regarding the under body protection: Industry standard on small bumper pull trailers is a open weave, spun polyester fabric over the plywood floor. In the case of my now 10 year old teardrop that is what I have. The floor is 1" plywood covered inside with sheet lino and underneath with a black wood stain and that spun poly. 10 years on, road trips of a month or more up into Canada's far north including the Arctic Circle and further on to the Arctic Ocean x 3, multiples of all over Yukon, Northwest Territories and northern BC. We live and camp on northern Vancouver Island which is temperate rain forest insofar as climate goes, think mildew, rot, wet unless you mitigate it somehow. My trailer's underbelly is as new. No rips, wear spots, sagging or whatever. Also it is on a Dexter torsion axle with a small lift from the frame as well as 16" wheel/tires replacing the 13's it came with. I'll put my off road, two track, gravel performance up against any of the GI Joe, tacti-cool units costing thousands more.
@@patrickio8084Home built by a fellow in Eugene, Oregon. Came to me as a kit, sort of a flat pack on top of the trailer. Sadly he is out of the business, sold out to another company years ago. Ours is the vastly up-rated camping type of teardrop, not the miniature RV type.
You have probably noticed over the years that in all these videos it is very rare that I pin a comment. Just saying big respect for you and your travels.@@metaxaanabeer
This is the best teardrop channel on the planet. I think there is too much emphasis on “off road” in the industry. Perhaps folks see it as shorthand for well-built and long lasting. I have a Road Toad on order and was a longtime Camp-Inn owner. Over the decades we have come to appreciate the “blank slate” camper that allows us to do it ourselves.
I think for many people "off road" is short hand for "I don't want to be crammed into an RV park where we're all piled on top of each other with no privacy or space to our own". There is a reason why we're teardrop owners and not Class A owners. But we often focus on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on having some trailer build that can climb the side of an unpaved mountain to get away from everyone, we should focus on being able to sustainably camp for as long as possible without electrical and waste hookups. It's like, okay your camper can climb every peak in yosemite, what good does that do you if you have to turn around after a day because you've run out of energy and water.
@cgillit yes, I think for the majority of us an off-road trailers is not what we’re looking for. Like you said, we’re looking for a way to get out and away from the crowds. Yes, a challenge is fine every now and then, but we don’t need a trailer built to handle challenges daily.
I want to applaud this comment in all caps! But then I realize it makes it look like I’m applauding that first sentence. Haha. You can see it in many of our Bean videos. I really appreciate the Bean Trailer because it’s well-made, but I often say in those videos and interviews with Bean that I just think they are over built for most of our needs. It’s really unfortunate that within the industry you are either forced between a low quality trailer or forced to purchase some sort of overbuilt over accessorized offroad trailer. So it’s been a real blessing lately to see companies like camp inn and runaway offer lower priced, lightweight trailers, but built with composite materials. Many of us have been saying for years that we want just a bare bones, composite teardrop trailer. This is truly all I need to get to all my favorite Boondocking sites and the occasional fire road. And the best part, I don’t need to get a new tow vehicle to do this.
Drew can you please talk about basic maintenance? IE packing bearings, weather protection (marine sprays, wd40, etc), hitch, wiring, fuse checks... what you consider essential annual maintenance for safety and longevity.
Haha. I love hearing that. That was 100% unscripted. I was throwing water at the trailer and he was out there playing around in his little minion costume.
Good points Drew. Indeed, many "off-rood trailers " are simply styling exercises. I tell people to never pull their trailer off roar without a fully articulating hitch/coupler, secure cabinet latches and ample ground clearance. And I wouldn't pull a trailer over 1500lbs on a trail without trailer breaks either. The Zurn Solar Panels are pricey, but the sturdy frame that holds the panels at the optimum angle and the durable case that protects them in the back of the TV add to their value immensely.
Hello, some good points. The aluminum plating is far from skid protection. The wired solar is similar to a trickle charger on a motorcycle. Typically, these campers have a higher ground clearance than the tow vehicles, especially a Subaru. Little sketchy about bike racks, I usually get around rigs with too much dragging behind. When we really get to remote locations, like Rim Rocker or areas in Moab we take the Jeep and a tent. It's a real challenge taking trailers and you will break components even on those $100K rigs. Most buy campers and use them 12 - 15 times a year max. We have a Bushwhacker as featured on your thumbnail and at the end of your video. 2 years and over 20k miles. Many adventures including Moab and places it should not have been, but it has held up remarkably well. All for under $10K. For us, it's been an amazing camper with no issues. You do not want to jump on the fenders as demonstrated, will be a big problem. Maybe we have been lucky. To each their own, bottom line, get our and enjoy the great outdoors. We still love you Drew and love no toy payments!
