5 Best Teardrop Trailers – A Buyer’s Guide

What is a Teardrop Trailer?

A teardrop camper trailer is a small, compact, travel trailer that is lightweight and has a design and shape resembling a teardrop.

Some manufacturers use their creativity when it comes to staying true to the teardrop design, but you can still see some similarities. 

Teardrop trailers are commonly defined by having space for two adults within the enclosed camper portion. 

In terms of amenities, most teardrops offer a kitchen at the rear of the unit which offers basic cooking services. We are not talking gourmet, but more than sufficient for a camping environment. 

Teardrop camper trailers have been around for almost 100 years, which is hard for some folks to believe. However, while the size and simple design has stayed true, there have been a lot of improvements thanks to advances in technology.

There is also a movement among some people to build their own teardrop trailers. With an abundance of videos, online tutorials, blueprints, plans, etc., it is well within the realm of possibility for someone who is handy and has a DIY spirit. 

How Much Does a Teardrop Trailer Cost?

One of the questions I hear quite often is “what does a teardrop cost”. Like most things, this is very subjective and really depends on the manufacturer, model, amenities, geographic location, etc.? 

However, from our research, you can expect to pay anywhere from roughly $10,000 to $35,000.

That’s a large price range and you may be wondering what would cause the price to fluctuate that much. Let’s take a look.

What Does a $10,000 Teardrop Come With?

For Instance, depending on where you live you can find a Braxton Creek Teardrop Bushwhacker base model for around $10,000. Let’s take a look at some of the features of this model.

Interior 

When it comes to the interior you can find features such as: 

• Wall Mounted A/C System
• AM/FM Bluetooth Compatible Stereo W/Interior Speakers
• 12-volt, 3-speed, Vortex Roof Vent
• Padded storage under the bed
• Multiple 110-volt, 12-volt, and USB outlets
• LED lighting
• Storage cabinets
• 4-inch quilted mattress

Exterior

The exterior of this model features the following:

• 2,200 lbs. Independent suspension axle with electric brakes
• All-terrain tires
• Powder-coated fenders
• .040 aluminum siding
• Exterior Kitchenette W/Coleman Cooler
  • 2-burner gas cooktop
  • Built-in sink
  • Shur-Flo 12-volt water pump
  • 12-volt Coleman cooler
• Roof-mounted Gear Rack
• Dual Rear Stabilizing Jacks
• 24-gallon Freshwater Tank
• 30-AMP converter with 30’ cord
• LED lighting
• LP tank, dual-battery, and generator mounting platform
• Solar compatibility

This teardrop measures 13 feet 2 inches long and has an unloaded TT weight of 1,300 lbs. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of this teardrop is 2,200 lbs.

What Does a $35,000 Teardrop Come With?

On the other end of the price spectrum, we have the nuCamp TAB 400, which is priced around $35,000. That is a $25,000 increase over the Braxton Creek. So, the question is, is it worth it? Let’s take a look.

Interior

Let’s take a look at some of the interior features:

• Queen-size bed
  • 55″x79″
• Second Sleeping Area
  • 30″x74″
• 24” TV with DVD player, AM/FM, and Bluetooth
• A/C System
• 2-way Fridge
• Glasstop Sink
• 2-burner Stove
• Weet Bath w/Fold-down Sink
• Toilet
• LED Lighting

Exterior

Now, let’s move on to the exterior:

• Spare tire
• Electric Brakes
• 2 6-volt batteries
• Solar compatible
• 1200-watt inverter
• LED Lighting
• Acrylic Dual Pane Windows
• Shower
• Roof Rack
• 22-gallon Fresh Water Tank
• 18-gallon Gray Water Tank
• 12-gallon Black Water Tank

This teardrop measures 18 feet 3 inches long and has a total dry weight of 2,864 lbs. and a total wet weight of 3,133 lbs.

The nuCamp is quite a bit different in design and layout and it has larger overall dimensions allowing for more amenities inside the rig. This obviously adds more weight, so that is something to consider.

Are Teardrop Trailers Worth it?

