Our LEAST Favorite Thing About A Teardrop Trailer & How We Solved It

Hello,
We have owned a #teardropcamper for several months now. So far, the least ideal aspect about having a teardrop camper is the lack of a bathroom in the trailer.
The biggest issue is how often Kristin has to use the #bathroom, especially in the middle of the night, when the bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves and boogeyman are out wondering around outside our camper door. Haha :)
However, it is manageable.
So here's how we deal with it:
Step 1) buy a portable potty. (Many options available, from cheap to fancy).
Step 2) buy a shower / privacy tent.
Step 3) Add kitty litter, disposable bag, toilet paper and hand sanitizer to tent.
Step 4) Stake the tent down so it doesn't blow away.
Step 5) Place near trailer so that boogie man/wild animals don't nab Kristin.
Tada! Problem solved.
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Question: Would this prevent us from wanting a teardrop and choosing something else?
Answer: No. Definitely not. We love our teardrop!
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If you’re interested, below are a few options for portable toilets, toilet bags, litter, a pop-up tent etc.:
Thetford Porta Potti
Porta Potti 92306 White Thetford Corp www.amazon.com...
Lugaloo Portable Toilet (we use)
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet Gray, 13.5 inch x 13.0 inch x 15.3 inch www.amazon.com...
Green Elephant Portable Toilet Bags
www.amazon.com...
Reliance Products Double Doodie Plus with BIO-Gel | Large Portable Toilet Waste Bags
www.amazon.com...
ökocat Less Mess Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter Mini-Pellets (we use)
www.amazon.com...
WolfWise Pop-up Shower Tent (we use)
www.amazon.com...
Thanks for watching!
Kristin and Mike
Disclaimer from BLM website: "Portable toilet systems must be disposed of properly, at designated locations..., such as RV dump stations and authorized vault toilets... The use of portable toilets greatly reduces user impacts to campsites and natural resources. Before you leave, stop and look behind you to see that you have done all you can to minimize the traces of your visit and are leaving a clean slate for the next visitors." -blm.gov
#vanlife #rvlife #camping #teardropcamper

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

Hey guys, great video. I get the bathroom question a lot too. Personally, I think your set up is easier than dealing with a black tank. Sure, no one loves using a tent for a bathroom but the dump stations, rinsing, maintenance etc is no fun either. Keep it simple! Thanks 😀

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Such great points made! We like and appreciate your advice to keep it simple! 💯👍🙂

[@WheresWiseman]

Fancy seeing you here! Love this teardrop community!!

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

@@WheresWiseman haha… we have a great community 🏕

[@metaxaanabeer]

We are coming up on 10 years in our 5x8 teardrop. We road trip camp way up north in BC, Yukon, Northwest Territories so sometimes even a vault toilet is hard to come by. We use your system except we use hamster bedding, bales of shaved poplar or alder. Don't care for the cedar or fir types. Easily 1/3 the weight of cat litter. And more absorbent in my opinion. Try and put moisture elsewhere, add a handful of the bedding after each use and either empty contents into vault toilet (minus the garbage bag) or rest area garbage cans, well tied off in a new garbage bag. We look at tear dropping as allowing older (us!) folks to continue camping, not as miniature RV-ing. So far so good, despite the compromises.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Metaxa, Those are such good tips! Thank you. We love hearing about how much fun everyone is having out in their campers. 👍👍

[@barbshubert9667]

This video was great. To the point on every topic and very helpful. I like your water jug in the galley. I really like your galley setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thank you, Barb!

[@flisms]

Been using the same method for about 5 years now. Almost perfect. Sometimes cat litter, sometimes aspen, sometimes rodent bedding, sometimes shredded cardboard, sometimes leaves, sometimes that absorbent pee powder stuff, sometimes mixtures of all of the above...always double bagged. Sometimes we use the pop up tent, sometimes we have enough privacy around our trailer to just leave it outside. To me, it's is always better than a public toilet. Also very convenient for 6 yo old daughter, especially at night.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Yes, especially at night. That's when it comes in handy for us. Thanks for your tips!

