A 800 lbs. teardrop trailer that can sleep 4 people!?!??

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat users with road trip aspirations, . . .

When I can spare the time, I do some online window shopping on eBay.  This afternoon I came across an ad for a very unusual teardrop trailer:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266009550103

Here is the best photo from the eBay ad:



These trailers are made by Earth Traveler Teardrop trailers and their designs start out at only 250 lbs.! 

https://www.earthtravelerteardroptrailers.com/

Not your cup of tea?  Well honestly, this isn't my idea of a travel trailer either.  But you have to be admire their ingenuity.  These little trailers do pack a lot into a very small space!

Cheers, Edouard

[xairbusdriver]

Have to admit I may not have seen all the images; there must be at least four dozen!! But I noted that there were no two-legged animals actually inside any of these trailers. 🤔 I suspect that those type animals should be either on the smaller sizes or certainly on the more flexible ages! 😁 I’m still over six feet and much less flexible than I was even 50 years ago. 😏 I’m probably not their target customer. 😛

[Steve]

Ours is 5x8 and weighs 670 pounds empty. Plenty comfy for us these past five years (although we do have a fiberglass trailer coming in March.)

Several friends in our Hiker trailer group have kids or dogs with them. One couple has a roof top tent on theirs with two adults, four boys, and a large puppy.

[elagache]

Dear Steve, X-Air, and WeatherCat users with road-trip inclinations,

Ours is 5x8 and weighs 670 pounds empty. Plenty comfy for us these past five years

As confessed earlier, I really like the concept of these little trailers.  During my younger and more adventurous days, this was indeed about all I would need and these trailers are truly a time saver.  Instead of loading and unloading da' trusty wagon all the time, your cooking and sleeping rigs could pressed into service with very little effort.  Getting most of the camping gear out of my wagon would have left more room for telescopes, scuba gear, and fun stuff like that!!   

(although we do have a fiberglass trailer coming in March.)

Well since you mentioned, which one?

😁 I’m still over six feet and much less flexible than I was even 50 years ago. 😏 I’m probably not their target customer. 😛

As time as rolled by and my health as not cooperated, my thinking has also migrated in the direction of more conventional travel trailers.  In my case, the dream of owning a vintage trailer that would match my trusty wagon is hard to resist.

Teardrops unfortunately provide you with very little protection from to the elements (even insects,) and definitely provide minimal privacy.  They aren't for everyone.

Cheers, Edouard

[Blicj11]

My son-in-law is building his small travel trailer in his garage. I'll send photos and and more details when we gets a a bit further along.

[elagache]

Dear Blick and WeatherCat users with road-trip inclinations,

My son-in-law is building his small travel trailer in his garage. I'll send photos and and more details when we gets a a bit further along.

Please do!

One of the unique features of these small trailers is that it is a small enough project that most DIY types can take it on.  Many teardrop trailers were built from either plans or kits starting in the 1930s.

Looking forward to the photos!

Cheers, Edouard

[Steve]

Well since you mentioned, which one?

A friend’s Land Cruiser withe the same trailer we’re getting. Except my LC is black. We’re getting an Oliver Legacy Elite II.

[elagache]

Dear Steve and WeatherCat users with road-trip inclinations,

A friend’s Land Cruiser withe the same trailer we’re getting. Except my LC is black. We’re getting an Oliver Legacy Elite II.

Well now!  That's quite an upgrade from your square-drop!  For everyone else, here is a link to the Oliver website describing this model:

https://olivertraveltrailers.com/travel-trailers/legacy-elite-2/

I do like the Oliver trailers.  Unfortunately, fiberglass construction is a bit heavier than riveted aluminum.  This model would be beyond my projected tow capacity of my trusty wagon.

I suppose your Land Cruiser will tow 7000 lbs. without breaking into a sweat?

Thanks for sharing!

Edouard

[Steve]

Unfortunately, fiberglass construction is a bit heavier than riveted aluminum.  This model would be beyond my projected tow capacity of my trusty wagon.

Unfortunately, Airstream quality has dropped to that of the Indiana mass-produced junk trailers. Airstream forums are full of popped rivets, warped or rotting floors, failures galore, etc. And then there’s hail on thin aluminum sheet.

The Airstreams are 8 to 8.5 feet wide, while the Oliver is 7, eliminating a need for extended mirrors. That 7000 pounds if max load. Empty it is close to 5000 pounds. I’m hoping to be no more than 6000. We learn to pack light with the Hiker.

The Cruiser can tow a maximum of 8200 pounds, but only a tongue weight of 750. It’ll work, but it won’t be a breeze.

