RAISING THE BAR! A New Standard for TEARDROP Trailers
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- čas přidán 18. 01. 2023
- This craftsman teardrop trailer delivers a fit and finish that is a standard higher than other small trailer manufacturers. This camper has been designed with the utmost attention to detail and quality. If you're looking for the best handcrafted teardrop camper then High Camp Teardrop Trailers needs to be at the top of your list. From the best fit and finish to the best teardrop components in the industry, this camper sets the bar for quality and performance You would be hard pressed to find a better teardrop trailer at this price.
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I own one of these, and it is amazing. Build quality is second to none! They offer a canopy that goes over the galley hatch, and it takes about 2 minutes to set up. We use it to shade us from the sun and protect us from the elements. The rear storage is huge. We added a small top box to hold our chairs and some outdoor supplies. We tow with a full size truck, so we have plenty of storage. We get people coming up to talk to use about it all the time. We love ours!
David I so appreciate this comment. Thanks as well for sharing about the canopy I know folks will really appreciate that. I can tell you with 100% honesty, I have seen a lot of trailers. And this is a SPECIAL trailer. Like you said the build quality is second to none.
I'd love one of these! I travel for work on 3- month assignments, and I'd love to have one of these on days I'm not at the hotel. I have an Outback, so I need to learn about tow capacity 🤩
How long did you have to wait for your trailer?
how much?
@@PlayingwithSticks Hey, Drew! Adding this comment to this video, but certainly applies across the board. One spec that might be worth putting some focus on is approach and especially departure angles. Everyone talks about ground clearance but that's only part of it. In my case, I'm torn between High Camp and Vistabule. But one big point against Vistabule (for me) right now is relatively low ground clearance (10" vs 13 for the High Camp) but especially that very small departure angle due to how long the back of the Vestibule is from the tire. (Due in part to being a longer 10-foot trailer) I'm really concerned about dragging the back end going up a not-even-too-crazy hill offroad.
Anyway, maybe worth a focus in a future video. Love your stuff!
So fun to watch your videos! I have a real nostalgia for tear drop trailers and not because of memories using one. But rather watching my parents' vintage family films and photos of when they first travelled from Iowa to California where settled in the rest of their lives. They had two small children...my brother and sister who were a lot older than me and I wasn't born yet. They packed up all their belongings into their car and teardrop trailer and set to live out west. They stopped at so many beautiful and unusual places. I'm going through their lifetime of 35mm slides now enjoying seeing how they preserved their memories along the way in their teardrop. They have long passed but ahhh, they left behind many travel and camping memories. After I was born they continued to camp. I feel so grateful!
Incredible commitment to quality. Super impressed by the build and the amenities, but what totally sealed the deal for me is the door size and construction. You can just tell that he is constantly thinking of ways to improve things and then overbuilds the most important components. Love it.
The doors are such an upgrade.
I love your wise reflection at 18:48 ... "the more trailers I see, the less I realize I know". As I've heard it said ... the more I know, the more I know I don't know.
One thing I do know for sure is that I really appreciate the videos you put together, especially the sections where you list your likes and dislikes. I trust and value your perspectives which, for me, sidesteps the typical sales-hype bullet points.
Great video Drew. I was expecting a much higher price.
Must admit, I assumed the video was showing a base model because your comment at the beginning about having everything already included. Looking at their site, the camper in the video I see is closer to $23,600 if my math is correct. Still a lot better than the $40k teardrops, but it is a bit more than the $19,950 I thought I was seeing.
$19,950
$325 dual composite propane
$590 storage box
$275 rear hitch receiver
$275 roof rack
$1650 Propex Heater
$99 Dometic Faucet
$450 170 amp hour battery
I saw the same thing today. I will have to talk to Dennis about this. When I shot this video he had everything at base. However, he did send me an email this year regarding marketing. He had wondered if he would be better off decreasing the price of the base and having more add-ons. Basically wondering if sales were potentially lost because people would see the base price and think it wasn't competitive with other trailers. Essentially trailers that were hiding their out the door additional costs outside their base price. Does that make sense? I am wondering when annual cost increases came around if he lowered his base price and moved what were his standard components into an upgrade model that people were more accustomed to. I wish I would have realized this before releasing the video. I typically do my homework, but it looks like I did my homework a little too early on this video. Thank you by the way for pointing this out and adding the costs. I really appreciate it.
I own one of these High Camps and love it. It’s a work of art and very tough too. I really love the aesthetics and craftsmanship and to compensate for less storage I added a cargo box on top. I also have the awning and a 7 gallon solar heated water tank on top and it all fits.
Love having owners chime in! A work of art is exactly how I would describe it. And tough as well. Another word that comes to mind is tight and compact. It's just a solid little trailer.
I do have one question though. And it's more of a concern because of my height (5'08"). How easy would it be for me to grab food in the fridge? Most other brands the fridge is on a tray that when extended is kind of between the knees and the waist. It makes it very easy to grab what you want. This one the fridge is much higher and the tray doesn't extend outside the galley (like the stove). So, my fear is that I'd need a step to pick and choose what I want. Maybe someone here who has one could answer? I'm from Western Canada (French), and it's a 15 hour drive to their shop. So, as much as I'd like to see it in person, it would get too expensive. Thank you in advance.
@@BuckyBuck1000 Good question. The High Camp I own is a 2019 build and has a cooler (not a fridge) which sits on a tray that rolls out toward you. Easy access. I don’t know if the fridge install sits on the same tray but I suspect it does.
What about an AC unit?
@@patrickhaag Good question. Since I live in the PCNW (it's not needed often) I opted to forgo an AC unit but believe it's something that Dennis at High Camp can add.
That was a very impressive Teardrop , Drew. Coming from a lumber industry background, I was very impressed by his meticulous detail on picking his building materials. The three-quarter inch plywood was top-of-the-line. But like you said storage is key! Thanks for sharing keep up the good work, and I look forward to seeing your next video.
Hey David! There were some portions of this video that I had to remove in the edit. I wish I could have kept them in there. He goes into great detail about individual wood selections within each build. The attention to detail is incredible. May picked up on it right away when she watched the first edit. She said "look at his shop! I have never seen a teardrop manufacturing area so tidy and organized." Thanks for the kind words David. You know I really appreciate it.
I'm a proud new owner of a High Camp teardrop. The craftsmanship is unparalleled. Can't wait to take it out on the first camping trip of 2023!
So true! Unparalleled is a great way to describe it.
Whats the difference between High Camp and AeroTeardrops? Any idea
That price shocked me…I was expecting $10K more.
I hear you about that 3/4 galley, but to be honest, even in my ‘22 Nucamp Tag XL, with a full galley hatch, I still get wet. Anytime, with any teardrop outside galley, you are going to have to have contingencies for protection from the elements. And as far as storage concerns, no teardrop is a Holy Grail in this aspect. You want to travel small, expect to travel lighter too. We all eventually learn what to bring and what to leave home.
Love this teardrop!! I’d definitely consider it if I did not already own the Tag!
Carl where pray tell are $10,000 teardrop trailers found in this day & age?!?
I find right now one of the best places to get a deal on a teardrop is Oregon. They all seem to be competing with each other on pricing. Which I think is what is holding down these PNW prices compared to other areas of the country that are just getting a bit out of control. Great point on the getting wet. I don't get into it enough on the video, but most of us are backpackers or tent campers. So speaking for others in the community I think most of us are okay with a little wind and rain. It is more about not taking on 100% of the elements. And for those needed times most of us all use side entry or pop-up tents in addition to our teardrops. And yes great point on the storage as well. That is the beauty of a teardrop. It forces you to take only what you need and maybe a little bit more. Thank for your thoughts here Carl.
I'm west of Eugene, Oregon. I did not know about this one in Portland. Oregon Trailr and Cozy Cruiser are in Eugene, and I think Northwest is just up the I-5 in Salem. I think Oregon Trailr is not cheap, I've been meaning to amble in there one day and look at them.
@@WildcatPhoto Yes, taking a look at Oregon Trail'rs would be worth you time as well. They are little costly, but rightly so. They are built like tanks!
@Art Steadman. I think you miss read that, he said he thought it would be $10k more then the stated price.
Wow, this thing looks great! Thanks for posting your review.
I appreciate your comments .. honest and helpful. Demand is what makes the free market to design and so on.
