thank you! i try to get right to it. i watch soooo many videos on youtube where it takes 10 minutes before the person on camera even starts talking about whatever they said the video would be about
I agree 100% about your pros and cons. I have a Bean teardrop and I love it! I'm just a weekend warrior, though. I have just stayed local to me within my state or one state over so I've never had to stealth camp. It kind of makes me nervous but someday I'm going to take a longer trip and I will try it. Not having a bathroom doesn't bother me even though I'm a female. I have a luggable loo and it works. Thanks for a great video!
oh the Bean trailers are soooo cool. wish i had one of those. stealth camping isn’t the easiest thing with the teardrop- since it pulls more eyes than a van- but it’s very very possible. i have a whole video about where to sleep when traveling for a long time: th-cam.com/video/I8eICxK6Ivc/w-d-xo.html
@@mlangfordcamper yes, people notice and ask questions. But stealth camping is where you stay at a place that doesn't allow overnight parking or camping so you don't want to draw attention.
Stealth camping may be challenging now that u are on the East Coast, but looks like you make it work. It must suck on rainy, cloudy days when u cant do much. When we were in Washington in Cascade Nat Park and Olympic it was freezing cold and raining and we found ourselves sitting in the truck or tent for HOURS! OMG it takes a certain mindset to do that. Then when the short days rolled around we were in our tents for 14-16 hours and it sucked. I think I was a little traumatized from that and we have not done much car camping or back country camping since we have been back so deep respect for your ability to do that. You must have alot of energy to pull this off, we were pretty beat after 5 months of tent camping. Doing what you do definitely requires creative thinking!!! Been great to watch your progression.
thanks i actually don’t do any tent camping. i only sleep in the teardrop- so it’s much easier than setting up a tent every night. that would get old fast! i didn’t want to do that. i wanted to pull over for the night and just crawl into the trailer and sleep. i think what keeps me going is the thrill of seeing more and more of the country. parts i’ve only seen in other peoples pictures or heard about. and more places that i didn’t even know existed. i can’t begin to explain days like exploring. a whole ghost town in california or watching the mystery lights on Marfa. thanks for your support! means the world to me!
I have the same vehicle and I didn’t realize this! I love everything about your set-up. I look forward to my teardrop I ordered to come in next year! Only 500lbs, no wood in the build, and I wasn’t blessed with your height, so I guess putting on pants inside will not be so bad. LOL. I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos! Happy travels.
I just spent a week in my 4x8 tiny travel trailer in the Poconos -- temps were 20s & 30s . . . I've officially decided to build out a cargo trailer (6x10? 6x12?) and include a chinese diesel heater. My propane heater could warm it up nicely, but the condensation was horrible. I don't want any tanks, I don't need a bathroom, but it was too cold to boil water in under 25 mins and too cold to change my clothes without misery. So I'm selling out. If I've learned one thing following nomads, it's that the rig debate/rig change up is an endless discussion. So what do you sometimes imagine getting?
If you're going to stealth camp at Walmart, you can show your appreciation by going into the store and buying a breakfast coffee and a sweet roll. I use the opportunity to buy any supplies I'm getting low on.
Good stuff. You have a great attitude and positive energy that leads me to believe you're enjoying what you're doing. Safe and happy travels. Just subscribed and look forward to more shared experiences, knowledge and useful advice on how you make it all work.
thank you! yes, i try to live life on the positive side. i’ve had my days out here though. but overall, i just love the idea of not knowing what i’m gonna see tomorrow. thanks for the support!
I have a larger teardrop (Nucamp T@b 400), which allows you to stand-up and has an interior kitchen and wet bath. I initially was going with the smaller trailer but found the larger teardrop provides all the comforts I need.
I have a squaredrop that is off-road capable. It seems pretty comfortable to me, but I haven't tried to live in it full-time either to date. Like you, I only use one side of the squaredrop for sleeping, but I was able to get an 8-inch high cot from Walmart that got my 4-inch Hest Foamy mattress up off the floor. I can sit on this bed quite comfortably. If I put a cushion behind my back, it is a couch. And, I store my tools and my day pack and quiite a few others things underneath. When I am sitting on the bed, I still have 5 or 5 inches between me and the roof, so it might work for someone taller as well. The good thing about a squaredrop is that the high point of the roof is throughout the cabin, as opposed to the one spot of you get in a teardrop. It seems much larger, whether it is or not.
@@EscapingNormalLife I have the Intech Flyer Pursue with the kitchen. I was able to buy it at a local dealership without the long wait time involved with so many teardrops/squaredrops.
I love your setup. It really is a step up from your car. You still dont have a bathroom but you have a kitchen and a dedicated bed. The interior of your car will thank you for not regularly sleeping in it. Overtime thats wear and tear. Im sure you are also still getting some great mpg
thank you so much for your support!!! means the world to me. i’ve had my low thought points when it comes to making content for this channel. it takes HOURS to put together ONE 10min video. a whole day, actually. and when some of the videos only get a marginal amount of views- it’s disheartening. but you and everyone else that has supported me is the ONLY reason i keep going. thank you for making this feel like what it’s worth!
Hi, just watched your video + you remarked that in bad weather you,re forced to sit in your teardrop. Well I have a bushcamp caravan + I have a swingtent that swings around from 1 side door + covers most of the kitchen. I,ve also bought a very light weight all weather sheet that I can put up in less than 5 mins. I also saw on an american site a very simple sun shade that you can pull out in seconds with side panels + poles for extreme weather. So my point is in bad weather there is no excuse to sit cooped up inside. Roy, Haarlem, Holland.
hello! yeah, those are good points. i did actually have an awning i would put up in light rain. i would mostly hang out in the teardrop if it was just poring outside or just too cold. but otherwise, an awning is helpful. thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm in my runaway camper now. Got tired of trying to keep cool in a draughty house. You turn on the AC and you better get your blankets out you are going to be cold. Here in Louisiana you want to get cold because heat is not far away. I know that I cut down on the constant snacking I usually do. I'm Away from the refrigerator got to get keys and unlock the house etc. I shower outside, 💩 outside, but I put a toilet outside I pour water and it's flushed. , when it's cold I have gym membership. I can get dressed in the house just warm. I'm done paying big power for big heat weather. I've got Bose surround sound, satellite TV/ music. Internet and the way I see it I don't need more.
