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What is the worst storm you've been in?

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Because of their small size and exterior kitchen, teardrop trailers do best in fair weather. We have been camping in some inclement weather over the years, but nothing like what the KombiLife crew went through in Mexico in a VW bus. If you have not been following the VW adventures of Ben, Alaska and Co'Pito, check them out.



We have been in two bad storms in the teardrop trailer. One was a wind and lightning storm in Death Valley that kicked up dust and illuminated the mountain peaks with bright flashes. It lasted way into the morning when we woke up to birds singing.

We also camped for three days in the pouring rain during a teardrop trailer rally in Northern California. Known as the Dam Gathering, it was coined "The Damp Gathering" by the teardroppers who survived it.

Many storms can come without a moment's notice, so setting up in a protected area or quickly stashing away items that can be destroyed is helpful. The best way to make it through a storm in a teardrop trailer is to have plenty of entertainment. We have a good selection of movies downloaded onto our tablets, games and books.

Friday Teardrop Photo

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This week I dropped the Sunflower off at an RV service station to get her ball bearings packed.

Why does she look like she's surrounded by hungry wolves?

Featured Teardrop: Timberleaf Trailers

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Teardrop trailers are getting pretty lux and the Timberleaf Trailer design is just one of them. Built by a company in Colorado, the 10x6.5 foot Timberleaf has some features you won't see on other commercially manufactured trailers including an optional custom cooler, one inch thick insulation and memory foam mattress.


The anodized aluminum exterior can be painted any color you want and the interior in Baltic Birch plywood shows some excellent cabinetry details. The height of the galley work surface is made possible by a custom cooler with a birch cover and leather handle that hides in plain site. The galley also includes a sink with cold water faucet fed by a 12 gallon tank, slide out shelf for a stove and plenty of storage.






The bed interior has a large overhead skylight,  and tons of storage at the head and the foot. Two little dropdown shelves are located under the bedside windows.



This 1,200 lb. camper starts at $15,250 for the base model which includes a Fantastic fan cabin vent, seven LED lights, two doors, polycarbonite skylight with shades and a "Colorado Queen" foam mattress. It also includes the deep cell marine battery, four power outlets, 12v charger, and a full sized spare tire.


The options really raise the status (and price) of this trailer and include the custom cooler ($425), detachable exterior serving shelf ($90), ZAMP 40w solar panel ($385), and a detachable wood dining tabletop and leg ($245).

Photos by Timberleaf Trailers

Friday Teardrop Photo

Interview with Simply GO Campers

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For a recent Do It Yourself RV post I interviewed several teardrop trailer rental companies. Dave of Simply GO Campers in San Juan Capistrano was kind to answer a few more questions about his company and love of camping for the Tiny Yellow Teardrop.

Photo by Rachel Antoun


How did you become interested in teardrop trailers?

I became interested in teardrops a few years ago after seeing one at a campground. I immediately thought they were awesome and have been talking about getting one ever since.

Why did you decide to go into the teardrop rental business?

My wife and I decided to go into the teardrop rental business because we love the outdoors and love the idea of having a business that encourages people to spend more time in nature. Teardrops were an easy choice because of the ease of traveling with them. Someone who has never towed or camped can easily rent one of our units and be camping with very little effort. Teardrops aren’t intimidating to tow or use, and they have a unique appeal to them because they are different than your typical camping set up.



Why did you decide to choose Little Guy teardrops?

When I started researching teardrops Little Guy was one of the top brands. I wanted teardrops that were professionally constructed and had a history of manufacturing. The more I’ve researched, the more I’ve found that to be true with the Little Guy brand.


What camping gear do you offer for your customers and what types of gear do you think go best with teardrop trailers?

One of our goals at Simply GO Campers is to encourage people who are new to camping to get out there and give it a try. With that in mind, we know that new campers aren’t necessarily going to have all the gear that you might want for a camping trip. The gear we have available includes the basics: sheets, sleeping bags, chairs, and a full camp kitchen box (camp stove, pots, dishes, silverware, dish washing supplies, etc.). We are also open to providing additional gear as needed to make our customers as comfortable as possible.

A few products we personally love to use are our dutch oven and cast iron skillet. My wife is amazing in the kitchen and just because we are camping doesn’t mean we won’t be eating well. She loves finding new recipes to use while camping versus just eating the basic hot dogs and beans.

Photo by Rachel Antoun

What are the things that people should keep in mind when renting a teardrop trailer?

People should keep in mind that they will now be towing a trailer so they need to make sure they know how to do that and the laws of the road. The actual towing part is not difficult, it's more of the actual being aware it's back there. One must keep from making too tight of turns and speeding. Here in California, people towing must go 55 mph and are limited to the left two lanes only.

The other thing to keep in mind is to make sure your campground will allow a trailer in your site. Most campgrounds are ok with this but if you are in a  specific "tent only" site that can cause some problems. So always check with your campground that you are able to bring your trailer.

Other than those two minor things be ready to have a blast!