I don't think is is luck. Like Brian and I mentioned in our Bushwacker video, it may have a lot of issues, but it is built on a pretty decent foundation. It really is about determinging your camping needs. Where will you go, what will you actually use it for. Most of us dream bigger than we actually do. Haha. So for the majority of us, I don't think we need a true off-road trailer. We just need something that can handle gravel roads and the occasional rutted fire road.
Hey Drew! GREAT subject… don’t be oversold and do your research. I know that there are some real off-road enthusiasts, but who really climbs hills with a teardrop in tow ? Don’t get sucked into going overboard with fancy gadgets and add-ons. I built my teardrop in 2016 and I JUST put on a porch and galley light powered by a 12volt battery about the size of a VHS tape. So use what you need, and don’t worry about buying something just because it looks cool and everyone else has one Happy camping buddy
I second trailer brakes as the best optional must-have 😁 Selling a camper with off-road ability is interesting though - manufacturers (here in Australia at least) are damned if they do because it makes their campers heavy, sometimes impractical and difficult to tow, but also damned if they don't because campers that don't at least look like they can go off-road don't sell well. If I could educate most new camper buyers in just one thing, it would be that 95% of them will never need off-road ability. It's usually something that a seasoned camper requires and then they know what to look for in a camper.
Great points! How many of us truly need an off road trailer? I suspect the number is way smaller than the industry would have us believe. I love those trailers that can go virtually anywhere. They are just cool…but I dont own a tow vehicle that can do that kind of off road travel. Plus I don’t want my cook stove to be chest high. I can get down most dirt and gravel roads and make simple stream crossings. The money I save goes towards better gear to come along. I’m with you on the charge controller. Simple add that opens up a lot more options for everyone. Great video topic for everyone.
I think you have a great point here. And that is, if we were all being honest with ourselves... 85% of us who want an offroad trailer, really just want a trailer capable of fire roads. And even that, we only need it to be capable occasionally. Meaning something built to handle fire roads 20-30% of our overall driving terrain. I used to rarely camp on fire roads. Gravel roads yes, fire roads no. But today a majority of my camping is on fire roads. But, to get to them I am primarily on highway or well maintained gravel. And then it is a short, slow, calculated drive down a fire road to get to my campsite. I have a feeling the wear and tear I put on the trailer during those slow fire road jaunts is very limited.
What!?!?! Big tires matching your tow vehicle is not a good idea! Noooooooo! lol. You are spot on Drew with all of these points. Being I teardrop owner for many years, you pick up on these things and honestly take it for granted everyone knows this stuff. As a creator, it gave me a lot to think about and how I can share these important tips to the community. Ps. Love this kids dumping water on the trailer.
I knew that one would be a tough statement to swallow within the overland community. Luckily though, as you and I know, there are manufacturers out there that have very specific overlanding tow setups in mind and do have a dialed in trailer based on that tire, rim, and bolt pattern. But, the not so good news, is that it will cost you. Haha. Those trailers aren't cheap. Yes, I think there is a huge gap of information within the community, especially the overlanding information. Think how many great videos you could make just in regards to overlanding components. Each one is a video in itself. And there is nobody doing it. You have so many directions you can go with your channel. You are essentially a lone wolf out there in the overlanding trailer niche. And the beauty of that is, you get to go where you want. And even if you end up not getting another trailer, you still have that entire family component to dive into. Family is also another wide open overlanding niche.
Great advice as always. You gave me pause about the bike rack I use every time I go camping. I'd feel like a complete tool if it broke and injured a driver behind me.
I was in the same boat. I still use mine from time to time, but I try to reduce the use of the rear hitch as much as possible. Once I started going down the science rabbit hole behind RV rated bike racks, thats when I really became a believer. The forces back there are intense. I had no idea. And it's much worse on something like a cargo trailer because that axle is more center mounted. Essentially the further the rack from the axle, the more impact on the bike/rack.
@@PlayingwithSticks😮My campers axle is nearer to the center. Do you think those wedges that keep the bike rack from wiggling inside the receiver would help or is it no help?
They definitely help. You won't get that big visual movement that you saw in this video. But the invisible, microvibrations those will still be there. And those are the ones that are truly rattling down at that molecular level. @@GunNut37086
Good video on the back mounted bike carrier. My Hollywood dual EBike carrier (excellant) says it cannot be installed on any trailer. It is only for class A, B or C RVs. Metal fatigue will make it fail. Pro tip: if you have anything in a hitch receiver, use a hitch tightener (U shaped bracket that tights up the wiggle). Still wont fix this trailer problem though.
TC now utilizes a front section between the teardrop and the tongue box to hold 2 bikes. It's wildly popular. It also takes care of the age old problem of too much weight behind the axle and causing sway, especially for those ebikes that weigh 70lbs each. Todd solved that particular problem.