Awesome! When you do decide to travel in cities, where do you typically park your rig? Do you ever detach your teardrop and use your vehicle to explore urban areas?
i didn’t leave my trailer unattended tooo much. mostly only to navigate scenic drives through national parks (some parks won’t let you take trailers on their windy roads) or to park at a trailhead to start a hike (cause trail heads have small parking lots). when i was sleeping in a city- i found neighborhood streets that already had lots of cars parked on them so i could blend in felt most comfortable for me. it’s all about how safe you feel and trying to blend into the environment when stealth camping. i personally did not feel safe leaving my trailer unattended in a city.
oh the Escapod is sweeeet. i would buy it if i took my trailer off road like those things are designed for. the articulating coupler would be nice to have on some back roads. and the build quality seems super high quality. would last forever. it’s over my budget too- but if it’s something you would really use for how it’s built- then i would look into buying one. if you don’t think you’re gonna use it for the conditions it’s used for- there’s a TON of other teardrops out there that are much cheaper
Thanks for the video! Do you leave your trailer in the remote campsite while you drive somewhere to go hiking for example? How do you prevent someone from stealing/ towing your light weight trailer? We love camping in remote area as well, we either do car or tent camping. I've read it's not uncommon for someone stealing from the tent/campsite...
i have a video where i talk about all the locks that i had in my trailer while i was away from it (below). i did leave it unattended at times but never with anything laying outside of it (chairs, cookware, tents, bikes, etc). overall - i treated my trailer just like a house. i never left anything outside that i wasn’t comfortable with possibly loosing here’s that video you can watch the whole thing or skip to 10mins in when i talk about my locks: th-cam.com/video/6els_lNqY4s/w-d-xo.html
Yep. I've arrived back at a campground (paid) tent site in the pouring rain after a day walk and found all my gear gone and a big soggy wet, filthy pile of poor quality camping gear piled up in its place. No where is safe by my reckoning. I do however, pay a campground now to store my car (stealth camper) when I am on a long hike. Whilst it may not be 100% safe, it is much safer than parking it on a street or at a trail head. It is a risk we all run as travellers, whether nomad or not, and it is essential to have protective insurance for our travel/hardware needs.
It takes a different kind of person to own a tear drop. It all came down to economic. I would rather own a Scamp with more amenities: Indoor kitchen, indoor bathroom, heat, cool air. And stay in camp ground 1 - 2 days a week.
Funny how people are not building "pop-up" teardrops that will let you stand up comfortably (and in your case you also lack access to the cooking area without a pass through).
The Viking TD 9.0 has a pop up end that gives you an area to get dressed with a full sized bed, and AC and heater. All less than 20,000 and less than 2000lbs
my Teardrop did not. however, there are lots that do. every model of Runaway Campers have ac units; Hiker Trailers are equipped with AC; MyPod by Little Guy i think has AC; the Bushwacker has AC; i think the Cricket by Mantis does as well. while, i’m not aware of models that come with heaters, that’s not to say they don’t exist. also, a Diesel heater is relatively easy to install and could be installed into basically any trailer or Teardrop. one thing to note with AC units- they add a lot of weight to your Curb Weight- which in turn will make it heavier to tow- which then means you’ll need more towing capacity on your tow vehicle. also- to efficiently run a AC unit, you’ll most likely need a generator- which will be an extra big thing to tow around. i personally never had a moment on the road where i felt i needed an AC unit. while some days were certainly hot enough- i wasn’t about to just hang out in my small 6’ teardrop for hours, not doing anything, just so i could cool off in the air conditioning. i set up a sun shade, or sat under a tree, or jumped in a lake or went indoors to other places. like libraries to work on YT videos and use the WIFI. also- while i didn’t have AC in mine-i did have a 3 speed fan on the roof that helped a lot. it was enough for me. because i lived in mine for a year, i was mostly in cooler temps than i was warmer temps. so a diesel heater would be something i’d look at over an ac unit.
ha no- i quit my job to travel for a year. it was a lifelong dream. heres my little story of how it came to be and, if you’re interested, a longer version where i show everywhere i went in a year: th-cam.com/video/aJ0nG1WMCTY/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/suS0r9mNyxc/w-d-xo.html
I cannot understand why anybody would want to camp in a teardrop camper … where you can’t stand up - the only thing you can do is lay.down or crouch your head. Does not make any sense to me at all. It’s a fad, a trend, and they will most likely all end up in the dump.
OR maybe it’s the only thing I… A)could afford B) could pull with my car & C) wanted since it’s small and versatile unlike travel travelers. also- just because it’s not for you, doesn’t mean it’s not right for others. maybe ask more questions like “WHY did you choose this over other options” vs attacking those who choose this option.
My ideas include a minivan and a sturdy stand up tent, tear drop/tent or enclosed 6' + tall 12' enclosed trailer. Considering the campground availability and cost (even state and federal parks) the van combined with motels makes sense to me at age 73. Camp Inn has a new composite tear drop that weighs 3 to 400 # for about $6000. Tempting, but new ones lose value quickly. The builder stated that most campers are built to last only so long My 4 cylinder s10 might labor pulling the enclosed trailer. A portable table would make up for a galley. Better gas mileage too.
