MORE Trailer, LESS Money (Bend Teardrop)

[@GunNut37086]

What a refreshing back-to-basics change of pace from the $25K - $40K teardrops!

[@annwhale4418]

Amen to that!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It felt good to make this one!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Can I amen this too even though I shot it? Because I agree.

[@arrowv1]

I am now considering this option. Looks awesome and a fair price!

[@melvin5818]

i know its a relief to be honest plus looks like a nice clean canvas you can go as complicated as you want

[@deltamiloandtheginger443]

I love that he talks about why he doesnt like certain things while hes showing you the teardrop. I never thought about a ceiling window dropping condensation if I take it snowboarding.

[@bendteardrop]

Thanks for stopping by Drew, great video

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thanks guys. I so appreciate you opening the doors for me. And more than that just being so candid and honest during the whole filming process. You can see it in the comment section of this video. You have such a great rapport with your customers and I can already tell the community is really appreciating this video that you made.

[@toriafloria]

Yay, Drew! I'm so glad you covered Bend Teardrop. We picked ours up in May this year and I love it. :) We really appreciate the "simpler is better mindset," and our little kiddo loves her bunk and porthole window. And for those interested, as you can probably tell from the video, Dave will work with you if you have ideas, and gives you pros and cons so you can decide on upgrades, rather than simply pushing the upgrades.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You nailed it! to me this trailer is worth purchasing just for Dave’s honesty alone. He’s not going to try to upsell you, he’s going to work hard to keep the prices down, he’s going to be honest with you from the time you think about buying the trailer and 10 years afterwards. To me that’s worth it’s weight in gold with these trailers.

[@OverlandTrailer]

@@PlayingwithSticks Love it!

[@antoniomarquez6473]

Drew, we love your videos! We got our 5x10 last summer and ABSOLUTELY love it! We have traveled more than 12k miles in it including a trip from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine this summer! The simplicity, weight, and the bunk were big deciding factors for us. Dave is very friendly and willing to listen to what you want and making it happen. Seriously, he is very easy to work with and willing to figure out the best build to meet your needs. We have two kids, and asked about a split bunk, and he made it happen! Our family of four sleeps very comfortably in our 5x10. The open cubbies in the galley have actually worked out pretty well for us. There have only been a couple of times where rutted roads have caused some things to fall out, but given that we aren't overlanding a ton, it really isn't an issue for us. We highly recommend Bend Teardrop. Their trailers are well built, fully insulated, have only what you need and their customer service is the best!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you so much Antonio for this short review of your trailer. It’s the owner reviews that really are powerful. Do you want to know a little secret? I have taken out a lot of teardrop trailers over the past few years. Don’t tell anyone, but most of them spill out camping gear even when they have doors. Sliding and swinging we’ve had all forms open up and let stuff fall out during the ride. So you are not alone.

[@jensendkmg7209]

I've wanted something this size for years. What an incredible value. The right size for people with kids or bigger pets, purposeful, and wont require selling my home to purchase. Absolutely nailed it.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

So neat hearing others appreciate this trailer.

[@davidf9630]

Great episode Drew… as a home built teardrop owner, I definitely agree with keeping it simple. “Use what you have and have what you use… “ no extras to take up space. Watching this video makes me want to take the doors off of my cabinets. Have a great day and happy camping.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

May and I both go back-and-forth about cabinet doors. Like you we definitely see the benefit of the open door concept. But at the same time we like clean lines. Having our items hidden just makes us feel more calm.

[@davidf9630]

@@PlayingwithSticks Last year I went from hinged doors to bypass sliding doors... the hatch closed on a door that was open (CRUNCH!!!) so we decided to remedy the problem..But I do like the idea for a drawer for utensils, should be easier than unpacking bins all the time.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Big fans of drawers! Cabinets, like you, we are always going back-and-forth on.

[@melindafranke1733]

Drew, I know you posted this months ago, but we finally picked up our Bend teardop last weekend and it is everything I had ever dreamed of!!! I am so glad we did, and its all thanks to your video! Keep the amazing teardrop videos comin'!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

These are the comments that make this all worth it! Congratulations Melinda. And welcome to the club!

[@chingon_grandpa]

keeping it simple. You are exactly right regarding suspension. You wont be rock crawling pulling a trailer. I can appreciate the simplicity. Kudos guys.