Thanks David. I appreciate the feedback.
Beautiful :) Beautifully made, beautiful attention to detail, beautifully compact - if you are able to be minimalist, or can scale-down what you need and would take with you :)
Agreed! And in all reality, I think most of us can. The first few years of the channel we had our home built teardrop as our main trailer. We were a family of three at the time, and it was a very similar trailer to this in terms of size and storage. And we did just fine.
I agree with Drew that storage is paramount.
Yes, I am not the only one! Thanks Justin.
I absolutely love these videos. you should do reviews on the Boreas Xt, Vorsheer Xoc, Teton X, Mammoth Overland, Vega Xt, Roc Asd10, Roc Otd10.... I could go on all day.
Drew another great video, I was just thinking that every camper has three great things and three things we might like to be changed, and they aren't usually the same. Every camper is a tradeoff of features, so I guess it comes down to what each of us like. Even my own CLC kit camper has it's pros and cons, but we adapt our camping to our decided tradeoffs. Thanks again for your videos.
Exactly! Every trailer has trade-offs. Some more than others. The trailer we are currently building is going to have a lot of trade offs. I find the more things you try to make a Trailer be, the more trade-offs that are involved…if that makes sense. Basically the more you try to make a trailer do, the less perfect many aspects of it will be. The trailer that can do everything is usually the trailer that can do a lot of good things. But it can’t do many things or anything great. But it’s really fun trying to make the perfect trailer. Haha I realize this comment sounds very cryptic. I’m having trouble putting it into words. Love the CLC kit campers by the way! And thank you for this post I really appreciate it. This is something I think about quite often.
I’m a bit of a craftsman myself and this really looks to be exquisitely built. Love the hardware, windows and ambiance of the interior. Build quality and price on this trailer would put it right at the top of my list, except for one of the items you noted: the galley hatch providing virtually no coverage. This is about the first thing my wife looks for. If you can’t stop, open the galley and have at least some overhead shelter, she is not interested. The deep inset shape of the galley is, I presume, the root cause of the hatch coverage issue, and like you mentioned, looks like it could be awkward accessing the fridge and storage spaces. A slight modification of the shape of the rear of the trailer could resolve both concerns.
Re: the fiberglass propane tanks. These are marketed for boaters. I was very close to buying one of these 4-5 years ago for my car camp setup (in a smaller size, like 7 lb version). I ended up not doing so because of the cost and lack of availability, they were on back order. I ended up with a small steel tank that, when full, can last us 3-4 weeks.
I’m VERY drawn to most features of this trailer, but the galley hatch would be a hard sell for my wife.
As a crafstman I know you would love seeing this in person. When I saw it I instantly fell in love. It truly is a rolling piece of art. Dennnis has been responded to a lot of the comments. It seems like he is willing to look at the design and see if he can come up with solutions. So neat to hear. Typically the builders dig their heals in and fight the comments. And I get it, this is their baby. So it is so neat to see Dennis at least willing to take a shot at it. I was wondering who was utilizing these propane tanks. If they made a fiver pound version we would buy one today. But the 11 and 17lb are just too big for our propane storage area. We have been big fans of our 11lb Manchesters. I like that they have the same footprint as a 20lb propane cylinder. This makes it easy to find mounting hardward. And it is just the right size to get us through one summer of cooking and occasional fire pit use. My wife would be in agreement with yours. She is 100% sold on teardrops. And I think a big part of that is the full galley experience.
This is a very nicely crafted trailer. Without a doubt. I agree with you on the third dislike about the lower portion being closed and would be more beneficial as a slide-out storage area. I also noted that you have to reach far inside and that means that you will potentially be rubbing your legs and part of your body on the back of the trailer, which if it is wet, covered in snow or road grime, means that you will not have a pleasurable experience. You will also likely catch your clothing on the number plate which will either bend it or potentially it will rip your clothes. Perhaps the lower part could fold downwards (a split tailgate) if they still prefer to have a shorter upper portion. I don't understand why awning rails (a c-channel) isn't fitted to allow for the quick attachment of an awning like we see on the sides of caravans in Europe. In this instance, I mean an awning rail that traverses the lip of the tailgate and a simple awning which requires just two poles. This is a very nice trailer and that is why I bother to provide feedback. I feel it will be considered by Dennis even if it isn't ultimately taken onboard.
Great point on the rubbing. I thought about pointing that out as well. There was one point in the video where Dennis reaches over the entire galley to turn on the light. First I thought, that is an interesting light placement. But second it made me think about leaning up against the galley and touching that lower exposed portion. I never even thought about the number plate. Good eye! I really like your awning rail suggestion. We had that on our Shasta Compact and it was great. It doesn't take a whole lot. I am okay with a little water in my galley. I just want basic protection (like a simple awning or a hatch).
That’s actually a great idea, having something like that could be taken down quick if it got too windy.
Superbly finished
Agreed! Fit and finish is where they really set the bar.
Damn, I love that clock. It just screams luxury 🔥🔥
Wow these things are amazing... definitely considering one..
Lovely looking piece of kit.
Great video! I love the craftsman shop of the video. I love the the propane tanks and I love the interior of the trailer. Also the door is really nice. Whenever you do your walkthroughs I always look at the companies background and I’m very impressed with how organized they are. Everything seems to be in its place.
Yes, Dennis' shop was more organized than any shop I have been in yet. You are right, I think that says a lot about attention to detail.
I agree
Thanks Drew! When I was looking for my trailer, I fell in love with the High Camp. I love the craftsmanship, including the custom built doors, which look superior to everything else out there.
In the end, however, I went with Aero Teardrops largely because I could fit every single kitchen thing (food, dishes, cookware, fridge, water and stove) in the galley.
Folks near Oregon are so lucky! They have every type of teardrop. And at what I consider competitive prices. If one doesn't quite fit you, another probably will. So many great teardrops coming out of Oregon. Like you, the Aero Teardrop would be more of a fit for our family. Not quite as fancy as the High Camp, but in my opinion it is a bit more well rounded. Nothing in it is necessarily superior to other popular teardrops, but nothing is missing.
Fellow Aero TD owner here. Concur with your assessment! High Camp was in our Top 3 for many of your same reasons. While both companies have comparable bang for buck, we love the Aero galley, the bunk option, and creative freedom.
@@ronc5093 It is crazy that many of the top trailers in the entire country are coming out of Oregon. Folks in the area are really fortunate to have such a good small camper industry nearby.
@@PlayingwithSticks "Near Oregon" is somewhat subjective. I drove 1000 miles from Southern California to pick up my trailer, lol!
Those windows on there doors/hatches are exquisite
LOVE it!
This is awesome!
I absolutely love that I have stumbled across your channel! Thanks for what you do. I’ve been watching through a bunch of your videos and would love your honest, unbiased opinion (which I feel you take on every one of your videos) on the best teardrop for a family. I know that’s a loaded question because there’s pros and cons to everything, however if you could pick one, what would it be? Our requirements are must have a bunk and we love the idea of it converting into a “hangout spot” with a table during unfavourable weather. I really respect your opinion so I can’t wait to hear back! All the best
Hey, Drew! Good to see you again! 😊
Same to you my friend!
I was going to order a Colorado Teardrop this year but when I saw they raised the price 5k from last years base price I was like “no way”! Found High Camp and the price is thousands less with a better build quality in my opinion. They will be getting my business.
I’m not going to disagree with you here. High Camp makes an incredibly nice trailer.
I just recently started researching camping trailers, with the focus being off road capable, and self subsistence for extended overland expeditions. Early decisions include wanting a trailer that is based on composite materials, that allows for owner customization, and that is "reasonably" priced. I have been quite put off by the MSRPs of so many of the overlanding style trailers, and I wonder how many of these companies will still be still in existence in 5 years. My background is one of extensive backpacking and truck camping, so a pull behind trailer would be a true luxury. Anyway, I am glad I have found your channel and have subscribed and am reviewing your prior videos at leisure.
Sometime this summer I am hoping Teardrop Lite will announce their line of trailers. These will be composite trailers that you self assemble at home. VERY reasonably priced and like you mentioned "owner customizable." Once I get the word on those trailers I will make sure to get it on the channel as soon as I can.
I love that the bed is a real queen. My husband is big and tall - it's hard to find campers (of any type) that have a bed he would be comfortable in. Beautiful teardrop, and the quality of materials does show in the video. I agree about the galley. That stove is sweet, though.