My good man, you hit every point that I had when I purchased mine as well. The solar thing was a pretty big gripe of mine. Stating it is solar ready when in actuality it needs to have a charge controller. Having wires go from the outside to the battery is not solar ready. One more thing that makes me cringe is the mounting of a tire on the side of the teardrop. Prolonged vibration is it going to create some problems down the road. Can't believe how big the boys are getting. It is always fun to see them in the videos. I have issues with tongue boxes as well, some are good some just are not. Thanks for the video
I never considered that about the spare tire. I have heard gripes about that in terms of trail hangups. But, nothing on the vibration. Makes sense though. Good seeing you on here my friend.
Good myth review. Looked like someone was having fun with all of those buckets of water. My square drop just had the Zamp/SAE plug. I had to run the wire and installed a controller and it was solar ready. I have hauled bikes on the back of our pop up when we had it. Not again! I got a double hitch from Harbor Freight and haul them between my tow vehicle and camper. To me brakes are a must. Less stress on your vehicle and safety. The exception to the stand on fenders on an off road trailer is Bean. Their new Bean Stock doesn’t have them. Washboard vibration to me is one of the worse things on your trailer off road.
I LOVE THIS POST. Good to see the crew get in on the action. Don't skid plates help protect your engine, transmission and differential? 😀 I would say you want some protection for your water tanks in an off road trailer. That is the only place we skid plate our trailers. As far as stand up fenders are concerned, I am not sure being able to stand on them is totally indicative of off road performance. Bean Stock 2.0 is a beast off road but don't stand on that fender! The only time I put a bike in the rear hitch of a trailer is if I know it is a heavy duty rack and the bike are secured to the rack by only touching the tires. The one thing I would add is a lot of people fall for poorly built trailer because they LOOK like off road trailers(big tires, square shapes, military colors, mountain graphics, lots of diamond plating, etc). Construction(body, frame, suspension) is much more indicative of off road worthiness but that takes some research to figure out. Did I already say I love this post! Thanks Drew!
Thanks Mark. I tried to keep my explanations brief. Which as you know, can be really tough for a guy like me. Haha. Yes, as noted "full" underbody protection. Underbody protection good, full underbody bad. Okay, this is a good place to ask if text works. Did you see my text that said "that are exceptions to this rule." I often wonder with all the visual information and the audio going on how hard it is to catch the text popping up? When I put that text up Stock 2.0 was one of the trailers i was thinking of. And yes, good point on the construction. When I was making this point in the video I realized that is a video in itself. Explaining a true offroad trailer actually takes a bit of time. Glad you enjoyed this post Mark. It's going to be one of those ones people either love or hate, probably not a lot inbetween. I gues it depends on what trailer you own or manufacture. 😬
Thanks Drew! Very informative! I do feel like the electrical systems on many of these trailers leave a lot to be desired. For the price you pay on some trailers you expect quality components/parts but get cheap parts instead. Very disappointing!
Thank you so much for the tip Brad. We have been preparing lately for our move back to the States. Lot of work involved. So no fun coffee trips for us lately. Your $5 goes right to my instant nescafe americanos. Living the high life! But, I do promise once we get to Vietnam I will make sure to get a good coffee on Brad! I see what you see with the electrical as well. I also see why it is easy for manufacturers to cut corners here. It's a lesser seen component and an area that many novice owners, including myself are not as familiar with. I am very familiar with car audio and systems like that, but this has taken me a number of years to understand best practices and brands/components within the sailing, van life, and small camper trailer industry. You can really get into this stuff and when you do, you come to find that even some of the most well known, expensive brands have actually been left in the dust in terms of recent technology. I spent a few hours with reps from one of the most well known brands in the overlanding electrical industry. During my time with them they were vulnerable enough to explain how there technology was dated and how different segments of the industry were moving forward. Crazy how fast this is all changing and how how in many scenarios brand awareness sells more than what is actually the best product.
@@PlayingwithSticks No instant nescafe americanos.....only the finest for you my friend!! 😁 I sent you an idea on the new Bean Stock. Have a safe trip back to the States!
I like Beanstock ideas. I need to catch up on my emails today. I spend a good portion of time each day just dreaming about Beanstock mods and uses. @@jgrant4520
I love that you used your kids to illustrate different aspects of your story. I hope that you are able to pay them as a tax deduction and contribute to their future earnings! Thanks for sharing this information with us. I discovered the hard way that I could not use my fancy solar panels with a charge controller to charge my power banks which also have a controller! So I have both kind of solar panels.
