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Teardrop Trailer vs. Van.

Original Post
Stephen Bittner · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 325

I tried to find a discussion on this topic and my search produced nothing of substance.

I am looking to head out on a road trip in the fall and could be on the road for a few months or much longer. I have been looking into buying a cheap van, building it out, and living it that during my time on the road, however, I already own a great reliable 2011 Subaru Forester (that I currently use as my home on the shorter trips) and am now thinking about building a lightweight teardrop trailer to tow behind it instead.

Do parking lots and camp grounds have issues with these tiny trailers? I rarely see them and I've always wondered if this was the reason.

I know someones going to say it so I'll do it first. I could just live in the Subaru, but it would be trying. I've done a month in it before and a van or teardrop would have made life so much nicer after long days.

Out of principle I would only spend $2000 on either option and use recycled materials as much as possible for both builds.

So, teardrop or Van? Or do I suck it up and just live in the Subaru.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

One advantage of trailers over any other vehicle: when you need to drive somewhere (many climbing areas have commutes between camping and the actual rocks) you don't need to stow and lash down all the loose items. You can even leave your kitchen stuff laying around.

mark felber · · Wheat Ridge, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 41

Buy a nice tent, and alternate between the tent and the Subaru depending on circumstances.

Towing a trailer is hard on a vehicle. How heavy a trailer can your Subaru tow? How easy will it be to tow a trailer on dirt roads if you plan on doing that sort of thing?

Is a $2K van going to be as reliable as your Subaru? Will it do as well on crappy dirt roads as your Subaru?

Justin Brown · · Bend, OR · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 120

We recently bought a Chalet Alpine trailer that we tow with our V6 Rav4. The Rav gets about 26 mpg on the hwy and 20 around town with no trailer. With the trailer it gets about 15 mpg. It is great to be able to roll up to a climbing area, set up our trailer and then leave it while we are at the area. Our rav is quite capable of towing it and is great to drive with out.

The extra space afforded by the trailer is really nice. We have camped for month plus in the rav and in our Prius. Both of which are OK but none of which are as comfortable as our Chalet trailer. It is nice to cook inside sleep inside and not have to reorganize just to drive somewhere or with anybody in the car.

Tear drops are small so I'm not sure how much advantage you would have. But it would bnnice to have the extra space. Never been in one so I can't say.

Vans are good but a stated you have to drive them everywhere and a 2000$ van is gonna not be so great.

I'd stick with your forester and look at popups. Being able to stand up, inside, is a big reason for a larger vehicle. Tear drops just seem small. Unless you are getting a big one.

Bill M · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 317

I have owned vans, pickups with toppers, a toy hauler, and a soft-top popup. I stay in a tent now, or spring for a cabin or hotel. I think if I were to buy something it would be one of those A-frame hard shell popups.

lucander · · Stone Ridge, NY · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 260

That teardrop is going to feel mighty small on a rainy day...

mbakerwh · · Gallup, NM · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0

I recently sold my '99 Toyota Tacoma with 243k with a topper on it for 5600 bucks and bought a '94 Toyota Previa Van with 200k for only 800 bucks. I then promptly put another 800 into a complete royal flushing of all fluids, replacing a window (30 bucks at a junkyard) some new belts, new tires, etc. So far, we've put around 1500 miles on it and it drives like a champ--Gets about 7 mpg better than the truck did, right around 21-22 mpg, it has AWD that handles as well as the 4x4 truck on snowy roads, and is much warmer for ski camping in the winter. It's also an automatic which is nice for my fiance to swap drive time with me.....

We're going to put our savings toward paying off a small remaining loan on the truck and use the rest for a wedding. Overall, a great purchase for us, and at least a trade-across from the truck, if not an upgrade, for a road-tripping/living out of it vehicle. I'll throw some photos up soon.

That being said, in your boat, I might just stick with a forester. Or, buy a cheap older Toyota van for around 2k, and if it bites the dust, start your trip over again in the forester.... :D

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Why dont you just live out of the Subaru Forester? If it's just you, it's MORE than large enough. I spent over 24 months living in a car a hell of a lot smaller than the Forester, and my recent upgrade to a larger car is still smaller than the Forester. Remove the back seats and you will have enough room. If you dont, you brought way too much stuff.

This is my "van":



I have more than enough room for all my stuff and myself in there if I pack smart and efficient.
beccs · · Ontario Canada · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 200

I have slept in my car, I have spent a LOT of time in a tent, and when we feel rich we still bring out the old F150 with the topper and platform in the back.