[@mikecrawford7352]

We had a teardrop for about 4 years. I absolutely loved it I made a small bunk above our feet for our little guy, our older kids when with us slept in a tent. I enjoyed having it parked in the garage I didn’t ned to winterize our fresh water system and I kept the batteries topped off so it was very convenient to grab food top the fresh water and hit the road. We upsized to a tent trailer with a baby on the way. Absolutely hated the set up brake down time although still kept in the garage it had to be pulled out and set up to load and un load. Got a 26ft bunkhouse after that set up was easy tricky to pull with a 1/2 ton gas mileage sucked it was nice to hang out in the camper during crazy weather however found everyone seemed to sit inside more then hangout outside. I want to go back to a garageable camper. Maybe a longer 20ft range tear/square drop that sleeps 5 possible clam/pop top to be able to stand to get dressed. Always hated changing laying on my back or on my knees. I’m working on convincing my wife to let me build.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Mike, we're also looking in that range. 20 seems good. It's just a bit bigger so that you can move around more and access a bathroom, but it's still easy to tow and manage. For many of us, we need to try a few different setups before landing on the one that fits best (us included). Thanks for your comment, and I'm sorry for the late reply. We haven't gotten on KZbin for a while.

[@JT-ok8te]

That’s a smart use of “kitty litter”!

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Yeah, it's multi functional. 😁

[@michaelpellegrino3220]

We own a 5X8 off-road teardrop. We use the same bucket system. I attach the screenroom with solid panels to an ARB awning so you just have to step out the trailer door and you're already in a private, closed in area to relieve yourself. Simple systems always work better.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Michael, we agree that simple systems work better. We're looking into possibly getting something like the ARB tent room or a small clamshell as well. Glad it works well for you.

[@cherylzinkievich6751]

@@HighwaytoHoeftland we have a teardrop from Bend too and are looking into these options as well. Have you found anything that works with your teardrop?

[@MrWinger1951]

I have a Thetford Porta Potti, with a separate shower privacy 'shelter', super easy to set up and it's a much better option than the bucket option. I overland/camp using a truck with a bed rack and I can carry everything I need for extended exploring. The Teardrop Trailer looks really nice though.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

We have heard good things about the Thetford. We will probably switch to that type of porta potty at some point. 👍

[@barbshubert9667]

I just bought the Thetford. Looking forward to this option.

[@jeannemasters3986]

Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@WheresWiseman]

You are magicians! We have a similar bathroom tent and struggle to fold it up every time. Instructions were garbage. Our minds are blown, thank you for the mini tutorial! 😁

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

LOL! It is a bit tricky. Hey, we love your channel by the way! Happy camping. 🤗

[@WheresWiseman]

@@HighwaytoHoeftland We enjoy yours as well! Sounds like we were just down in your neck of the woods! Absolutely loved it down there! Happy trails!

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Yeah, we watched your video where you were camping at Tumalo State Park Campground. 👍👍That's a great location because it's so close to all the amenities Bend has to offer. Glad you guys had fun out here. 🙂

[@upcountryoffroad2906]

Looks like a great campsite! I love Camping by Water! Recently been checking out Teardrops. I agree on your least favorite... So does my wife. Your Teardrop looks like an awesome one. I tested one a little smaller in a recent video and I loved it! We had cold weather and Rain but we're comfortable. (40 Deg F.)

[@kennethdittig2986]

just found you channel. teardrop owner myself. and that morning condensation on a cold camping trip is never fun. i use a car wash sponge, works pretty well

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Kenneth, Thanks for the tip about the sponge for wiping away condensation. We'll have to try that next time! We've also found that the fantastic fan seems to work pretty well for drying out the trailer. 👍🙂

[@tomasguerreiro1198]

I’ve been following you since December, and let me tell you guys, you won a fan from Portugal! 😁 I have a teardrop myself as well, keep it going with the channel, I love your videos! 👍😀

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thank you so much! We'd love to visit Portugal someday. Happy camping! 🤗

[@garyhankinson5695]

I have tried all these portable toilet ideas and I ended up just spending the money and getting a thetfort porta potti. Wouldn’t go bush without it now.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Our aunt Tricia swears by the Thetford as well. Thanks for your tip.

[@Freeontheland2030]

Great way to spend a weekend no matter the inconveniences.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

For sure! We agree. It's a wonderful time out there in nature.