Are teardrop camper trailers worth it? That is a good question. Unfortunately, the only person that can answer that is you.

They have a lot of advantages, and with that, they have disadvantages as well. Just like any other RV.

Best Teardrop for a Family of 4

Camp Rover by Xtreme Outdoors

When you are looking for a teardrop for a family of 4, you are starting to push it a little. You are almost on the verge of moving out of what I would call the teardrop camper category.

However, there are some options out there. When all the dust settled, the Camp Rover by Xtreme Outdoors came out on top. The Camp Rover is an awesome option for small families. There is a lot of cool features with this model, so let’s take a look.

Specifications:

• Dry Weight: 2,900 lbs.
• Tongue Weight: 300 lbs.
• Overall Length: 21′
• Overall Width: 7′
• Overall Height: 8′ 7″
• Interior Height: 6′ 7″
• Price: $31,000 (approximate)

First and foremost, you probably wondering how a family of 4 can sleep in a teardrop without being on top of each other. That’s a valid question.

When we think of traditional teardrop trailers, we think of a teardrop shell slightly larger than the size of the mattress contained within. But, as manufacturers have started to push the size limitations of this style of camper, we have seen the benefits.

One of the benefits of expanded sizes is the addition of creatures comforts like seating areas, cooking areas, bathrooms, and more bedding.

The Camp Rover takes advantage of all of these while sleeping 4.

Sleeping Areas

The beds are split into a few different areas. The back of the teardrop is home to the main bed, which is a 60″x80″ queen-sized mattress.

In addition to the queen-sized mattress, the dinette and seating area in the front of the teardrop converts into a fold-down sleeping area, common in a lot of campers.

The other sleeping area, which is offered as an option, is an overhead bunk style. It essentially flips down and features a ladder that can convert to a safety rail for smaller children.

Kitchen and Bath

The kitchen in this teardrop features an 8″ deep stainless steel sink, a stainless steel microwave, a 3-way 4 cubic foot fridge, and a 2-burner glass top stove.

The Camp Rover still manages to include a wetbath with a seamless shower surround. The bath, as well as the kitchen, are supplied hot water from a 6-gallon LP/electric hot water heater.

If you are looking for a solid teardrop camper for a family of 4, you should strongly consider this option. It is bigger than a lot of traditional teardrop designs, but it has to be to offer the features it does. If anything, you should give them a look.

Here is a link to the Camp Rover brochure if you are interested.

Best Teardrop with a Bathroom

Forest River RP-171

For folks not needing the space for a family of 4, but still wanting a bathroom, there are a few options.

Not having a bathroom is an idea a lot of people can’t wrap their head around. But, they still want the look, style, and benefits of a teardrop camper.

Fortunately, there are some solid teardrop trailers with bathrooms. We’ve filtered through the madness and have a recommendation for you to take a look at. It’s the Forest River R-POD 171.

Specifications:

• Dry Weight: 2,504 lbs.
• Tongue Weight: 252 lbs.
• Overall Length: 18′ 4″
• Overall Width: 8′
• Overall Height: 9′ 6″
• Price: $16,500

Again, teardrop campers with amenities like bathrooms are going to be more on the larger size. At some point, they start to blur the lines between what a traditional teardrop looks like and what a traditional camper trailer looks like. But, that’s okay. There’s something for everyone.

With the R-POD 171, you’re going to get a lot of travel trailer features combined with more of the teardrop styling.

However, since we are talking about bathrooms, let’s focus on that. Like most compact trailers, the bathroom on this model is the usual wetbath. Meaning, the shower, toilet, etc., are built into one area saving valuable space.

Some folks get a little grossed out by wet baths, but they aren’t really that bad at all. Once you get used to it you will see how functional they really are.

In terms of the rest of the camper features, they are pretty nice as well. It comes with features such as a front dinette, roof-mounted A/C, 24″ flat-screen TV, stereo, convection microwave, power tongue jack, and more.

As you can imagine, this unit sleeps 4 when you convert the dinette. However, since it is pushing it on teardrop design, it didn’t take the top spot for the best teardrop for a family of 4.