[@stumpgrinder13]

Finally 6x12, awesome trailers, simple is best. Like you said "park and crack a beer"

[@PlayingwithSticks]

👍 🍺

[@denaberkey1795]

Yay! I started watching your channel at the same time I discovered Bend Teardrop. At that time my family decided to go with a used pop-up due to the considerably cheaper price. After using our pop-up for a year (which was fine, but not awesome) I was really yearning for something simpler, with fewer moving parts. I rented a 5x10 and a 6x12 over the summer from Bend Teardrop to figure out if they would work for our family of 4 (we’re all really tall) and fell in love. The simplicity of the trailer and the setup were so refreshing. Not having camped in a teardrop before, I loved how it felt more cozy and tent-like than our more spacious pop-up. And, my favorite part is that I can move even the 6x12 all by myself! Dave has been great to work with as we’ve ordered our 6x12 and requested a unique add-on. Your content has been so helpful as we’ve explored our transition from tent camping to small trailers. Thanks so much for what you do!

[@laurasaucedo3393]

What was your unique add-on?

[@AnandShah-pi1rz]

We bought our 6x12 (first time camping trailer owners, used to tent camping) from Dave and Bend Teardrop almost 2 years ago. Went across the country from Portland OR to upstate NY and then back down through the Midwest and Southwest and back home with our twins. Stayed everywhere from BLM dispersed to campgrounds with full services. We have a Roofnest Condor XL on ours so the sleeping and relaxing area is crazy (1 king, 1 queen, 1 full). We probably have around 15k miles and 4 full months of time in this trailer, from 100+degrees in the humid Ozarks to below freezing nights in the mountains. It is simple and well built, not at all sophisticated but very sturdy and trustworthy. The customer service is great. We keep a Dometic fridge/freezer in the tow vehicle and use Ecoflow portable batteries for extra power and 120V in a pinch. The galley has tons of space for storage and prep (granted it should since we keep the fridge in the tow vehicle) as we setup a separate table for cooking.

[@kimlittleton4943]

Love the galley build. Nice & simple. Our van is built like that with a lip on a shelf. Everything stays put. Great job. Beautiful camper.

[@xxkphxx]

This was awesome! We just picked up our 6x12 this May and have taken it on two small trips and one long trip to Yellowstone and Tetons. We absolutely love our teardrop! Pros: Dave was incredible to work with! We love that our van can tow it. The batteries last for days charging cameras and phones and running the lights and fan. We got shore power and water and I gotta say- having water and power hookups at some campsites was really nice! But we’ve dry camped twice and it’s been great too. The small water cooler lasts a weekend if you just drizzle it out. And we love that it is no maintenance. Cons: this isn’t major, but we have a Jackery and if we would have thought of it, we would have asked for it to be stored inside. We did a quick fix ourselves. We drilled a small hole from the galley, into the pass through storage, and we run the cord out that door and plug it in. It works fine. I thought I was going to hate not being able to keep our electric cooler in the galley but I actually like packing it in our van now. We go exploring during the day and it’s nice to have our food with us, plus it charges in our 12V in the back of our van while we drive. Other than that, I can’t think of many cons. We haven’t had an issue with the short back hatch. We haven’t dealt with a lot of inclement weather in it, so the short hatch hasn’t been a thorn in our side yet. I think I’ve seen people set up those shade canopies over the top of the hatch?? All in all, it’s been a great fit for our family!

[@tonybombski]

Amazing that they'redoing these simple trailers! I wish them a lot of success!

[@cpcthousandoaks]

Drew, so happy to see Dave from Bend Teardrops. My wife and I love camping. Been camping 15 + years. But the things we hate about camping gearing up setting up camp tear down, and disorganization of a camp site all are gone since we bought our Bend Teardrop. We bought it during the pandemic. We love to boondock. And we think Dave from Bend Teardrops gave us the best option . I still feel like I’m camping just now we can go winter camping and not freeze. If the weather gets rough and it starts to rain or the winds pick up we just chill in our teardrop. We have camped in 19 degrees and felt toasty to 50 mph desert winds not ideal but lucky to have the teardrop. We love that we have everything organized in the back. We have been camping on pretty rough roads and never had anything fall out of the shelves in the back. Our coolers goes in the car and stays on the ground when we camp. We have an awesome camp chef stove that rocks. Wife is a great chef so we eat great. Have a comfortable queen size mattress in the rig so we sleep great. During the summer I’ll sleep in a hammock. We have the best of both worlds. For somebody who loves to camp but is OCD like me Bend TD was the best choice for us. Very happy. I feel like I’m still camping but as I get older I want more comforts and less roughing it :)

[@mrsMOmiles]

Oh man thanks for this! This teardrop is something we can afford now! And as a family of 6 this can work!! Im so excited!