This video raises some great points. Another issue with a full coverage skid pan is I can’t image builders using a thick enough gauge to take a serious hit without puncturing. One of the things we looked for was how stout the lowest (abuse) points are under the trailer how well are the cables protected. I also want easy access to the understructure for inspections and upgrades… I understand material costs but I expect our trailer to last for generations. Wood (decks, boats, homes, and trailers) eventually fail in the elements; they just fail quicker without ventilation and maintenance. “Solar ready” Lol. I’d like that to include a 30A controller and a shunt battery monitor. We finally solved our bike travel issues with a pair of trail worthy folding bikes “in bags” that we can carry in our car, truck, trailer, roof rack… clean, fun and secure. I figure the rear tow receiver could come in handy as an extraction point. We haven’t used it yet! Knock on wood. Most ultralight trailers are being towed by ultralight vehicles which makes trailer brakes even more important. Trailer brakes can be a life saver in icy conditions and also while braking on loose gravel or muddy roads, especially while cornering down steep hills. It would be nice if there was an inflatable “space saver” spare option, like for cars but rated for a small trailer @ 45 mph... Hauling a full spare “just in case” is a pain. We carry a tire repair kit (plugs) and compressor but that won’t help a gashed sidewall… Myth #6: Because this teardrop trailer is so small and light it’s super easy to tow. Truth: Our teardrop is not much easier to tow than our dual axle equipment trailer. It is much more “maneuverable” but it’s also much more challenging to back up. The truth is, the smaller/shorter the teardrop is, the harder it is to back up. And, an ultralight trailer is not a good thing if it is bouncing around behind you because of every little bump in the road. Awesome video including the stunt crew:)
Great video as always Drew. Funny the differences between countries: I can't remember the last time I saw solar panels for sale in Australia that did NOT come with a solar controller. They're pretty much standard here when you buy portable panels as far as I know. As for the *quality* of the controller... well, that's another story :)
You are making me jealous! Unless it is some high dollar panel coming out of the overland industry it is extremely rare to see a charge controller in a panel here. EXTREMELY! I hope the industry picks up on what you guys are doing.
I'm in the finishing stages of building my own teardrop based on a cargo trailer kit. I plan on replacing the stock axle and suspension with something a little better matched to my needs and plans.
I’m buying an SOLID Australian Made JAG Camper, it comes with most of what you need plus a solar controller that shows what you’re using & they’ve stored it in the kitchen for easy access. It also has plenty of storage. I cannot wait. I only wish they were in WA & not the other side of the country QLD. SO EXCITING….
I think the biggest problem with the bike rack on the back is how that extra weight will affect your tongue weight. If your tongue weight is about right without the bikes and then you add two bikes and a rack (probably about 70 lb) it's going to make your tongue weight too light and will result in dangerous Towing. A reverse situation happens when you add bikes to the tongue of the trailer. The tongue weight should be appropriate at all times so if you only carry bikes sometimes you need to counteract their weight somehow when you do.
Hey Drew! We won’t do a skid plate on our trailers but get asked about it all the time. My answer is always the water issue. I hear your point about the built in solar controller. I have thought about offering it as a feature many times but the reason we don’t do it unless it is installed with a system is there are far too many panel options out there. It’s hard to know what panels people have or what they are going to connect to the solar port on the side of the trailer. There are a lot of capability issues with mix matching panels and controllers. The main one that I have seen is overloading an under sized controller. Thanks!
Hey Brian! I could see people asking for skid plates. And that is why we point people to manufacturers like yours. It is the ma and pa style of manufacturing that I trust. And don't feel you need to defend your wired for solar setups. This is used by the industry at large. Small yet great ma and pa shops and mass produced trailers. I don't necesarily blame the manufacturers for this one, it is more about the sales tactics regarding them. Folks like you will let the potential buyer know what that actually means. But time after time I hear reps telling buyers all they need to do is buy this $2 cable off of Amazon that matches their portable solar panel and they are good to go. Looking forward to seeing that Burnside this summer.
Prewired would allow a cheaper panel or controller and an expensive one would not it? Just sell em both ends if the wire is predone... Or is that too simple?
Actually having just the WIRES pre installed from the roof to the battery box is an enormous head start on a solar installation. Imagine a house that isn’t pre-wired for electricity and you get the picture. I installed solar on our ‘11 airstream and believe me running the wires was a big hairy deal for a clean install.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. I’m not bothered by the wires they provide, it’s a great start. What bothers me is all the salesman out there telling potential trailer owners that all they have to do is just get a three dollar connection off of Amazon and they’ll be able to attach their portable solar panel instantly to their teardrop trailer. I hear this almost everywhere I go.
