Are Teardrop Trailers Worth It?

Thanks to their aerodynamic design and visual appeal, numerous mass-production RV manufacturers have borrowed the popular teardrop shape for much larger campers. However, classic teardrop trailers are still a popular, versatile option for all types of avid adventurers.

Take a look at the numerous features that make teardrop trailers a great choice for camping and find out for yourself if a teardrop trailer is right for you.

• Features of a Teardrop Trailer
• Pros of Owning a Teardrop Trailer
• Potential Downsides of Owning a Teardrop Trailer
• Is a Teardrop Trailer Right For You?

Teardrop trailers are an aesthetic way to travel and the small design makes them easy to manage and easy to pull. These trailers are compact RVs that typically don’t include indoor kitchens or bathrooms.

However most of them do include an outdoor kitchenette that can be accessed through the rear lift-up hatch. These have many customizable options to fit your outdoor cooking needs. The teardrop trailer camping community has also discovered many customizable options for bathroom solutions. Most interiors provide sleeping space for two adults and general storage, while some customizable designs, like a Vistabule, add the flexibility to convert the bed into a comfortable sofa.

Teardrop trailer camping is an exciting way to hit the road and enjoy the outdoors. There are so many features to be excited about but here are the best reasons to own a teardrop trailer:

Teardrops easily fit inside or next to your garage. Meaning you don’t have to fetch it from a storage facility before you take off for the weekend. Plus a teardrop trailer is already equipped with everything you need for a camping trip. Just add your trip specific items and you are ready for adventure.

Vistabule owners Karen and Brice can be ready for a camping trip at a moment’s notice: “We mobilize in about 10 minutes to leave the house and we unpack after a trip in about the same amount of time. It has completely changed the game for us…”

You don’t have to worry about setting up a tent or all the jacks, pop-outs, and hook-ups that come with a larger RV. You just roll into your campsite and unhitch.

Related Reading: Complete Beginners Guide to Teardrop Trailers

Teardrop campers are the perfect happy medium between a tent and a decked out RV. Instead of sleeping on the ground like you would in a tent, enjoy the luxury of a queen size mattress! Vistabule has a notorious cozy cabin to crash in come nightfall and our bed converts into a couch during the day.

The cabin windows make for the perfect late night stargazing views so you can enjoy the comforts of home without isolating yourself from the great outdoors.

In general, teardrop trailers measure either 4’ wide by 8’ long or 5’ wide by 10’ long and you can expect them to be about 4’ to 6’ in height.

Because of their compact size, you can expect to sleep up to two adults comfortably. This makes teardrops great for empty nesters, a couple with one small child, or a family whose children are self-sufficient enough to be trusted sleeping in a tent right outside.

One of the best parts of having a smaller camper is being able to hop off the grid and explore boondocking sites, or remote campsites. Unlike RVs, teardrops are also allowed at most tent sites!

One of the reasons teardrops are popular is that they’re lightweight. This translates into easier towing, more traveling opportunities, and there’s no need to upgrade to a gas-guzzling truck for more torque.

Teardrops typically weigh between 2,500-4,000lbs, which means as long as you have a hitch on your vehicle, you will be able to tow the majority of teardrop trailers with your average passenger vehicle.

Teardrop trailers range in price. In general, you can expect to pay $7,000 to $12,000 for a low-end camper and $23,000 and up for a higher-end option. Compared to an RV, which will also require a higher gas budget and more maintenance requirements, teardrops are an affordable and comfortable alternative.

For more information on how much teardrops cost, check out our Vistabule pricing options and our complete pricing guide.

Teardrops are known for their minimalistic design while providing just the right amenities to make the trip comfortable.

Because teardrop campers can be completely customizable you can put as much detail and amenities into it as you wish. Looking for something simple? Check out Vistabule’s base package.

If you want to lead a life traveling the open road with your tiny haul-able home in tow, a teardrop trailer is perfect for you. Whether you’re recently retired, love to camp, or are just looking for a change of scenery, teardrops can open up a whole new world of sightseeing.

Plus, with so many of us working from home these days, you have more flexibility to hit the road or use it as your private office parked in paradise.

A teardrop is a more practical alternative to “van culture”, where road warriors deck out a passenger van with a bed, small kitchen, or wash area. Unlike a van, a teardrop allows you to have a similar lifestyle while separating your living and driving space.

Teardrops are incredibly simple to disconnect from your vehicle, so you can leave your basecamp intact when you hike, ride, climb or paddle.

Within the teardrop trailer manufacturing industry, there are many small, independent engineers, like Vistabule, who can help you design the teardrop of your dreams.

This means that you get to decide how to outfit your teardrop based on the kinds of camping you plan on doing. Whether you’re traveling to developed campsites with electric, water hook-ups, and bathrooms or going off-grid, Vistabule can help.

You can include power systems, like solar and high-capacity lithium batteries, or kitchen amenities like a freshwater system or a propane cooktop to up your cooking game. Climate control options, like AC or propane heat, keep you comfortable. You can even add on accessories like awnings, shelters, or a portable bathroom.

Even though we personally love teardrop trailers, they’re not for everyone. Here are some things to consider:

Although some companies masquerade four-person trailers as teardrops, they are technically too big to be considered one, even if they’re the right shape.

Most families with children bring an extra tent to provide additional sleeping capacity. However, a family of four can comfortably sit inside together for a game of cards.

High-quality, reliable teardrop trailers usually have a large price tag, certainly compared to pitching a tent and roughing it. Additionally, many of the most expensive components on larger trailers also show up in teardrops.

However, they are still significantly cheaper than a big rig. It’s also important to remember that buying something that is made with quality translates into minimal depreciation and higher resale value-not to mention a longer lifespan for you and your family to enjoy.

Small on the outside doesn’t have to mean small on the inside. A convertible space for sitting and sleeping can be more comfortable and cozy feeling than even large campers. Easy to add options like awnings can create a wonderful space on the trailer’s exterior, giving you a flexible space to stay dry, provide shade, and even add holiday decorations.

But there’s no getting around the amount of actual square footage. If you want a camper with a full four-person table, two couches, or a 50″ flat screen to watch the big game, a teardrop trailer isn’t the right choice.

At Vistabule, we’ve done our best to use space efficiently, with under-bed storage compartments and headboard cabinets. But you aren’t able to pack more than you can fit in your vehicles.

That being said, Vistbule owners have come up with a lot of creative solutions for longer trips and extra gear. Trailer tongue boxes, like the one pictured below, bigger towing vehicles, car toppers, and roof racks all create more storage space.

Although this isn’t a major concern when visiting campgrounds with bathroom and shower facilities, it can become a concern when the elements are against you. Walking to the bathroom can be challenging in extreme temperatures, heavy rain and wine or when the biting insects are prevalent.

There are some workarounds. You can get portable toilet facilities, like a CleanWaste portable toilet, tiny pop-up shelters, and portable shower units. For the galley, add-ons like batwing shades can help shelter you from the elements.

Most of the time when cooking outside is part of the experience. With a Vistabule, you can side-step starting a campfire and go straight to the stovetop. With the convenient back galley kitchen, you’ll appreciate keeping the sautéed garlic and onions out of your living space.

If you’re looking to take a less-traveled path, a teardrop trailer will open up an entirely new world of travel opportunities.

Teardrop trailers are the ideal option for those who are looking for a way to travel in style and comfort, while also prioritizing convenience. With huge windows and a comfortable bed a teardrop camper lets you be comfortable while enjoying the view. Custom build your teardrop trailer with Vistabule.