What’s the difference between a Camper and a Teardrop Trailer?
Trailers, campers, and RVs are all great options for that long-awaited road trip you had planned. This article discusses the difference between a camper and a teardrop trailer.
Campers
A camper (short for campervan) is a vehicle that acts as both a mode of transport and accommodation which is also like an RV. A camper or an RV is the next step up from a caravan. The living facilities are inside the vehicle itself, so you could find a kitchen or bedroom right behind the vehicle seats.
Campers generally consist of a small kitchen area equipped with a small refrigerator or mini bar, a grill and a two- burner gas hob. The power supply can come via a separate dedicated battery (separate from the van battery and is known as deep cycle battery) or through AC power provided from a hook-up at a campsite nearby. Larger camper models may contain more sophisticated features such as air conditioning, a portable toilet or a water heater. Smaller models generally have porta-potty’ toilets.
Campers and RVs are generally the most expensive options for road trips compared to caravans and trailers.
Campers are highly popular in North America with models like the Roadtrek being one of the best-sellers. Many people also like to convert vehicles into campers. European car models like the Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato are popular choices for the base vehicles.
Teardrop trailers
Unlike campers which are vehicles themselves, trailers are separate units designed to be attached to a vehicle. This is one of the biggest differences between a camper and a teardrop trailer.
A teardrop trailer is a highly compact, lightweight trailer with a streamlined teardrop shape as its name suggests. Its compact size allows living facilities for around two people and a very simple kitchen.
Teardrop trailers were one of the oldest forms of RVing and very popular in the mid-60s after which they lost popularity. However, thanks to their compact features, teardrop trailers have made a return for camping enthusiasts. The sizes of teardrop trailers range from 4-6 ft in width and 8-10 ft in length. Most teardrop trailers do not exceed 1000 pounds in weight.
Before the industrial production of RVs and campers, teardrop trailers were generally hand built by people. They are the smallest and easiest to build on your own.
The main benefits of teardrop trailers are:
- Low cost for the trailer itself and for transporting it.
- They consume little energy so don’t require heavy-duty trucks to transport them.
- As one of the smallest options in RVing, they are the easiest to build and use.
So, to summarize the key differences between a camper and a teardrop trailer:
- Teardrop trailers are simple separate units to be towed to a vehicle. They only have room for around 2 people whereas campers can accommodate a family. They are far lighter than a camper.
- Campers have a bigger variety of amenities such as air conditioning compared to teardrop trailers.
- You can build a teardrop trailer of your own.
- Teardrop trailers are cheaper and easier to transport compared to campers
- In a camper, the living facilities are inside the vehicle itself so you either must buy one or convert a vehicle.
> You may also like:45 RV Accessory Must-Haves for Your Travel Trailer<<
RV Related Questions.
Pros and cons of Teardrop Trailers
Pros:
- Personifying minimalism.
- Adorable and aesthetically pleasing.
- The community who owned teardrop trailers has a bit of a fellowship and if you join you have this certain sense of your belonging.
- Much closer to “authentic” camping where you truly feel like you are out in nature, not living from one area to another in your miniature, the mobile verse of your home.
- The Teardrops have plenty of options to add that allows you to expand and maximize the space that is already available.
- Better than a tent with a bed installed already.
- Easy to maneuver about and easier for us to tow.
- Prices are not so heavy on your pocket.
- Any sort of vehicle you own can tow them.
- In the garage, it fits like a glove.
Cons:
- There is no available kitchen indoors.
- Bathrooms are also unavailable.
- Storage is limited because of their small sizes.
> You may also like:First Time Travel Trailer Owner Tips,Beginner’s Guide. <<
What’s the difference between a Camper Van and Trailer?
Camper Van
Also known as recreational vehicle or RV and motorhome, a term popular in the continent of North America used to describe motorized vehicles used for camping. They are however used to refer to a vehicle with a smaller 2 or maybe three berths. They include kitchens and bathrooms as well as they are also generally denser than any average motorhomes.
Trailer
Trailers are separate units, that is often required to be attached to your car and the features depends on the model you have chosen but all models grant you a bed to sleep in, storage and a kitchen outside.
How long is a Teardrop Trailer?
The models of teardrop trailers are typically small, ranges from 4 feet being the shortest and 6 feet as the longest. It’s usually 8 feet to 10 feet wide in length and by height teardrop trailers are only 5 feet.
What is a Pickup Camper?
It is a recreational vehicle that rests inside the bed of a pickup truck and the excess space can then serve as a little home that often allows a bathroom, a bed, and a small kitchen to be installed.
It is considered the smallest RV out there that about 40 states of the United States of America do not even consider them as RVs but instead, they are considered as cargos.
They do not cause any disruption to your storing, parking and driving, not to mention they are cheap. It is also easy to maneuver without anything being dragged by the pickup truck and the home and the vehicle are very much separated.
However the only difficulties are the extra weight inserted over the truck, it is far too huge to be considered casual by most passersby, the smaller spaces and requires the perfect sort of pickup truck.
But at least the average cost of pickup campers are at least between $5,000 (US) as the lowest price and with the maximum of $60,000.
You may also like:Worst 5th Wheel Brands to Avoid <<
Do Teardrop campers have bathrooms?
One of the major customer complaints about teardrop campers is that they lack a bathroom. In fact, the majority of teardrop campers on the market are so compact that campers are not able to stand in them. Because of their compact size, the manufacturers give more emphasis to relaxing, sleeping and cooking areas, and so you have to use the woods as a bathroom. However, most modern teardrop campers come with a standing room and bathroom facilities.
How much do teardrop campers cost?
Many people love teardrop campers because they are one of the lightest campers out there and they come with a compact design. The fact that they are lightweight means they can be towed by a small car. And when it comes to price, they are one of the most affordable campers. A brand new teardrop camper costs between $8000 and $60,000. The average price of a teardrop camper is $15000. However, the price depends on the floor plan, as well as addons that you would wish to be included in the camper.
If you can’t afford that price range, you can go for a used teardrop camper, which costs between $500 and $50000. The average price of a used teardrop camper is $8000. Age, condition, floor plan, and addons determine the price of a used teardrop camper.
How much do teardrop campers weigh?
Teardrop campers are generally small and compact, which means they are one of the lightest campers out there. However, they can be fancy and heavy if you’re ready to pay a little more cash. As a camper, it’s important to know the weight of your RV to ensure you buy one that you’re vehicle can tow. Teardrop campers commonly weight between 500 lbs and 3000 lbs.
How many can sleep in a teardrop camper?
One of the drawbacks of a teardrop camper is that it cannot accommodate a family of more than 4. In fact, most teardrop campers are designed to accommodate 2 adults. However, some allow you to add a rooftop tent to accommodate 2 more people. So, if you have a family with 2 small kids, a teardrop camper is a cost-effective option.
Which is the best travel trailer under 3000 lbs?
The Forest River R-Pod Travel Trailer is the best travel trailer under 3000 lbs. It’s durable, thanks to its powder-coated steel frame, as well as 2-tone gel-coated fiberglass. Other desirable features of the Forest River R-Pod Travel Trailer include 9 distinct floor plans, air conditioner, Water heater by-pass system, Fire extinguisher (with smoke detector), 55 amp converter w/ charger, and Ground fault protected the electrical circuit. And the fact that it can accommodate 4 people makes it the most desirable travel trailer under 3000 lbs.
