Lightweight Camper BUILT TO LAST! (You Won't Believe The Price!)
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- čas přidán 21. 12. 2022
- This extremely lightweight and durable camping trailer is a great choice for anyone looking for a low-cost, low-maintenance option. And for those of you with smaller tow vehicles, this camper will get the job done. Throughout this camper walkthrough tour you will see new how this new innovative teardrop trailer design will change the industry. At 400lbs, impervious to water, and coming in lower priced than all the competition, I see why this trailer is turning heads.
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This trailer really captures the spirit of the original teardrops. A bed on wheels with some storage. Perfect for tent campers that are sick of setting up tents and getting blown over in a storm.
Exactly!
This is true but it also cost as much as about a hundred different tents together
@@thomasriley4963 a good tent is pretty expensive these days
Good point… that’s all some people are looking for. A nice dry bed and still able to use a camp stove and lantern without 20’ of trailer behind them on the road. 🏕️
@@davidf9630 and you can pull it with a 1960 VW Bug!
hello there, road toad abode owner here since June... traveled solo from GA to Wisconsin just to purchase this td... had been researching td's for over 2 years and when I saw this one on Cosmo's channel and he gave his opinions, which were very favorable, then I knew it was good enough for me. I have been very pleased; I had the maxx fan with remote installed, also solar panels and roof rack. I have 2 1000w jackeries and one 300w jack I travel with... charging whilst riding down the highway as Craig pointed out. I preferred the options for creating my own galley space as opposed to built ins, and I find I change the set up often. I did put down the stick and peel tiles and they add flavor to my baby...I recently got back from a trip and due to my disastrous back up abilities I just disconnected "Ruby" (fully loaded with tables, chairs, gear, foldable kayak) and pushed her the last few yards into my garage where she stays clean.... lastly my abode is bright red and gets the most attention wherever I go... thanks to Craig and all the great people at Camp Inn, they were wonderful to work with and so amenable to my requests... Cosmo described this as a great entry level td, but I see myself having this one for years and years....thanks for shining the light here Drew.. sorry to be so long, as you can see Camp Inn made me one very happy gal... 70 years old gal at that...
I absolutely love this comment! And I am so glad to hear Cosmo helped you find this. He will be greatly missed! I agree with you that this is more than just a entry level td. It looks very entry level. But anyone who owns a teardrop for 5 or more years will see the obvious long term value in a trailer like this. I also really like what you said about pulling it in by hand. That was one of our favorite things with our 4x8 teardrop. I would get it to site. And then we would roll it down walking paths to get closer to the ocean, or a beautiful location. Essentially areas we were afraid to take our tow vehicle into due to tight paths. And then the same goes for one way roads. Every time we got stuck at a dead end road I would just quickly unhitch, swing the trailer around by hand and off we went!
Thank you for your reply and description of your experience owning this trailer. I put a deposit on one and I’m excitedly awaiting when it will be my turn to go pick it up. Also a female and looking forward to a new adventures in a trailer from being a tent camper. I like the fact the galley is fully customizable to my own abilities and look forward to making this my own as well when ready.
You rock for staying active and enjoying Yourself into Your better years!!! I say that because my old Grandpa used to say Your not getting older Your getting better! Have fun doing it...
Good for you enjoying life ! Can you tell me how much the TD weighs with all the added solar stuff, kitchen equipment, bed linens, water and food etc. ? Thanks !
Does the Toad have an aluminium chassis? Could you possibly post a pic of the chassis, curious to see how they made it?
I was excited to see this, light weight, efficient and affordable. However, when I went to the site, the Adobe has gone up $2100 in 7 months of this video. Now, I'm not nearly as excited. Thank you for your channel and the content you put out!
Now more than $2500 higher...37% increase one year later. Ouch. Maybe sales of these were taking away from their regular pricier Camp Inn line. So much for being more affordable.
Well, I paid $5,100. for my 2 wheel drive e-mountain bike so $8,000. or so for this with some options still is a good buy to me. I'd skip the front box and have a fenced platform added so my e-bike could go there.
I have a BLUETTI AC200 MAX battery & add-on battery so I'm set there. Maybe solar, roof racks, awning and a remote control roof fan. My MAZDA CX-5 turbo has 310 ft. pounds of torque so I've got plenty of power for hauling it when loaded.
@@ericb.4358Might wanna look into what the tongue weight would be with a bike rack + bike...especially since it's an e-bike. Max tongue weight for the CX-5 is the same as my Outback-->200lbs.
The cheaper Road Toad now starts at 8700USD. Adding the items you mentioned puts it over 11k with tax. Buy once. Cry once, right?
Well, the bike weighs 75 pounds (the 2 batteries removed) so IF the trailer has a rear hitch I can put the rack and bike back there.@@ziptiefighter
Wow that price really went up a lot in such a short time. $8900
I love this trailer! And even more I love that the owner casually said he towed it around for a year to test it out. I can’t think of any businesses out there that would truly test out their products. I love the simplicity of it and especially the weight. If I was a single gal I would definitely buy this one!❤❤❤
Yes, and I also like the fact that he overloaded the trailer as well.
Agree, very important, usability testing in conditions customers are expected to use it. Where theory meets the real world and exposes weaknesses, if any.
The current pricing is $8278 and $8948 before adding any options. I get prices are going up. However, 20% in 8 months seems like this was not priced correctly at launch, or deceptive marking practices. Either way, pricing is much more in line with all the other options out there now.