In the past few years there have been a lot of innovations available for teardrop campers such as 270 degree awnings, shower/toilet tents, tents that actually attach to your teardrop and give you an “extra” room and walls for privacy. There are an assortment of compost toilets, water heaters that provide hot water and showers/sinks portable power stations that can be recharged with solar panels that you can run everything from a portable 12V refrigerator to a microwave with. You can even buy a portable AC that will run for hours off the right power system. There are propane and diesel heaters as well. Campers have the ability to go further and stay out longer now. It’s a constantly evolving and changing experience.
Ugg...I live on the Northern CA coast and I'm soooo tired of all the Class A and even Class C clogging up our coast highway. I love the minimalist style of the teardrop. The whole point of "camping" is being outdoors! I love bag fleece liners! I've started into a commitment into an aluminum cargo trailer. Lightweight so my Subaru Outback can pull, it will house my mountain bike and I can stand up ; ) I lived full time in a 24' travel trailer on my rural property for 4 years when building a house. There is something beautiful to one pot, one pan living. Maybe you're back on the road home but if not, you're welcome to park on our property for a visit to the Sonoma Coast. We're not 'in your business' type of people so you'd have the freedom to come and go as you please. My sister-in-law parked her 17' here for 9 days while she went about her plans. Really enjoy your style of vlogging and the information you provide, thanks! Happy trails!
oh thats awesome! thank you so much. When I get back out to California, I'll most definitely take you up on that offer. Currently, I'm back in Florida for a while, visiting family. thanks for your comment and support though. means everything!!
If you got yourself an awning or canopy to put over your doorway and you cooking area, you could still be outside and not have to worry about the wet weather.
thank you! well, i have a video planned for the end showing a detailed breakdown of what i spent each month. be on the lookout for that one once i’m back in Florida. but as a teaser- it’s about $1500/month
yup! that’s what i’m basically doing now. i sold my teardrop and have been traveling around in my car for the past few months th-cam.com/video/fTOPeOhl5sk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KATt1b4hWLNEbCHG
There are a few problems with his comparisons. He completely missed comparing to other teardrops that are larger like the nuCamp Tab400. Also, it's tiresome hearing from guys that want to have the most minimal setup think the rest of us sit in our campers all the time or we're not into nature, that's not true. From what I see on the forums, regardless of the size of their camper, most spend their time outside. There are a lot of full-timers, you're not unique anymore. But, do appreciate him sharing his experiences.
valid points and you’re right, i should have started with “this is my only my experience”. lesson learned and i’ll absolutely consider that for future content
Earlier this year I was at an RV show, and had met several older men, similar to me, in that they were looking for a small travel trailer. Reaching that age of retirement, the idea of traveling, dispersed camping, being outside, hiking, fishing, sounds like Utopia. The con that most of the older men came up with, "How do you change your clothes without being able to stand up?"
Actually, years of yoga actually very much is useful for this 70 year old woman. Getting the pants on, you use what is called a 'bridge' pose. Having a small place like a travel trailer or tent keeps you very supple.... Think about it.....
Great video! By the way, your shower goes to your black tank, not your gray tank. It’s environmental rules, let’s face it… People pee in their shower! I am a huge tiny camper fan. I prefer to Boondock, but not a really remote area. And I’m fine with hitting a campground for the plug-in hook ups, the shower, the laundry, and the amenities you don’t get in the middle of the forest. And let’s face it, there’s nothing cuter than a teardrop or a tiny camper.
ohhhh… good call! i didn’t think about peeing in the shower. lol. i’ve never dealt with tanks so i don’t really know all the rules around them. but thank you for the comment!
oh cool! i have a whole series about my little teardrop if any of these help: th-cam.com/play/PLLgytSOs0A3ex48wx0GSh7FjbRKtJ5mcn.html&si=Z6Mzeh1I_UC9fjQB
Very informative; thanks. Four years ago I decided to build a tear drop SLEEPER so we could save time and money on hotels when we go across country to visit. It was to be pull-able by a compact car and still get 30 mpg, and to require no more prep than getting in and shutting the door. But two things happened in the over four years it took me to build it. An airline opened up a direct flight to where we go for half the price it used to take, and my spouse pushed to make it a camper. Well I just finished it and we took it out camping once . Pulled just fine by a corolla and slept great. We now intend to explore the country when I retire, so your tips will help.
Nice list. Thanks for the breakdown. (Just a small thing, not the biggest deal, and this totally comes from me being an English teacher… when you are referring to pros and cons, those are just plural forms, not possessive. Adding the apostrophes is a super common error. I don’t know if you can edit that and replace this video without losing the comments, but if so, that would be a small fix.)
Adding an awning w/ floored annex room takes care of any of the "standing" issues. Mine on my "square drop" is 8x8, made by ARB. Its big and comfortable enough to be my office for remote working.
haha that was by far the most asked question about that teardrop they actually came with the trailer. i talk briefly about them in this video: th-cam.com/video/bCTptG3LqVM/w-d-xo.html
You insinuated that it,s sometimes difficult to sit outside sheltered from bad weather. My wife + I bought a bushcamp 2 yrs ago, we made several changes + I,m always thinking of things to make our camps comfortable. I,ve recently bought 2 suckers with hook attachments so that I can hang a waterproof /weather resistant sheet up, 2 light poles + bobs your uncle. A bamboo table weighing 70 grams + 2 sun chairs. Perfect. I,ve also bought a fishing umberella to protect me from bad weather when I,m cooking on the bagage box. Nothing worse than having to move all the hot pots + pans. We live in Haarlem Holland which is a good stepping stone to other parts of europe. We,re off to Norway via Germany,Denmark + sailing to Larvik then all points north, this will be our 2nd attempt. 😂😏
I’m not a full time traveler but on weekends I’m always out on fishing trips so I have a bonair BA-700 pop up camper from 1987. I like it but it can somehow be a pain to set up every time I want to use it. But no grey/black tanks and I can cook in it. I enjoy it with my 2 door jeep wrangler.
oh cool! yeah, i have a friend who has a pop-up and while i really like how lightweight and small it is, i wanted something more rigid and with better insulation for full time travel. but pop-up’s are a sound alternative, especially for anyone who has a smaller car to tow it with thanks for watching and commenting!