Photos courtesy of Simply GO Campers

Friday Teardrop Photo

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Taken at the crossroads last summer. The Sunflower is headed into the desert for the Memorial Day Weekend. See you soon.

Desert Hot Springs and Playa Camping

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Before the summer heat sets in, we took off in the teardrop for the Black Rock Desert of Northern Nevada this weekend. Exploring without a quad or other all terrain vehicle is a challenge, but we still were able to see some beautiful places.


To start off the adventure, we took the Sunflower down a rutted 50 mile dirt road north of the desert to Soldier Meadows, a riparian area that is part of the emigrant California Trail. There's not much out there but mountains, a ranch and some beautiful hot springs. We met up with our Stargazers friends and camped on part of the ranch ($12 per night) and swam in the springs under the stars.






Our trailers took a beating from that 50 mile road and nearly everything on the shelves came flying off. Our galley were already full of dust, so on the way back to the Black Rock Desert we decided to take a "shortcut",  skip the rutted road and fly across the Playa—an ancient lake bed where Burning Man takes place in August. At this time of year, it's empty and perfect for driving on.



Since the desert is public land, you can set up camp wherever you want. We chose a spot right by our favorite mountain (Old Razorback) and spent a quiet night in a very unique spot.

Friday Teardrop Photo

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This teardrop trailer is currently for sale on Craigslist for $6,800. It's a 4x8 camper built in 2011 and available in Northern Nevada. I love that it has a child size bunk and a Route 66 theme.

The Tearcuby Fits a Family of Four

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Last year the Tiny Yellow Teardrop featured the teardrop by Eugenijus Jusas in Lithuania. His initial design has now expanded to include the Tearcuby, a teardrop trailer big enough for a family of four.


The tear (with its unique blue pattern on the exterior) is a 6x9 design. It comes it at 1,234 lb and has room in the bed for three people with a small bunk above the bed for a child.


Features include a water tank, sink, 8 gallon propane tank, 3-way refrigerator, slide out stove platform, and a wonderful panoramic skylight above the bed. The mattress is made in eight parts, so various seating options can be created. The bed also has 21 cubic feet of storage space under the mattress.





The interior includes lighting as well as sockets for laptop and mobile charging. An entertainment system can be installed by request.


Jusas is also planning on designing and selling an off-road version of his tinycamper.eu designs and all trailers can be ordered from his website. The Tearcuby is currently selling for €7150 (around $8,100).


“I am a maker and "employee" for this young company with big ambitions,” Jusas said. “ I want to grow a tiny camper owners community in the European Union just like in the USA.”

Friday Teardrop Photo

Caravan's Teardrop Trailer Rentals are First in Portland, Ore.

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There are more teardrop rental places popping up around the U.S. and one of them belongs to a tiny house hotel in Portland, Ore. Caravan - The Tiny House Hotel rents out two Little Guy T@G Max trailers and a T@G Max XL named Rosie, Miles and Sunny.



The owners of Caravan - The Tiny House Hotel found out how awesome teardrops are on a trip across western Canada last summer.


"We looked for a teardrop trailer to rent in Portland and discovered that no such rentals existed in Oregon," Kol Peterson of Caravan said. "Eventually, we found one. And after 12 days of traveling with the rental trailer, we were sold! The comfy bed and galley kitchen convinced us that we needed to launch Portland's first teardrop trailer rental company. We already had a good way to manage the rental fleet through the tiny house hotel."


The trailers can be reserved through the Caravan website. If one of the trailers is not available at the time, you can go on a waiting list. Any type of vehicle can tow a T@G, but you will need a 2" ball hitch that can tow around 1,000 lb. and a 4-pin or a 7-pin connector for the trailer brake lights.


Rosie, Miles and Sunny have great amenities including AC and heat (shore power needed), 19 inch TV with DVD player and Bluetooth and CD player and AM/FM radio. Miles and Sunny are extra wide and long and have a full length moonroof above the bed that opens and has a shade and screen.
Other features included in the rentals are:
  • Queen sized memory foam mattresses
  • Soft pillows and luxury linens

  • Plush blankets and colorful, warm comforters

  • Double burner gas cook stove

  • Pots, pans, knives and cookware

  • Dishes and utensils

  • Refrigerator

  • Complimentary Fair-Trade and locally roasted coffee from Caravan Coffee Roasters

  • Italian percolator-style coffee maker by Bialetti

  • Organic olive oil, salt and pepper

  • Cutting board

  • Sponge, biodegradable soap, hand towels


Caravan also offers a few extras with their rentals including camping chairs, a folding table, tablecloth, battery-operated lantern
, maps and Oregon guidebooks and camping books.


Rosie rents for $80/night (two-night minimum) and is pet friendly. Miles rents for $90/night (two-night minimum) and is pet friendly and Sunny rents for $90/night (two-night minimum).