$9k for a empty box !!! There out of their freaking minds.
@@thestooges333yeah it looks that way. I don't know what cargo trailers go for but most require a large vehicle to tow them. The better option is to convert a mini van. You can make the rear a galley. Just make sure the seats are removable not like the Toyota sienna. The older ones the seats come out with not much to cover. Tracks have to be covered on the later models. I won't even go there with the hybrid model. 73
I also have such a tough time with the pricing of really any of the teardrops, including this one. In 2014 I bought a 32 ft Keystone Vantage 32fls for $20k that was 18 months old at the time I bought it. I thought that was what I wanted/needed but just wasn't. Sold it 6 years later and now I'm looking at the other end of the scale size-wise and I just can't wrap my head around the prices. yes, I know 2014 was 10 years ago but still...
My late grandfather built his own tear drop trailer. I've seen pictures of it from the 1950's.
I want one sooo bad.. oh man, what a little gem.
I couldn't agree more!
Finally, a teardrop priced right , I’m ok with the jiggle on the hatch and actually like the idea of personal customization of the galley. Great video as always Drew. We hope you and the family have a merry Christmas and all around great Holiday Season.
Finally is right! It has been so hard to find well built affordable trailers recently. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. Great seeing you on here Don!
I wish more companies were making trailers like the road road tote.
Man im so glad you made this video such a great budget teardrop from what seems like genuine people, also got reminded of Cosmo Meems rip
Yes, we got to spend some time this summer with them at the rally. Typically when we are around teardrop people they want to talk about their trailers. But every teardrop owner at the rally just wanted to talk about the builders of the trailer. The entire Camp-Inn community of owners are smitten with the builders. Like you said, there’s just a gentle genuineness about them.
Cosmo will be greatly missed by the community. When I was editing this video, it kept reminding me of him as well. I’ve learned so much from him over the years.
RIP...
Oh No! -- I really liked his videos. RIP
@@brianmccarty3615 Yes, quite a shock for all of us.
I’m so impressed with his testing!!! He cares about quality.
Agreed!
I'm so happy you finally made it to the folks at Camp-Inn! I hope you also took good looks at the other trailers there. The way they engineered them is incredible. Can't wait to hear your take on the rest!
I am excited to share more with you. I have some owner review videos, Camp-Inn specific videos, and some side by side trailer comparisons.
I love the one without the galley. Hubby, who is tall, has been concerned with the foot room in many td. Also I've long wanted a way to add a removable galley that keeps everything organized and is usable while stowed but can be pivoted or entirely removed to give more room inside. This looks like a better option than an entry level square drop like Hiker.
That trailer is on the top of my list when I’m ready to get one. I’m good with not having storage cabinets in the galley for that price. When I tent camp now out of my sedan, I can fit my entire kitchen in 2 milk crates, 1-2 re-usable grocery bags, and a 35qt cooler. Lol 😂
That is great to hear! I hope this ends up on the top of a lot of people's lists. Everything you need in a trailer and nothing more. I still believe simplicy is one of the highest values in a teardrop.
Beautiful trailer! Built with great quality, tested thoroughly, and checks all the essential teardrop boxes. Keep it simple and enjoy more.
I couldn't have said it any better Matt!
You hit it out of the park once again Drew! I think they are very forward thinking bringing this trailer to the market when most manufacturers seem to be out of control with pricing. I love how basic this is, half the fun of owning a camper is making your own mods - so the fact that they encourage picking out your own peel and stick tile is really clever! People are paying $20k for a trailer and still adding peel and stick tile lol. The light weight means you can tow with a CRV or RAV 4 - so no big SUV necessary. I also love how you can choose between having a battery, or just use your goal zero or jackery. I feel like they really understand their best customer!
I couldn't have said it any better. May said the same thing about the peel and stick tile. What surprised me most about this trailer is that May said if she could buy any trailer, this would be it. I knew it fit me with my simple/frugal mentality. But I was a bit surprised to observe May feeling the same way about it. She is typically my hardest sell when it comes to trailers. She is very picky!
Craig encouraged me to put in the pick and steel tiles too and I got some fancy black white and gray ones and they look great. Really help keep from scratching the surfaces
We bought our 6x8 Runaway Range Runner because of it's lightweight composite construction and ability to outfit the interior with self-made modular components and the camping gear we already owned.
It’s one of our favorite trailers! And in terms of business models and ethics we just love runaway!
Yeah I didn't like them at first but I am beginning to go in that direction I want an empty one with windows and at least two doors, I know I would have to have the locks rekeyed so I don't need three keys just for camping. I saw a 2017 model on Craig's list in Jacksonville Florida but I don't want wood anymore except what I build inside. I don't know which one I have time to look on the website it must be at least 5 feet wide . Four is too small for two people. 73
@@PlayingwithSticks
You provide the best, detailed information needed to make an informed decision. I’m in the market for a small, inexpensive trailer and this information is priceless! Thank you so much! Love your videos.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your reviews Drew. I searched for almost two years for any video on the Road Toad with only the Cosmo Weems video being the lone one I found. I have had narrowed it down to the Road Toad and the Bend Teardrop of which you have covered both of them within months of each other. I had already put my deposit down on the Road Toad by the time this video came out. But it only reinforced my decision. Keep up the good work!
