What's your take: TearDrop / SquareDrop / Micro-Camper/Trailer

[SargeDiesel]

Picked it up last Friday.

After years of looking for the right travel trailer, we gave up. We just need something basic that is technically "hard sided" for camping in bear country.

For our future trips, we can have a base camp and take the truck off on adventures. RTT are a PITA if you want to go anywhere when you're camping.

First additions will be a front storage box, interior furnishings and storage, maybe a solar power system, 8 gal. water tank, and eventually an awning.

The first hiccup we have to fix/solve is a fridge. We have one, but it's too tall to fit in the shelves in the back. So either we leave it in the truck (and power it when parked), the "living" section of the trailer, or find a shorter fridge to fit in the back of the trailer.

I have propane tanks, but will pick up a 5lb or 10lb one for dedicated camping. I also have a propane on-demand water heater that I need to put in the case for portability.

I've been researching accessories, I also found most electric coolers get their quart size in height. The ones that seem close to fitting where 19 and 26qt models. I was looking at the @woofbox coolers.

The squaredrop I am looking at does have a toungebox, but it is used for the battery and fuse panel.

It also has a 100w Renogy solar panel mounted on the rear hatch.

I am also searching for a small propane tank.

Your's looks great !

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[SargeDiesel]

I had a 2018 NuCamp TAG Boondock trailer.

https://nucamprv.com/tag-trailer/

We enjoyed it. We were tent campers that wanted just a little more comfort. The AC was overpowered for such a small space and created uncomfortable conditions (loud/too cold/humid) to be useful and so limited our camping season. You don't camp in Louisiana between May and September unless you just hate yourself or like sleeping in incredible humid/hot conditions. That led to me selling it after my then GF and I separated.

Outside of that I'd own a tiny trailer again. By now I could come up with a superior cooling alternative for my environment. However my GF of the last couple years has three kiddos so we are more likely to get a well loved pop up now and lift it on larger tires to camp out of (need the space).

That is my current issue... I have a small space heater, but I am still trying to figure out the cooling/air-conditioner. I dont want a window unit permanently hanging out the side, I don't want to cut into the shell. So I mostly have looked at portable units, but they take up a lot of space and need ventilation and drainage. An outside model would be preferred.

 

[SargeDiesel]

These seem like awesome things to rent. I have a travel trailer, but for roughing it, I would love this over a ground tent.

I've seen them for rent. Mostly around $90-100 a day.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I have a 6x12 cargo camper that I converted into my fishing/camping Shack. I like it a lot.
I raised it four inches as it was pretty low to the ground when I bought it.
Put a bed, AC, small counter in it.
Built a back wall so I can use the ramp door as a patio when camping.
I carry a honda 2000 watt generator so I can sleep with the AC on when its hot (Texas camping can get hot)

Im guessing it weighs abt 2500 (was 1500 lbs new).

I see a lot of people doing this. In my area, the cargo trailer goes for around 3k, leaving plenty of $ for upgrading compared to buying an off the lot complete unit.

Nice job !

 

[SargeDiesel]

Works well for a family of 5 to get deep into the trails. It does take more work to setup than a tear drop but it provides more space for additional gear too.

.... sure looks like you got it loaded down. Nice setup !

 

[SargeDiesel]

I've seen a few people here showing off their Casita and Scamp trailers. I think that's what I'd be wanting to get if my wife and I ever decide to pull the trigger on finally getting a travel trailer. Small and light, and seem to be pretty decent build quality for the world of campers.

Ive seen some nice R-Pods. 8-10k used. Definitely more room to spread out and Glamp.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I recently bought a Modern Buggy 12LRK, went to PA to pick it up for a great price. I will be taking it from NC to Moab (via Texas and Las Vegas) and then a long trip back to NC.