You need an awning/side-entry tent. An auxiliary space alongside the trailer would make a lot of your cons go away, particularly the outside/ changing/ dressing/ toileting stuff.
hello! i actually did have an awning. basically just a tarp i put up with some carabiners, clipped to an aluminum pole mounted on the side of the trailer. but it took a close to 10mins to set it up every time. and although that doesn’t sound long, when you have to do that every day to put it up and take it down- it gets to be more of a nuisance than a solution. if i had the money, i would ABSOLUTELY invest in a 270° awning. but all the good ones are $800+. sooo… not anytime soon for this poor working man. but excellent ideas for making it easier on the road! thanks for watching and commenting!
So, if I got a teardrop like yours, where are some places that I can park it to sleep at night in the cities, or is it only in remote places that you're parking to sleep at night?
I was thinking about building a live in SUV or VAN for 1-2 week long trips, travel while remote working then come home for a few weeks, repeat. But getting a teardrop camper and just using my Maverick truck that gets amazing gas mileage seems like the best idea. Trying to decide what model to buy.
yeah, teardrops are great for that theres a ton out there. if you have the $- look at Bean. Timberleaf makes great teardrops. Oregon Trailers are amazing. Escapod seem best for off-road. Box-drops are another great option. same concept- but Box shaped vs Teardrop shaped. Look at Runaway trailers. or Core RV makes some cool Box-Drops. also Hiker Trailers.
i used ONE truck stop shore. $15. net again. 2 days later i got a membership at Planet Fitness for the showers. this is how i showered mostly on the road: th-cam.com/video/oGMNhOJ_Dic/w-d-xo.html
the only wasted water i ever had was from washing dishes. in that case- i would usually dump it in a pit toilet, which is usually at the trail heads i was sleeping at.
Dude, you can run a Mr.Buddy Heater all night no problem. Tractor Supply has a 5or6 foot hose and in line filter to hook up to a 20lb tank and you are all set. Mr Buddy Heater is set up to run indoor safe there are a lot of video reviews on TH-cam regarding the same. I did it in my rig all winter up north toasty warm.
a truck and truck camper is my ultimate dream setup- however i don’t have the money to buy those things. i set out on my journey with the car i already had (and already paid off) and pulled the absolute biggest thing i could pull with it. but one of these days- a truck camper will be my new home!
For me cold is not a problem. Unless it’s really cold. Nice sleeping bag all you need. Problem is heat
Same for me! I feel way better in cooler weather!
Thanks, that was a great break down of the pros and cons. Very clear and to the point. No talking for a half hour about stuff I don't care about.
thank you! i try to get right to it. i watch soooo many videos on youtube where it takes 10 minutes before the person on camera even starts talking about whatever they said the video would be about
I agree 100% about your pros and cons. I have a Bean teardrop and I love it! I'm just a weekend warrior, though. I have just stayed local to me within my state or one state over so I've never had to stealth camp. It kind of makes me nervous but someday I'm going to take a longer trip and I will try it. Not having a bathroom doesn't bother me even though I'm a female. I have a luggable loo and it works. Thanks for a great video!
oh the Bean trailers are soooo cool. wish i had one of those. stealth camping isn’t the easiest thing with the teardrop- since it pulls more eyes than a van- but it’s very very possible. i have a whole video about where to sleep when traveling for a long time:
th-cam.com/video/I8eICxK6Ivc/w-d-xo.html
What is stealth camping I would thing with a nice teardrop like you have everyone will notice it and want to ask questions
@@mlangfordcamper yes, people notice and ask questions. But stealth camping is where you stay at a place that doesn't allow overnight parking or camping so you don't want to draw attention.
Stealth camping may be challenging now that u are on the East Coast, but looks like you make it work. It must suck on rainy, cloudy days when u cant do much. When we were in Washington in Cascade Nat Park and Olympic it was freezing cold and raining and we found ourselves sitting in the truck or tent for HOURS! OMG it takes a certain mindset to do that. Then when the short days rolled around we were in our tents for 14-16 hours and it sucked. I think I was a little traumatized from that and we have not done much car camping or back country camping since we have been back so deep respect for your ability to do that. You must have alot of energy to pull this off, we were pretty beat after 5 months of tent camping. Doing what you do definitely requires creative thinking!!! Been great to watch your progression.
thanks
i actually don’t do any tent camping. i only sleep in the teardrop- so it’s much easier than setting up a tent every night. that would get old fast! i didn’t want to do that. i wanted to pull over for the night and just crawl into the trailer and sleep. i think what keeps me going is the thrill of seeing more and more of the country. parts i’ve only seen in other peoples pictures or heard about. and more places that i didn’t even know existed. i can’t begin to explain days like exploring. a whole ghost town in california or watching the mystery lights on Marfa. thanks for your support! means the world to me!
I have the same vehicle and I didn’t realize this! I love everything about your set-up. I look forward to my teardrop I ordered to come in next year! Only 500lbs, no wood in the build, and I wasn’t blessed with your height, so I guess putting on pants inside will not be so bad. LOL. I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos! Happy travels.
oh cool
enjoy it! they’re in a class all by themselves
Been looking at some of the other small camper options such as the GeoPros. You can stand up and have a bathroom.
I just spent a week in my 4x8 tiny travel trailer in the Poconos -- temps were 20s & 30s . . . I've officially decided to build out a cargo trailer (6x10? 6x12?) and include a chinese diesel heater. My propane heater could warm it up nicely, but the condensation was horrible. I don't want any tanks, I don't need a bathroom, but it was too cold to boil water in under 25 mins and too cold to change my clothes without misery. So I'm selling out.