May and I both agree that if we were to buy a teardrop right now, this would be at the top of our list. In terms of budget, longevity, weight, and future customization, the Road Toad just makes a lot of sense. If money were no object, this would still be in our top two or three. I think that’s saying a lot when you’re comparing a $7000 trailer with some of our favorite $20,000 trailers. Troy also thanks for the positive feedback. It’s really great to know these videos are helpful.
Thanks for this comprehensive review Drew. I'm the guy at the CampInn Campoutt with the woody TD on the "grassy knoll". Partly because of this review I'm considering selling my woody and purchasing a RoadToad this winter. I have an electric car and a 500 lb trailer (base weight) would work instead of my 1500 lbs woody. Hope to see you again someday. Tim
Hey Tim! How cool to see you on here. I can't wait to share your trailer and gear in future videos. I know a lot of folks are going to be drooling over that woody when it hits the channel. Does the flooded car technically make it a boat? Haha. That deal you got on the vehicle was one of my favorite stories I heard this summer. If you do decide to sell that woody and if for some reason you have trouble finding the market, just let us know and we can post that trailer for sale on our community tab.
A really well-built and designed group of trailers- one of the best I've seen so far!
Funny, I used to design mechanical parts for machines and light boxes for the glass industry for years and used that Alumilite type material. I have been thinking over the past year or so as I was looking into buying a camper why someone hasn't used it for a teardrop. Glad to see someone thought of it and put it to use.
That is really cool. I was wondering if people would be familiar with this material.
Hatch closing...a guide pin on either side, tapered to match receivers. The $10 fix.
Hey Drew. This teardrop is definitely a game changer. It puts so many people into the realm of owning their own Teardrop. I was recently approached by a coworker, who wanted me to build a teardrop for her. I told her I would do it for free (she would pay only for materials)we were looking at about 5-6 thousand for my typical plywood aluminum skin tear drop build with cabinets and a countertop and a tongue box for storage…
Why build, when you can buy one for the same price.
Wow, building it for free! That says so much about your character. I love it! And you are so right. When you can pick up a low maintenance trailer like this for the price of building one yourself it sure makes the decision easier. Good seeing you on here David.
@@PlayingwithSticks I’m always watching your channel drew … but sometimes I don’t remark unless I have something helpful to say
Sucker.
So excited to see another video on the Road Toad! I saw Cosmo’s video last winter, and ordered my Abode last January- we picked it up in September! So far I love it, but I totally agree about the lack of cabinets. I am still playing around with storage in the galley to make it feel less like a game of Tetris every time we get to camp. Excited for all the places this will take us!
Congratulations on your purchase! Sounds like you did your research well. We would have pointed you to the same trailer.
Ac
Ac I am in texas hot
For those of you interested in the material Camp-Inn uses for this trailer I finally tracked it down. It is called Alumilite and Omegabond. Just throw that into a Google Searcch and you can find a lot of good information.
I bought a couple of blemished camper tables to add onto my Boondocker since they were the right size and material make up for outdoor use. Great deal and they dropped shipped them to my door. Marine grade supplies came with....
That ultra 560 will be in my driveway someday
I don't know how this video jumped into my CZcams coming attractions, but sure glad it did. I'm a devout "stealth" camper (1st generation Toyota Sienna with considerable work done to the interior), so a teardrop would totally blow my cover. Then again, with a traveling companion, I'd gladly compromise for more creature comforts. The Road Toad might just hit the target. Thanks so much for the well produced review!
Yes the teardrop isn't very stealthy. Even when I blackout the windows I still get the occasional knock at 3am from a police officer to move on. Not really an issue for me in America, but seems to happen to me more often in Canada. I'm glad this video was able to hit your feed.
I need this camper in my life! Fantastic
This price point can and should get a lot more people into the teardrop world. There is a lot to love about something this light and simple. This is less expensive than a SylvanSport Go and gives you a hard sided sleep.
I agree that even simple cubbies in the galley would be a huge improvement. The carpet on the ceiling would be my #4 dislike. I’m in humid environments most of my camping time and that would be a mold trap.
Great point on the SylvanSport Go. And like you, what we love about this trailer is the fact that it opens up the opportunity for many people to join the community. Now for Drew's book on "Rat Fur" hope you are ready. haha. Like you May and I was opposed to the carpet on the ceiling. We primarily camp in Alaska in Coastal areas in extremely moist weather. Our primary teardrop, the homebuilt 4X8, and many of the Scamps we have used have all had this carpet, known by many of us as "rat fur" Over the years we get so many questions about rat fur and condensation under the bed. The solution for the bed is from the sailing world and that is called the Froli Sleep System. if you are worried about moisture getting trapped under your bed, this is a great option. Okay, now on to the rat fur. I have no scientific evidence to back this up, but here is my anecdotal thoughts on this. We have come to really love it, minus the look and feel. Haha. Just seems dated and strange. But the properties it offers works amazingly well. Here is how I think it works. It does a great job absorbing that teardrop moisture. A teardrop is such a small space that moisture management, as I have mentioned in many videos (check out the 10 things I hate about teardrops), can be a big issue. And each additional human or animal adds another significan amout of moisture. I used to know the exact amount of moisture a human gives off in 8 hours of sleep, but unfortunately I don't remember the stat anymore. Very similar to propane heaters, us humans give off a good amount of moisture as well. This rat fur sits where the hot air of the cabin meets the cold air of outside. Not only is it collecting this moisture, but it is collecting the moisture coming off of us humans. Sounds good in theory, but now you have a fiberous material capturing moisture leading to potential mildew and mold issues right? Well, in our case this has never happened. It is actually quite the opposite. No matter what our setting, the rat fur quickly becomes bone dry. My only thought is to compare this to wool. Wool does a great job of drawing up moisture, holding it inside the fibers, and slowly releasing it back into the environment. I think this rat fur releases the moisture quick enough that it never gets the chance to build up and linger over time. Now best practice in any van or camper during the colder months is to air it out during the day. We don't do this becuse we are basically weekend warriors when cold weather camping. Then our trailer airs out in the garage when we get home. I actually never leave the doors open of the trailer in the garage. They are always shut and somehow the moisture finds a way out. Bad practice, but it has worked. Now if you were camping full time in this in the winter, this may present the problems you would expect. I would think you would have to have those doors open during the day or the rat fur wouldn't be able to function properly. Sorry for the long post, but I thought maybe someone would be interested in reading it. Oh also the rat fur is a great sound absorber.