1. Nothing wrong with a skid plate if it's made right. They all need to be louvered ad vented. That solves the entire problem. 2. Solar controllers. You are correct and it's just a matter of the RV industry selling bells and whistles and hoping we are too stupid to think that far ahead. And why not? The auto industry is making millions doing the same thing with some of the most useless technology ever invented. 3. Bike racks or any kind of rack will take a lot of abuse on the back of a small trailer or any trailer without adequate wieght or suspension. Looks smooth in the rearview mirror but ya..... that thing is really rocking back there. 4. Trailer brakes. The most imortant part here is actually the match up between the tow vehicle and the trailer. My 97 F250 Diesel 4x4 has brake rotors the size of a larget dinner platters and won't fit easily into most parking spaces. The engine and trans alone wiegh over 1000 pounds. Therefore, my little 19 foot trailer is prety much going to do what it's told with or without trailer brakes. But nowadays we have much more powerful vehicles in a lighter package that have more than enough HP to pull but not the physics to be quite as stable and Mother nature isn't impressed with that cute little traction control thing the dealer fooled with. You have to consider wieght, tire sizes, wheel base and other factors. Trailer brakes are always a good idea but the real answer is just in basic physics. 5. Tire sizes. It's not the worst thing you can do but yes, the engineer that designed that trailer knows better then the high school dropout that sold you those tires. Do your research. 6. Off road tires. Dude, I've been offroading and Rving since the 70's. These days, when I hear the term "off road" and then I see the quality of the trailer and truck they are trying to show me, it just makes me giggle. Im not even going to go there. Let's put it this way; Even Greta Thurnburg would agree that the environment has nothing to fear from today's off roaders.
This is a good point about carrying your bikes on the back of trailers, but it got me thinking about other things I sometimes keep in the back of trailer/galley storage too ... like any power stations or electronics. Might be better to reserve any back of the trailer/galley storage for things like cookware and clothing, which would be largely undamaged by low level vibrations.
In australia we only need legally trailer brakes after 750kgs, you translate that yourself. Above that electric brakes are a must above that or one tonne and above for sure and that depends on the towing car or ute or truck. Better to have and not need than need and not have.
I feel like the "you get what you pay for" point needs both more emphasis and clarity. You briefly touched on the market tendencies to call a trailer "off-road capable" when they're actually only fire road capable. It's not the same thing, and seeing the vast price tag differences between the two makes many believe that the niche off-road trailer making specialists are overcharging. I can't count how many times I've had someone tell me that something like a Bean Stalker is overpriced because they got a Bushwhacker (or similar) for less than half the price. I can only imagine the frustration that must create for the higher end manufacturers when encountering this exhausting talking point. Maybe you could do a video with a deep dive explaining the differences between the build qualities of cheap soft road vs purpose built off-road teardrops?
So glad you asked for this. I noticed Mark from Bean trailer had a similar response in his comment. I would love to make this video. Now to find the person or company willing to put their softroad trailer up against a true offroad trailer. Haha.
Morning Drew🏕🌄.. Awesome points.. Everything you said can and probably will happen to even "bigger" campers. I especially like the point of the bike hitch on back!.. AND, watching this made me realize how time is flying seeing how big the boys are getting, 😮.. God Bless you and the family. Mark...
Make sure your bike rack is tight and it won't flop around like that, anything loose will be affected but if it's tight its not gong to sway back and forth and be susceptible to metal fatigue. .
Yes, you’re absolutely right. I actually took off the tightener for this video just to show movement. Essentially to give folks a visual. But, like you said, all the literature I read on the studies of this, show that even if you have a tight, well secured carrier, yes, the carriers may stand up to the forces, but the bikes will not. I guess to sum it all up, best practice is probably finding an RV rated rack, ensure that it’s well secured, and also ensure that those bikes are well secured to that rack.
Trailer brakes!!! Such an internal battle for me. I pull with a gen 3 4runner. Not very capable brakes. It always feels fine on flat roads...but when we start tackling steep down hill, there is no question that trailer brakes are needed. I manage with slow speeds and low gears, but.... I really do need to bump it up on my to do list.
I'm like you. I know I need them, but I often don't put them on. This time around I am going to do it first thing. Hopefully I will be picking up a new trailer in July. While it is only 1,200lbs I no know confidently that even small trailers can benefit from electric brakes.
Love these guys. That is Camp-Inn the grandfathers of the industry. You really should check out that video. They are building a traditional teardrop with wood construction that is built to last over 40 years! These guys are the real deal and they explain why in the video. Their methods should be industry standard. It is unfortunate that more manufacturers don't folow their lead. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YLZybJJ5R94.html
Water is any RV's worse enemy. My trailer is 22 feet long and has dual axle electric brakes. When I first take off on a trip, I actually activate just the trailer brakes from the brake controller to see if that will slow down the tow vehicle and trailer. Best to find out before getting too far into the trip.
We are longtime tent folks but age has caught up with us ... :-) Mostly we are on pavement and normal gravel but we have one road we take every year that will shake the pictures off walls. It's 100 miles of pretty much washboard bumps every 15-20 feet. Not large holes just never ending bumps. It takes us about 4 hours towing a boat trailer with gear in it so we aren't speeding but don't want to take 10 hours either. I can't get a handle on what axle we need. I don't need/want an "off road" trailer but at the same time I prefer not to be stranded with a broken axle. Would you mind doing a video on different suspensions and what they will take? The smaller and lighter the better trailer wise. We just need a dry place to sleep. Your channels has help narrow it down to two brands and I would like to order soon.