If I've learned one thing following nomads, it's that the rig debate/rig change up is an endless discussion. So what do you sometimes imagine getting?
that is soooo the truth.
i’m looking at trucks and truck campers. seem to fit me and my travel style the most
Real feedback from a real experience, thanks !
of course! thanks for watching!!
If you're going to stealth camp at Walmart, you can show your appreciation by going into the store and buying a breakfast coffee and a sweet roll. I use the opportunity to buy any supplies I'm getting low on.
Good stuff. You have a great attitude and positive energy that leads me to believe you're enjoying what you're doing. Safe and happy travels. Just subscribed and look forward to more shared experiences, knowledge and useful advice on how you make it all work.
thank you! yes, i try to live life on the positive side. i’ve had my days out here though. but overall, i just love the idea of not knowing what i’m gonna see tomorrow. thanks for the support!
I have a larger teardrop (Nucamp T@b 400), which allows you to stand-up and has an interior kitchen and wet bath. I initially was going with the smaller trailer but found the larger teardrop provides all the comforts I need.
those are nice, but my forester just wouldn’t pull it. i do like em though!
I have a squaredrop that is off-road capable. It seems pretty comfortable to me, but I haven't tried to live in it full-time either to date. Like you, I only use one side of the squaredrop for sleeping, but I was able to get an 8-inch high cot from Walmart that got my 4-inch Hest Foamy mattress up off the floor. I can sit on this bed quite comfortably. If I put a cushion behind my back, it is a couch. And, I store my tools and my day pack and quiite a few others things underneath. When I am sitting on the bed, I still have 5 or 5 inches between me and the roof, so it might work for someone taller as well. The good thing about a squaredrop is that the high point of the roof is throughout the cabin, as opposed to the one spot of you get in a teardrop. It seems much larger, whether it is or not.
oh that’s awesome. what brand do you have? i’ve been kinda looking at square drops
@@EscapingNormalLife I have the Intech Flyer Pursue with the kitchen. I was able to buy it at a local dealership without the long wait time involved with so many teardrops/squaredrops.
Thanks!
you’re the best!!!! thank you thank you thank you!
I love your setup. It really is a step up from your car. You still dont have a bathroom but you have a kitchen and a dedicated bed. The interior of your car will thank you for not regularly sleeping in it. Overtime thats wear and tear. Im sure you are also still getting some great mpg
thanks!
You are living the dream I envy this adventure, I never get to stay more than a few days in my home made camper
One of my favorite channels! Oh please everyone like this channel I hope it stays around for a very long time. I wish you the best success!❤
thank you so much for your support!!! means the world to me. i’ve had my low thought points when it comes to making content for this channel. it takes HOURS to put together ONE 10min video. a whole day, actually. and when some of the videos only get a marginal amount of views- it’s disheartening. but you and everyone else that has supported me is the ONLY reason i keep going. thank you for making this feel like what it’s worth!
Well presented: objective and descriptive.
thank you!
Awsome video and info
Thank you
F#*k ya man! I have so much respect, and appreciate all your insights.
thanks!
12-volt electric blanket works nice too
Amazing 😅
Thank you so much!
Hi, just watched your video + you remarked that in bad weather you,re forced to sit in your teardrop. Well I have a bushcamp caravan + I have a swingtent that swings around from 1 side door + covers most of the kitchen. I,ve also bought a very light weight all weather sheet that I can put up in less than 5 mins. I also saw on an american site a very simple sun shade that you can pull out in seconds with side panels + poles for extreme weather. So my point is in bad weather there is no excuse to sit cooped up inside. Roy, Haarlem, Holland.
hello! yeah, those are good points. i did actually have an awning i would put up in light rain. i would mostly hang out in the teardrop if it was just poring outside or just too cold. but otherwise, an awning is helpful.
thanks for watching and commenting!
Wow. So concise and practical.
Stealth camping is camping anywhere you aren’t authorized without being detected, city or not.
good point!
Parabéns! Ótimo video! Sou do Brasil. Estou aguardando o meu Tear Drop que está em construção. Abraço!! overland everthing!
awesome! enjoy it!!!
I'm in my runaway camper now. Got tired of trying to keep cool in a draughty house. You turn on the AC and you better get your blankets out you are going to be cold. Here in Louisiana you want to get cold because heat is not far away.
I know that I cut down on the constant snacking I usually do. I'm Away from the refrigerator got to get keys and unlock the house etc.
I shower outside, 💩 outside, but I put a toilet outside I pour water and it's flushed. , when it's cold I have gym membership.
I can get dressed in the house just warm. I'm done paying big power for big heat weather.
I've got Bose surround sound, satellite TV/ music. Internet and the way I see it I don't need more.
i looked at the Runaway series before i got my Little Guy. i liked them a lot. those Venture series are great!!
thanks for sharing!
Nice video, thanks 😊👌🙌👍🍀
you’re welcome!
We find rain being stuck inside the worse.
Awesome! When you do decide to travel in cities, where do you typically park your rig? Do you ever detach your teardrop and use your vehicle to explore urban areas?
i didn’t leave my trailer unattended tooo much. mostly only to navigate scenic drives through national parks (some parks won’t let you take trailers on their windy roads) or to park at a trailhead to start a hike (cause trail heads have small parking lots).
when i was sleeping in a city- i found neighborhood streets that already had lots of cars parked on them so i could blend in felt most comfortable for me. it’s all about how safe you feel and trying to blend into the environment when stealth camping. i personally did not feel safe leaving my trailer unattended in a city.
@@EscapingNormalLife I wouldn’t feel safe leaving my trailer unattended in a city either. Thanks for the feedback.
@@kyle6703 of course! Always love sharing from my experience to make the experience for others better. Happy Trails!