Yes, we find it quite challenging to find smaller campers for the tall men and women out there.
This is a really nice one I seen a few of your Teardrop campers seems like it make more sense to have your head on the kitchen end as you wake up.sing your feet out much easier just seems like it
That is a beautiful camper.
I appreciate his praise of the Vestibule trailer. This one is comparable, but the bed in the Vestibule makes a couch, that is awsome along with its window.
Out of curiosity Ron, do you own a Vistabule? Like you I absolutely love that window!
No I don't own one, but wish i did!
I haven't had a camper since 1990!
An old Travle-Eze.
Thanks for the video! I have one and love it. So well made. I drove to Portland to get it and pulled it 3500 miles home to North Carolina. No problems. My wife and I have been to Maine and the NC mountains. Storage isn’t a problem but it’s just two of us and I pull it with a full size truck. Heading to Cape Cod in the fall. We have a BundutecUSA Quick En-Suite shower unit that works really well for us.
Hi. Can you put a tent on the roof?
@@michaelptm2269 I haven’t tried that but you are supposed to be able to. You should check with the manufacturer. It would definitely negatively affect your gas mileage. I do think it is very well made.
@@dudelangford1 thank you. Do you know if this company works with Aero Teardrops. I heard it mentioned in the video. Or are they separate companies?
A nice trailer - The General Grabbers are a good choice, but though the big wheels and low profile tires look cool - a much better choice for off-road are the 75 series aspect ratio tires found on Bean and NuCamp trailers. A better hitch/coupler like the lock&Roll on Bean trailers would provide far better articulation off-road.
Excellent review. Of all the trailers I have watched on your channel, this would be the one for me. Build quality with a reasonable cost. The doors are outstanding. The cons that you pointed out wouldn't bother me at all. The one item that frustrates me with several trailers, including this one, is the use of round wheel fenders. It is easy to have a fender with a flat top to be used for an extra place to set things. We use our fender tops virtually every day camping.
Glad you enjoyed this review. Like I mentioned in the video I had a feeling my issues with this trailer would be non-issues for many of you. And those doors. I wish people could see them in person. When you draw them shut you hear this incredible vacuum sound (woosh). I have never seen a teardrop door system so well built. Good point on the fenders. I never really thought about that. Thats one area where I typically sacrifice function for form. I love a nice retro style fender. But you are right you could gain such a nice little table if you squared it out. I set things on the rounded fender of the Bean trailer all the time. And 50% of the time I end up picking them up off the ground. Haha.
Classy.
I completely agree! I consider it to be a piece of art.
The build of this looks GREAT. But no picture window would be really missed.
This is a beautiful tear drop trailer. Is it the ‘new standard’? There is certainly the attention to details and components that do make a difference between “a bed in a box on wheels” versus a tiny sanctuary that you want to spend quality time in and around, to enjoy, admire, and take pride in ownership. And this trailer definitely fits in the ‘sanctuary’ level and checks some major boxes for me. If I were inclined, this trailer would be worthwhile seeing/feeling in person and making the comparison to my CampInn Ultra 560 Tear Drop (#1032). I have to admit, when first glanced at the thumbnail image for this well presented video, I thought I was seeing a CampInn teardrop, and Cary Winch sold his company (whew…😅).
To be honest I believe what Cary and Craig has done in the industry has set the bar. Although they set it years ago, people were willing to ignore the bar and make inferior trailers for years. Meaning inferior to a Camp-Inn. But I believe the narrative is changing quite a bit in the small camper industry. And people are becoming more aware of the build processes. Trailers like Dennis’ and Cary and Craig’s will be setting a new standard. With the rise of composite trailers and aluminum framed trailers I think haphazard traditional teardrop construction will struggle to last. Hence to survive in the industry with a classic teardrop I believe manufacturers will need to reach the bar set by Camp-Inn, High Camp, and Vistabule. The only alternative would be to offer their trailers at an incredibly discounted rate. I may be wrong with this prediction, but I have a feeling there may be some truth in it. As for “new standard” in the title, although designed for this trailer and video, it was more aimed towards trailers that are built for longevity. Take the formed plywood on the roof for example, in this video. These are the build processes that are going to keep companies in business for years to come. I’m excited to highlight Camp-Inn soon. We made a number of videos with owners, the Camp-Out, and within the facility. You have a really special trailer by the way!
I'm building my own and saving a ton of money! Plus it's exactly what I want. Anyone with some basic skills can do this.
Just moved to the Portland area and my family is in the market. Might have to stop by the shop sometime soon!
Reconnect with nature in these teardrop caravans. Wake up to the serenity of the great outdoors in the most picturesque locations. It's a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Australia.
Hi Drew......That is a nice camper & I like some of the features. I would however recommend that you take a look at the company Teardrops NW out of Salem Oregon. We bought one in 2021 and have been really happy with it. They have heavy duty off road models(we love our Ranger) and they have less heavy duty ones too
Very nice. I wish they’d make a 24’ trailer with a queen bed, bathroom and dinette.
hmm...I have really been centered on the Timberleaf Pika,,,,but this one might have slid into my number one spot!! Bang for the buck being a big factor. Your 3 improvements would not really effect my situation, but I absolutely am cataloging them in my mental list. Great channel!!!! I LOVE your reviews and knowledge
Love hearing this! One of my favorite things about making these videos is helping people discover new trailers. I see why you have your eye on the Timberleaf as well. And like I mentioned the 3 negatives probably won't apply to a lot of people. If I am being honest, even when my family started teardrop camping this would have been more than enough for the first 3 years. Back then the teardrop was basically a way to hold our backpacking gear, so we didn't require much in terms of storage. And at that time we hadn't been spoiled by a big galley. So we didn't mind cooking in the elements. It was no different than how we were camping before. But now I am a bit spoiled and it would be a bit hard to go back to that style. Haha.
@@PlayingwithSticks yep!! My first one is mostly to encourage my wife to get out in the wilderness some more. she likes being out there, but hates the tent. I grew up a backwoods/bikepacker/minimalist camper so I am used to the "rough" but we are in our 50's now, and some times a night on the forest floor makes for weeks of back issues. This trailer would definitely fit the bill for both of us. And if I want to camp, I can just pitch the Tarptent right outside the door! and I am starting to make some plans to possibly go out there and see them first hand.
Ugh... I can't stop thinking about this trailer. It's an artistic mastepiece. Rolls Royce quality indeed.
I'm with you! Only thing holding me back is size (if it were a 5x10 vs 5x8 ...) and if galley design could handle more than the tiniest of fridge/coolers. But glorious design and craftsmanship at a great price.
@@deanlockwood2124 I get it but the reason why people gravitate towards teardrops is for their small size. From there it's... bigger, bigger, and bigger, more and more and more. Reminds me of when I would go to the beach growing up. I'd bring a beach towel and a bottle of water and that's it. Surrounding me were people with radios, tents, coolers, and little red wagons filled with stuff. So what, I couldn't eat for 6 hours. It's not going to kill me plus I was one with the sand, sun, water, and wind. What do we really need? I bet with careful planning it would be easy and freeing for two people to live comfortably in the High Camp for a week. People just have too much stuff... and did I mention the stuff? Campgrounds are hideous, plastic tarps flapping in the wind. Crap everywhere. Might as well stay home, order Domino's, and watch Naked & Afraid reruns.
I started the buying process in the fall of '23, and my trailer is 95% complete. I bought the trailer solely based on this video and conversations with Dennis, the owner. I visited the shop in Portland, OR this past week, and it was a great experience. I am from MA/East Coast so the trip was very worth it. The quality of the build is unmatched. Trust me.
@@555exh Wow, your decision takes conviction but I'm sure it will be worth it. I would love to see it someday. We have so much wet and cold up here. I hope your trailer will last for 50 years. Mass is closer than Oregon. Good luck !!!