[@annwhale4418]

I have ADHD and can hyper focus on lots of stuff, but when it comes to Electrical panels, fresh-gray-black water tanks & winterizing my brain over loads and turns off! So for me, simpler IS better. My favorite thing in this trailer is the water jug over the sink with the pvc pipe opening up to the ground. ( as seen in your Tuesday sneak peak). How genius is that! NO WINTERIZING!!!🎉 The open cubbies are easy to vacuum out and containers can easily be added to organize small things. And because it’s a simple design, I see so many different ways I can customize the galley, interior & exterior ( I have a vivid imagination 😉) In all honesty, a manufacturer can’t put in everything a buyer might want… that’s why there’s hotels & Air B&B’s. Thank you Drew and May for doing all the foot work for us! I really appreciate that. After watching your videos I’ll often do a google search on the things I want to learn more about. And thank you comment crew for helping me look at things from a different perspective.🙃

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I think I share some of your same characteristics. As I’m getting older and meeting people who have ADHD I am realizing I have very similar qualities. I also totally get the brain overload!

[@annwhale4418]

really?… “oh did you see those fish just swim by”😂 I giggle all the time at your “SQUIRREL” moments caught on video. That’s why I love your channel so much. You’ve been blessed with a wonderful gift that keeps you humble😉. Oh and btw: my hubby and I just received our “Playing with Sticks” hoodies. It’s been fun to hear, “hey, I watch them too”.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You made me blush with my squirrel moments. May and I are both known by our friends and family for our squirrel moments. Funny that it even comes out in these videos. It’s so normal for me I’ve never even thought about it. One of my favorite creators names is Cody Wanner. He’s kind of a motivational speaker Vlogger type guy. He has some great tips for people with ADD or ADHD. Basically tips to stay motivated, creative, and productive. Basically using it as your superpower and not letting it hinder your progress. His content is really fun for me to watch. it’s been nice to play the episodes for May where he explains his thought process and how his brain functions I think it’s really helped her understand me better. Those moments where I leave the jar of peanut butter open, leave two unwashed dishes in the bottom of the sink, while starting a new task of helping East with his homework. “Are you going to finish that?” Of course. 😂

[@PlayingwithSticks]

So cool to hear about the hoodies by the way. I am way overdue to make some new ones.

[@annwhale4418]

@@PlayingwithSticks check out The Holderness Family on KZbin. Penn Holderness has a couple of videos where he sings about his ADHD. I think you’ll really like’em. I’ll check out the guy you mentioned 😉

[@OMGAS]

Drew, glad you made to see Dave and his crew at bend teardrop. Have a 2021 6x12 and we very much enjoy it and the setup. I take 3 grandkids and my pup camping. I also do weeks out with just the pup. I do agree, option to have Jackery connection inside would be a bonus. Thanks for highlighting many folks choice!

[@toddcox1942]

My favorite teardrop channel checking out my favorite builder, WOO! I love Dave's philosophy and his honesty. There's basically no part on that teardrop you can't get ahold of at any random hardware store on the continent if you need some roadside repair.

[@thereisnotry1386]

Purchased the 5 X 10 trailer from Bend Teardrop. Dave is easy to deal with and very accommodating. We changed the charge controller to an MPPT and installed a lithium iron phosphate 100 amp battery for extra loads. This unit tracks beautifully and still gets great gas mileage to boot. Highly recommended.

[@elijahhodges4405]

I've never had a trailer. But this one I really like. Inside I would put two good sized bunks on storage one in front and one in back. It gives you floor space, and storage, plus my wife and I wouldn't be kicking each other during the night.

[@kellykelly7747]

I agree with the builder of this wonderful large tear drop...KEEP IT SIMPLE. Also I prefer the open shelving in the gallery, and the clearance is perfect. I really really love the large interior, bunk, and pass thru outdoor storage. I would buy one of these!!! ❤❤❤

[@ozarkmartin1174]

Waiting on a PWS built teardrop. With you having so much experience with so many campers I feel you could put together a team and knock it out of the park. A no compromises, smart, and affordable teardrop.

[@squatch2461]

Love that guys attitude and reality based perspective on what's needed and what isn't.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes!!!! That’s what I was hoping somebody would say. I love how Dave spoke truth. Well, it’s my truth and what I believe about Trailers. Sometimes I think a lot of other people feel the same way but they’re afraid to say it. Some of these manufacturers are selling features that they don’t even believe in. But I can’t blame them, sometimes the customer knows what he wants so you give it to him.

[@squatch2461]

@@PlayingwithSticks Decades ago I had a job in sales. From the training we got, "The customer isn't always right, but they are the customer".

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I like that model better than the customer is always right. As a consumer myself I’ve learned some of the things I thought I wanted on a small camper trailer the builder knew better.

[@exploringcolorado720]

It's nice, but it really makes me appreciate my NuCamp T@b teardrop.

