If you look at some of the massive rigs pulling into campgrounds these days and find yourself overwhelmed, you aren’t alone. While large RVs serve their purpose, many would prefer to keep it a bit more simple. If this is you, you might want to take a look inside a teardrop camper.
What Is Inside a Teardrop Camper?
If you’ve only seen one from the outside, you might find yourself surprised at what’s inside a teardrop camper.
From afar, it may seem like you can only fit a bed. However, teardrop campers often contain a small kitchen, storage, dinette, and sometimes even a small bathroom. Due to their size, the dinette usually folds down into a bed, allowing the space to play double duty.
If you’re new to teardrop campers, we recommend that you start here with what you need to know first.
Teardrops with kitchens provide a lot of conveniences. However, these kitchens are often outside at the rear of the camper. You’ll get a hatchback door that opens up to a kitchenette galley.
Pro Tip: Many campers use screen tents or canopies to extend the living space and provide additional shelter. We’ve gathered your best screen tents for camping.
How Many People Can Sleep Inside a Teardrop Camper?
Because the inside of teardrop campers are on the smaller side, they don’t sleep many people. Teardrop campers aren’t very tall or long, so the options for additional beds are rather limited. The majority of teardrop campers sleep two people. This makes them a great option for couples who don’t plan on having anyone else join them during their travels.
Some larger teardrop campers can sleep four. If you have young children, a family of five might squeeze in, though it would be tight. To sleep this many, you’d need one of the largest teardrop models.
Do Teardrop Campers Have Bathrooms?
While it’s not quite as common, some teardrop campers come with bathrooms. Typically these are wet bathrooms, meaning the shower and toilet share the same small space. The toilets are usually cassette-style.
While the bathrooms are far from large, they’re still helpful for your camping adventures. Having a bathroom eats up a little of the living space but can be a lifesaver for campgrounds with unkept bathhouses. Having even the tiniest of bathrooms can make all the difference when you need a restroom in the middle of the night.
Teardrop campers with bathrooms are also self-contained, which can be a requirement for some camping programs such as Harvest Hosts. If you’re hoping to boondock, or camp without hookups, you need to be self-contained.
Is There Enough Storage Inside a Teardrop Camper?
Just because a camper is small doesn’t mean it lacks storage. Many teardrop campers make great use of the available space. When you have a small unit, you have to get creative to utilize all possible locations for storage. This includes using hidden spaces that normally sit empty.
Many models have cabinets above the bed, which creates storage without taking away from the living space. Some TAB teardrop campers, for example, feature storage under the bed as well to make use of a space often overlooked.
That said, this camper’s size compared to bigger RVs leaves it wanting. You’ll have to be diligent with what you bring and what you leave behind when teardrop camping.
Are Teardrop Campers Claustrophobic?
The threshold for what’s too small depends on the individual. If small spaces make your skin crawl, a teardrop camper might not be the best choice. Still, you might check one out just to see for yourself. They may seem tiny from the outside but feel spacious inside.
If you’re concerned, look at a few of the larger models. The inside of a teardrop camper can range from tiny (just a bed on wheels) to much larger than you’d expect. Many models feature lots of windows, which can also help with claustrophobia.
Is Buying a Teardrop Camper a Good Idea?
If you’re looking to upgrade from tent camping but aren’t interested in pulling a large trailer or driving a motorhome, a teardrop camper can be a great option. Teardrop campers are easy to tow but still provide a comfortable camping experience. Massive RVs and motorhomes have their place, but it isn’t everyone’s style. Teardrop campers can provide an upgraded camping experience without jumping into a large trailer.
If you’re really looking for a way to customize the inside of your trailer, you can also build a teardrop camper from a kit!
Sometimes bigger isn’t better. Not everyone is looking for a massive home on wheels. Instead, they’d like a simple pull behind that provides a comfortable place to spend the evening or possibly a rainy day.
Have you been inside a teardrop camper? Can you see trying one for yourself? Let us know in the comments below!
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