Мужчина достоин уважения. Респект
Small but important, it doesn't have any USB outlets, you have to carry 12 adapters. I agree about the hatch cover, and he could actually incorporate a fold out cover from the hatch easily. I have a Winnebago Micro Minnie and if younger I would build a taller teardrop hybrid between this camper and my Micro Minnie. I originally towed my Minnie with a Honda Ridgeline but it was too small so had to upgrade to a full size pickup. My hybrid would be towable with a Ridgeline or SUV.
very nice trailer pal and yes I only have a three quarter hatch over my little guys tear drop and it can be a bit of a pain but it is what it is I use a dune rv shade tent over mine I love my little camper keep the vlogs coming buddy cya next one
I always feel bad with these comments. Because at some point I will say something negative about everyone's trailer. But in reality they are all minor. And this is camping right? If I melted in the rain or sun I would stay at home. Haha. These are all nice features to have, but that doesn't necessarily mean we NEED them. Thank you for sharing about the Dune RV shade tent. That is a new one to me. We made a video this summer (not published yet) and I tried out about 6 or 7 similar SUV hatch tents. I wish I knew about the Dune when I made that video.
@@PlayingwithSticks mate no need to feel bad everyone has there likes we have a lot in our group with full tailgates and a lot with out like mine so no worries mate cheers Alan
Awesome
very nice!!!!
We have those propane tanks in the UK. They are not sold everywhere, however they are so light and last ages that this isn't a problem
That is so neat to hear. I honestly didn't even know they existed until recently. I heard over here in the States they are popular with the boating industry. Over there are they used more for caravans?
@Playing with Sticks weirdly not yet, this is the first time I have seen them in a caravan. Though when I get my first, I will use these bottles :)
Awesome review, that's a great looking trailer. Especially at that weight and price point. Sadly it's still too heavy for my little Subaru Crosstrek. I'd love to see a review of the Chesapeake Lightcraft Camper (aka CLC Camper). That's the one I'm looking at building (it can also be purchased fully assembled) because it weighs only 550lbs for a 5x8 teardrop! They actually show it on their website being towed by cars like a Mini Cooper and Honda Fit.
Lovely teardrop, but I’m not quite sold. I figure my priorities are an outdoor shower & awning. And, unlike most, I really prefer a smaller bed.
Thanks for sharing. Do you prefer the smaller bed so you can have more area to move around the cabin without stepping on the bed?
Dang that cooktop.....and the build quality/craftsmanship!! Gorgeous wood teardrop.....with some usual teardrop shortcomings. Just bought some water jugs but wished I'd seen those Dometic cans first, they looks pretty nice. The more of your videos I watch Drew the more I realize how knowledgeable you are on the topic! We'll see if you can pick out the easter egg here :).
I actually picked up the Dometic Jugs last year as well. The are literally built to be ran over by a tank. The only downfall with the jerry cans is that when empty they still weigh quite a bit. But other than that they are far superior to anything else I have used. I like that they are a bit smaller at 11liters. It is just the right amount of weight to easily haul around camp. The fabric handles are a nice addition as well. And the spout pours really nicely. I can aim into the tiniest bottle neck from feet above and never miss. Now the GO faucet we are still on the fence about. We aren't sure if we got a bad model or what. But anytime there is water on the touch sensor we have trouble turning it on and off. It was really a pain to use. And we used it two months straight! I have never been good at finding Easter eggs. Was it my "the more I see the less I realize I know" comment? I can be pretty dense sometimes on picking up on people's wittiness. Haha.
@@PlayingwithSticks Nope you missed it...guess you'll have to wait for more eggs...lol. Let us see tho if I can confuse a bit more...31 gals H2O tank on my trailer and I'm buying water jugs?
@@BirdPhish That is so funny! I actuallly saw the Easter egg last week or earlier this week. And I didn't 'even make the connection. I said to myself that looks like a truck camper? But, he must just be playing with fun designs. I told you I was dense. You have to tell me more!
@@PlayingwithSticks OK... you guessed it...on our way to pick it up next week....more to come soon :)
@@BirdPhish Okay, you have caught my attention now. I have a number of companies in my head that I think you may have gone with. a number of folks are enterinig this niche lately. I have pretty much lost track. I can't wait to see it!
Very nice. So, I actually have a full blown bumper pull toy hauler and heavy duty truck. But I love everything RV related. I've known about your channel for a while but now I'm in big trouble. Bought a Jeep for a daily driver and, well, it's gonna happen... But definitely one of the more super lightweight - low profile. That Road Toad is pretty close but I worry about the axle not holding up on that one. This one is nice but it would boil down to how proud they are of it. Very nice though. And that would match my Jeep paint also.
You sound like us. Well we may not have the toy hauler but we have always had two trailers in the yard. There is always a 13' travel trailer and a teardrop on hand for when needed. We haven't found a trailer that does it all. So it is nice to have one for both styles of trips. A Jeep and a teardrop are like a man and his dog. I love that combination as well. I just wrote the following paragraph to someone else in the community, but I thought it would be good to share with you as well. Most of the heavier trailers really cause negative impacts. But a lot of it doesn't necessarily come down to the weight, but more often the heavier trailers means more frontal area and often a greater drag coefficient. So although a trailer like this at 1,650lbs sounds heavy I find they often tow like a 1,000lb trailer due to their smaller size. BUT you put on a rooftop tent and now it performs just as poorly as many of the bigger trailers. Some day I am going to have to make a video about this. I have always been surprised how Camp-Inn owners tow their trailers so easily with smaller vehicles. And that is where I have come to realize weight isn't nearly as important as drag. I say all this Carl, just to say I am finding more and more that these smaller 4x8s and 5x8s pull really well even when a tad on the heavy side. But these larger offroad style teardrops at the same weight really struggle with gas mileage, towing power, etc. For 99% of people I would say trust the Road Toad. It would be able to get where most people go and would hold up to the challenge. But with a Jeep owner I would hate to limit you by your tow vehicle. If you use the Jeep for what it was actually created for you might want to go with something a little beefier. But I still have a feeling the Road Toad would hold up to most areas you throw at it.
Thanks so much for the detailed reply. I think you’re absolutely right about drag coefficient and I would think those that are shorter height-wise would do much better, regardless of weight. For context all engines, including the 392 and diesel all Wranglers have the same tow rating and that’s 100% due to Jeep’ suspension and payload. I bet sway gets a little wild also with such a short wheelbase. This is all about wind and drag. Anyway, thanks for the insight. Keep finding these awesome little trailers for us!! Thanks again!
@@carltuckerson7718 You are most welcome. People think I am crazy when I say this (and wrong) but I have NEVER experienced sway in a teardrop. I have experienced it in almost every other trailer when improperly weighted. But regarding a teardrop, even with poorly distributed weight I have not come across sway YET. And my theory is that this is because the rear axles are placed so much further back than any other style of trailer. And this happens obviously because of the heavier galley portion of the teardrop.
This looks like an extremely well manufactured, well optioned trailer for an incredible price. My home built teardrop wasn't far off from the base price of this model. Though I do agree with Drew 100% on the full galley hatch. In my opinion, the under counter drawers and slide outs are far superior to the top loading cabinetry in these 3/4" hatch models. I put some top loading storage in a cargo trailer conversion that I built and it was one of my biggest regrets. It doesn't seem like it would be a pain at first, but when you are limited on space and you have to continually move items off the counter to access the storage, it quickly becomes annoying. That said, this looks like a real competitor to the Vistabule and Camp Inn trailers.
Yes, building your own trailer in 2023 can get out of hand price wise. It is crazy how much materials have went up in price. Good point on the continually moving items part. I didn't even consider that when I was thinking about the cons.
I looked at the fiberglass propane tanks for our trailer as i love the concept. I remember them being over $200 each, but my bigger concern was if all shops would actually fill them. Also eliminated the quick and easy swap option which is super convenient on the road.
Good point. I had wondered the same thing. I think they are designed to be filled in the same way correct? But that doesn't mean your local propane filler will be comfortable filling it for you. And yes, no easy swap there.
There should be some sort of government sticker on them indicating that they comply with standards, no? That might put the filler's mind at ease
You're right about swap out. You wouldn't just be able to go to Walmart or Ace Hardware and trade it out!
@@JackFalltrades I would say I would test it out for all of you this summer. But we are going with the smaller 5lb cylinders this summer. They are the only one's that will fit in our concealed spot for this new trailer. It is a really neat design idea that Charles has. I am excited for you to see it.
@@PlayingwithSticks Great! 😊
Awesome video friend 👍👍👍👍
Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoyed it.
They have the side tents for the galley which is good. But they should also design a clamshell 'extender tab' to keep the weather off the person cooking. It would be a good money maker for them and very, very useful to the buyer.