@@PlayingwithSticks this is great! We hang a bag of DampRid in our Bean to collect moisture. Florida winters (our camping season) basically stay at the dew point all night long most nights.
I think you have enough very helpful content in your comment for a “Rat Fur” video. :-)
I’m glad you mentioned damp rid. I completely forgot to share that we use Damp Rid as well. For our camping, I often associate moisture with cold-weather camping. I forget that parts of the country, like yours, when stepping outside the air almost feels wet. Hmmm… I feel so confident about the rat fur, but I’ve never tried it in a climate like Florida.
I have have an older R.V. with carpet all over,! Ceiling, walls, floors! It hard to clean. Adds a lot of weight¡. The glue that keeps it in place discenters in a short period of time, STAY AWAY FROM CARPET!!
Merry Christmas Drew, Merry Christmas everyone.
So Happy you got to Camp Inn and left the overpriced West coast world.
That is a good point on midwest pricing. I never really thought about it until you mentioned it. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
Hello this video you claim that the basic Road toad is just a little over $5,000 I just looked on the website and it's almost 9, 000 this video is only 5 months old did the price jump up 4 grand in five months
I wouldn’t be surprised if it did
Yes it did
I got 8,000 for no add ons. My beef is you have to wait over a year to get one. I'm not going to leave any money sitting that long until I get the product. With the demand the company ain't losing any money if the customer don't pick up their trailer. Also I only buy what I see. I rarely buy online unless I saw the product beforehand. 73
Here to witness this. Impressive, you can do anything with this concept.
Amazingly neat design! Sometimes the most simple designs, can be the greatest.
The Tote has unlimited possibilities...
I hope you, May and the boys had a blessed Christmas and you’re almost to 200k subscribers!😱🤯😮🎉. That’s so exciting!!!
I checked out the Road Toad when I was looking into Camp Inns 560 & 550 models. I know wood has its issues but it’s so beautiful and there’s a warmth that composite just doesn’t have.
I appreciate that you share the 3 things you like/don’t like.
Thank you Ann! Same to you. I do like to rememind myself though, that if we take care of wood built teardrops they will last. And especially if you get one from Camp-Inn. It is not only marine grade plywood, but also fully water sealed on all sides. There is a reason these trailers weigh a bit more than other similar builds. They took the Noah's Ark approach on ensuring this thing can be found someday. 😀
@@PlayingwithSticks I hope to fly out in the spring to visit both the Vistabule (MN) and Camp Inn (WI) factories. Your reviews are great, but I still need to see for myself. I saw that
Bend Teardrop rents some of their trailers, so my husband plan to try that out first.
I think renting before you actually buy is a smart idea.
Thanks Drew! Another great video! I love the simplicity and minimalism of this trailer! I feel like they are missing an opportunity to sell DIY components or modules for people to customize the various builds such as different shelving that you mentioned you would like to see.
Thank you so much Brad for the support! Great idea on the modules. I see that getting more popular with time. Start with the bare bones model and then upgrade into modules as the funds or needs arise.
This was pleasant to watch… from the bones, from scratch, they’ve found a section to be created. While I was watching the video I was also thinking about complements that can make this trailer greater and adaptable (just as Sylvan’s sorted out with their toys).
This is a nice product though. Also I’m very impressed Drew: You’re just keep finding the needle in the haystack (not sure if that say is well translated). Thank you!
Greetings to you and the family - and since now, we wish you a Feliz Navidad from all of us in Baja Serena, amigo.
¡Pásenla bonito!
@@adventuresonwheels5272 Your needle in the haystack comment was perfect. I have never been wished a Feliz Navidad. How cool is that! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. So good to see you on here.
@@PlayingwithSticks I’m your biggest fan Drew - how not to?
I’m learning a lot from you and I really appreciate your content.
Your Feliz Navidad is very much welcomed, eventually you’ll be using it in Mexico 😉
Total agreement with the interior. Camping with the Jetsons. But I digress. I like every aspect of this camper! The fact that I could toss it into the bed of my Silverado far outweighs custom cabinets!
Haha. Good point on throwing it in the back of the Silverado!
The Road Toad is beautiful! I do a lot of climbing and hiking in the mountains, and usually camp at trailheads in my tent or the back of my Jeep, but this thing would be a fantastic upgrade--holds gear and sleeps better than the tent. I'm gonna take a closer look at these. Thanks!