[@RhinoVenturesOutdoors]

Great show! I can't wait to get my camper next Fall!

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thank you! You're going to have so much fun! We're really enjoying ours.

[@GodskidUr1]

Nice😊

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thanks!

[@kimcunningham8019]

That looks like a beautiful camp spot. Great info! I’ll have to buy one of those toilets.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thanks, Kimberly! Let's go camping together soon. ❤️

[@herrp8765]

How do you like your Ridgeline? I’ve got a 2019 Sport and love it. Perfect in outdoorsy settings.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

We love our Ridgeline, too! It has been such a reliable and functional vehicle for us. Ours is a 2014 Sport.

[@bidenwearsdiapers4026]

When it comes to tear drops the pros definitely out number the cons. Question: when you guys want to venture outside of your campsite (hike, check out local towns, etc) do you typically leave the tear drop at camp with a tongue lock on it, or do you take it with you? My concern taking it with me would be parking near a trailhead while hooked to an RV and someone accidentally or intentionally stealing the campsite you paid/registered for?

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi, we leave our teardrop back at the campsite. We use several different locks, such a hitch lock, a tire lock, and others. We show the items we use in "16 Items We Use Teardrop Camping" video. Hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHbFiqJto9mZkMk

[@bidenwearsdiapers4026]

@@HighwaytoHoeftland I’ll check it out. Thanks.

[@loud2449]

Yep the dependable Luggable Loo and Wolfwise.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

You bet! Very dependable. Thanks for your comment, Lou.

[@billleland957]

I agree, but like you said it's a trade off.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Bill, A worthwhile tradeoff indeed. We're out camping again this weekend. 🤗

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Good tip on your porta pottie text.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Edward, thank you.

[@willgreen5081]

Cool lady

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thanks, Will!

[@davidf9630]

Well… when I built my teardrop, I promised my wife that we would always camp at campgrounds with running water and flushing toilets.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi David, that's a good solution as well, especially if it gets you both out camping. 🙂

[@davidf9630]

@@HighwaytoHoeftland It definitely does. We have reservations at Pinnacles south of Hollister Ca next week. Can’t wait

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Have a wonderful time!

[@stephendickinson4647]

I live off grid and have a Natures Head composting toilet. I have a Runaway tear drop trailer and just found a new model toilet in the development called the Cuddy, especially designed in size and function for van life. Check it out!

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Stephen, Thanks for the recommendation! We'll check it out. How do you like your Runaway Teardrop? We watch a channel called Honey I Roam, who also has the Runaway camper. Looks like a nice setup. 👌

[@jaspercats]

Hi nice video, may I ask what brand and model teardrop you have. Thanks

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi, thanks! We have a 5x10 Bend Teardrop Trailer. They're made out here in Central Oregon. 👍

[@gfp1011]

What kind of teardrop do you have? Do you recommend it?

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Gerard, we have a Bend Teardrop Trailer. We like ours. We have not had problems with it so far and the owner is nice and responsive. It's a small family owned company in Central Oregon. 👍

[@rsos8541]

NICE JOB FOLKS

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Thank you!

[@jagerpowell453]

Is there anything you do for heat in the snow?

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Jager, yes, if we're hooked up to shore power, we use a Lasko MyHeat electric heater with an electric blanket. If off-grid, we carefully use the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy. We have the windows cracked, fantastic fan running and turn on the portable heater for about 10 minutes at a time. Hope this helps. 🙂

[@phillipjacobson4457]

I live in prineville 😀 China diesel heater from Ebay.

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi, neighbor! 🙂👋 Thanks for the tip.

[@jimb1801]

Does it have a top speed like 45 mph and does it fish tail on interstate

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hi Jim, It's probably around 55 mph suggested, but we don't know for sure. We drive with it on the highway at normal speeds with no problems and no fish tail or sway so far. It's been a breeze traveling with it.

[@alynshaw9895]

Which tear drop is it

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Hello, this is a Bend Teardrop Trailer.

[@roblamont8756]

I hate Mayo 🤮

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

Try mustard 😁

[@georges6182]

WHY DID YOU BUY A BEND TEARDROP IF YOU WANTED AN RV WITH A BATHROOM? GOOD GRIEF

[@HighwaytoHoeftland]

It's all explained in the video.