That is a fun idea. Thanks for the feedback. I know Dennis will appreciate it.
Looks like a well built, well thought out teardrop. Your complaints about space is warranted as you have kids and require more storage space, but for a couple, the size is fine.
This is an amazing design! What's your current favorite teardrop I wonder?
Very nice trailer. I couldn't agree more about the hatch. It's a beautiful trailer. One more thing though. The propane connector under the trailer. Never liked the idea of road debris possibly hitting it or the grime.
I love your take on this. I find the overland community within the Playing with Sticks community has really brought new attention to hanging items. 5-10 years ago people didn't seem to be concerned with this as much. Now people's eyes are trained to see exposed materials or accesories that will either cause hangups on the trail/road or may lead to failures over time. To be honest I didn't even notice it. My eyes still have some training ahead. I think I was paying more attention to the Propex exhaust beings that is the next step for our trailer.
You will definitely love having a heater. I rarely run mine at night because it's a little loud. The 15 minutes before I go to bed and boom! It is nice and toasty when I climb in.
We had one in the Scamp and got spoiled. Since then we have always wanted a heater. That heater clicked on and off through the night. A lot of people comment that it negatively impacted their sleep. Which makes sense. As for the noise the same is said about that as well. For May and I, we tend to like white noise. So the Maxxfan on low or the heater is always a welcoming sound.
I love your videos! Thanks for providing such a great information source for people interested in teardrops. 🙌 I'm wondering if you've ever or if you would do a discussion/walkthrough of Wander Tears? They provide an in-between option for those who want to build but don't have all the tools. I'm really considering buying but haven't seen any info on them other than from the actual company.
You’re right, amazing build quality! This trailer is a tank. Fit for the heart a grizzly territory! Even a raging rock throwing Sasquatch would have a hard time of it. ( and yes… I’ve been watching waaay too many Nat’l Park Ranger monster stories on CZcams)😂
This trailer takes those overland square drop trailers to task. There is absolutely NOWAY I could build something even close to this on my own. If I could, I’d combine this with the Vistabule and CampInn 550 with the price of the Bend Teardrop trailer.
Bottom line, I need to go down to Portland and check this out for myself.
Then test it out for myself ( which is what I keep tell other people to do). We’ll, I know what I’m doing next weekend😉
Sasquatch rocked our trailer then lifted it on the back end and dropped it. Yes we were inside sleeping at 1am.
Once you meet Dennis I think you will have a hard time walking away from this trailer. Him and his crew are the embodiment of what most of us want in our teardrop manufacturer. I forgot to mention this in the video, they work on every trailer one by one. It doesn't sound efficient, but they believe they can build them justwan as fast as anyone else (and they can I've seen it). But this also allows them to have the best fit and finish in the industry. All hands working together to create that perfect custom trailer. These aren't just laborers, these are skilled craftsman. And wait until you hear the collective knowledge. It is quite impressive. And they are just good folks. So yeah, good luck! Haha. You are going to need it if you don't want to be walking out with a teardrop order.
@@xavierminchello8431 😳😱noooooo way! I bet you never stayed another night there!
Granted, that occurrence is like being hit by lighting… it’s rare but it makes you leery of thunder storms.
I’m looking forward to meeting their crew.
Thanks so much for posting all the trailer walk throughs, that was a big help.
Bottom line, I have to see, touch and crawl inside the trailer and then ask lots of questions. Here again, I give you a huge “THANK YOU” for educating your community on what to look for in a quality trailer. This channel has been invaluable (as well as the other teardrop channels you’ve suggested).
For right now our SylvanGo does the trick. I’ve managed to stuff four soft roof top cargo carriers ( 1-car top, 1- trailer top and 2- in the trailer) with every camping gear imaginable 😳. So every time you say the word, “minimalist” I burst into laughter!😆
I would love to see you try and review a TAXA Tiger Moth trailer.
Thanks for the vid! I wish that more tear drop trailers would come with the dual fiberglass propane tanks like this one has. Also I would be a fan of having a place to plug in a Bluetti, Jackery or the like as the power center for these trailers instead of the built in one. I would like this because if storing it for awhile you can easily just unplug the power station and keep it inside and charged up for the next camp adventure or could have a second power station as a backup in case the other one fails or runs out of power. I like the inside of this tear drop and it has a very premium look to it!
Adding the ability to augment the trailer with an external power solar generator like Jackery, Bluetti or Anker would be amazing!
BRAD!!!!! Thank you so much for being our big support. Some day I will have to put text on the video saying "This video is made possible by Brad!" Haha. I have a feeling after this video is seen by the community many of us will be running out and picking up a fiberglass propane tank. That is what I love about these walkthroughs. There is always something new to be discovered. Good point on externally powering these teardrops. I think it is a great route to go. And a good way to save costs. One battery to do it all. Power the trailer and chase the sun. And I agree this is by far one of the most beautiful trailers I have seen.
I second that!
@@PlayingwithSticks I love the dramatic acting clip you threw into this! I kept thinking you were going to start yelling “Stella! Stella”
@@jgrant4520 Is this a Marlon Brando reference? I love it!
I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU R REVIEW
Glad to see you on here.
I fell in love with this teardrop when I saw it featured on camp and camera. In my opinion this is the best looking teardrop out there. Because I’m currently a tent camper The Electric cooler means nothing to me, i’m used to a regular ice cooler. So my solution to the galley would be to take out the cooler and add three pull out shelves like vistabule has. That coolers outside dimensions are something like 24 1/2 x 21“ having three pull out shelves that size would be more than enough cabinet space for me. Dennis wouldn’t have to change any major construction. I’ll put my cooler on a stand outside, no big deal. Not to mention having a queen size bed over a full-size bed.
I like your creative solution! And I agree, it is an incredible little camper!
I also would feel more comfortable having my teardrop built in a smaller shop. Being built by skilled workers. Not an assembly line. I also love love love that inside tongue box. It seems like only a few companies make them now.
Hi Reinhardtkids1. Believe it or not, we have an alternative galley layout prototyped just like this that we will be introducing this Spring. It removes the frig from the galley, widens the cupboard on the right into a 2-door cupboard and adds 3 drawers in between the cupboards for utensils and other drawer-friendly items! Feel free to email me and I can send you some sneak peak shop photos of the prototype layout!
@@greasywheats not sure if you got my reply I also emailed you on your website.
I’m interested in seeing some sneak pictures of the new design. I’m doing research on teardrops and I’m really leaning towards yours for so many reasons. I hope you never get rid of the inside tongue box there are so few that offer it and that’s another feature that made me fall in love with this trailer.
Impressed by the quality and attention to details. I feel confident that this teardrop will last a long time. I do have one question though. And it's more of a concern because of my height (5'08"). How easy would it be for me to grab food in the fridge? Most other brands the fridge is on a tray that when extended is kind of between the knees and the waist. It makes it very easy to grab what you want. This one the fridge is much higher and the tray doesn't extend outside the galley (like the stove). So, my fear is that I'd need a step to pick and choose what I want. Maybe someone here who has one could answer? I'm from Western Canada (French), and it's a 15 hour drive to their shop. So, as much as I'd like to see it in person, it would get too expensive. Thank you in advance.
Hi Raoul, If you shoot me a quick email through the website, I actually have a few pictures f one of our employees who happens to be 5'8" (on a good day) accessing the fridge on the slideouts. It's much more accessible that you'd think.
I thought the trailer looked good. The price wasn’t too bad. I liked the fact that there wasn’t any hard mount water tanks. Did the 12v fridge pull out? I could see where it would be a pain to get stuff out if it didn’t. It looked like it could. Maybe I missed it on the video. Those propane tanks were cool. A whole lot of propane for that little camper. I like that they are taking steps to mitigate water intrusion; but, with any wood teardrop, you have to be concerned about potential rot. We like our Maxair fan like in this teardrop. The only negative is when the fan is running or you open it with the remote, the lid/top is either all the way open or all the way closed. It would be good to run the fan at 10% and have the lid minimally open. Definitely would help on those cold nights which condensation and you don’t want the fan lid/too all the way open.