[@PatsSpats]

Love that Chosen sweatshirt. Thanks for your videos. Trying to slowly get into teardrop camping and using your videos for research for when I’m ready to buy. Keep it up!!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Glad it is helpful Pat. I am also glad you are taking your time. There are a lot of options out there. New episode of the Chosen coming out tomorrow. I still haven't watched episode 2.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Great video! It's neat to see the trailer that we purchased featured. We've been camping with our Bend Teardrop Trailer for one year. Everything feels right with the design and functionality of the trailer. We're happy customers. 🙌

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you guys for sharing this. As you know feedback from owners is priceless. I like both models but I think I lean more towards the 5 x 10. I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to teardrops. I say that, while at the same time I am working with somebody to build a completely non-traditional teardrop 😂 keep up the great work on your channel. I think it’s really worth the effort. If you look at Matt and Wendy they’ve become the Hiker experts. It’s been really fun to watch them form such a great community. I see similar things in your future.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. That means a lot. We'll keep at it. 🙂

[@caldud2]

Wow. Great review. I learned a lot from the owners comments and from yours. Having the things you don't like really lends credibility to the review and I think these campers came out looking very good. The simple yet functional design is something I really like.

[@yepme6484]

I noticed the classic fuse that is the old round screw in fuse. Into a classic suramic fixture that looks like an old light bulb from the thirties. I lived in a house when I was a kid in the sixties.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I didn't even notice.

[@savitrimaadevina]

I have a 5x10 and LOVE it. So grateful for the solid build and simplicity… and the owner and employees are incredibly responsive and helpful. Great team.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I couldn’t agree more about Dave and his team.

[@chandrathomas5266]

How much does it weigh?

[@johnles9689]

Yes! I don't want any high tech stuff in a teardrop. Good stuff.

[@twoweary]

I’m gonna call you guys tomorrow, looks like a great reason to visit Bend and that whole area. I really like your down to earth, simple practicality approach.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

They are really great folks. Definitey worth a trip to Bend.

[@kelliecarlsen5098]

I’ve had mine for three years; as a former backpacker, horse packer and tent camper I love my tear drop. I like it’s simple minimalistic but effective approach. I like the lack of maintenance needs. Each spring I get the wheel bearings packed. Check screws, bolts and nuts. Replace some caulking as needed. Load up and go. For now, it meets my needs.

[@maceo212]

So good to see Bend Teardrops on this channel. We’ve put many a mile on our 5x10 and it’s going strong.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I so appreciate hearing this. We Got a lot of feedback from Bend teardrop owners in this comment section. Such a great testimony about the quality of Dave and his team

[@greghoemke7258]

Your videos and commentary have been invaluable in helping me make decisions about my teardrop purchase. I'm a minimalist, so this company might be for me. Thanks for the three pros and cons as they made me think. This company looks awesome, and I like their keep-it-simple approach. Most of us can modify the trailer as needed.

[@coyoteself]

NICE. My smaller 2015 T@G cost more than that in 2015 and you're right about not doing crazy overlanding with a trailer and those that are, are typically using or building trailers designed specifically for that. I've lifted my T@G to go more places than it was designed to go and I don't have to worry much about the angle of departure on it (like I used to worry), but it's not an "Overlanding" trailer.

[@davidlarson2534]

I agree with you on the torsion bar suspension. I would want to see side canopy connections and galley pass through. Excellent review.

[@FreysOnTheSide]

My kind of trailer! Simple and quality design. Maybe not the 6x12, but love this Drew. Thanks for sharing.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Hey Matt! It’s definitely a unique design. I kind of laughed at the thought about it because in pictures it almost looked like a sausage dog trailer. But in real life it actually looked a bit cooler.

[@Nwtripfinder]

So excited to see this, Drew! We will be picking up our 6x12 Bend Teardrop in the next month and are so excited to take it out on birding and hiking trips around the Northwest, year-round. With a dog and a kid in his teens (tall!) who doesn't want to sleep in a tent by himself, this large teardrop will be perfect for our family. I looked for a Scamp for years--hard to find a good used one in the Northwest--and was *this close* to ordering a new one when I came across this larger teardrop and realized it was what I wanted all along.

[@heidiwellnitz8663]

Love this! So simple. There so much you can add yourself, to make it you. If I want it to look like home cabinets, I will just stain or paint it, and add some door handles.

[@jgrant4520]

Thanks!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You are MOST welcome Brad. I am flying back from Texas today. I got the chance to take a peek at our families next trailer. It’s about 75% done! It was so fun. I have been skipping my coffee all week so tomorrow the coffee is on Brad. Thank you so much I appreciate it. May appreciates the coffee too!