I like Escapod teardrop but floored after find out the price. Damn... Would you buy it?
oh the Escapod is sweeeet. i would buy it if i took my trailer off road like those things are designed for. the articulating coupler would be nice to have on some back roads. and the build quality seems super high quality. would last forever. it’s over my budget too- but if it’s something you would really use for how it’s built- then i would look into buying one. if you don’t think you’re gonna use it for the conditions it’s used for- there’s a TON of other teardrops out there that are much cheaper
Did u join the reunion of trailers of the brand.
Thanks for the video! Do you leave your trailer in the remote campsite while you drive somewhere to go hiking for example? How do you prevent someone from stealing/ towing your light weight trailer? We love camping in remote area as well, we either do car or tent camping. I've read it's not uncommon for someone stealing from the tent/campsite...
i have a video where i talk about all the locks that i had in my trailer while i was away from it (below). i did leave it unattended at times but never with anything laying outside of it (chairs, cookware, tents, bikes, etc). overall - i treated my trailer just like a house. i never left anything outside that i wasn’t comfortable with possibly loosing
here’s that video
you can watch the whole thing or skip to 10mins in when i talk about my locks:
th-cam.com/video/6els_lNqY4s/w-d-xo.html
@@EscapingNormalLife thank you!
Yep. I've arrived back at a campground (paid) tent site in the pouring rain after a day walk and found all my gear gone and a big soggy wet, filthy pile of poor quality camping gear piled up in its place. No where is safe by my reckoning. I do however, pay a campground now to store my car (stealth camper) when I am on a long hike. Whilst it may not be 100% safe, it is much safer than parking it on a street or at a trail head. It is a risk we all run as travellers, whether nomad or not, and it is essential to have protective insurance for our travel/hardware needs.
Thanks!
SWEET!! thank you soooo much!! look for a shout-out in future videos!!
It takes a different kind of person to own a tear drop. It all came down to economic. I would rather own a Scamp with more amenities:
Indoor kitchen, indoor bathroom, heat, cool air. And stay in camp ground 1 - 2 days a week.
Funny how people are not building "pop-up" teardrops that will let you stand up comfortably (and in your case you also lack access to the cooking area without a pass through).
Actually, the Patriot X3 has all of this and you can stand up. Oh yeah, but there is the $60k price tags for it!
@@Mudgard Yea, but "builders don't seem to wanna spend the time building them. I guess it adds more cost and time.
The Viking TD 9.0 has a pop up end that gives you an area to get dressed with a full sized bed, and AC and heater. All less than 20,000 and less than 2000lbs
Did u write a book
no
i have not
my youtube channel is my creative outlet
Does it have AC and heat ?
my Teardrop did not. however, there are lots that do. every model of Runaway Campers have ac units; Hiker Trailers are equipped with AC; MyPod by Little Guy i think has AC; the Bushwacker has AC; i think the Cricket by Mantis does as well. while, i’m not aware of models that come with heaters, that’s not to say they don’t exist. also, a Diesel heater is relatively easy to install and could be installed into basically any trailer or Teardrop.
one thing to note with AC units- they add a lot of weight to your Curb Weight- which in turn will make it heavier to tow- which then means you’ll need more towing capacity on your tow vehicle. also- to efficiently run a AC unit, you’ll most likely need a generator- which will be an extra big thing to tow around.
i personally never had a moment on the road where i felt i needed an AC unit. while some days were certainly hot enough- i wasn’t about to just hang out in my small 6’ teardrop for hours, not doing anything, just so i could cool off in the air conditioning. i set up a sun shade, or sat under a tree, or jumped in a lake or went indoors to other places. like libraries to work on YT videos and use the WIFI.
also- while i didn’t have AC in mine-i did have a 3 speed fan on the roof that helped a lot. it was enough for me. because i lived in mine for a year, i was mostly in cooler temps than i was warmer temps. so a diesel heater would be something i’d look at over an ac unit.
@@EscapingNormalLife I am starting to see these everywhere. I think people are living in them.
@@muddyriverdogz possibly. I did in mine.
How da hell did you get all that vacation time from work. FMLA?
ha
no- i quit my job to travel for a year. it was a lifelong dream. heres my little story of how it came to be and, if you’re interested, a longer version where i show everywhere i went in a year:
th-cam.com/video/aJ0nG1WMCTY/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/suS0r9mNyxc/w-d-xo.html
My apologies- my comments were not meant as an attack.
Don’t you wanna Runaway? happy Trails?
haha
the Runaway trailers? i actually looked at those and was SUPER close to buying one till i found this Little Guy for half the price.
Con#1 no bathroom / crapping in the woods😂
yeah, but trust me- it’s a LOT better to crap in the woods than it is to empty a black tank
…until you have to crap in the snow or rain 😆
CON: You're living in a teardrop full time.
haha
true. true.
I cannot understand why anybody would want to camp in a teardrop camper … where you can’t stand up - the only thing you can do is lay.down or crouch your head. Does not make any sense to me at all. It’s a fad, a trend, and they will most likely all end up in the dump.
OR maybe it’s the only thing I… A)could afford B) could pull with my car & C) wanted since it’s small and versatile unlike travel travelers. also- just because it’s not for you, doesn’t mean it’s not right for others. maybe ask more questions like “WHY did you choose this over other options” vs attacking those who choose this option.
That music in the background is a nuisance.
Thanks!
My ideas include a minivan and a sturdy stand up tent, tear drop/tent or enclosed 6' + tall 12' enclosed trailer. Considering the campground availability and cost (even state and federal parks) the van combined with motels makes sense to me at age 73.
Camp Inn has a new composite tear drop that weighs 3 to 400 # for about $6000. Tempting, but new ones lose value quickly. The builder stated that most campers are built to last only so long
My 4 cylinder s10 might labor pulling the enclosed trailer.
A portable table would make up for a galley. Better gas mileage too.
I have a Ford Transit Connect mini van with a RiverLeaf slide in camper and I tow a Vistabule Teardrop. Perfect set up for me.