Hi Garret. Sorry, I should have had the fridge pull out. Yes, it does. But at the same time it is mounted high. I'm glad you mentioned the fridge because I'm able to mention how when your fridge is high you are essentially reaching in blindly. I find a fridge down low allows you to see to the bottom of the container. Which obviously means less shuffling around of items. And yes, even when your trailer is well built you are always going to have rot in the back of your mind. That is just the way it is unfortunately. I am an overthinker and so when I stumbled on my first Scamp I knew composite was for me. It wasn't that my teardrop was rotting, but I just couldn't shake the fact that it potentially could. Every storm, every outdoor winter storage period I needlesly worried. Because I knew there was a weak point that at some point could become vulnerable. Now with all that said, if you aren't crazy like me. And you don't stress over things until they actually happen....A little inspection of the trailer before taking it out and when returning it should be enough to ensure they last a lifetime and no rot ever pokes it's uglyl little head out. I am glad you pointed out the issue with the MaxxFan. Can you manually open it to be partially opened?
@@PlayingwithSticks Yes, you can manually open the Maxair fan with the black crank wheel you see turning when he opens the vent. So, without the fan running you can manually open the vent partially. Using the power open/close and/or running the fan is all the way open or all the way closed.
@@garretlewis4103 Thank you for clarifying. I didn't realize that.
That’s a gorgeous teardrop. At this price point it should be a serious player in the mix of Bean, Timberleaf, and Colorado teardrops. Escapod has priced themselves out of this group. Like you, I prefer the full hatch. I got a teardrop because I wanted to stop setting up tents and needing to haul a bunch of extra gear. I can still make a meal in the rain with my Bean.
Yes agreed! I have them right up there with Vistabule and Camp-Inn. I consider this a league of their own (craftsman). I have moved Aero Teardrops into Escapod's old position (best all around traditional teardrop). Not necessarily the best teardrop, but the teardrop that I think is the most well rounded. I think Escapod had a great little tradtional/overland trailer before they discontinued it. And like you I think trailers like the Bean are just what we need. We still want to be outdoors. A little rain splash here and there isn't going to melt us. Yet we want a bit of quick/partial coverage from the elements.
@@PlayingwithSticks I’m probably going to get to appreciate that cover on my trip next week. Some Rain forecast for three of the four days. Florida.
@@CinkSVideo Florida, now that sounds fun. I am itching for some camping as well. I would love to try out Florida with the family.
@@PlayingwithSticks it’s a winter months camping season. Let me know if you come I will give you some spots to check out.
@@PlayingwithSticks I love your “well rounded” comment about Aero Teardrops. We went with Aero TD because it best fit our wants/needs as a small family of 4. I don’t think we’ll see the “best teardrop” until we see your finished custom project. Hope it’s going well can’t wait to see more content on that effort!
Very well made. Finely engineered. However, I prefer storage over aesthetics, too.
Always curious since you mentioned it (I don’t know a year ago?), what about a pass-through into the cabin? Is that fairly rare?
Good question Zack. Suprisingly pass-throughs are pretty rare on teardrop trailers. We made sure to add one on our new custom build that we are working on. The Vistabule that I mentioned at the beginninig of the video has one. And there's is unique because the entire galley isn't passthrough, it is just one section of the galley.
I'm impressed with most of it. I like squared-off fenders to set stuff on. I like the sliding windows. I do like as much storage as possible. If I did not have a dog, I could use a smaller bed, but dogs rule. My teardrop does not have a fridge, cooler is on the front. I wish I had a propane heater. I do not need a three burner stove. I think I like more storage in the galley. Mine is a messy set up in the galley, but it works. In the cabin, I'm wondering if it is ok to sit up and lean back on the cabinets because I read at night. My hatch isn't long enough to stay out of the rain either, I wish it was.
Our galley storage with our original 4x8 was pretty messy as well. But it worked! Good point on the fenders. Do you use a side entry tent with your dog? How do you mitigate dirt in and out of the teardrop? I have many people ask this question.
I do not use a side entry tent. I have a Clam Traveler which usually is not that close. My Norwegian Elkhound can drag in a lot of dirt. He does not care--go figure. I can put down a 5x7 mat which is a bit useless. Since it is an off-road and a bit higher, I have a non-tipping stool and a rug thing over it that catches some dirt on his way in. But inside, I have a cloth shower curtain on his side, so I can shake it out and wash it upon getting home. But a dog with double coat is hairy and dirty, and I just put up with it. Since he takes his half out of the middle and moves around a lot, the shower curtain does not stay put. Under that, there is a large microfiber dog rug (they come in many sizes), so if his feet are wet, the microfiber soaks it up. My problem is that he drags the dirt across my side of the bed to get to his side. Oh well.
@@WildcatPhoto I love your honesty here. And I appreciate how you make it work. Many people ask this question, but most people seem to be afraid to answer it. I think you are the first person to actually give an answer about this subject.
The camp inn is just a little more practical for me
This look very cool and very affordable, however, Drew, Didn't you (sometime in the past), say that getting a plywood teardrop wrapped in something else does several things: Adds a ton of weight and eventually will suffer from water damage? I noted the ways they are trying to not allow water to seep into the ply and at ~1700lbs they are obviously using an aluminum frame to cut the weight. As for me, I am still only looking at trailers like BEAN and Escapod, who have fully sealed fiberglass exteriors which should last forever and composite cores for better insulation.
I'm glad you caught that in past videos. I was referring to the undercarriage of the trailer. Builders who have been doing this for a decade or two know that it is a big NO NO. So for example with this trailer because Dennnis has been doing this for a while he has his own way of protecting the belly of the trailer, while preventing water from sitting down there. Here is what he does. Regarding the floor- it is a single 5' x 8' sheet of 3/4" hardwood-core plywood with exterior grade glue. They actually ship units of this plywood up from San Diego as this is the closest distributor that sources this high-quality plywood. There are no scarf joints or seams in the floor and the plies have as near to zero voids as I have ever seen. The bottom of the floor is coated in 3 coats of "Battleship Gray" Dock paint with an added fungicide to avoid mold or mildew under the trailer even if it is stored outside during the off season. The top/inside is coated with a zero VOC, UV-cured clear coat finish. You do not want to have any type of covering material (like this- interstatervmetalandsupply.com/collections/under-belly-materials-blue-board-insulation/products/darco-skin) or belly pan over the floor since water or moisture can get trapped in between the floor and belly pan/material and cause mold/mildew and rot. An open floor is the best to allow road spray and any moisture to drip off and air dry. The Dock paint holds up indefinitely since it is not exposed to UV rays and is actually relatively well protected. Also should an area be scraped or damaged, spot applying is a snap since everything is open underneath. Does Dennis get it or what?!!! As for your Bean and Escapod statement, it is hard to ignore. We can spend all day saying how a traditional teardrop is built to protect itself from the elements and road conditions. But at the end fo the day they still have a similar half life to any other traditional trailer. Basically that is 5 years due to the high and low frequence vibrations and lifespan of materials. At about five years you have to do some minor maintenance (seals, assessing connecting points, etc). Now with an overbuilt trailer like this video you could maybe double this lifespan, but I still think at five years and good use you will start to see some wear and tear. Where a non-traditional composite trailer has a much better chance of exceeding this 5 year mainteanance deadline. With a traditional trailer and proper maintenance it will last just as long as a composite trailer. BUT a composite trailer could last the life of it's owner with very little maintenance.
@@PlayingwithSticks best answer to a CZcams question I have ever seen. Thank you. (Still going to get an Escapod though 😀)
@@GalendilEVEPlayer I completely get that. They make a great trailer! I love how Jen and Chris are just pushing the industry to evolve.
Do you have a website that breaks all of the different trailers down?
Question: Fridge in the galley. I had issues with mine running all the time due to the warm compressor exhausting its heat & no ventilation.
I can't be alone on this issue. I moved my Fridge to the tow vehicle ... problem solved.
Thoughts?
That is a really good point you have here. I think there must be a lot of factors at play. Type of compressor Dan Foss vs. Samsung vs. no-name compressor heat output. Insulated vs. uninsulated trailer. Air volume of galley and movement of air. Using the insulated sleave vs leaving it off. I say all this because our biggest shock in the last two years has been the efficiency of our Iceco JP40 in the back of the Bean trailer. We parked it in the sun most the summer and that fridge just sipped the battery. Every time I opened up the hatch I rarely heard the compressor on. WHY??? I wish I knew. Because in other scenarios with fridges I have heard the compressor on all day long. But what you are saying definitely makes sense. In theory that galley could easily become a hot box from the exhaust of the fridge. I hope others chime in about this. I would be very interedsted to hear their thoughts.