[@stevenjackson9613]

We picked our 6x12 up from Dave in September and drove back across the country to Georgia. We loved the trailer and is a great fit for our family of four. Dave was great to work with and super helpful. The main reason we went with this trailer was the full size bunk as we did not find another trailer like this in the country.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You’re absolutely right you’re not going to find another with a bunk that big. You could have your adult friends stay up there. Thank you so much for chiming in. Nothing beats a comment from an actual owner.

[@ryanm.9533]

I just ordered the 6X12 and will pick it up and camp back to New Jersey this summer. My family is super excited. I have been waiting years to get a camper and this tear drop is perfect. Any suggestions or lessons learned going across country? Happy camping!

[@stevenjackson9613]

@@ryanm.9533 I think the main one we figured out on the way back was that we would rather drive for longer one day and then camp somewhere for a few days to break it up. We took our roof top tent with our inflatable mattresses and bedding so we could use them in the trailer on the way home.

[@ryanm.9533]

@@stevenjackson9613 Thanks for the response. Very helpful. After talking to my wife, I think will do the same.

[@flobie1kenobi]

Kudos on calling out overkill on the overland stuff! I've always thought the same thing! But hey, it looks cool right?

[@jamespaul2587]

Thanks for sharing Drew, these seem like awesome trailers! You could probably rig up a simple canopy using tent poles or something similar to extend the galley space, while preserving the clean look and storage space below.

[@VirginiaHapa]

That guy and his philosophy is refreshing. Thanks for the video.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I agree it really is.

[@dereklane9653]

When you said starts at $12,000, I immediately thought "finally, something I seems worth the money." I will certainly be looking into this one

[@bradmiller9993]

I had never heard of them, so thanks for showing us this builder. I like the look, and the price seems pretty right. Cool stuff.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That’s so cool. Knowing this video helped you discover a new trailer is super awesome.

[@Sypherz]

I want one!! This is actually exactly what I've been looking for! It so simple yet so beautiful :)

[@jeremytyler7843]

We picked up our 6x12 just this month and love it! Dave was very easy to work with and we appreciated his honesty with options we asked about. We don’t have the full length pass through, but 12x12 cubbies on each side and the center cubby in the cabin is extra deep. Now I’m thinking we should have gone with the full pass through.

[@slacktide_angler]

Love the minimalist design of it. If I built a camper exactly to my liking, it’d look exactly like the 6x12.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That is so cool to hear. I often find when I like trailers that doesn’t mean everyone else will. I have been surprised with this video that people feel the same way as me. Usually I get a hard time in these videos for the simplicity. Thank you for sharing.

[@victorylovelace]

These are great and I’m not really a teardrop fan! This is the only one I could see me and my kids camping in! I wanted to start adventuring and wasn’t so sure about doing it in a tent. This is a wonderful option!😊

[@Dies1r4e]

now thats not terrible 10-15k, This is what I am talking about. a nice box on wheels to sleep in. bravo

[@claramcclung8863]

I love the simplicity. If I buy an RV, this would be it.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Just based on your user photo, I can tell you appreciate simplicity. I love that tree design.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Your pros and cons were spot on with my opinions. Axle choice, ¾ galley…😕 I’ll add that I love the look of the exterior. The radius with the aluminum does it for me. Thanks Drew!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thanks Brian for chiming in. I am a big fan of that aluminum as well.

[@DeezNuttz_BoffaDem]

I don’t see the issue with the galley. With the extra $10,000 you save compared to lesser quality competitors…just get the nicest canopy money can buy. I’m sure the owner would do a custom roof mounted 270 deg awning. Thatd be the bees neez

[@tonyl1483]

I love it! The simpler build makes it more diy friendly and upgradable 👍 18:23

[@pat9125]

Every trailer has a purpose and this one is definitely a minimalist dream. I agree with your suspension concern. It's gonna be bouncy and without doors on the cabinets things will bounce out although he was pretty clear he doesn't understand the off road environment so if it's all highway then probably not an issue. ball hitches only have about 15 degrees of articulation so gravel roads no problem but rutted roads could become challenging if you aren't careful. I like the insulated floor but I worry about how much wood there is overall and any mattress will need a condensation mat under it to prevent mildew. Because there isn't onboard water or fridge the tow vehicle will need to carry that stuff and you'll be dealing with bags of ice. Solar on the roof seems impractical as you'll usually park under shade if possible...that same panel if it was removable would be great. I agree with your door slide comment...seems rough when they make very durable slides for not a lot more money and extremely smooth. The passthrough storage is great and the front box is very useful along with the awesome 2 way fan. The light weight means no issue pulling it with whatever you have and very easy to move around. Overall I like the trailer for what it was designed for and as always...great review!!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Pat I think I need to add a segment in the future to my videos of Pat’s three pros and cons. This was awesome to see!

