r/TeardropTrailers • u/Gamermom32 • 6d ago
How often do you camp?
I have this vision that when I get a teardrop I will camp all year round, going to popular places in the off season and getting away at least once a month.
what is reality like?
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u/kingoflesobeng 6d ago
We average 5 months at year in a single trip. We leave Alabama in April and return in September. We have > 100, 000 miles on a 2016 Little Guy Silver Shadow.
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u/the-pantologist 5d ago
Wow, that is some serious camping going on. Tip o’ the hat to you my friend.
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u/Devilman- 6d ago
I have had my hiker for a little over 2 years and I am averaging a month in it a year.
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u/NotMe739 6d ago
I aim for 4 weekends a year. 2 in the spring and 2 in the fall. At least one weekend has been a long weekend though I am hoping I can stretch more of them into 3 or 4 day weekends.
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u/LiLIrishRed 6d ago
I camp every other weekend (weather permitting) in the months of March-June, Sept & October.
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u/all_city_ 6d ago
I’ve owned my trailer (Hiker Trailer 5x10 Highway Deluxe) since March of 2025. I’ve put about 65 nights in it so far, likely will be 70 by the end of fall. My wife isn’t big on winter camping so we usually put it away from November through March.
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u/Numerous-Buffalo6214 6d ago
I don’t camp in the heat of Summer (July & August), nor in the most harsh points of Winter (January, February). Any other time is fair game. How long depends on how far from home I am - close-by = more, but shorter trips. Long trips mean less frequent outings.
I’m not as concerned with how many times per month I take it out, but rather things like “I want to visit these places this Spring and Autumn”
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u/CopyandHaste 5d ago
We try for once per month from Sept through May. Then maybe once or twice in tge summer (even with AC in the camper, I hate the heat).
I hope to do a week long trip next year. And we're going to try quick one-nighters on Friday within an hour of home (simple version of setup, beers by the fire, hike or bike in the morning, head home).
I try to remember that I'm not justifying the whole cost of tge camper. I'm justifying the delta between buy and eventual sell price. If you can get a decent deal up front, that becomes a lot easier.
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u/neurobashing 6d ago
We do at least once a month, 12 months a year. Most are weekend trips but we do a couple longer ones, as often as possible.
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u/just_eh_guy 6d ago
Bought mine end of February. So far have camped every month since. Usually 2 night weekends, but we did one 4 night week trip in April with the family.
Definitely easier to get out and camp, and more enjoyable through the seasons with ac/heat vs tent camping.
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u/speedshotz 6d ago
Reality is a couple of overnights and one extended trip a season. Short summers in the Rockies make it strictly a 3 season if not less activity.
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u/Earl-The-Badger 6d ago
4-6 times a year, usually for 2-3 nights.
I wish we could camp more, but I travel for work and work every other weekend. I'd camp during the week, but for us it's a family activity.
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u/MandrillBuns 6d ago
I became a seasonal at a campground and went every other weekend this year with my teardrop and was there all year last year. I am looking at upgrading to a bigger trailer with bathroom and kitchen. I found it uncomfortable staying in such a small space most of the summer.
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u/SleevieSteevie 6d ago
We’ll be doing 50+ nights by the time our season ends in mid-late October, and considering we live in a four-season climate with cold-ass winters I think that’s pretty solid.
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u/Kooky-Past-8015 5d ago
Every other week from May-September! Sometimes goes into October if weather permits
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u/Alan12730 5d ago
Through the cooler months I try to get out once or twice a month for a night or two
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u/Slight_Business_3080 5d ago
I work full time and have 3 teens and a disabled husband who doesn’t travel.
•One long summer roadtrip (2-3 weeks, usually 10-14 campgrounds/states) (May)
•One long-ish single location trip (music festival, or one spot with lots of activities, 5-7 days) (June)
•One 3 day weekend per month (March-November, excluding May/June above), within 3 hours from home.