I just love the simplicity great video
Agreed. It is that simplicity that speaks volumes to me as well.
Lighter is the future. We need more of these options. Good information.
We agree!
I like the flat top fenders. Creates an outdoor usable surface. Small feature but handy.
You are so right with that comment. It’s the little features that really add up.
This is a very sweet little trailer.
I would love to have one, for solo excursions up into the woods with the dirt bike in the bed of the truck.
My wife and I are buying a brand new Casita 17’ fiberglass egg trailer, scaling down from a 23’ stick-built travel trailer.
Thanks for the very thorough, informative review.
Happy Camping
In my opinion, you guys made a great choice! Our two favorite trailers are teardrop trailers and fiberglass travel trailers. We actually like to have one teardrop in the yard and one 13 foot trailer in the yard. We’re spoiled, but it lets us do both styles of camping. The newest trailer we are building is a combination of a larger, fiberglass trailer with a Teardrop Galley in the back. I am really excited to see how it turns out.
Great vlog pal and Merry Christmas to you and your family
Thanks Alan! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
Thank you . Quite informative. Excellent
Dang!!!! That is crazy. Another great review.
Glad you enjoyed it Mike!
Very solid! Love the basics!
Hey Drew. Great review. These trailers look like they would be right up my alley with one exception...The axle. I was a lifelong backpacker so I've never needed much to have fun camping. So a trailer that I can sleep in is enough. And having a 25 year old 4Runner named Ragnar that takes care of all my supplies but doesn't leave room to just park and crawl in the back. A bed on wheels was in order and these trailers you are reviewing look great, and that weight...fantastic. I ended up buying a Boony Stomper because they are very small,.a bed on wheels and those wheels are fantastic. Being old and no longer wanting to set up a camp, I still take a cot and prefer the stars overhead, I now have a quick bed that can go anywhere and Ragnar doesn't complain. I keep watching your reviews as they are very informative and you are very good on camera. As my age and health go south I'll probably go to a more civilized trailer. I still really like the Meerkat and that might be something in the future. Thanks for sharing Drew. I'm a big fan...and an old one.
Glad you enjoyed this Jeff. And thank you for sharing the Boony Stomper. That is a new one to me. Looks like it has a bit of Australian influence. And the weight...I love it! Like you, I am a fan of the Meerkat. Great little trailer. Everything you need and nothing more. Thank you so much for the kind words. You really made my day with this comment.
Great vid, very nice teardrop in both quality and price.
Merry Christmas and a HNY to you and yours.
Cheers
Thanks Patrick. Merry Christmas to you as well!
Great video! I'd like something like this. Just a good, lightweight shell.
Glad you see it how we see it. Great little trailer!
This is it! I think I've finally found the perfect tear drop for my fam! ❤🎉
YEESSSS!!!! Love hearing that. That is why we make these videos.
It's so good to see Craig! I hope you're also doing Camp Inn in a future video. My documentary with them was 10 years ago now. I'm curious what they've learned since then. Love it! Thanks Drew.
470 lbs for a trailer. Those doors are about 18 lbs each. Take the doors out and it's nearly 400. Bananas.
Wherever Craig goes people just love that guy. I completely understand now. Great to see you on here Mark. Oh and for anyone reading this here is the link to Mark's documentary. You have to pay for the documentary on Amazon, but you can get it free at this link overlandtrailer.com/learn-about-teardrop-trailers/teardrop-trailers-documentary/
@@PlayingwithSticks Ha ha. Thanks for the unexpected bump. Great video. I've looked into alumanate composite and wondered about it. I should have figured Craig had something figured out!
@@OverlandTrailer I was looking at it too when I was studying bike camper builds. Everyone lately seems to be using the corrugated plastic. But that makes me a bit nervous. That is a lot of time to put into a bike camper build to have it potentially ruined by something with a bit of force. What Craig used here seems like a more obvious, but expensive, way to build a bike trailer.
@@PlayingwithSticks I have DIYers who build bike teardorps out of the aluminum composite. I've heard no negatives so far. The corrugated plastic (like political sign material) works but there are a lot more negatives. Similar to a harbor freight trailer to a welded trailer. Pay now or pay later.
@@OverlandTrailer That is how I have been seeing it as well. Pay now or pay later.
love it, especially the base model. Merry Christmas, God bless
Glad you like it! The base model is really tough to beat. Merry Christmas and God Bless you as well Dave! Good seeing you on here.
Hi Drew, This video is fabulous! You and Craig did a phenomenal job showcasing the Road Toad. Want to get in touch to send some great photos showing how I used mine a couple months ago in 'cargo/ tote' beast mode and how much it hauls. Hopefully they help augment the other video compilation. Also have some photos with other side tent and pop-up set ups as option ideas. Looking forward to getting in touch. Thank you. Hope all's well with you and your family. 😃
I would love to get those photos to add to your video. I am so excited for the community to get to meet you and your trailer. You can send those to me at contactplayingwithsticks@gmail.com I would also love photos of the pop-up set ups as well. This is the stuff that really gets me excited. Glad to hear you are still getting out there and making it more your own.
@@PlayingwithSticks Yikes!! 😀 Hi Drew. Don't know how I missed seeing your reply from 3 weeks ago. I was even checking a few time because I was excited to send you the photos...I apologize for the delay. I'll send the photos today!! Thank you. Hope all is well with you and your family.