[@pat9125]

@@PlayingwithSticks LOL...checklist I'm tellin ya :)

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I was telling May about your idea. I really like it.

[@peterjeffreyzinkievich6066]

We have a teardrop from Bend. Have used it a lot and have to say things stay put in storage areas just fine and we get that thing off road.

[@peterjeffreyzinkievich6066]

Also, we have solar and it works great and we always set up in the shade.

[@richardhenry1969]

Very good prices for the market nowadays. They have some really great designs. I’m old fashioned I like the idea of making my own teardrop. I remember looking at the popular mechanic magazine with all the cool designs.

[@teardropcamperaustralia]

Your camper trailer is your home away from home. With a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable sleeping area, and a welcoming living space, it's your personal oasis on the road.

[@melrichardson2392]

Brother love integrity and honesty.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Agreed!

[@hershlawfirmpc]

Love the simplicity and philosophy. Great content as always.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it!

[@benjaminvazquez697]

I stud to the end. I really like this. I agree about the three thing you didn't like. In my case it would work better if I had an off grid toilet, at least a simple one.

[@DataSmithy]

Wow, those prices are amazing, esp. for people who appreciate the rougher, open construction that give you the freedom to DIY and customize it yourself, as needed. Expensive, finished work actually discourages customization by the owner, because the don't want to ruin their "nice stuff".

[@krewjones]

This may be my favorite teardrop ever. Holy cow.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yesssss!!!!! That is what I love to hear. That’s the ultimate goal. If one person falls in love with the trailer I have done my job. There is a trailer for all of us and I’m going to keep looking under every rock. Thanks for such an awesome comment you made my day!

[@pringlized]

so dreamy. I love the build. I contacted them, I want to DIY the cabin. They were super cool. That is a canvas for me to DIY inside.

[@guidok3762]

Great teardrop, love it! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@triciaharrod7582]

Appeared to cater and focus towards those growing families (plus). Liked that 5x10. Great review!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes! I am always looking for companies that are focusing on the growing family, but keeping it simple.

[@someguy8498]

That dude is cool. Down to earth, say it like it is. If I buy a teardrop, I’d definitely consider this company.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It was really fun shooting this video. It was one take, in and out. He was so down to earth.

[@paulwhite9242]

good to see bunk beds suitable for older kids. My 10 year old is 5' and a lot of the bunk beds you see are only 5' long...he'll be too big for them by 6th grade! Even my 8 year old is 4.5'

[@psfphotography]

I can see them extending the arch from the front of the camper to having a center height of 2-3 feel taller, giving a bit of standing space.

[@Buzz420]

That seems like it's a little long but I like it as long as it's for road use only. Off-road, the tail would drag. I have a 5x8 quad trailer I'm about to convert myself. I think the back gally area is a waste of "living" space so I'm going with outside cooking. That model is awesome though. Add a 180-360 rooftop canopy & it's perfect. Good job guys👍🏻👍🏻

[@ms181]

I always enjoy the content and production value of your videos...so well done. And loved your"COME AND SEE" sweatshirt! 🙌

[@miriamkenrick3971]

Love the insulation for the floor.

[@99Racker]

Wood and water causes problems. I might suggest a bottom layer of some kind of poly solid material using good adhesive to the insulation and if that works out you may wish to change the top layer of plywood with a like material so water damage can be reduced in this critical area.

[@bartman1857]

Great review Drew. This is a cool trailer and I like it starts out a price point for the common man/women.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thanks Bart for the feedback! Good seeing you it’s been a while.

[@bartman1857]

@@PlayingwithSticks thanks Drew. I also go by Obsessed2findARuggedHybid so we chatted about you reviewing my Trail Marker with my daughter in her off road wheelchair. Let's stay in touch

[@laurysellers3449]

Excellent as always, I really love your shirt!

[@twoweary]

It looked to me also that the drawers were a bit clunky . Soft close guides are inexpensive and are a nice touch. I wonder how thick the composite trailers are , for those that want to do them own add on’s. These look really nice though.

[@pepsicola60]

Wow great Video. I like the 6x12 and the storage

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you glad you enjoyed it.

[@Sam89365]

I like the weight and simplicity. I feel like I could pull it behind my 4Runner and not kill my mpg or transmission.

[@enexprod]

Excellent product! Excellent craftsmanship! I wish I get one someday... Congrats!