I agree that electric brakes are worth every penny. I used to have a Nissan pickup and a Coleman tent trailer which was in the 2000 lb range. My stopping distance was definitely longer when towing without electric brakes. Under normal driving conditions it wasn't a big concern, but it is pretty scary when someone cuts in ahead of you and hits the brakes. I would rather not have too many of those white knuckle moments.
They make a Cheap clamp that mounts to a trailer hitch that will take out the sloop! Nothing is totally waterproof, add drain plug to your skid plate, maybe add a vent where you can blow air under it. Teardrop solar can be user upgraded and in most instances highly needed!
Yes, good point. I actually took off that little clamp in this video just to drive the point home harder. I wanted to show the the vibration physically. But even with that clamp on, you still are going to have metal fatigue happening at a molecular level that people cannot see, even with a tight connection
Great stuff, definitely some pretty aggressive sales pitches out there. Love hearing the sobering advice of an experienced tiny camper enthusiast I also recognize that handsome guy at the end.... lol
I can never understand why surge or inertia brakes are not standard on small campers. They would be so much easier to use, as no brake controller needed in the vehicle.
Agreed. I kind of see the argument against them when it comes to true offroading. But for 90% of applications I think they would be great. Our current favorite system is the Autow Brake. Yes, that is spelled correctly. It is essentially what you are describing.
I'm learning more and more every day. I'm curious about solar. Yesterday, I discovered "solar blankets," specifically the Off Grid Trek coupled with the Anker battery. It's rated at "200 watts." Is there a use case for this set-up? How long would a solar blanket take to fully recharge a battery? Then there's the issue of a charge controller. I saw one video where a fully charged Jackery battery ran an A/C for 1 hour and 40 minutes before the battery charge emptied. Not too good. When you cool the inside of your teardrop on a hot, humid day and you open the door, cool air is gone in a second. It seems like solar technology is making inroads but is it developed enough yet to be a viable option? I don't know. What's the more efficient way to generate electricity for a teardrop? I've also seen many videos where campers use gas generators. The noise is so loud, it's hideous. I can imagine the noise pollution in RV parks. Also, I sent Dennis at High Camp an email about my privacy curtain idea. Let's see what he says. Stay awesome!
I just went to an RV show and there was an outfit from NC there, Rustic Trail. They make nice, no frills trailers and offer an off-road option where they'll put 36" tires on select models. 36 inches?! I don't even have tires that big on my Jeep! Most of the "off-road" trailers I saw at the show were either overbuilt or had tons of showy accessories slapped onto it.
Love Rustic Trails. But I love them for their traditional builds. When traditional builders try to make an offroad trailer, it can be done. But I always suggest proceeding with caution.
My harbor freight panel came with a controller, it was $229 for a 120. Trailers have no "mind" if mounted correctly with a screw insert it will not damage your schwinn. If your bike cannot handle a bump, you need a new bike.
My husband had 15" tires installed on our Runaway Rouser Camper the one you can stand up in, the camper came with 13" tires. We prefer the 15" because the trailer rides better and has no bounce. Our truck trailers are 17"
I should have elaborated more. For a trailer like Runaway I assume they have a very specific CAD design for 13s, 14s, and 15s. And I believe their Venturist is actually designed around a 17" tire. These are pretty common tire sizes for small camper trailers. I was more referring to the offroad crowd who are throwing on some very random, by industry standard, tire sizes. Charles and I from teardrop lite debated tire sizes for years. I wanted a 15" he wanted a 14" I went down every scientific journal trying to figure this out. Came to find he was wrong and I was wrong. What we wanted for our style of trailer was a 14" tall/narrow tire. Best of both worlds a little more clearance, but less resistance on the road. I am in your camp. I just love how a 15" tows and I also think they look better aestheticallly.
next year I will be designing an building my own trailer built for overlanding / living full time which will be so much better than all of these expensive junk trailers that are on the market today
Great to hear that you are going down the diy route. Forwarning, you will save some money, but when you are done your friends will call that an expensive trailer. DIYs in 2024, especially built for overlanding come out much higher than any of the builders predict. So many factors at play influencing these high prices. Check out Woodbrews latest trailer price break down. Its pretty shocking to see.
I almost skipped breaks on my trailer. Two people told me I did not need them. I sure didn't want to pay for them! In the end, safety won out. I added the breaks.
You had me at full underbody protection! ha ha. FACTS!!! Sealants & maybe fiberglass is all that's needed. AutowBrake is so easy to install. No need for people to stress about brake controllers. It's just so easy for the added security. Dude, the Bushwhacker stories I have heard from people! Man, none of them are good. Not a single one. Great vid.
I was actually thinking of folks like you and Craig at Camp-Inn, some of the fathers of the current industry, when I made that comment. You guys are good sports. You could point this out to everyone, but I love how you guys just stay in your lane and keep buidling quality trailers that last. Well, in your case help people build quality trailers that last.
