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Top 10 Things You Really Should Know BEFORE Buying A Teardrop Trailer

ByMarianne

Before John and I purchased our 2023 Nucamp TAB 400 Boondock “Nellie”, we had been admiring Teardrop Trailers from a distance for over a year.

And it’s not just us. Teardrop Trailers are gaining popularity, and for good reason.

These cute little trailers are compact, easy to tow, and take camping to the next level.

But before you take that leap, there are a few important things that you really should know before buying a Teardrop Trailer.

These points will help you avoid expensive mistakes and ensure your new trailer fits your lifestyle.

What You Should Know Before Buying a Teardrop Trailer

While there are plenty of things that you need to know as a first-time teardrop owner, below are the things you should consider BEFORE purchasing one.

1. Teardrop Trailer Size and Space

One of the things that initially attracted me to teardrops was their size, and of course, their unique shape.

Since we were coming from years of tent camping, we were just looking for a trailer to get us out of the elements and provide us with some creature comforts.

A teardrop trailer is compact, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort.

Our teardrop is well-designed, providing us with everything our family needs to camp comfortably.

Close up of Nellie the Teardrop

That said, you should consider how much space you really need. If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, a small model works.

If you are looking to get away from sleeping on the cold ground and would like some indoor space to get you out of the elements, then this style of camper would work for you.

Families may want something slightly bigger, as well as people who are a little on the tall side.

Also, people who want to be able to spend plenty of time in their camper, moving around, and needing space for activities, may also want to reconsider buying a teardrop.

Bunk Beds inside our Teardrop Trailer

Our TAB 400 works great as we have bunk beds for when our kids travel with us, and at 5’8 and 5’7, John and I have plenty of headroom for us to stand up straight in our teardrop.

We are also outdoorsy people. We wanted a camper just to get us out of the rain and the cold, to give us our own bathroom, and to give us a comfy place to sleep.

2. Towing and Vehicle Compatibility

Not every car can tow every trailer. Always match your trailer weight with your vehicle’s towing limit.

This is something that we really struggled with when wanting to purchase our Teardrop.

At the time, I was driving a Toyota Highlander. My towing capacity was just enough for the Teardrop that we wanted to purchase.

We knew that we could do shorter trips with my vehicle, but for anything longer (or mountainous) it might get a little tough.

Darlington Provincial Park - Parked at the Camp Store

After speaking with our car dealership, we knew we would be good until John purchased his pick-up truck (which was the plan).

In the meantime, I needed to get a hitch installed on my SUV, and we needed to purchase a separate Bluetooth-enabled brake controller.

These are all things that you will also need to think about prior to purchasing your trailer.

Do your research!

Don’t get caught up in the excitement of buying a trailer, only to bring it home and realize that your tow vehicle isn’t compatible.

3. Budgeting Beyond the Trailer Price

Buying the trailer is just the start.

If this is your first trailer, then your first year with it will be a pretty expensive one.

Not only do you need to budget for registration, insurance, and storage fees, but there is also the initial equipment that you need to run your trailer.

Orange and black sewer hose

Things like electrical cords, a brake controller, sewer and water hoses, wheel chocks, and more are all things you absolutely need in order to just USE the trailer.

Those extra costs can add up quickly, so plan ahead.

And let’s not forget about all the other accessories like pots and pans, dishes, linens, outdoor chairs, and other stuff that you will also need for a camping trip.

Presquile Provincial Park - Family at dinner in our campsite

John and I were lucky in that we had some of the essentials from our camping days.

We were able to get by the first year with only needing to buy the necessary equipment and a few ‘nice to have’ items.

4. Sleeping and Comfort

You’ll be sleeping in your trailer often, so comfort matters.

If you are a tall guy, and you are stuck sleeping on a short bed, then you may want to consider a different trailer.

In our TAB 400, our queen-sized bed is tucked into the back of the trailer where the roof slopes.

TAB 400 Interior showing galley and bed

This is not an issue for us. We also have no choice but to sleep from wheel to wheel across the back.

This means that one of us (John) has to climb over the other to get in or out of bed.

Some people may not like this arrangement. So this is something to consider when purchasing your Teardrop.

Other Teardrops allow you to sleep ‘north to south’ which may work better for you.

Queen size Bed inside our Teardrop Trailer

Of course, mattress quality is also a concern for a good night’s rest.

But the way I see it is that you can make this adjustment after you purchase your Teardrop.

We purchased an additional mattress topper for our bed, and we sleep like babies!

5. Kitchen Setups Vary

Teardrop trailers can have a variety of kitchen setups. In fact, the smallest units may not have a kitchen at all.