[@dustinjohnson1410]

I agree on the 3/4 hatch but for different reason. I would think access to the storage from above would be difficult if you are cooking in the galley.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes that’s a great point. We were just talking about this the other day. Not a big deal if that final quarter was used for sleeping space. But if it’s for storage reaching into a box to grab something low is never comfortable.

[@larryhawes8295]

Nice simple design. Cooler? Refrigerator? Pass through cabinet areas? Maybe a bit too simple?

[@nadinesawtell3267]

I’d personally choose the 6 x 12 the tongue box is a bonus and the second shelf bed would be good to stow extra gear the only thing missing is a bathroom

[@jimmyr1683]

You could use some kind of netting to cover the open shelves in the galley. That trailer will bounce all over the place. The netting would keep everything in the cubbies. Now, is the rest of the trail insulated? Wall, ceiling, doors? Or just the marine grade plywood? And does it come with a mattress? What thickness? Thx

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Good questions I’m hoping Bend or someone who owns one of their teardrops can answer this.

[@jedwilson9972]

Bummed I wasn't there for this. Netting the cubbies is a solid idea, I haven't heard anything from our customers about bounce outs. From the front of the trailer to the back wall is all insulated, as well as the doors. We don't typically provide the mattress but can if requested. Typically our customers order a rolled mattress online and have it sent to the shop prior to the build. We recommend a spring hybrid mattress. A memory foam pad is a giant sponge and requires some form of spacing underneath for airflow. I don't recommend anything above a 6" mattress, it cuts down the height of the cabin space. For myself, as a stomach sleeper, I prefer no mattress. Hope this helps.

[@jimmyr1683]

@@jedwilson9972 Sounds good

[@737henri]

also from The Netherlands, love the 6x12 teardrop.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I love the size. I’m not sure what I need the full size bunk for beyond storage. I thought I needed an off grid beast, I may need to reconsider my requirements. I do not stay at camp parks.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Hmmm 🤔 i’m assuming you don’t own a dog…. How about an adult slumber party? I went camping with my cousin last year in the Bean. We had a good time but I bet he would have appreciated it if I were able to kick him to the bunk 😆

[@JMo268]

I keep circling back to this as a solution for kids. Teardrops have everything I want and nothing I don't. I'd rather sleep in my hammock anyway, but the wife and 3 kids need something more than tent camping.

[@jameslaw3740]

Could roof racks be added for two kayaks??

[@ngnrdgrl]

Would love to see you review their new Tall Boy that sleeps a family of four with standing room and an outside kitchen and classic teardrop shape. It's on the same frame as this one.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I just ran across it the other day online. Like you, I would love to see one in person.

[@ngnrdgrl]

@@PlayingwithSticks it looks great for a growing family! I want one!

[@_Spacecraft]

I wish this had a pop up roof option.

[@jessedavis5362]

Love "The Chosen" hoodie you're wearing. Epic show.

[@annwhale4418]

I agree❤

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love seeing that people recognize it!

[@kevingray4996]

What about a fridge where do you put the fridge or cooler at in the galley to me it is important to have a space for it to have a proper working triangle.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Great point. Here is their philosophy on fridges and coolers I found it from their website: We are not big fans of coolers installed in the galley for many reasons. First of all a cooler is already a cabinet that needs to be cleaned and filled before each trip so putting a cabinet in a cabinet is a giant waste of space. The whole idea behind having a camper is to be always packed and ready to go with minimal setup, the under counter storage comes in very handy for pots, pans, propane, plates, etc… everything you don’t see in the competition’s pictures with slide out coolers and once the cooler slides out the counter space is unusable. We use a lightweight 3/4 galley hatch door and insulate the floor so for the counter height to be ergonomic only a 12″ high cooler will fit. Unlike some builders who use most of a tongue mounted storage box to store batteries etc.. we tuck the batteries, battery charger, fuses, kill switch and solar conditioner neatly under the sink that way the tongue mounted storage box is free for chairs, stove, grass carpet, toys etc… We find it best for your Teardrop to always be packed with gear so you’re always ready to go, your cooler is the one item that rides in your car and when you get to camp you just set it next to the galley. Not only is all your gear, counter and food accessible you also have another place to sit next to the kitchen. Lastly a heavy cooler in the back is not safe for towing, all trailers tow better with the weight distributed towards the front.

[@kevingray4996]

While I understand what they are saying I prefer a cooler or fridge in the galley area. As a former architectural designer a kitchen is supposed to be designed with all those things in the 21ft triangle so it just my take on it

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Please don’t take my copy and paste response as a way of saying you’re wrong. I just wanted to show you their philosophy on it. As you will notice in our channel we are a big fan of fridges.