Having the head space in a tent is nice, but being up off the ground and not requiring any setup is maybe nicer. Discrete camping in the back of the truck is also super nice. By default, I found sleeping in the car not much fun at all, requiring a lot of shifting around of stuff to make sleeping work.

Both setups that you're looking for sound nice, here are some pros and cons that I can think of.

Discrete camping - Van wins
No setup - both good, but you don't have to get your shoes muddy with a van.
Camp to climbing area - I like the idea of leaving the trailer and then getting on the rough roads back to the climbing area in your Subaru.
Camp to town - parking a Subaru will be nicer than a camper van.
Head space - Van.
Everything in one place - Van
Cooking - You will likely have to cook outside with the trailer
Reliability - Subaru + trailer -> you know your current car
Cost - goes with reliability. If you spend a lot on a van you can get a reliable one, otherwise.....

In your situation I would probably consider a teardrop trailer, but I'd have to do more research on them before I could really say.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

I have a "teardrop" style trailer and love the little thing.

Even on rainy days!

Beats the hell of a tent.

Hardly know it's there when driving. Pulls super easy and barely ups the gas mileage.

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180

I'd rather have a F250 and a truck camper. All the compact car business is a fools errand; all the expense without any of the convenience or comfort.

vietgoeswest · · Portland · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 100

Stephen:

I recently spent 4 months living out of my Outback. I'm small guy so even if with all the climbing gear in the back I could still sleep comfortably and soundly though when I stayed at a climb area more than a few nights I'd rather pitch a tent. If you have all the free time then go for it... If you're new to car living I'd just buy the largest roof box and save your money for the next option... like upgrading to a van/truck. Cheers!

Cocoapuffs 1000 · · Columbus, OH · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 50

I would assume a super compact trailer is also super easy to steal - might want to keep that in mind if you keep valuables in there.

Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
viet goes west wrote:Stephen: I recently spent 4 months living out of my Outback. I'm small guy so even if with all the climbing gear in the back I could still sleep comfortably and soundly though when I stayed at a climb area more than a few nights I'd rather pitch a tent. If you have all the free time then go for it... If you're new to car living I'd just buy the largest roof box and save your money for the next option... like upgrading to a van/truck. Cheers!
Viet,

Do you have any pictures of your setup? I might try and cram 2 of us plus a dog into a 2014 Outback for some extended road tripping. There's lots of space when we fold the seats flat I am just not sure how to best organize everything. Did you build a platform? A rooftop box would definitely be necessary.
Darren Gemoets · · Albany, NY · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

I think minivans offer the best compromise between space, fuel economy, and low initial cost. I had a Previa for awhile, and it was the best van I've ever owned. I only sold it because the repair list was starting to pile up.

Now I own the classic soccer mom van: an 06 Grand Caravan. It was cheap, gets ~25 mpg on the highway, handles well enough in the snow, and sleeps two comfortably. I have a removeable platform bed (like everyone makes, nothing special) for the van.

The Caravan does have poor clearance, but with care, it does fairly well on rough roads.

en.r · · Ojai, Ca · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 55

+1 for Toyota Van. Especially when they are a 4x4.
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Fiend4Epics · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 0

+1 on the dirtbag vote. I've been living in my 4runner for just under a year. I questioned if I could do it at first, but eventually my perspective on comfort changed. Just like converted vegetarians who say they no longer crave meat, I hardly ever find myself wanting more room. I think I can sacrifice the comfort because I really appreciate the benefit of what I can do with the money not spent. I may spend a day or two cramped up in the rain, but I will be spending it somewhere I wouldn't have been able to go otherwise.

Andrew Vinzant · · Kansas City, MO · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 1,449

So my personal vote on this is a VW Vanagon preferably a Westfalia. I am pertial to these because I own one and travel in it frequently. Very easy to work on. Mine has a full solar setup, kitchen, fridge, two very comfy beds, and the list goes on.

My 84 Westy

Tyler Newcomb · · New York, New York | Boston · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 81

I can't drive yet, so I don't know much on this subject, but I will tell you that a popup, which my family has had for years, is a lot of work to set up, it's not as versitile as a custom build could be, and it sucks for anything more than a smooth dirt road into a recreational campground.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

not to sound too much like Killis but chicks dig mini-vans over the back of a Suby

yoadrian · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 5

High clearance and/or 4X4 is going to get you to a lot cooler places. Trailers suck off road. To me this is the best tradeoff between comfort, cost, and access.

Flipin' a pac

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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