Thanks!
In the past few years there have been a lot of innovations available for teardrop campers such as 270 degree awnings, shower/toilet tents, tents that actually attach to your teardrop and give you an “extra” room and walls for privacy.
There are an assortment of compost toilets, water heaters that provide hot water and showers/sinks portable power stations that can be recharged with solar panels that you can run everything from a portable 12V refrigerator to a microwave with. You can even buy a portable AC that will run for hours off the right power system. There are propane and diesel heaters as well. Campers have the ability to go further and stay out longer now. It’s a constantly evolving and changing experience.
yeah all true
thanks for the comment!
Ugg...I live on the Northern CA coast and I'm soooo tired of all the Class A and even Class C clogging up our coast highway. I love the minimalist style of the teardrop. The whole point of "camping" is being outdoors! I love bag fleece liners! I've started into a commitment into an aluminum cargo trailer. Lightweight so my Subaru Outback can pull, it will house my mountain bike and I can stand up ; ) I lived full time in a 24' travel trailer on my rural property for 4 years when building a house. There is something beautiful to one pot, one pan living. Maybe you're back on the road home but if not, you're welcome to park on our property for a visit to the Sonoma Coast. We're not 'in your business' type of people so you'd have the freedom to come and go as you please. My sister-in-law parked her 17' here for 9 days while she went about her plans. Really enjoy your style of vlogging and the information you provide, thanks! Happy trails!
oh thats awesome! thank you so much. When I get back out to California, I'll most definitely take you up on that offer. Currently, I'm back in Florida for a while, visiting family. thanks for your comment and support though. means everything!!
If you got yourself an awning or canopy to put over your doorway and you cooking area, you could still be outside and not have to worry about the wet weather.
in fact, i ordered one!
Good content, just hard to hear you with the guitar blasting :/
oh no! sorry about that. i thought i lowered it enough to hear me ok. good feedback. i’ll remember that for next video
You do a really good job on your videos I must say. Great video. I was wondering what it cost to live on the road per month?
thank you! well, i have a video planned for the end showing a detailed breakdown of what i spent each month. be on the lookout for that one once i’m back in Florida. but as a teaser- it’s about $1500/month
Thanks!
Back in the day...
I lived in a '67 VW Van & stealth camped in used car lots...
Hide a needle in a haystack strategy 😊
yup! that’s what i’m basically doing now. i sold my teardrop and have been traveling around in my car for the past few months
th-cam.com/video/fTOPeOhl5sk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KATt1b4hWLNEbCHG
There are a few problems with his comparisons. He completely missed comparing to other teardrops that are larger like the nuCamp Tab400. Also, it's tiresome hearing from guys that want to have the most minimal setup think the rest of us sit in our campers all the time or we're not into nature, that's not true. From what I see on the forums, regardless of the size of their camper, most spend their time outside. There are a lot of full-timers, you're not unique anymore.
But, do appreciate him sharing his experiences.
valid points
and you’re right, i should have started with “this is my only my experience”.
lesson learned and i’ll absolutely consider that for future content
Earlier this year I was at an RV show, and had met several older men, similar to me, in that they were looking for a small travel trailer. Reaching that age of retirement, the idea of traveling, dispersed camping, being outside, hiking, fishing, sounds like Utopia. The con that most of the older men came up with, "How do you change your clothes without being able to stand up?"
ha
yup- that’s a big Con of the teardrop. the answer: you manage.
Actually, years of yoga actually very much is useful for this 70 year old woman. Getting the pants on, you use what is called a 'bridge' pose. Having a small place like a travel trailer or tent keeps you very supple.... Think about it.....
Stealth Camping.... well I learn a new thing every day 😀. Thanks
haha
you’re welcome
Thanks!
you’re the best!!!
GREAT STUFF .
Thanks again for another great video .
Mark from Maryland
thank you for watching!!! means so much and it’s what keeps me going!! really- thank you!!
dump the guitar show in back ground. but a very good vid and liked your setup.
Great video! By the way, your shower goes to your black tank, not your gray tank. It’s environmental rules, let’s face it… People pee in their shower! I am a huge tiny camper fan. I prefer to Boondock, but not a really remote area. And I’m fine with hitting a campground for the plug-in hook ups, the shower, the laundry, and the amenities you don’t get in the middle of the forest. And let’s face it, there’s nothing cuter than a teardrop or a tiny camper.
ohhhh… good call! i didn’t think about peeing in the shower. lol. i’ve never dealt with tanks so i don’t really know all the rules around them. but thank you for the comment!
Great
Thinking about buying one. Great video, very informative.
oh cool!
i have a whole series about my little teardrop if any of these help:
th-cam.com/play/PLLgytSOs0A3ex48wx0GSh7FjbRKtJ5mcn.html&si=Z6Mzeh1I_UC9fjQB
Thanks!
Thanks!
Very informative; thanks. Four years ago I decided to build a tear drop SLEEPER so we could save time and money on hotels when we go across country to visit. It was to be pull-able by a compact car and still get 30 mpg, and to require no more prep than getting in and shutting the door. But two things happened in the over four years it took me to build it. An airline opened up a direct flight to where we go for half the price it used to take, and my spouse pushed to make it a camper. Well I just finished it and we took it out camping once . Pulled just fine by a corolla and slept great. We now intend to explore the country when I retire, so your tips will help.
oh cool! that must be pretty light weight to be pulled by a corolla! very impressive
thanks for watching and commenting
Nice list. Thanks for the breakdown. (Just a small thing, not the biggest deal, and this totally comes from me being an English teacher… when you are referring to pros and cons, those are just plural forms, not possessive. Adding the apostrophes is a super common error. I don’t know if you can edit that and replace this video without losing the comments, but if so, that would be a small fix.)
oh i didn’t know that. thanks! i can fix it
I have ac and heat in my tear
Was Cosmo a inspiration for your travels ?
haha- like … Cosmo Cramer from
Seinfeld? sorry, if you meant another person. i’m not familiar with any other Cosmo’s out there
@@EscapingNormalLifeWeems?