@@lynnberry5922 I love the short clips of your trailer. Have you posted anything in or did you online?
I’ve been waiting on this teardrop to be in production.
Glad to hear it finally is out. We have been waiting a long time as well.
Great job! I really really love the tote teardrop ❤
Us too! Such a neat blank shell.
Good job Boys.
The Road Toad is so cool and well built
I am thrilled with the light weight solid build of this tiny teardrop. I would jump on the abode if it had an option to add an air conditioner and a pass through to the kitchen shelf. Sometimes I need to shelter in the Texas heat myself and my dog. where the a/c become huge and a campground with electric . Prefer being out and away from campgrounds when we can and tiny/light is just the ticket.
We just put an order in for the road toad tote. We were leaning towards the road toad, as it was a great product fora great price and your video swung us over. Thanks!
This is what I love to hear! I honestly drove across the country to make this video, just so this exact thing could happen. I wanted people to know this is a special trailer at a really special price. So glad to hear this review was helpful.
@@PlayingwithSticks I also have to say that my wife and I love your videos! first, you are relatable, and secondly we Lived in Alaska for 5 years (Delta Junction. We love the scenery. You make us miss Alaska!
5:55 This right here XD If there was any doubt. I was laughing in surprise.
great video, it's exciting to see a lightweight AND affordable trailer! You mentioned "Lynn" who it seems has the cargo version configured with a custom-galley; do you have a link to a video interviewing her?
Over twenty years ago I did business with a man who owned a CNC machine shop. He was asked by one of the aircraft manufacturers in southern California to design a corrugated material that could be placed between two panels thus giving it strength and some flexibility. I never got to see what would have been a finished product because he was only designing the machine which made that corrugated inner layer. What he explained to me was exactly what I see in the body panels on your teardrop. 20 years ago that was considered some of the newest high strength materials, with at least a 60% weight reduction while also retaining the needed strength for what is was being used for in aviation.
Yes, some of the best trailer manufacturers right now are coming from years of experience within the experimental aviation industry. I am realizing a lot can be gained in the teardrop world from practices being used on airplanes.
Wow! I can maybe hope!
Hope is good!
I love your videos! I’m sorry that I forget to like some. I do always watch to the end though, and do like them.
Wow!!! This is awesome
Kelby, I completely agree!
Wow a teardrop that is actually affordable. I wonder how much this trailer will bounce behind the tow vehicle.
Now that’s the question I was wondering if someone would ask. With those leafspring axles and the low weight I think you’ll get a bit of bounce. We had a little canoe trailer when I was younger, that we modified to haul quite a few different things. That thing bounced all over the place. But it’s still alive and kicking today and we still use it each summer. Once you tow a trailer with a torsion axle or an independent axle it’s hard to go back for many of us. But at this price I think for me, it would be easy to go back.
I like it a lot. I’d like to paint it to color-match my truck and Jeep’s Billet Silver. Cool Jeep trailer for sure.
I like your style!
I wish they would make a separate tear drop pod that would slide on to a utility trailer.
You know, they kind of do. I just saw my first one this year. Check out TC teardrops. They make a teardrop that’s designed to slide in the back of a truck bed. I think that will easily carryover into your application.
Hi I've always loved the look of a Tear Drop Camper. If I had the money, I would buy one tomorrow!!!!
Agreed, there’s something so special about teardrop trailers.
I like the open galley space!
Glad to hear that! I think for May and I we would chose the Tote model. It converts and it gives us the ability to make the galley our own.
My wife and I watched a Cosmo video of the same campers. But as we were watching she asked, what’s that other camper they have? So we looked at the CampInn video Cosmo had as well. Ultimately we loved the CampInn and bought one. Even though they are much pricier, the quality seemed exceptional and a fit for us.
The Camp-Inns are incredible trailers. I always knew they were special. But now I have a better understanding of the build process. I also understand why they weigh a bit on the heavy side. That used to bother me, but now knowing what goes into the trailers I completely understand.
I had something similar in Australia but it had a built in 80 litre water tank, sink, and basic hand pump to pump the water out of the tank.
Sounds like a nice little trailer.
@@PlayingwithSticks It was, there was also two large optional canvas rooms for kids and socialising, we got too old for it and traded it for an eighties caravan.
Love your video on Lynn Berry and her Road Toad TOTE. I've probably watched it a dozen times in the last year and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger. Camp Inn is only 3 hours away from me
Drew, thanks so much for this review. I picked up this one (Craig’s ‘22 build #58 ) in late September and he told me you had been in Necedah the week before. This Road Toad’s home is YOUR hometown! We met at the coffee Kiosk downtown and talked about lightweight teardrops. I camped in it last at Allen Ranch. Thanks for your reviews that help so many of us decide the right weight/price/fit. J in HS.
Congratulations #58! I always wanted a trailer with a number. There is something uniquely special about knowing when your trailer came off the line. Sounds like we just missed each other. It was such a fun experience going out there to see the rally and tour the facility. Wait, my home town! How cool is that. I was telling my mother about you this summer. She is pretty familiar with the ins and outs of the VA. I was having a hard time remembering all the details to make the connection for her of who you were. Glad you are finding these reviews helpful. Looking forward to seeing your teardrop on the road. I am excited to show you our new custom build. It should hit the hometown sometime this summer.
The only concern of yours I agree with is the cargo nets. Those open cabinets with preinstalled cargo nets would be perfect.