I saw a few like that when I was looking. Mind sharing your $$ cost ? Looks great. I like the tent on top, more space if you have a family.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I really lost interest in teardrops after spending 8 days in one during the 2021 King of Hammers, but it was still a good trailer, I just like having space to stand up and invite others to get out of the elements for a minute. We do lots of trips in the desert (including the Burn) so it is nice to have AC in the peak of heat.

Sounds like you need a mobile home... seriously though I can see your point. I initially wanted/planned on camping with friends and bringing them along... but with the size of the squaredrop, they need their own tent.

Hopefully you will find something bigger that you like. I've seen some R-Pods thatvare perfect for what you are describing .

 

[SargeDiesel]

TAB 400, Love it and the Gladiator diesel hardly knows it's back there.

That's cool, looks like it has lots of room. Shower/toilet to keep momma happy ?

I also have the diesel, the squaredrop I am looking at tips in at 900lbs dry... so I definitely will not know its there. Hopefully I won't take a big hit on fuel.

 

[ttn333]

I've been researching accessories, I also found most electric coolers get their quart size in height. The ones that seem close to fitting where 19 and 26qt models. I was looking at the @woofbox coolers.

The squaredrop I am looking at does have a toungebox, but it is used for the battery and fuse panel.

It also has a 100w Renogy solar panel mounted on the rear hatch.

I am also searching for a small propane tank.

Your's looks great !

I carry an ignik 5lb tank. Has a pretty convenient carrying case too. https://ignik.com/products/gas-growler-deluxe?variant=44669484204258

 

[WestwallNF104A]

Ive seen some nice R-Pods. 8-10k used. Definitely more room to spread out and Glamp.

I'm actually looking at an R-Pod. I'm old enough now that I really want a nice, un-public toilet! And they have a layout that fits my needs!

 

[ChrisNLA]

That is my current issue... I have a small space heater, but I am still trying to figure out the cooling/air-conditioner. I dont want a window unit permanently hanging out the side, I don't want to cut into the shell. So I mostly have looked at portable units, but they take up a lot of space and need ventilation and drainage. An outside model would be preferred.

The trailer I had was equipped with a 5000 BTU window unit mounted through the interior wall that separates the sleeping area from the rear hatch. The back of the AC was within a double wall that allowed it to breathe / vent through an opening in the floor and through two side vents with vent fans. You'd never know it was there looking from the outside. The trailers could be optioned with or without it.

It operated fine but the space was so small the unit would cycle frequently. Because it was so frequent it did not have enough time to de-humidify the cool air it was creating, so I ended up with a very cold trailer with 100% humidity (had a temp/humidity gauge on the headboard to monitor). The AC made a bit of noise in such a small space but the real problem was the sudden jolt of noise when the compressor would cycle on or off that would wake me up. A soft start would have helped - but the temp and humidity issue would not have been any better.

Most of the time we used the trailer we camped in cooler months with the windows open. The windows had neat built in bug screens that pulled down.

 

[JT57]

I'm actually looking at an R-Pod. I'm old enough now that I really want a nice, un-public toilet! And they have a layout that fits my needs!

2021 RPod 196 Ruby diesel pulls it very nice just air bags ,no WDH

 

[MPMB]

I've been researching accessories, I also found most electric coolers get their quart size in height. The ones that seem close to fitting where 19 and 26qt models. I was looking at the @woofbox coolers.

The squaredrop I am looking at does have a toungebox, but it is used for the battery and fuse panel.

It also has a 100w Renogy solar panel mounted on the rear hatch.

I am also searching for a small propane tank.

Your's looks great !

Hiker does a good job on customization options, but I can do the install work. The option price for a truck box is $600, and $2000 for the big box that you store your fridge in (on a slider) with a rack on top.

Options add up. We had 3 options - electric brakes, roof rack, and door windows.

AMZN has a flame king w/ case 5lb tank for $115, less than the Overlander-endorsed Igniks. Like they say, $20 is $20.

 

[chrismeece74]

We love our Modern Buggy 12lrk, perfect for 2 people. We bought it without the RTT, dont need the extra space. Already has AC and heat installed.

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