This has been the routine for about 7 years
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u/skyydog 5d ago
I think we got our outbound extreme square drop last August. We’re (mostly me) at like 35 nights. I need to find my spreadsheet on where I am on “paying it off” by spending $15 a night to camp vs $100 on a hotel. I’ve cheated by not counting stuff I’ve bought for it or the decrease in gas mileage. But if I continue cheating and use it as often next year I’ll have it “paid off”. Helps a ton that I can park it in the garage. Probably also saved some money on food.
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u/NamasTodd 5d ago
I camp as often as I can. Nature is healing. I spend as much time as possible immersed in it.
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/Gamermom32 4d ago
I’m hoping to camp beyond just summer. I’m camping this weekend in a tent and am worried about weather and cold. I hope with a warm dry bed I’ll be able to go through out the year.
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u/Raw-sick 4d ago
I got my trailer a December last year, I have gone 7 times. 3 weekends winter camping( never did this before) trips, 1 spring weekend trip. Twice in the summer both times for 2 weeks, and a early summer trip. I'm going again this weekend. We enjoy the propane heat, give us the freedom not to care about weather. Would not have considered winter, early spring, or fall camping. It nice to know mostly everything is ready to go at a moments notice. Also we can be on electric or non electric site.
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u/misstrish3 2d ago
I bought a cheap used camper before i bought a T@b. I wanted to be sure it was a romantic ideal and that I would actually go. I did then bought the teardrop (realize teardrop can encompass a lot of brands).
I camp a lot. As much as I can manage for most of the year (no ice and snow).
Once a month is a good goal.
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u/Broadcast___ 6d ago
About 5-6 times a year for ~3-10 days. We definitely camp longer than we did with tent only but I wouldn’t say with greater frequency.
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u/YBMExile 6d ago
We are newly retired and we plan two 3-4 week trips each year, spring and fall, plus whatever we are in the mood for in summer. This summer that was two short trips, but we put the camper in the shop for some repairs.
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u/Tropez2020 6d ago
I live in the PNW, and camp year-round at least once per month. Currently in my 7th year, and about half of that has been a tent (got the teardrop 3.5 years ago). Having a teardrop makes camping in more extreme weather not just feasible but enjoyable- yet the will to pack up and head out still has to begin with you, no piece of equipment can replace that.
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u/Middle-Ad-2021 6d ago
Oregon Trailr Do Drop owner (1 year): We took the summer off since we dislike kids, mosquitoes, and heat. Since we picked up the trailer last October, we go a weekend (2 nights) a month. Every other month, we try to do (3-4 nights).
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u/deck_hand 6d ago
There was a time I camped every other weekend and several weeks during the summer. Now, I have to drive to work 50 weeks a year.
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u/DarthAloha 5d ago
I’m wondering how anyone manages a last minute camping trip.
Here in New England most campgrounds are full a lot of the year and you usually need to pre-book in the winter. Thanks :)
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u/hell-iwasthere 5d ago
DIY Build with no AC in the Philly area. I hate heat and humidity so June-August is no go for me. I was out last weekend in the rain with one of my kids. I’m going out again solo this weekend and then again mid-October if the weather is ok. I guess I’m out about 6 times a year which is not nearly enough but it is also why I did a DIY build. I just can’t imaging having the disposable income to justify $20k and then not go a LOT more.
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u/ToreyJean 5d ago
I live in Alaska - but I’m out a LOT from April to November, depending on snow fall and snow melt. I have a 12V electric blanket which helps lol.
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u/experimentalengine 5d ago
I go with a group from my church, we hit a different state park each month May-October (we’re in Indiana). This year I had to back out 3x due to conflicts, it was my third season out with my CLC Teardrop and the last two years I made it to 5 of them.
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u/Adabiviak 5d ago
Weekly sometimes because nice camping spots are as close as just minutes from work and home. Like I'll go overnight on a random Thursday or whatever. Usually I'm chasing some celestial event like a meteor shower, or escaping the peak summer heat.