[@kevingray4996]

@@PlayingwithSticks absolutely lol I know y’all use them and it’s a great price point and I’m sure I could figure something out as it’s definitely a great place to be

[@OverlandTrailer]

Oh YA! A big guy! California King! Ha ha. Good weight and I like the side lights. Agreed - Torsion Axle would be my #1 change and I'd probably bump it back to compensate for the weight of the galley. The port holes, although cool, open from the outside? Most do. How is that secured? What's to keep me from dropping a squirrel on you at night? The all seasonability of this one is top notch. Clearly another great PNW company.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I appreciate the thought on the placement of the axles. Only a teardrop builder like you would see something like that. If they gave out gold stars on here I’d give you one Mark! I asked Dave the same question about the port holes. He says he typically seals them up for most families. Basically he likes them it’s just I need aesthetic and one more way to get more light into the trailer. He typically suggests to people that it not be used as an actual porthole unless they feel inclined to do so. I think with kids I would have to leave it as a porthole for a few years!

[@OverlandTrailer]

@@PlayingwithSticks Nerds will be nerds. Good idea on sealing up the port holes. Although, I do think my kids would want them too. AND, I'd seriously think about the squirrel prank! Great video again Drew. Loving the stuff from your new travels.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thanks Mark! I’m down here working with Charles right now. We just pulled the Timbren and Dexter items from the box you sent us. If anybody’s reading this, if you want good deals on teardrop parts and supplies head over to Overland Teardrop Trailer.

[@OverlandTrailer]

@@PlayingwithSticks Hey! Say Hi to Charles for me. Been a while since we've chatted. Thanks for the bump too!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I will tell him hi in the morning. I know he’s grateful for the advice you’ve given him.

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

love the size of this one and reasonable price

[@barry7920]

What are best practices for storing food and cooking with a teardrop in bear country? While the galley looks super-convenient and will offer shelter from rain - at least with a tent, you're not supposed to have food inside or cook, or eat inside (or even next to) the tent. I do worry some, as I think food-habituated bears may conduct nightly raids on drive-in campgrounds, no?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I think it is good to be leary. In Alaska we never cooked in our galley, just to be safe. But the last few years I have camped in bear country extensively in the lower 48. We camp for about 2.5 to 3 months a year. During that time I have used the galley and have had no issues. That doesn't mean we won't' in the future. But it is a little aneceotal data for you.

[@barry7920]

@@PlayingwithSticks - okay thanks! I am not expecting any guarantees - just for you to share your experiences as you have, because you're having a lot of them :-) - appreciate it.

[@BirdPhish]

Nice job of just mostly letting the guy talk Drew...he was entertaining lol....Overland stuff is Overkill hahaha....I think there was actually an overland trailer company called Overkill that has some uniquely designed campers, also out of Bend too.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I was really impressed by the Overkill camper. Not so much the price but… I think I can say with pretty good certainty that most overlanders when you watch this video will say its second to none. I had a chance to hang out with them and film their trailer when I was in Oregon I think you’re really going to like athat episode. They’ve definitely created something pretty special.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

He really was a hoot to listen to. It was fun because he warmed up so quickly. Typically I have to hang out with someone for hours to get them comfortable in front of the camera. Dave and I were both crunched on time so I jumped right in and threw that camera his face and he was ready to go. I love hearing from builders who are honest about what they’re doing. Even if we don’t 100% agree with what they’re saying at least they have a backbone to say it. I think a lot of manufacturers know better, but are too cowardly to tell the truth. Whether that be quality of components, useless parts of the design, etc. as you and I know there’s pros and cons of every type of trailer. And it’s really nice to hear from a manufacturer who’s willing to share some of the cons as well as the pros.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great vid 👍 I agree with all you cons, especially the rear door. Cheers

[@DouglasBarnum]

Drew ❤ the hoodie. 😀

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I love that you know what it is!

[@f8th4lyf2]

Great video and review. Owning something like this is a bucket list item for me. Also, I like your hoodie.... is it from The Chosen? 🙂

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That was a bucket list of ours as well. Best decision we ever made. Yes good eye it is from the chosen

[@millyinmn3658]

Can you get it with a foot taller ceiling and a larger door so there’s more room for those rainy days?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That is a good question. I know there are a number of companies like aero teardrops in Oregon that will do custom builds like that. Dave said he would do minor modifications, but I’m not sure if he would do larger ones like that because it would interfere with his quick turnaround‘s. But it never hurts to call a builder I’ve been surprised how many unique trailers have come from some of these companies that have their processes streamlined.

[@millyinmn3658]

@@PlayingwithSticks I will take a peek at Aero. Thank you!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You are most welcome!