Frequently Asked Questions
Teardrop trailers first appeared in the early 1900s when vehicle tow capacities were limited. They were designed to be simple, light, and easy to tow for those reasons.
A true definition of a teardrop trailer is a trailer that has a bed in the front compartment, campers cannot stand up inside of it, and all cooking is outside off of the back of the trailer.
Manufactured teardrop trailers are sold at a range of prices from about $5,000 to $20,000.
The price difference is usually determined by the type of trailer (off-road or on-road), dimensions, materials, and extras -such as appliances, fixtures, and added features.
The price of a teardrop trailer is more than the cost of materials.
Using us at Overland Teardrop Trailer as an example, the cost of building a teardrop trailer for a customer includes parts and materials, labor, insurance, business costs of a manufacturing facility, insurance, and more.
All of these costs add up to how much a teardrop trailer costs.
Simply put, it is the best use of your dollars…if you have the time for a fun project!
With a little guidance and planning, a builder can make exactly the trailer that they want and fits their camping needs without making compromises on a predetermined manufactured teardrop trailer.
Builders have total control over the quality of materials and parts used in a teardrop trailer.
With the right guidance, a DIY Teardrop Trailer builder can build a high-quality teardrop trailer at a fraction of the price of a manufactured trailer.
There aren’t the added costs of business overhead and labor.
The cost of a DIY Teardrop trailer varies but in our experience, a high-quality teardrop camper can be built for an average of $6,000 – $8000.
This average cost accounts for parts, materials, appliances, government inspection, and registration fees.
Related costs could be tool rentals, purchasing new tools, hiring experts (welding, painting, etc.), purchasing proper safety equipment, and increased electricity use for such a project.
Most teardrop trailers do not have a bathroom.
Teardrop trailer campers have options for toilets:
- Camp in a campground that has restroom facilities
- Bring a chemical toilet along – a lot of campers use a side tent or separate shower tent for this toilet.
- Bring a shovel and bury your waste (always check with the local landowners to ensure this is an acceptable practice for your chosen camping area).
- Keep a coffee can in your trailer for use at night – Ok maybe not!
- Point it out the window – Ok, now I’m just joking around!
In the early 1900s, teardrop trailers weigh less than 1,000 lbs. and are easy to tow with a Model T. Most true teardrop camper trailers will still weigh less than 1,000 lbs.
Some modern teardrop trailers weigh in at almost 2,000 lbs. The extra weight typically comes from extra appliances, racks, larger tires, more windows, more storage spaces. Or the trailer is simply teardrop-shaped but doesn’t actually fit the historic definition of a teardrop trailer.
At Overland Teardrop Trailer, our teardrop trailers weigh 750 lbs -on average.
A teardrop trailer is simple to wire.
There are actually 2 – 3 wiring systems in most Teardrop Trailers.
- The Trailer Running Lights – These are the external lights that are required by authorities for towing the trailer. Brake lights, blinkers, license plate lights, and side markers. Check out our tough trailer running light kit for a reliable set of parts and plans.
- 12 Volt Trailer Body Wiring – This is the set of circuits that power the appliances, lights, cabin, and galley of the teardrop trailer body when using battery power.
- 110 Volt Trailer Body Wiring – This is a set of circuits that power the trailer with the same plugs as a home. This circuit can also be installed to charge the 12V battery system.
The top 5 ways Teardrop trailers are worth it:
- A great step up from a tent
- Quick and easy to set up
- Towable by nearly any 4 wheeled vehicle
- Small and simple to store
- Easy on gas mileage
YES!
I love to help DIY Builders dive into their own teardrop trailer projects.
Want some expert tips? Check out my video lesson here.
These are the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for teardrop trailers that come to me at Overland Trailer. This list does get updated regularly as questions are asked more frequently!