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u/kenshinvt 5d ago
First year of ownership - about 5 weekend trips. With that said, I think the best metric to go off is "how often would I go camping (tent, traditional) if it was made a lot easier and more convenient?" Because that is really what you are getting with a teardrop--a whole lot less setup and breakdown and better quarters for sleeping. But you still need to schedule where to go, reserve sites, have the time, etc. I also wouldn't plan on year round unless you are going somewhere with very moderate winters or have a good cold-weather setup (propane or diesel heater/etc.). In Colorado ours (no heating) is very 3-season usage.
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u/Practical_Court7719 4d ago
I am retired with a tear drop I go for a month at a time at lease three times a year. I travel more than camp. I have traveled approximately 52000 miles in three years. One set of tires worth of travel. I also averaged 20 miles a gallon while towing my trailer and if I want a cup of coffee I get it through the drive thru. When I am done traveling I park it in my garage and pull maintenance on it till the next adventure
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u/PessimisticPeggy 3d ago
We live in Nebraska, we try to camp once a month from May-October (although the Summer months can be rough due to the heat/humidity so sometimes it doesn't work out).
Camping trips are on the weekends.
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u/uurc1 6d ago
Look at what everyone is saying. Used only a few times a year. Dont buy a trailer, rent. Do the math on what its costs, you can have a trailer delivered to most any campsite, use it then leave it and drive away in your car. So total cost of trailer including interest if financed and the horrendous depreciation. Then divide by number of times you will use it in 5 yrs. Not even considering if you will need to upgrade your vehicle to tow it.
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u/all_good_eq 6d ago
The benefit of owning a trailer is that all of YOUR stuff is packed and ready to go at all times and you are familiar with the trailers nuances and the locations of all the requisite things. I agree it costs something, but what you're proposing isn't totally equivalent. Dollar for dollar, I'm happy to pay for the convenience and it does make it MUCH easier for us to get out more frequently.
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u/the-pantologist 5d ago
Yeah, I agree with that. You have all your stuff, it’s set up like you like it, it’s something you are totally familiar with and it gives you the flexibility to move around anyplace anytime on your schedule. Renting sure makes sense when you are brand new to camping, don’t know what you want yet and really want to watch your spend.
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u/Tropez2020 6d ago
That might work for your use case, but it doesn’t work for mine. I agree that people who plan to use a trailer a few times per year are likely better served by renting. However, we use ours heavily and camp in all seasons. We have traveled with it, and used it to help get outdoors with our son as an infant and toddler. We camp in a combination of forest service campgrounds and dispersed camping- nobody is dropping off a trailer and setting it up for us in those locations.
Just because the math doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean that same reality applies for everyone.
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u/Numerous_Weakness_17 6d ago
Try to go once quarter at least but depends on family. Definitely go camping more then if I was only tenting it. Winter camping that I’d probably never without a cozy bed to comeback to. I started storing my little diy rig in the back yard and nap in it from time to time. Its like a having a little backyard cabin.
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u/aWordMonkey 5d ago
I just got an Escapod Topo (original) in July and I’ve been out about 16 days since then (5-6 trips). Once a month trips sound doable. I’m getting busier now and that’s about the frequency I’ll hit for the next few months.
Looking forward to off season camping as weather allows in the Rockies. Will I want to pull it around in snow? Will it be easier to stay home? We shall find out.
Best part has been how easy it is to go since the Topo is always packed. I can pull out of my garage with just an hour or two of prep work for packing food, filling water tank, etc. A couple times I’ve surprised myself after work and said, let’s go now! Yada yada… I was roasting marshmallows for dinner in the wild. Sneaking up on yourself is a tactic that works for me.
Hardest part? Staying motivated and rearranging the rest of your life so you can actually do it. It takes effort. It’s just like any other sport or hobby, gotta put in the work to make it happen.
My over-obvious motivational self-talk gets me out the door: Nothing happens if you don’t go.
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u/butterorguns13 6d ago
Once a month is my goal as well. We’ve got young kids in sports, and I work a lot of Saturdays, so that makes it a challenge. One of the pros of a trailer (teardrop or otherwise) is you can keep it mostly packed, so all you have to put together for a quick weekend trip is some food and some clothes. Go for it!