With the standard roof rack you can add additional storage.
Yes! Great idea.
Bruder has to be the benchmark for teardrop trailers
You are right in terms of top of the line squaredrops its leading the way. But, if we are being technical a Bruder wouldn’t fall into the category of teardrop. Sounds like semantics, but for us trailer nerds, there are some major differences there.
What type of cars can pull it?
Available in Canada, Northern Alberta?
Why did u not get a notification???? Oh well excited to see this video!
I'm just glad to see you made it! I was just watching an Expo video and saw you in the comments. I find it so fun when I run across friends on other channels.
@Playing with Sticks glad to be here and yup im creeping along here and there! Lol blessings to you and your family!
Nice production. One problem was your idea of 'ergonomically sound' storage. Standing close to the item you are lifting and doing that lift in a down-to-up movement without the need to extend your arms or forearms is much safer than a low, pull-out drawer in which you have to reach for items. Any reaching while lifting places an inordinate amount of stress on the girdle - shoulder or pelvic - regions. Of course, such soundness depends on (1) the lifter's health; (2) the starting body position; (3) the weight of the item; (4) the angle of lift; (5) ..... and so on.
Very good point you have here Brian. You are making me aware I should’ve chosen a different word. I’m realizing ergonomically wasn’t what I was trying to convey. I see how it came across as body mechanics. I think the correct term would’ve been usability. There’s a number of factors that go into this. Number one with a three-quarter hatch all the mud and dirt that gets thrown up on the road will be on the back quarter of the rear end. When reaching into a space like that, you’re going to end up brushing up against the dirt. Second, items will be stacked on top of each other, and you will not be able to see items on the bottom. And then third, just the quick access I think does have to do a little bit with body mechanics. Basically reaching down into a hole versus quickly sliding something out. But you’re right squatting down to reach Forward and pull something does have it’s risks. It makes the use of slide outs. Make a little more sense. Thanks for correcting me on this Brian.
I didn't see the tent as advertised my friend' did u forget. anyhoo all good.
I try to have base models shown in the videos. That isn’t always possible. Yes, I forgot to show the option of the tent. Sorry about that. Sometimes I forget things in the edit.
Another great tour. This teardrop looks awesome. I feel like saying the propane heater being the only option on the one shown seems misleading. Looking at their website it looks like the roof rack, the cargo box, and the fiberglass propane tanks all cost extra. Just thought it was worth mentioning. Still seems great for the price just not as all inclusive as presented.
Good morning, Chad. I thought I'd shoulder some of the load for Drew and help answer some of the questions/concerns, particularly about the pricing change. Some background on this… Drew shot the footage for this video in mid-August 2022 when he was traveling around Oregon visiting several manufacturers.
In March 2022, we had decided as a Company to try and "break from the herd" on our pricing model. Historically, we priced our trailers somewhat like other builders- offering a “Base” trailer and then having customers “build up” their trailer from a list of additional Options and Accessories. We always prided ourselves on having a comparatively fully-loaded Base trailer to start with and relatively few add-ons, but took the big jump in March ’22 of rolling the majority of our previous Options (roof rack, aluminum storage box, composite propane tanks, rear receiver, larger 170 AH battery, etc) into the base price ($24,850 in March) leaving only a couple features as Options (the cabin heater being one). We felt this would be less hassle and more transparent for both our customers and ourselves having seen that 9 out of 10 of our customers selected most of these Options eventually anyway. It was a genuine attempt to make buying the trailer simpler for our customers (we heard lots of complaints about the confusion and added cost going through the dozens of Options of other builders) and streamline our own processes by knowing exactly what equipment would be on each trailer rather than each one sporting a different mix of equipment.
After 6 or 8 months of feedback from prospective customers and others in the trailer market, it became clear that people had become so accustomed to the “build-up” pricing method, that at first glance of our pricing, many people assumed they would be adding $5,000+ in Options as well and simply clicked away. Some other customers indicated there were features that they didn’t necessarily want or need and asked for credits for those things. We finally decided that our simpler pricing model simply wasn’t landing the way we had hoped with our customers.
As a result, we decided that for new orders in 2023 we would go back to a traditional “a la carte” pricing model, reducing the Base price from $24,850 to $19,950 and shifting several of the features back onto the Options/Accessories list to enable customers to build their trailers to suit their needs and budgets.
I know this is a lot of information, but I wanted to help clarify why my comment in the video that “all those things were included in the Base price” does not correspond to our current published pricing. I hope it is clear that there was no intention to be misleading. In fact, taken as a whole, our pricing has actually come down across the board since early 2022 as we have continued to become more efficient manufacturers and more innovative in our processes - an unexpected positive outcome of being forced to optimize every business practice in the face of the myriad challenges of a Covid-19 pandemic!
Best -Dennis
Sorry Chad part on the pricing was a mistake on my end. I wanted to quickly let you know that. It is almost 3 in the morning where I’m at, but I promise when I wake up in the morning, I will explain it better. Definitely not a Dennis issue, a 100% a Drew issue.
@@greasywheats Thank you for the explanation. That makes a whole lot more sense.
@@PlayingwithSticks No worries Drew. I figured there must be some sort of confusion but seemed like the sort of thing everyone would want called out.
The whole tent thing on top with the hokey ladder im not hip
How much it will cost a beauty like this..? IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL 😍
The cost is in the video. Unfortunately I can't remember it off the top of my head.
Beautiful but the cook top needs wind and spatter guards on both sides!!!
Great review as always Drew! For my taste I like the clearance for light off roading. I also like the Timbren suspension. While better/less bouncy options are available Timbren is a good midland choice. I like the large battery included on the trailer but I didn't get a good sense of the electrical capability. I only say 1 120v outlet and he said it only worked while plugged into shore power? I didn't see any outlets on the interior. With a 170ah battery there should be a lot of opportunity to plug in whatever gadgets you bring along. While I appreciate the wood craftsmanship I still prefer composite materials and lastly...that solar blanket guy...where'd you dig him up from?...LOL Overall a pretty cool trailer that will serve someone in various terrains and seems well built. Extra plug for the rear receiver hitch. Curious about the capacity and if it's a rated recovery point. Nice work Drew and impressive overall trailer design. BTW...I always smile when you get into the rear hatch coming over your head thing. If the weather is bad enough to matter I'm just not convinced it makes that much of a difference and it's probably a sandwich night anyway :)
Every time I mention the hatch for protection I always think of you. I say to myself when Pat hears this he’s going to roll his eyes. 😆 i’ve really been thinking of my narrative around this since you first mentioned it. I had to think about why I’ve never wanted an awning over my galley kitchen. You probably have noticed that many teardrops have little canvas sidewalls attached to the galley. I’ve often thought to myself why is that needed? And I guess the conclusion I have come to is that I don’t really notice the elements. I need a little bit of protection from them, but not 100%. When it’s windy or sunny or raining, May and I determined, we really don’t notice the little splashes of water that hits our leg or the little bit of water that gets on the edge of the galley. Compared to backpacking and car camping this is way more protection from the elements than we have ever had when cooking and prepping food. And as I mentioned to you before we are out there 2 to 3 straight months and I’ve never had the need for anything else. I even thought of you when I put the B roll in to show a proper sized hatch over my head.
I didn't know that about the Timbren being bouncy compared to other offroad suspension. And yes all that power for such a low draw trailer. That is a good point. Maybe like his propane setup he has designed this trailer to go, and go, and go. I had to throw the solar blanket guy in there. I even made a plug for your video in the description. It is one of my favorite videos. Good question on the recovery point. That is something I was just telling May last week that I need to pay attention to. Meaning, I need to ask that question more when I am on site. My friends and I love sandwich night! May, on the other hand, would never go for it. It is a real meal every night for her. 😆
@@PlayingwithSticks Maybe it's just that we've been lucky to avoid very much rain but it seems that it usually comes in from the side and the hatch only works when it's coming straight down. One idea that I thought would be potentially cool is some kind of side curtain that can be attached or raises with the hatch...kinda like the side wind blockers on the stove. I've never seen that done and it would help with the sideways blowing wind/rain.