Best Teardrop for Winter Camping

Colorado Teardrop Summit

Before we get going on this category, we should mention that no RV is ideal for winter camping. However, some do fair better than others.

The key to managing winter conditions is insulation, insulation, and more insulation.

In this category, there was a clear winner, and that was the Summit by Colorado Teardrops. Let’s take a look at what makes this teardrop shine in winter conditions.

Specifications:

• Dry Weight: 1,750 lbs.
• Tongue Weight: 220 lbs.
• Overall Length: 173″
• Overall Width: 88″
• Overall Height: 84.5″
• Price: $25,700 (starting price)

We are going to skip all the features that are common among most teardrops and focus on what stands out. As mentioned above, it is insulation.

The Summit has fully insulated floors, walls, ceiling, and doors. This is huge. Most teardrops will offer insulation, but they often leave points of compromise. This hurts efficiency.

The Summit has two doors that measure 26″x36″ and each comes with a sliding window. These doors are fully insulated and offer added protection where other teardrops do not.

In addition to superb insulation to help fight off the cold, it comes with maple wood cabinetry, queen-size mattress, popup vent, interior shelving, and galley.

If you want to make some changes, or if you’re looking for something slightly different, give them a call. They offer customization to fit a lot of needs.

Best Teardrop for Off-Road Use

Extreme Teardrops Mirror Lake Basecamp

There are a lot of folks out there, myself included, who like to use their RVs to get away from the crowds. This can be hard for hardcore form some people because campgrounds can often get overcrowded.

One way to avoid the crowds is to head to more remote areas. To do this with a teardrop, you need a capable vehicle and a teardrop that offroad trails. Fortunately, you have some choices.

There are actually several models we really like, but we could only pick one. That pick just happens to be the Mirror Lake Basecamp by Extreme Teardrops.

Specifications:

• Dry Weight: 1,495 lbs.
• Overall Length: 147″
• Overall Width: 81.5″
• Overall Height: 76″
• Price: $10,500 (starting price)

With available upgrades such as 35″ tires, full-size spare, and Max Coupler or Lunette ring, it really shines in rougher terrain. These are in addition to a 3,500# axle, leaf spring suspension, gas shocks with welded mounts, and more.

Even though this is the base model, it still has nice interior features such as a spacious cabin to accommodate folks up to 6’7″, insulated walls, storage basket system, roof vent, 2 side doors, and galley.

If you prefer to get off the beaten path, this model may work for you.

Best Classic Teardrop

Oregon Trail’R Frontear

This couldn’t be a teardrop trailer list without having a classic design showing its face. For this category, my requirements were for the rig to have a classic teardrop look with modern accouterments.

My pick for the classic teardrop category is the Frontear by Oregon Trail’R. This awesome little trailer checks all the boxes in terms of classic styling with modern upgrades.

Specifications:

• Dry Weight: 1,100 lbs. (base)
• Overall Length: 146″
• Overall Width: 78″
• Overall Height: 66″
• Price: $14,000 (starting price)

You’ll notice these teardrops may weigh a little more than some of their counterparts. According to the manufacturer, that is because quality materials weigh more than cheap materials do.

Another unique feature of these trailers is that pretty much all of the options are offered Ala-Carte. When you are looking at options, think of things like cabinets, drawers, key hooks, lighting, battery slides, doors, fans, TV, leveling options, stabilizers, and on an on.

The list of options and upgrades is pretty impressive. The cool part is it allows you to really build something to your like. It also gives you the opportunity to create something unique to you.

Conclusion

As you can tell, there are many different makes and models of teardrop campers on the market. Some stay true to classic designs and styling and some push the boundaries a bit.

That’s okay. There is something for everyone. The goal of this article was to get you thinking based on some of our favorites.

The best thing to do is make a list of the top features most important to you and find models that meet that criteria. Once you get your short-list created, it’s time to start going through the details until you find exactly what you are looking for. Hopefully, this guide helps in that process.

If you have a favorite worth mentioning, let us know in the comments!