How about a teardrop from Forest River?

[Hersbird]

We currently own an expandable Palomino Solair 190x which we enjoy for the whole family but would also like a quicker, more efficient, tiny camper with an off road ability. We have had a popup in the past and that wouldn't really work for Montana winters. Maybe the A-frame, but the price seems high for what you get and you also have setup and then have to cook inside which is bad enough in a big camper, but terrible in a small one.

So the teardrops are hot now and with so many different Forest River models and floorplans I find it strange they, and pretty much all the other big manufacturers, have ignored them.

Am I missing an option from Forest River?

[aceinspp]

I would say its not that popular of a camper. You may want to do a search on FR campers as I think they may have some thing you may be able to use. You don't have to cook in the camper as a lot of folks use out side stoves or grills like the Blackstone. Lots of options. Later RJD

[hobienick]

The smaller geo pro and epro lines are thier version of a teardrop.

[Hersbird]

Shorter length doesn't make something efficient to tow. It needs to be cab height of a pickup or SUV. I'll look again at the geo pro though.

I do think they are popular considering they are hard to come by, and simple "homebuilt" or ones made by small companies sell months ahead of build for really high prices for what they are. Seems like a supply vs demand issue, more demand than supply.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by hobienick

The smaller geo pro and epro lines are thier version of a teardrop.

Actually that G12RK looks just about perfect except the price. Seems like they are $13-15k which is high IMO for what it is. There is one in MN for $11.5k which is better.

Thanks for the tip, I didn't know they had these rear kitchen Geo Pros.

[hobienick]

I have seen a wide variety of teardrop campers. Many of them that are popular are basically a sm ad ll TT. Showers, microwaves, indoor kitchen... very nice trim and gadgets come standard. Then, there are some that stay true to the original intent. Small, easily towed, basically a hard sided tent on wheels.

I think the luxury teardrops are aimed at the more affluent weekend warriors that want to tow them behind thier fancy SUV.

[bikendan]

None of these mentioned, are true teardrops.
Maybe swollen teardrop shape. But they all will have more air resistance than a true teardrop.

[dblr]

How about the small No-Bo units?

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by bikendan

None of these mentioned, are true teardrops.
Maybe swollen teardrop shape. But they all will have more air resistance than a true teardrop.

Well a "true teardrop" as in a teardrop trailer actually isn't that great aerodynamically either, certainly not ideal. The rear taper is to fast and the air will detach before the end. Basically at that point of air detachment you might as well truncate the teardrop. Or better yet slow the taper some which gives you more interior space and then truncate the taper. Basically the shape of a Prius is the best combination of aerodynamics and usable space. But you don't need the nose that long as the front of the trailer is in the wake of the TV.

[HangDiver]

I will also soon be in the market for a small, off-road, rugged camper with minimal conviences. My Micro-Lite works fine for my wife and I, but there's times its just me in remote BLM or USFS backcountry places and I just need a warm place to sleep and simple cookstove...

[glfillion]

You may want to look at an R-Pod. They are teardrop and roomy. They are not four season but are small enough to adapt. They also have a slide to give you maximum room. With 9 floor plans, one should suit you.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by glfillion

You may want to look at an R-Pod. They are teardrop and roomy. They are not four season but are small enough to adapt. They also have a slide to give you maximum room. With 9 floor plans, one should suit you.

The Rpod is maybe a swollen teardrop but it's way taller and will have higher air resistance.

[glfillion]

The air resistance is relative when you are pulling a trailer this light. It also has all the convenience of home while still being able to stand fully upright!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by glfillion

The air resistance is relative when you are pulling a trailer this light. It also has all the convenience of home while still being able to stand fully upright!

Air resistance affects towing way more than weight. That's why so many smaller tow vehicles has frontal area restrictions.

[mnoland30]

A Kodiak or Springbar tent works anywhere. Some of those FS and BLM roads can get messy in a hurry when it rains or snows. I can set my tent up in about 5 minutes by myself. A cot, table, chair, and propane stove make it handy to cook indoors or out. I only take the trailer when the DW is going, or the whole family. For off-road camping I have a small utility trailer (4'x7' bed) with a topper on it. When I can't fit everything into my Jeep Liberty, I pull it behind. But, I've gotten it stuck in mud and sand a couple of times. Never had that problem with just the truck or the Jeep.

[itat]

I’m hoping my son will buy a Geo Pro 12SRK to tow with his RAV4 so we can borrow it for short stays at Provincial Parks where our 35’ long 5er is too big for most sites. I don’t really think they’d be the best for banging down a bumpy dirt road because they have the same Dexter Torflex suspension as my 5er but a dirt road in a campground would be no problem.

[hobienick]

Originally Posted by itat

I don’t really think they’d be the best for banging down a bumpy dirt road because they have the same Dexter Torflex suspension as my 5er but a dirt road in a campground would be no problem.

What is the issue with the Torflex axel off road?

[mnoland30]

I was told by a trailer supplier that supplied the Forest Service that torsion axles were actually better for off road than leaf springs. That said, I've taken my utility trailer with leaf springs in places you'd never take an RV. It will go anywhere my Jeep will.

[itat]

Originally Posted by hobienick

What is the issue with the Torflex axel off road?

They are made for highway applications. They don’t have a lot of travel that I’d want for an off road trailer.

[hobienick]

How much travel do you want and how does it compare to what is available in a Torflex? I have seen many trailers (forest service as mentioned and military) with Torflex, or equivalent, axles.

It seems there are less failure points on a Torflex. Wouldn't be more desirable off road?