@@PlayingwithSticks I have timbren on my utility trailer and without chocks it's still bouncy. Much better than leaf springs but still...on less than ideal roads it tends to bounce more than with something that uses shocks. I agree on the propane tanks...pretty cool and available regardless of what trailer you buy. I'm going to look into them for myself. I've wanted to increase my tank size but have been worried about weight.
Good idea. If you Google Vistabule Teardrop and look at the images you will see that trailer comes with the side walls you are talking about. There is also a guy who just made a diy set for his Bean trailer. If Charles moves forward wtih selling the style of trailer we are building for our familly he will probably add something like that. We have never had the need, but I have a feeling potential buyers will want it.
Bonjour,
Cette teardrop est juste incroyable 😍🤩😍
Dommage qu'elle ne soient pas commercialisable en France 🥲
I wonder if they could install a slide out portion in the rear door to extend the coverage when the door is open. As usual a well presented video
Yes, or a lip. I have seen this with Bend Teardops in Oregon. They have a little diamond plating lip that extendes from the end off the hatch. It gives just a bit more coverage, which for most situations would be all you need.
@@PlayingwithSticks a couple of feet would make a lot of difference
@@Alberthoward3right9up It really would. It doesn't take much. Even the Bend Teardrop version I think it is only probably 8-10" and that makes a difference.
Once again, fantastic choice of manufacturer to let us tour with you and solid tips on what to look for in a quality build. Maybe I missed it, but what was the price for this trailer? Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and asking the right questions.
The trailer was $19,950. But many of the typically components that are considered add-ons are part of the base price of this trailer. Glad you enjoyed the video. I had such a great time getting to know Dennis and his manufacturing process. One thing I forgot to mention in the video is that they build one trailer at a time. You would think this would slow them down. But they are putting out trailers as quick as the rest of the industry. Yet, they are able to maximize the fit and finish by having the entire team work on one consisant build. I really like that model.
@@PlayingwithSticks The craftsmanship was absolutely beautiful. Reminded me of some wooden boats, both sailing and ski boats, that I was around as a kid in Sweden many many decades ago. It for sure starts with sourcing quality wood. That price tag is stunningly low to me. Thanx for the reply. Your enthusiasm for sharing all things great and small regarding trailers is very much appreciated. It probably involves hours upon hours of work and time spent, but never comes across as such. Infact, it seems to be fueled by joy of this segment of trailers and how utilising them in the outdoors enriches what little time we have on this earth. Keep it up Sir.
@@Chubbydippin Thank you for the kind words. I would love to see a craftsman ski boat. Here in the States they are pretty sterile. Nothing like a sailboat here. Making this content is really fun for me. So it tends to make it much less effortless than most things I tackle. Like you said it comes from a place of joy and satisfaction. And a large desire to share what I have discovered with others. I feel like if it has made a large impact on my family, it probably will have the same impact on many others.
It has for me
Love this! Drew as always points out some great things
Thanks Kelby! I usually have a pretty decent understanding of what is out there in the market. But this was a sleeper trailer to me. I had no idea someone was making a trailer this nice. It was by accident I stumbled across it just looking to meet trailer folks in Oregon and Washington. Such a blessing to be able to meet Dennis and his team. It really is a top notch trailer.
This trailer looks to have a very long tongue on it. Seems like this would be a problem articulating up and over obstacles on rough roads or maybe even entering and exiting some driveways?
Nice teardrop, but I'm willing to bet most folks would pick a Vistabule!
Hi Drew. A few cool innovative features on this HighCamp trailer! I’m not in the market (I have a Rustic Trail Grizzly) but I wanted to draw your attention to a really cool teardrop feature I’ve never seen before. I was driving past an RV supercenter, north of Dallas and pulled in when I saw a teardrop shape I’ve never seen before. It turned out to be a company called Beway and they have a really interesting foldaway shower/changing room on the front of their teardrop. Curious to hear your thoughts on it. I bet you’ll flip out like I did! Would also love to hear your opinions on the Rustic Trail campers sometime!
Hi David. First lets start off with the Rustic Trails campers. We like them so much it is actually the only trailer May and I ever thought about paying full price for. We had it narrowed down to the Kodiak Stealth and the Grizzly Bear. Back then the prices were too good to be true. I mean insanely good. They have definitely went up quite a bit in the past couple of years. The only reason we haven't made a video about them is that they are just quite far across the country form anywhere we typically camp. And for the Beway you are absolutely right. When I first saw it my eyes popped. Not only with the fun shower design, but the trailer exterior actually looks very similar to what we hope our custom built teardrop trailer will turn out like. They are so close to what we are looking for in a shower enclosure. Someday I would love to see a shower like this that has access from the interior. We realize we want our shower closer to our trailer. But it would be great to be able to access it without having to leave the protection of the trailer and shower tent. This would be great in crowded camping areas or when the weather isn't as favorable. I'm so glad you shared this. I almost forgot about the Beway Camper.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks for the response Drew! Can't wait to see a walk-through of your finished custom trailer!
@@davidmcilvain3648 It keeps me up at night just thinking about it. I feel like a boy on Christmas Eve waiting for those presents the next morning. Haha.
😳🫣😆🎄🎁
Great video thanks. I've got one foot in the water on a teardrop so I think I'll start to check out your other walkthroughs. This one's beautifully built and finished and seems like a good price for the quality but maybe a little heavy and maybe a little too "nice". I have a Toyota Tacoma 4 cyl and would rather not have to upgrade for more power.
You said it well with the "maybe a little too nice" comment. That is how I feel about this trailer. I wouldn't almost feel guilty about using it because it is such a piece of art. Not saying it isn't functional. But, it would take me a while to break it in. It would be hard to put that first scratch in it. In terms of weight I am in agreement with you there as well. Having a bit of extra towing capacity is always nice to have. Basically creating a buffer for different loads and driving conditions. Someday I will make a weight video. Most of the heavier trailers really cause negative impacts. But a lot of it doesn't necessarily come down to the weight, but more often the heavier trailers means more frontal area and often a greater drag coefficient. So although a trailer like this at 1,650lbs sounds heavy I find they often tow like a 1,000lb trailer due to their smaller size. BUT you put on a rooftop tent and now it performs just as poorly as many of the bigger trailers. Some day I am going to have to make a video about this. I have always been surprised how Camp Inn owners tow their trailers so easily with smaller vehicles. And that is where I have come to realize weight isn't nearly as important as drag.
Check out Drew's walk through of the Bend teardrop. I put my down payment down on the 6x12, picking it up in July. A little more basic but I feel it is perfect. And the price is amazing.
@@PlayingwithSticks I know you are busy but I hope you can make a weight video some day. With the price of gas now it's no small thing to be pulling 2K around.
@@jenns7669 I'm still toying with the idea for this summer. A few stars will have to align to make it work. But if it does I think it will be a really special video.
@@ryanm.9533 My wife loves the Bend Teardrop and that is saying a lot. She is all about the cutesy factor typically. But she says that trailer in terms of functionality is what most users need.
This is a really nice tear drop but I’m with you Drew ,the 3/4 Galley hatch is a big drawback for me but aesthetically it’s a beautiful trailer.
I have some catching up to do with your channel. It looks like Bodhi is the new star! Just looking at your thumbnails has me so excited for the boys to get a bit older. We are so close to being able to do some multi-day father/son adventures away from the trailer.
@@PlayingwithSticks Bodhi is the star alright Drew, a cross between a Yellow Lab and a mischievous little Devil Dog hahhahaha.
Can’t wait to see you boys out adventuring.
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 Our oldest (East) from being born premature still has those allergies to dogs. We are going to have to get him on an allergy plan sooner than later so he can be around dogs. A boy without a dog doesn't sound right.
@@PlayingwithSticks sorry to hear about East’s allergies but you’re right, every boy should have a dog. Ever since we got Bodhi, we’re kinda rethinking the Teardrop idea. He’s a big pup and having him get into the trailer and right onto the bed doesn’t sound like a good idea. We’ll decide what route we’re gonna go once Karen retires in October.
@@bucktalesoutdoors7566 I find the side entry/teardrop combo to be probably the best trailer for folks with dogs. You can leave that door open the entire trip. He feels like he is inside with you and gets his own little den. No muddy paws, a nice area for the food and water and this space doubles as changing and potential showering for mom and dad.