Adding an awning w/ floored annex room takes care of any of the "standing" issues. Mine on my "square drop" is 8x8, made by ARB. Its big and comfortable enough to be my office for remote working.
I cant tell if its the camera angle or what, but your Forester looks super low. Is it lowered? Or is there a lot of weight in it? Just curious
oh
no- it’s not lowered. probably all the weight.
I’ve had a t@g since 2014..I put a cot in it..I’ve got a portable toilet..I keep a small stove with hiking food for sketchy days..Littlebuddy heater..
sounds kinda like my lil setup. the tag’s are nice. you can stand up in it- which i’m jealous of
Where did you get that roof rack. I need one of those for Lil Red.
haha
that was by far the most asked question about that teardrop
they actually came with the trailer. i talk briefly about them in this video:
th-cam.com/video/bCTptG3LqVM/w-d-xo.html
You insinuated that it,s sometimes difficult to sit outside sheltered from bad weather. My wife + I bought a bushcamp 2 yrs ago, we made several changes + I,m always thinking of things to make our camps comfortable. I,ve recently bought 2 suckers with hook attachments so that I can hang a waterproof /weather resistant sheet up, 2 light poles + bobs your uncle. A bamboo table weighing 70 grams + 2 sun chairs. Perfect. I,ve also bought a fishing umberella to protect me from bad weather when I,m cooking on the bagage box. Nothing worse than having to move all the hot pots + pans. We live in Haarlem Holland which is a good stepping stone to other parts of europe. We,re off to Norway via Germany,Denmark + sailing to Larvik then all points north, this will be our 2nd attempt. 😂😏
oh wow! good advice and awesome to have viewers in Holland!!
thanks for watching and commenting
I’m not a full time traveler but on weekends I’m always out on fishing trips so I have a bonair BA-700 pop up camper from 1987. I like it but it can somehow be a pain to set up every time I want to use it. But no grey/black tanks and I can cook in it. I enjoy it with my 2 door jeep wrangler.
oh cool!
yeah, i have a friend who has a pop-up
and while i really like how lightweight and small it is, i wanted something more rigid and with better insulation for full time travel. but pop-up’s are a sound alternative, especially for anyone who has a smaller car to tow it with
thanks for watching and commenting!
You need an awning/side-entry tent. An auxiliary space alongside the trailer would make a lot of your cons go away, particularly the outside/ changing/ dressing/ toileting stuff.
hello!
i actually did have an awning. basically just a tarp i put up with some carabiners, clipped to an aluminum pole mounted on the side of the trailer. but it took a close to 10mins to set it up every time. and although that doesn’t sound long, when you have to do that every day to put it up and take it down- it gets to be more of a nuisance than a solution. if i had the money, i would ABSOLUTELY invest in a 270° awning. but all the good ones are $800+. sooo… not anytime soon for this poor working man.
but excellent ideas for making it easier on the road! thanks for watching and commenting!
Saw your setup on another channel; came here to like and subscribe. You do a great job explaining things. Good luck and God bless.
thank you!
So, if I got a teardrop like yours, where are some places that I can park it to sleep at night in the cities, or is it only in remote places that you're parking to sleep at night?
it just so happens i made a video about that topic:
th-cam.com/video/I8eICxK6Ivc/w-d-xo.html
For showering if to cold or no planet fitness, I would use a truck stop showers (they aren't that bad just wear water shoes)
oh yeah, i did use truck stop shower once. it was just too expensive to do it a lot. but it did work in a pinch
I was thinking about building a live in SUV or VAN for 1-2 week long trips, travel while remote working then come home for a few weeks, repeat. But getting a teardrop camper and just using my Maverick truck that gets amazing gas mileage seems like the best idea. Trying to decide what model to buy.
yeah, teardrops are great for that
theres a ton out there. if you have the $- look at Bean. Timberleaf makes great teardrops. Oregon Trailers are amazing. Escapod seem best for off-road. Box-drops are another great option. same concept- but Box shaped vs Teardrop shaped. Look at Runaway trailers. or Core RV makes some cool Box-Drops. also Hiker Trailers.
@@EscapingNormalLife Thanks for the recommendations!
Do you use showers at the truck stops?
i used ONE truck stop shore. $15. net again. 2 days later i got a membership at Planet Fitness for the showers. this is how i showered mostly on the road:
th-cam.com/video/oGMNhOJ_Dic/w-d-xo.html
Great vid. Thank you.
you’re welcome. thanks for watching!
Great video
oh thank you!
If no gray tank, how you deal with the wasted water?
the only wasted water i ever had was from washing dishes. in that case- i would usually dump it in a pit toilet, which is usually at the trail heads i was sleeping at.
@@EscapingNormalLife got it! That sounds better than a gray tank:)
Get a small diesel heater and crack a window. Hear they work well and use less fuel.
yeah, i plan on getting a diesel heater in my next setup. thanks!
Dude, you can run a Mr.Buddy Heater all night no problem. Tractor Supply has a 5or6 foot hose and in line filter to hook up to a 20lb tank and you are all set. Mr Buddy Heater is set up to run indoor safe there are a lot of video reviews on TH-cam regarding the same. I did it in my rig all winter up north toasty warm.
oh yeah
i have the small one of those!
My body would be in a lot of pain i wouldve just done a truck and a truck camper.At least then could stand up and move around...😂
a truck and truck camper is my ultimate dream setup- however i don’t have the money to buy those things. i set out on my journey with the car i already had (and already paid off) and pulled the absolute biggest thing i could pull with it. but one of these days- a truck camper will be my new home!
I would mount a small rv air conditioner on the roof between the roof racks