That is the blessing of Alaska. No salt on roads. I took one specific teardrop trip in Alaska down a private drive that (long back road with residential shared maintenance), unbenownst to me was salted. Must have been folks from the Lower 48. I didn't hose down the trailer. And the next time I took the trailer out I couldn't believe how much rust was introduced. Crazy! @@FreysOnTheSide
Ha ha. If a rock is going to punch through the bottom of a teardrop trailer or snag the frame, the trailer shouldn't be there. Pure and simple. Less weight, less chance of rot, and longer lasting trailer. Now I'll shut my mouth again! lol @@PlayingwithSticks
My camper came with solar ready plug in on the side but no controller on the inside. A hard lesson learned and $30 that they could have spent to complete it. My biggest complaint. Just finish the set up.
Thanks guys. As you could probably tell, some of those talking points were inspired by the great work you do. Without veteran manufacturers like you guys, we would have very little basis for comparison and understanding.
Drew, does your bike rack not have a wedge to secure it in the hitch receiver? Most nice racks have a knob you turn that pushes a wedge into the receiver to make it not rattle around. If it doesn’t come with one, you can buy an aftermarket accessory that does the job.
Good point you have. And I am glad you shared it. That was a bit of Drew taking some cinematic liberties to drive a point home. When I first filmed this I realized it wasn't a good visual. It looked very secure. I wanted people to physically see that invisible movement that is happening at the molecular level. Because of that I had to take off the gadgets that were securing it to show the rack moving.
When purchasing you would know if underbody sheets. And if so, drill some one inch holes and water is allowed to drain out and air is allowed to recirculate while adding protection. If you do not know it has or has no solar controller, then you didn't look very good. Brakes up to the person purchasing, I agree they are great, but not needed in all circumstances. I have gone numerous times on numerous trailers with bigger tires. One way it to mount the spring above the axle vs. the standard below the axle. And I DO NOT mean the stupid expression of a axle flip. Trailer axles have a bend so you cannot flip them; however, you can flip the mounting point for springs from under to over by an exact 180 degrees. So much info in this video is common sense for even a first time trailer dummy. I had off-road trailers that NEVER had any fender flares and if you ever get to Moab UT, take a trip up to Top of the World, and when you get there try and tell me I had no off-road trailer without fender flares; I used to run it up there behind a Hummer and camp. NOT a great and informative video.
It’s not about it staying tight. I just had the pin out in that example so you could see it move just to give you an idea of what’s happening at a molecular level. So even if you have a very tight connection, you still will have metal fatigue.
We visit a lot of teardrop manufacturers and tour countless teardrops. Many of them do not make the cut for the channel. Our rule for this channel, is that if the trailer makes it on the channel we see value in the trailer. That doesn't mean it is a trailer we would choose, but we believe it will get the job done better than others out there. As for my choices, I really like your idea. I will make a note to make a video like that this summer. I did make one last summer about my favorite budget teardrop trailers. It will come out mid-June. But I didn't make anything for mid-range or top tier.
Your information is so good! When are you coming Down under or going to look at Down Under options? I am trying to purchase my first and am sooooo confused. pretty old on my own female, tow vehicle 2023 Subaru XV.
The off-road trailer is probably the most confusing thing, if it is truly off-readable then it’s too expensive to risk taking it on treacherous roads anyway. 😂
In my opinion, and I may be wrong (Brigham from Bean Trailer proves this a little wrong, he offroads hard on a budget) but in general I think to be a true offroader you have to be willing to spend some big bucks. And be willing to take an expensive piece of metal down a road that you know has a potential of eating up your entire investement in a heartbeat. I respect those guys, but that would give me a heart attack. Haha.
May absolutely loves it, she says we can never get rid of it. I want it to work! It makes the best daily driver and a great camp companion with that hatchback and 3rd row. It is a V6 AWD. I have two big issues. #1 it has that soft squishy rear suspension just like a Subaru. Makes for a nice comfy ride, but there is quite a bit of rear sag. I tried to fix this last year with sumo coils. It worked a bit, but there is still obvious sag. I will be switching out the sumo coils for some air bags this spring. If all it takes is $130 airbags I will be happy! Then you have the sag having a compound effect on problem #2 there is no Sorento (even in 2024 I believe) that has a hitch receiver coming out of the bumper. All Sorento hitch receivers are aftermarket and they have to be installed under the frame. This takes an awd daily commuter with decent clearance and makes your tow hitch your new low point. Even if the airbags did alleviate the issue I still think Kia can do better. I was thinking about reaching out to them. Because man, the Kia is a great tow vehicle if they eliminate that issue. HOWEVER, with all that said. If the airbags work, this would still be plenty of clearance to get us anywhere we need to go. Last summer I went to all my favorite boondocking sites with the sag and did fine. I just had to drive a little slower and pick my lines a bit more careful.