Thanks for sharing.
As usual, your segments are always insightful, unbiased, sincere and full of useful pros and cons. Considering my vehicle's low tow rating, I've been considering 3 small trailers. The Road Toad, the Boony Stomper and the Cool Camp by Runaway. Though less aerodynamic and more wind drag, I like the Cool Camp because of the extra cubic feet of space inside and the flatter roof for a rack and solar. This Road Toad is intriguing though. I wonder if the galley hatch could be deleted all together in lieu of more space inside? Maybe it's a structural reason to not have them, but more windows for ventilation seem needed in the Road Toad. Thankyou again for doing all the leg work, walkthroughs and spending the time to help us all get a little closer to EVENTUALLY figuring out what to buy. Not a easy decision considering all the trailer types to pick from.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I really appreciate it. I am a huge fan of the Road Toad and the Cool Camp. The boony stomper is new to me. I just started studying it yesterday. I definitely see some Australian influence and I really like the weight. In terms of aero my guess is the Cool Camp would still be pretty efficient as long as it sits lower than your tow vehicle. I may be wrong. It is probably something I should test out someday. In terms of windows the road toad is pretty standard for teardrop trailers. Most have two doors and windows in each door. Like you, I am a big fan of windows. The more the merrier. I will take the hit in insulation to have more light and see more of the surroundings I came to live in.
I also considered the Road Toad, but ended up choosing the Cool Camp because of the extra space and included AC. I built a raised bed to add storage, plus space for 9 kwh of lifepo4 batteries (raw cells b/c they need less space) and a small water tank. My Prius normally gets 45 mpg, and when towing it gets 25 mpg. The trailer is a little taller than my car so it does catch the wind some -- the Road Toad would surely be more efficient to tow.
@@SeanLinsley Curious, did you permanently mount solar panels and a exhaust fan on the roof? Really heard good things from Runaway customers and their positive feedback. One minor issue I have is the windows opening horizontally. I wish they offered awning type windows which would, imo, shed water better while open during a heavy rain. Haven't spoken with them but I've wondered if they would build a Cool Camp without windows and then I could install the type I wanted. Thanks for sharing. Safe and happy travels.
@@Chubbydippin For ventilation I just use a standard fan on the inside pointed at a window. I haven't added solar panels yet. I have BougeRV CIGS stick-on panels on backorder. A lot of people add DIY rain guards. search youtube for "runaway camper window rain guards". But I would be surprised if they wouldn't let you buy the camper without any windows
Such a cool trailer! Thanks for such a good tour video. I noticed it look like you were able to tow it with a Subaru station wagon. Wondering how this is in the wind, is the trailer available with brakes? And I look forward to ordering one soon, wondering what the current turnaround time is on the orders specially if people prepray 100% in advance
Love the price, composite construction, weight and in the totes model flexibility with open rear. Only wish would be a bigger version to accommodate a family of 4. There's plenty of weight headroom to still be towable by even compact SUVs so I think there'd be a big enough market for them. Drew, your own DIY build comes closest but I'm guessing it'll be much more expensive if it's ever manufactured for others.
They do have others for 3 and 4 people, there’s a dealer in NC and VA but they don’t list prices. I’m waiting for a reply on the smallest one right now from NC , Carolina Camper Works.
My bad, I’m referring to the HELIO , sorry , this is the road toad 🤦🏻♀️
Yes, exactly. Our trailer would be really hard to make as a kit. I know Charles is still looking at that. But if it does have to be assembled on the factory floor it would probably cost about 4Xs the price of this I would guess. But he will be making other kits that are larger, but still very light that should come in much less than $10K. Side note. I do find with a family of four it is quite pleasant to sleep two in the side entry tent and mom and dad in the trailer. It still feels like a special little home when the tent is directly connected to the teardrop. And it gives the kids a bit of autonomy and a fun little fort to call home.
I brought home a Runaway RangeRunner last week. There’s no kitchen, but I’m adding a rooftop tent, an awning and zip on awning room so the kitchen can go in there. It’s made of fiberglass and pvc board, no wood in the whole thing.
We are HUGE fans of Runaway. I mean huge. The price, the build, and the business model. Thanks for sharing.
What about a hatch that opens up and has locking/adjustable struts...to support the weight of shelves/counter that folds/slides(?) "out" with the hatch thus making more room inside. Or maybe just a side out counter with legs under and a back that supports/hookup to the hatch. Yes you would be standing outside but then you have a awning/tarp which could be large with center pole and corners roped off.
Love the creative ideas.
I love this! I assume there isn't anyone else out there selling something like the Totes option? By the time I add on the options I want, I only end up with 400 lbs of cargo weight. Fine for when camping of course but not fine when using this to move or haul furniture.
Wisconsin, I'm going to have to go up there and check this out!
If it was me I would do the same!
I just went on RoadToads website and if you add all the options on the list it still costs just over 10,000. Total no-brainer. Shame I live in the UK. Great work though guys, but as Sticks said it could do with one or two upgrades. Here in the UK these little cabins are called Caravans, and trailers are for lugging around gear, horses etc.
Love hearing the UK perspective on this.
This is a really great teardrop. I would like to buy an RV, but don't want to drive a large vehicle. I have hybrid RAV4, so only can pull about 1,750lbs. This is a terrific option. I like your recommendation of having shelves available as an option. Customization is great for those who want it, but I am not someone who wants to do that kind of work (or even has the correct skill set to create my own cabinets). Any idea how to purchase this in Canada?