Some of the smaller teardrops often have outdoor clamshell-style kitchens. Whereas larger teardrops like ours, have a full indoor kitchen.

Omnia Oven with Cinnamon Buns

Consider what you’ll realistically use.

While we like to do most of our cooking outdoors on our Coleman gas stove, I love the fact that I can also make a meal indoors when it’s raining or cold.

Bruce Peninsula National Park - Hubby making dinner in our campsite

We also like to make some fancier meals (we have actually made entire Thanksgiving dinners while camping!), so having a full kitchen works for our style of camping.

Our recommendation – avoid buying a setup that’s more complex than your cooking style demands.

6. Storage is Limited

This is huge… figuratively speaking anyway.

There is no getting around it, space is tight in a teardrop trailer.

You’ll need to learn to pack efficiently and consider using a variety of storage solutions to maximize your space.

Storage - Basket for Shoes

While we do know people who have lived in their Teardrop Trailers for months or even years at a time, most say that storage is the hardest part.

In our case, we do not travel for more than a couple of weeks at a time.

We have a place for all of our smaller essentials. The rest of our gear gets stored in our tow vehicle.

Dinette in the TAB 400

We try to pack only what we need. And we also try to keep things neat and tidy inside the trailer.

Things can start to feel cluttered really, REALLY quickly in such a small space.

Being organized from the start will make trips smoother.

7. Maintenance and Upkeep

All trailers require some maintenance.

If you are a first-time trailer owner, you will need to learn all about maintaining your rig.

Understanding the basics like checking tire pressure, inspecting seals, and preventing water damage, will help to keep your teardrop in tip-top condition.

Teardrop Trailer - Jug-of-Alde-Fluid

This was one of the steepest learning curves for us, as seasonal weather affects the maintenance frequency.

This is especially true since we live in Southern Ontario, and our trailer is stored outdoors year-round.

Luckily, our dealership has been really good with helping us to learn all the things we need to do for our Teardrop.

We even learned how to winterize and dewinterize “Nellie” on our own.

8. Camping Style Compatibility

I briefly touched on this topic when discussing the size of Teardrop Trailers.

Because of their size, Teardrop trailers are perfect for campers who are looking for an indoor space to get out of the rain/cold/heat, want a comfortable bed to retire to at night, and maybe, have a bathroom of their own.

Teardrops are not suitable for campers who are looking for a cottage on wheels.

We have seen what amenities large trailers have including master bedroom ensuites, screened decks, huge kitchens with full-sized appliances, and laundry facilities.

Earl Rowe - Nellie set up

If this is your style of camping, then a Teardrop is definitely NOT for you!

If you are the type of person who loves to camp off-grid, then be sure to find a Teardrop (like ours) that comes with a Boondock package.

Between our lithium battery, solar panels, larger tires and higher clearance, we are ready for all kinds of off-roading and off-grid camping.

9. Security and Trailer Storage Concerns

Unfortunately, small trailers are easy targets for theft.

Because almost any vehicle can tow them, and they are relatively easy to steer through tight campground roads, they can be easy to steal.

And while no device is fool-proof, security options like wheel locks and hitch coupler locks will be a visual deterrent and slow a potential thief down.

Hitch Ball Lock

We have several security devices in use with Nellie to try and keep her safe.

Another thing to consider when thinking about trailer security is where you plan to store it when it’s not being used.

If you are lucky enough to have room on your property to store your trailer or have a garage large enough to fit it, then problem solved!

Unfortunately, John and I do not have this luxury. We needed to find somewhere safe to store our Teardrop between trips and in the off-season.

We made sure to find somewhere that was gated and secure.

10. New vs. Used Trailers

Choosing to buy new versus used is a personal decision.

Buying new ensures fewer problems, but it’s more expensive.

We went this route because we wanted the features that a new Teardrop could offer us (namely the bunk beds for the kids).

Family in front of Nellie

Used trailers are cheaper but require careful inspection.

If you are going this route, check for water damage, structural issues, and general wear to avoid hidden problems.

There are benefits and downsides for either option. Just make sure that you do your research and figure out which option is the better fit for you.

Final Thoughts

Buying a Teardrop Trailer is exciting, but knowing these important points ahead of time can save you a lot of hassle and money.

We recommend taking your time, doing lots of research, and asking questions before diving into this huge decision.

And if you decide that a Teardrop Trailer is for you, just know, grand adventures await!

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Marianne is the founder and co-writer for Teardrop Travel Tales. Together with her husband, John, and their children, the family has owned their Teardrop Trailer for two years. Marianne is responsible for planning all of her family's camping itineraries and dreaming up new adventures. A lover of the outdoors, Marianne shares all her favourite tips and tricks for camping in a tiny trailer.