@PlayingwithSticks Booyah 👊🏽 😁 👍🏽 🇺🇸 We just got a 2016 and want to add a hitch and fix the sag problem, too. The Sorento dies have a smooth ride and handles the road very well. I looked into this hitch from etrailer. EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2". That one seemed to hang down the least. Thank you 👊🏽 😁 👍🏽🇺🇸
No, the complete opposite. I showed Road Toad and Camp-Inn as examples of a company who is doing it right! You are putting your money towards a trailer I highly believe in.
@playingwithsticks Shouldn't the frame under these very expensive "OFFROAD" trailers extend to the edges of the trailer body? If that rock was taller in your video clip of a trailer off-roading, it would result in a very expensive fiberglass repair bill. I'm having trouble finding a small off-road trailer with a suspension that offers both REBOUND control (aka shocks) an addition to COMPRESSION control (aka rubber pads and or springs). There are very nice trailer manufactures I've found, but most claiming to specialize in off-road capable trailers IMO are missing basic suspension shocks and real body protection. But in their defense, that all adds weight. If you're aware of a reasonably priced teardrop that offers Proper offroad suspension, real body protection from rocks and accidents that will happen when on the trail and a body that doesn't rot, please point me in the right direction. Love the channel! It has been informative.
Noticed in your video you showed the Camp-Inn/Road Toad shop. Were you showing them as a good method or bad method for the underside construction? It wasn't clear.
I was wondering if people would have that question. That basically was a nod to people who saw our previous videos. I probably should’ve put some text on the screen. Camp-Inn is a model manufacturer. I was using them as a positive example of what is one correct way to do this.
@@PlayingwithSticks So glad to hear that! We're waiting on the completion of our Road Toad Abode, and have been super impressed with Craig & Carey up to this point. Generally, I see nothing but positive comments about their craftsmanship. Thanks, Drew!
Check out the RU-vid video for the Tusca Outdoors Hitchhiker. It's just an insulated shell, 190 lbs, that you can carry on a 5X8 utility trailer or put on a platform above the wheel wells of a full size pickup. Not the nice little teardrop type that you review but if someone wants to get into camping as cheap as possible it's only $2750. Plus the cost of a utility trailer or a platform on the pickup.
I've actually been sharing it with folks. I just sent it yesterday to a member of the community. I do see it as a nice little teardrop style offering, but with even more versatility. Thanks for sharing.
That is Oregon Trail'r. I have two videos for you in regards to their build. This is their normal models ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_vAu7j-m4J0.html and then we highlighted their paired down less is more philosophy model ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-28PWJF-caxo.html
Not sure what you are referring to? This video is about small camper marketing half truths. But yes, trailers can be stolen. We have an entire video on theft prevention if you are interested.
I’ve always considered this to be true for boats and RVs. But I haven’t had that experience with small camper trailers. I think many of us on here would agree that it’s actually one of the saddest days. I don’t know if people are like us, but we name our trailers and they’re really hard to give away. The only reason we’ve given them away, is due to moves or life circumstances.
Thanks! Another great video! You brought up the offroad trailers so I have to ask this question.....I am currently shopping for an offroad square drop, and I am impressed with the Runaway Venturist but also I have some interest in the Hiker Trailer and can't seem to find any videos comparing the two. They appear to be very similar and both seem to be getting more popular. I am not sure what your ability is to possibly do that video, if the opportunity presents itself, I would love to see that comparison video. Or if you have any preference as to one being a better purchase, I would be interested in hearing your opinion. Thanks and keep up the great work!
It would be a biased video. But, I probably should make that video. Folks know I highly suggest Hiker and I am a big fan. But once Runaway went to using composite materials it is hard for me not to be biased towards a Runaway. I love the price, the busines model, and now the materials.
Not sure what you’re talking about? If you’re talking about the red trailer in the background here it is more than capable. You’re looking at Timbren Independent suspension and about 17 inches of ground clearance. Do I need all of that, nope. Most of us only need about 12 inches of clearance and a nice dexter torsion axle. But if one wants to truly off-road, then this would be a great trailer for that.
Yes, that is a little oversimplified. I think I was just trying to not hang too long on one point. It is not so much about center of gravity. Essentially I was more referring to what you would see within a program like CAD. It can alter the geometry of your suspension, toe angles of your wheels (when I first looked at trailers my eye wasn't trained enough to see a trailer toeing outward. Folks in the industry had to help me see this). Also you have alignment changes (leading to uneven wear and uneven alignment issues like pulling the trailer one direction, etc. And then center point as in "weight balance." That was specificially what I was refering to in that statement. Thank you for calling me out. I am realizing I should have done a bit more of a deep dive on my explanation.
Yes, check out this video for a great example of that. I always thought it was just the sidewalls, but I think the treads are different as well after this experience. It took 4 grown men to get that tire puncture streteched with a tire plug. I've never had an issue like that with the tow vehicles tires. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QEUAtcR-kPA.html