Friday Teardrop Photo

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This 2011 Little Guy Sport was recently purchased by Tricia and her husband. The trailer's maiden voyage was at the Thunder Ridge Campground near Woodland Park, CO. The couple strung LED lights in their teardrop galley with removable adhesive that doesn't seem to attract bugs. The side tent was also a trial run. The couple plan to take their new-to-them trailer up to Yellowstone National Park this summer.


Five Great Podcasts for a Long Road Trip

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While on a long road trip with the teardrop, we love to not only listen to music, but we really get into some podcasts. While we also listen to books, podcasts are great because they contain shorter interviews, bits of information or shows that tend to make the time just fly by. While these are not in any order, these five podcasts are some of my favorites.



The Astonishing Legends Podcast

Even if you are not into news of the weird, the storytelling of these interesting mysteries will get you hooked. While all the episodes are very good, "The Dyatlov Pass" and "Amelia Earheart Vanishes" episodes are exceptionally well done and really delve into the theories behind the stories. Produced by Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess, it's become one of my favorites.



Travel with Rick Steves Radio Program

Rick Steves has been bringing travel locations to life for decades and his podcast is one of the best travel podcasts around. He delves not only into travel tips and tricks, but also subjects like local politics, history, architecture and, of course, food.



The Survival Podcast

Experienced campers also have a real sense of self sufficiency. While we might not be out and out preppers, we love to feel that we can take care of ourselves and others if necessary. The Survival Podcast by Jack Spirko is not only about prepping for the bad times, but also how to live your best life. He covers everything from gardening and producing your own food to firearms, hiking, political issues and helpful tips. While Jack claims he's an anarchist, I think he just has a lot of common sense.


The Tim Ferriss Show

Most people know Tim Ferriss from his various books including "The 4-Hour Work Week", but his podcast has some really excellent interviews from top performers including Seth Godin, Edward Norton and Laird Hamilton. His interview with legendary music producer Rick Ruben in a sauna was classic.



GardenFork Radio

You wouldn't think that several guys chatting about gardening and cooking (and a zillion other things) would be interesting, but this delightful and fun show will get you hooked even if you are not interested in gardening. Eric of the GardenFork TV show on YouTube chats with various people about everything under the sun...and dogs.




Friday Teardrop Photo

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We had so much fun taking photos on our last trip to the Black Rock Desert, so a few more will make an appearance. The desert is so vast that even a vehicle and a tiny trailer can quickly disappear into it. You might be able to see the Sunflower in the distance near Old Razorback Mountain.

So few people go out there that the only vehicle tracks you can see are ours.

Featured Teardrop: Tiny Camper Company

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If you are looking for a screaming deal on a teardrop trailer, check out the designs by Tiny Camper Company in Clermon, Florida. These handmade retro style trailers are not only custom built, but a few are on sale from the company's website.


Each teardrop trailer is handcrafted by carpenter Joe Tyquiengco and comes in three different styles. The Simple Sleeper Camper is 4x8 with a full bed, natural wood finish, lighting, and a basic shelf galley. The Simple Sleeper also has a wide range of upgraded features including AC, tongue storage bin and roof rack.




The 4x8 Scotty Replica has a flat back, a galley and plenty of headroom. The Square Back Camper is a simple square shape that is ready for customization. Each trailer is made with an all aluminum finish to give it a retro look. Joe is also working on a standy version of his retro design.


The campers range from only $2,500 to $3,400.



Photos by Tiny Camper Company



Friday Teardrop Photo

Cool Tears Magazine - May/June

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The latest version of Cool Tears and Tiny Campers is now available online. This issue features the family business of Colorado Teardrops, an ingenious mobile bedroll towed by a motorcycle and a list of this summer's teardrop trailer gatherings.


Friday Teardrop Photo

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This wonderful photo is from Road Adventures, a new camper (and tow vehicle) rental company in partnership with AAA auto club and insurance. The company rents iconic campers like Airstreams and Little Guy T@Gs and T@Bs and helps you plan the perfect trip to various locations. The company also has videos on how to operate your chosen trailer.

Teardrop Miscellaneous Box

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Most of our camping equipment is inside the teardrop trailer, but we do keep a 14 quart Sterilite box for those "extra" items that don't seem to have a regular home. These are usually items that help us around camp or are things we don't use all the time. The box goes in the back of the car along with our folding camp tablecamp chairs, and our EZ-Up shelter.


The box contains the wind walls for the EZ-Up shelter, a pair of work gloves for doing any dirty work, several stakes for the shelter, some pieces of wood for leveling out our cook table, a tiny wood level for checking the level of our teardrop, an axe for chopping up firewood, a can of Fire Be Gone extinguisher and a small can of WD-40 lubricant.

While the items might seem random, we keep the box near our campsite picnic table and access at least one thing during each camping trip. It helps with the "Honey, where is the...?" questions.

Friday Teardrop Photo

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This photo of a handmade teardrop trailer in the desert is by Engineer_Allen. His 71-1/2" wide, 108" long, and 60" high trailer is featured on Instructables and his requirements and step-by-step building guide is available on the website.
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