Good question on the Canada inquiry. Unfortunately, I am not sure about that one. I know a lot of these companies have contracts with shipping companies, so it would be worth checking out. Jordan @Valiant trailers in Alaska sends a lot of trailers to the lower 48 and Canada. So it’s definitely doable.
Hello I'm from Montreal Qc Canada and I Wish you a Merry Christmas
How cool. Merry Christmaas to you as well. From Thailand and our home back in Alaska
I wish you would show us the link to the video that you show of the woman who personalized her Road Toad. I’d like to see her what she ended up doing with hers.
I'd add a fourth suggestion. Create a combo model that can so service as a camper or for cargo. That'd double its usefulness.
Yes, are you suggesting a galley wall that can be removed? I have seen a model like this. I even filmed it this summer. Eventually it will make it on the channel.
Very helpful. Thanks. I’m finalizing a purchase of a Hiker Midrange Deluxe. They are wood with aluminum I believe. How do you monitor for leaks and wood damage? I prefer the “square drop” and the customizable galley - have you done a video on Hiker?
BTW. I decided to postpone the 270 awning after watching your videos on the topic. Made me think more about the pros and cons. I’ll use a Moonshade with Moonwalls for now. Great source of insight. Thanks.
Hi Mike. I am so glad you posted this. I thought hiker used no wood in their cabin build. But I did some digging and found out that they use 3/4" 7-layer plywood within their sidewalls. Interesting... Monitoring for leaks is quite simple, finding where it is coming from can be much harder. Water will pool to the lowest point in a camper. I find a camper is rarely 100% level when parked. So basicallly you are looking at the corners of the interior of your camper for pooling. You are also looking for water stains on the ceilings or the sidewalls. Optimum solutiono is that you just want to catch it early. Which is why you need to be really careful when storing them outside for long periods of time. It is rare for hidden water to be damaging the interior of the camper, but it can happen. The best way to look for this is just pushing on your sidewalls and roof occasionally to see if there are any soft spots. Hope this helps a little. We have been playing with the Moonshade as well. I have a video that I will put out in the spring of about 5 or so new awnings I have been trying out. Many are variants on the moonshade concept.
This trailer has really got our attention. Will you be uploading the video for the customizable tote featured in part in this video? Thanks for sharing this with us. We have been waiting for a teardrop like Road Toad for some time. This may be the one.
Glad it got your attention. It caught our attention as well. And yes, we will have a future video with Lynn. Not only did she do a great job highlighting the trailer. But she highlights a bunch of modifications and ways she made the trailer her own.
@@PlayingwithSticks Looking forward to this video.
I had the same interest. I'm really liking the blank slate of the Tote and the ability to get creative with how to layout a cooking setup with a potential pass-through. Looking forward to seeing how Lynn laid things out.
Very interesting camper. I think I'd like to see some insulation in there. Would help with the heat & cold.
Nice Does it have the optional Rally Fun Pack Clark ??
Nice! I'm wondering if it's possible to add your own cabinetry to the galley in the non-Tote version. It's a little on the stark side. Any experience with that? I wonder about anchoring cabinetry into the surfaces of the galley, in particular.
I put a refrigerator box on a Radio red wagon. It too has corrugated walls. Cost me about $50 to assemble with Elmer's glue. I put trash bag coverings to water proof it.
Nice! Make sure you pick up some those retro motorcycle goggles to go with it.
Drew, this might be perfect for me. I wanted something to pull behind my Honda accord and not kill my gas mileage. I like light, minimal, simple. Since I am new to this type of camping can you tell me the added on features you would not live without? I live in Texas but travel to the mountains frequently to escape the heat.
For this I would add the diamond plating beings the aluminum skin scratches easily. I would add a standard agm battery and inverter. I would also increase the 13" tires to 14". And I would add the stealth window as it makes the trailer feel bigger and closer to nature. Other than that I think every other upgrade is nice, but not a necessity. Even the stealth window really isn't a necessity.But down the road you will probably wish you got it.
...cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…
Thanks, will do! I am glad to hear you enjoyed it.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you very mutch... have a wonderful Christmastime .... see you….
Sweet! 🥰
Very nice!
Glad you feel the same way as us!
Cool looking trailer … be fun in a wind l expect 😂
Thanks for this video. I almost bought this last Spring but decided I wanted the CampInn 550 and ordered one. I hope since you went all the way to Wisconsin you will have a video on the CampInn models. I would like to hear your opinion on them. Thanks Drew!
You made a great decision. Either the road toad or the camp inn is a great trailer. I was fortunate to attend the Camp Inn rally this summer. So, as requested by you, there will be Camp Inn videos and Drew’s thoughts. I knew it was a good trailer going in, but now I have an even greater understanding
@Playing with Sticks ohh nice! You keep doing all my favorite campers! (Im still waiting for the AntiShanty lol)
@@mrsMOmiles Now I feel bad. I was going to do it for my next video. But I switched it up last second to help out an underdog I met at the Overland Expo last summer. But man I am having trouble editing that video and making sense of the narrative. Maybe I should do the Anti-shanty haha.
@@PlayingwithSticks noooo worries! You take your time! We love your videos either way! 😬👍🏽
Wow, I could tow that with my old vw bus
6k is a stretch for me but does look like the value is there.
That would be a neat pairing!