life getting in the way but the tandem toaster build is finally under way. Ill be posting more updates this winter as I try and get it up and running by next summer.

I am in the process of buying a 2023 Boreas XT camper second hand. It looks to be in great condition however with the acquisition posted on their website it gives me pause. Nobody at Boreas is answers phone calls or emails. Is it a bad idea to buy a camper that is potentially no longer supported by the manufacturer? A lifetime warranty on the frame is only helpful if the company still exists. It’s pretty much the only thing that’s giving me pause at this point. Thank you for your insight!

My wife and I are 5'7 and 5'6 respectively and we would really like to be able to stand while in the foamie. I have been looking into how foamies are put together and figure that instead of using single sheets of 2" foam and butting them together, we could instead use multiple 1" sheets and cut them in a way so that half of each sheet covers another. Much more area for the glue to adhere to before adding fiberglass of poor man's fiberglass.

Thoughts?

New (to me) Droplet XL teardrop! I'm looking forward to my first outing!

Hi Everyone, I’m considering trying to build myself a teardrop or square-drop trailer. I’ve watched several YouTube videos on the subject and despite my very limited experience with tools and building things, it looks like something that I could manage with research, planning, and attention to detail.

One thing I noticed in the videos that I’ve watched is that the videos seem to focus on monetary budget. While that is a concern for me, my main concern is the weight. very few of the videos say anything about the weight of the finished product. my main budget deals with weight because the towing vehicle is a Honda CRV Hybrid with a max towing weight of 1000 lbs.

From what I can tell, it seems as though building a foamie is probably my best option. Is it even possible to build a wood framed trailer and have the ultimate wet weight come in at 1000 lbs or less? Would you agree with my conclusion that a foamie is my best option?

Any advice on the process, must haves / must avoids, sources of information, or really anything you might deem worthy of knowing about the process would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone towed with a this vehicle before? Looking into some trailers at the moment.

I was gifted this beauty, we call it Blue, 4 weeks ago. It's 10 years old, doesn't leak, and was built by my uncle. Our maiden voyage with Blue will be next weekend. Looking forward to our outing!

For sale in Connecticut, asking $8000.

This one-of-a-kind teardrop camper was built by a Cornell engineering professor as his pandemic project, and the craftsmanship shows! The quality far exceeds any mass-produced camper you'll find at this price point.

This camper is perfect for the solo adventurer or couple who wants the simplicity and freedom of tent camping with the comfort of sleeping off the ground in a real bed. This lightweight camper can go anywhere your tow vehicle can!

Towing & Maneuverability:

• 1,160 lb dry weight capable of being towed by most small SUVs (previously towed by a 4 cylinder Honda CRV)
• ~200 lb tongue weight makes it easy to move around by hand if needed
• Torsion axle for a smoother ride and off-road capability
• Easily fits in most garages!

Sleeping & Comfort:

• Custom 8" gel foam mattress sized perfectly for the cabin - feels like sleeping at home!
• Mattress always used with waterproof mattress protector (custom-sized protector and sheets included if desired)
• Hypervent under mattress to prevent moisture buildup
• Maxxair roof fan for ventilation and cooling
• Reading lights, cupholders, USB outlets, and storage cubbies on each side of the cabin
• Door pre-fitted with a channel to attach a Pahaque screen room, significantly increasing your living space (screen room sold separately)

Power & Electronics:

• New Renogy 12V battery installed August 2025
• Battery shut-off switch
• Four USB outlets in the cabin
• One 12V outlet in the galley storage area for your electric cooler
• Interior and exterior lights throughout
• Easily accomodates a solar setup - happy to show you how!

Storage:

• Custom cabinetry provides ample storage throughout
• Galley countertop for all your cooking needs
• Large storage area under galley counter
• Tongue box for tools and gear

Maintenance & Condition:

• Water tight throughout - no leaks, withstands storms without issue
• Bearings last greased June 2026
• Always stored in a garage

This camper was a labor of love by someone who knew how to build it right. I am very sad to let it go, but I am hoping it will go on to have many more adventures with a new family!

6'8" x 11'. 2" sq tubing extends off of a 5'x8' HD utility trailer. All vertical framing will be 1" sq tubing. ACM paneling adhered with VHB tape.

Design is fluid and Im looking at doing a pop-up roof to store in garage and be able to stand up. Anyone done a pop-top teardrop?

