They may be small, but teardrop campers are one of the biggest trends in camping right now.
From lightweight and simple to rugged with loads of options, teardrops offer a wide range of choices. Today we’re looking at the five best teardrop camper brands.
Let’s crawl inside!
What is a Teardrop Camper?
These compact campers are the smallest of all travel trailers, most of them designed for just two people. They get their name from their shape, and this is also what makes them so aerodynamic. They’re a bit triangular but with rounded edges.
This gives them a unique past-meets-future look that’s retro and contemporary at the same time.
Why Are Teardrop Campers So Popular?
Teardrops first appeared during the 1940s and were built from surplus war materials. They then re-emerged this century with some pretty sophisticated design elements. They’re continuously evolving, too, and offer some surprising modern comforts.
Because they’re so small, they’re also very light compared to other kinds of travel trailers and more fuel-efficient, too. You don’t need a huge truck to tow one, and you can also fit easily into tight, remote spaces. In a nutshell, this is why they’re popular with so many weekenders. They’re great for a quick getaway.
There’s not a whole lot of room to move around inside a teardrop camper, but they cover your basic needs. You’ve got a roof over your head and a place to sleep at the very least. Additionally, many of them have kitchens and bathrooms.
The 5 Best Teardrop Camper Brands
There are so many different kinds of teardrop campers that it’s hard to keep track of them all. We’ve decided to put a spotlight on some of the best ones on the market right now.
#1 – Escapod
About Escapod: The owners of this small company based in Utah built their own teardrop because they weren’t satisfied with what was on the market. They wanted something light and sturdy that was ready to go when they were.
What Sets Them Apart: The Escapod teardrop campers are built from steel and aluminum to be tough and rugged. A shock-absorbing torsion axle suspension and large wheels make them off-road ready, as well.
Our Favorite Models: The Topo Series starts with a 5×8 steel frame and aluminum exterior. Each has two doors, a queen-size memory foam mattress, and a galley for gourmet cooking on the go. There’s also a storage area for a YETI cooler (included) with a locking slide-out drawer.
Other features include crossbars for hauling gear and an awning for shade and shelter. Its dry weight is 1,600 pounds and just 1,850 pounds with full tanks.
#2 – Vintage Overland
About Vintage Overland: These certainly have a more vintage feel than others. It’s right there in the name. Britton Purser founded this small Colorado company, and he still builds his teardrops by hand in his own garage.
What Sets Them Apart: Purser first sketched out his minimalist teardrop camper design on paper with a Sharpie. There aren’t a lot of features to distract you from your main focus – getting outdoors. The high-quality materials include Baltic birch for the interiors and anodized aluminum shells.
Our Favorite Models: The Great Escape measures 4×8, stands six feet tall, and weighs 750 pounds. It sleeps two on a queen memory foam mattress and has a kitchenette in the rear.
The T. E. Lawrence model is one foot wider and has double doors for easy access and cross-ventilation. Both have sizable storage compartments in the back.
#3 – Little Guy Trailers
About Little Guy Trailers: Little Guy Trailers started in a garage in Ohio back in 2002. Today the company offers 17 different teardrop camper models that are produced at a plant in Elkhart, Indiana.
What Sets Them Apart: Little Guy certainly has a knack for versatility, building different trailers for different niches of this growing segment of outdoors lovers. A tailgating model has a side-mounted grill and a beverage dispenser, for instance. A Sport model had ramps and a platform for your ATV.
Our Favorite Models: At 3,010 pounds, the Little Guy Max has an impressive 6’ 7” interior height and an abundance of deluxe features. Besides heating and AC, it boasts LED lighting, an entertainment system, and a 24-inch TV. There’s also a two-burner stove, 5-cubic-foot refrigerator, and a European-style wet bath.
The more compact Mini Max has many of the same amenities but can be towed by smaller vehicles. It has a curb weight of 2,320 pounds.
#4 – nuCamp
About nuCamp: They started in Ohio’s Amish country with the name Pleasant Valley Teardrop Trailers. The company’s founder is a former plumber and minister named Joe Mullet. He had to regroup after the 2008 recession and did so under NuCamp, which honors the area’s German heritage. Their iconic models include the TAB and the TAG, as well as the Cirrus truck camper.
What Sets Them Apart: NuCamp is proud of its craftsmanship and strict quality control. It has also proven itself to be an innovator time and again.
Our Favorite Models: NuCamp’s TAB 400 is its largest model, and it’s pretty spacious. Inside is a bedroom, wet bath, kitchen, storage areas, and a dinette that converts into a second sleeping area. The TAB 400 comes in three different floorplans, and there are lots of different options.
The Boondocking Package has improvements like a heavy-duty axle and off-road tires. Its curb weight is 2,876 pounds.
#5 -Rustic Trail
About Rustic Trail: This company is family-owned and operated in North Carolina and began as a backyard project. It has since blossomed into a full-time enterprise that has built more than 550 teardrop campers.
What Sets Them Apart: Rustic Trail teardrops are built to be affordable, lightweight, and easy to use. The company’s mission is to provide a stress-free camping experience.
Our Favorite Models: The tiny Koala Bear has a five-foot ceiling and can fit into most garages. It weighs just 1,100 pounds. The original Papa Bear has a sleek, low profile. With just four feet of headroom, it’s managed to stand the test of time as a Rustic Trail favorite.
An optional 5,000-BTU air conditioner is available for all models. To beat the cold, they recommend a portable electric heater.
Great Things in a Teardrop Camper
It’s a cliché to say that great things sometimes come in small packages, but in this case, it’s certainly true. There’s just a lot to love about these tiny teardrop campers, especially the ones from these five top makers.
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Those are great choices!
We bought a 2021 Braxton Creek Bushwhacker brand new for $11,500. We shopped al these others and none of them came close in price, features, and availability. Everyone else wanted $20,000 or more for something similar.
Hiker trailer CO, should really be on this list