[Blicj11]

Wow Steve, that Oliver is indeed quite the upgrade. When you said you were getting an aluminum trailer I was thinking an aluminum flatbed and couldn't figure out what you going to haul on it. Well done!

Are you springing for any upgrades or add-ons?

[Steve]

The Oliver is double-hulled fiberglass. Inner and outer upper and lower hills, like a boat. With all the plumbing, wiring, and insulation between. All on a seriously heavy duty aluminum frame. Edouard was who wants an aluminum Airsteram of the same era as the Buick. I’d never buy a new one with the current poor quality.

Yes, we’re getting several of the upgrades. Most importantly the lithium and upgraded HVAC options. Let’s just leave it as it cost almost exactly the same as our house, which we bought in 1993. 😳

[Blicj11]

Lots of these, eh? [̲̅$̲̅(̲̅ιο̲̅̅ο̲̅̅)̲̅$̲̅]
🤑

[elagache]

Dear Steve, Blick, and WeatherCatters with roadtrip inclinations,

Unfortunately, Airstream quality has dropped to that of the Indiana mass-produced junk trailers. Airstream forums are full of popped rivets, warped or rotting floors, failures galore, etc. And then there’s hail on thin aluminum sheet.

Thanks for the commentary on the modern Airstreams.  Even with those issues, I just can't swallow the idea of buying a modern Airstream to pull behind my trusty wagon.  The modern Airstreams don't look all the different from the Oliver - either way they just don't look like the mid-1960s.

If you can find a vintage Airstream that will serve as good "bones.", it will look the part and if you can partner up with a competent restorer, it might end up being more robust than a presently built Airstream.  Plus you can decided on the exact floor-plan and mix of modern and vintage accessories.  If you can pull it off, you have literally a 1 of 1 vintage trailer.

The Airstreams are 8 to 8.5 feet wide, while the Oliver is 7, eliminating a need for extended mirrors.

Yes, I'm going to have keep my eyes open for a pair of vintage extended mirrors!

That 7000 pounds if max load. Empty it is close to 5000 pounds. I’m hoping to be no more than 6000. We learn to pack light with the Hiker.

I'll be trying to pack lightly as well, but I think I need to pay attention to the design features of the early Airstreams as well.  Here is a link to the floor-plan and specifications of a 1966 24' tradewind:

airstream.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1966-travel-trailer-24-trade-wind-double-211.pdf

The dry weight is: 4080 lbs.

Here is the 2023 23' Flying Cloud:

https://www.airstream.com/travel-trailers/flying-cloud/specifications/

The dry weight is: 5000 lbs.  Sure looks to like Airstreams has fattened up 20% in the past 60 years or so.

The Cruiser can tow a maximum of 8200 pounds, but only a tongue weight of 750. It’ll work, but it won’t be a breeze.

That's still a huge advantage over my tow vehicle.

I know of a fellow who hauled a race car using a 1965 Buick Special wagon (with big-block) with a total vehicle + trailer (GWVR) of: 10,000 lbs.  He weighed his rig on a truck scale to prove it.  I know that back in the day, A 1965 Buick wagon like mind as rated to pull the Airstream.  My wagon is a hair under 4000 lbs.   If the trailer is about 4000 lbs, that leaves only 2000 lbs. for camping essentials, supplies, and fun stuff.  It looks to me that I'll not only do I have to aim for a retro look but I've got to keep the trailer retro right down to the weight!

So much for vintage travel rig fantasies . .

Cheers, Edouard

[elagache]

Dear WeatherCat users with road trip aspirations,

One of the RV blogs I subscribe to had an article on the travel trailers with the highest resale value.  Here is the article link:

https://traveltrailerpro.com/travel-trailers-with-best-resale-value/

I decided to post it here because Steve's Oliver travel trailer made the list, so I thought he might enjoy the article.

It is interesting to note the how the trailers are fabricated.  4 of the 8 are molded fiberglass like Steve's Oliver trailer.  2 of the 8 are riveted aluminum like an Airstream.  Only 2 of the list use conventional RV construction techniques.

Cheers, Edouard

P.S. Are you ever going to post some photos of your new "caravan" Steve?

[Blicj11]

My son-in-law shopped for a camp trailer and found the cost outside his budget. So instead, he built this little camp trailer himself. It's 6 x 14, weighs about 1500 pounds, and sleeps six. It has awnings, a big water tank, double batteries, fridge cooler,  heater, smoke and carbon monoxide detector. He will add a heated outside shower option later. So far, he has a total investment of ~$7,000.