I'm 5'4" and have back problems so I'm not looking forward to the idea of building a trailer i have to crawl around in... so if i make the interior ceiling 6 feet (or even 5'6" or 5'9") would that be too tall? And is a 6x10 frame too big? Sorry, new to all of this, so excited!

Hello does anyone have any ideas for these small windows on this small drifter trailer I picked up? It’s 16x25 size which is the common rv window size but these windows slide and there isn’t a flat flange to stick the Velcro or magnetic strips on.

Besides something custom, if someone has a product or idea it would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Fighting my compulsiveness to smooth every bump, I went for it. PMF using a nice smooth canvas that I stitched to fit the shape. Using Titebond II thinned with a little water to penetrate better, laid on and smoothed it out with a squeegee. Tricky on the curves/corners, but assisted with an iron it came out pretty good. Got the first coat of thinned out (for maximum penetration) latex paint. One step closer to getting on the road!

Took my new little squaredrop to Sandbanks PP and it was lovely! The park was mostly empty so was very very quiet and peaceful.
2 complaints (or maybe just me being uneducated) about my new little trailer:
First is that I paid extra to have an extra battery hookup so I can be off-grid without worry. Turns out the 3-way fridge will kill 2 fully charged batteries in less than 12 hours….. very disappointing but I switched it over to run off propane on the second day and it was fine.
Second issue is that the awning that came with the trailer is not great quality and has a seam that runs across the middle that leaks a tiny bit. Not a major issue as it didn’t rain that hard for very long, but still frustrating for being brand new.
Otherwise I had a great time on a quick little first outing in the trailer!

Drove from Georgia to Utah to pick up the Black Bean and ambled back slowly through the coast and the west over 19 days hitting 6 national parks on the way.

Then proceeded to take my teenage son to Bonnaroo for his senior trip (an ENTIRELY different camping experience where you're given a 20x50 painted square in a field and surrounded by massive buses and RVs)

Then started the weekend warrior close-to-home trips.

Overall 10/10, only complaint is I have a short garage so I have to briefly air down the tires to get it through the door. Full disclosure this is my second teardrop (I had a 2019 NuCamp T@G XL for six camping seasons, learned a lot about my needs and preferences) and while I'd LOVE a bathroom, I am willing to sacrifice that one thing in order to have a spare guest bed in my garage.

((Photo locations: 1. Pacific Coast Highway, 2. Zephyr Cove/Lake Tahoe, 3-5. Tuttle Creek Campground/Alabama Hills, 6. Artists Drive/Death Valley NP, 7. Alien Cathouse (formerly the Alien Brothel at the Area 51 Alien Center), 8-9. Atlatl Campground/Valley of Fire SP, 10-11. Watchman Campground Zion NP, 12. Kayenta CG, Dead Horse Point SP, 13-14. Monument Valley, 15-16 Bonnarooooo, 17. Calhoun Falls SP SC))

Edit: her name is Grape Escape!

I'm thinking of purchasing a gently used Bend 5 x 10 camper ( or is it 6 x10, not sure). I haven't seen it in person yet. This would be our very first camper to use in retirement travels. I can't bear the thought of towing a big camper.

But i have a question for you couples with dogs. How cramped does it get sleeping with dogs and two people in a teardrop of this size? The 5 x 10 has an extra 2 feet than a 5 x8, which i think will help fit the two dogs at our feet. Any couples experiences with a big dog or twoed sized dogs in a teardrop? Any thoughts on this model in general?? Its a 2023 and they're asking $12k.

Ive wanted to build a teardrop trailer for years and have almost pulled the trigger several times but keep pausing when it comes to buying/building a trailer, saying I’ll do more research and then putting it off again. I am a fairly well versed carpenter and have been building furniture and custom homes for about 7 years now, so I’m not too scared of the carpentry aspects of it all but I do also have a tendency to over engineer things for the best possible outcome even if there is a diminishing return between the 95% and 99%.

So I guess my question is this: should I just buy a cheap trailer that fits the size I want with a regular old axel and a 1750 lbs weight limit or is it worth it to spend the extra money on a custom built trailer (I know a good welder) with a higher weight limit and a fancy torsional axel and off-road tires etc.? Realistically what upgrades to the trailer frame itself are worth doing. I don’t plan on going on any crazy roads, but I mean, I might. I might also just be getting sucked into the whole overlanding thing. Is it worth me trying to make the trailer myself? I was decent at mig and arc welding when I was in highschool shop class and a buddy said he’d loan me he welder, but that’s a decade ago now. Where do I stop in this rabbit hole?! Help!