Why We Chose a BASE MODEL Fiberglass Teardrop Trailer

[@dieseldrax]

The Bean, specifically the Meaner Bean, was on our short list of trailers recently. Ultimately, we ended up placing an order for an Off Grid Trailer Pando 2.0 since it checked more boxes for us and was less of a compromise. The base Bean is a great little trailer for sure and would work well for a good portion of people, but we're one of the "we need an off-road trailer" because we've already ventured areas with the RTT on our vehicle where a base Bean or standard teardrop wouldn't go and we want to make sure the trailer isn't what limits our options. We also decided to spend a little more money on a quality off-road trailer for various reasons. Durability/Longevity (no wood and solidly built), retains value, etc. We've been in the mass-produced trailer world and the kind of money these smaller trailers are demanding seems excessive compared to traditional trailers, but as you said it really comes down to components and build quality. Sure, you could spend half as much money on one of the mass-produced "off-road" trailers but they're going to fall apart after a couple of years of actual off-road use, let alone damage that could/would be caused by condensation, leaks, etc because they still use a lot of wood or similar materials that won't hold up. So value really depends on what you expect out of a trailer.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

We have been hearing a lot more about the Off Grid trailer recently. I need to pin this comment. You said it perfectly! One of these days we are going to have to take out a trailer from Off Grid.

[@maine-iacmetal6336]

BRX if you want an indestructible off grid trailer!!! Plus made in the 🇺🇸

[@gregzeigler3850]

@@PlayingwithSticks I watched a video, just this morning, of a man who owned a Mini Mate that was over 20 years old and still in awesome shape. If you had no children and just a wife, that would be the way to go. Could be pulled by a small car or a motorcycle and under $5000 new.

[@SrirachiKat]

@@gregzeigler3850 what trailer are you talking about because I’m semi interested in getting a trailer or something similar to move for wildlife technician jobs but don’t want to put a giant hole in my pocket😬

[@davidgarcia2691]

@@PlayingwithSticks what do you think about the new bean stalker vs the bean stock?

[@mikemead2315]

Getting out doing something is the real goal. Later, a person learns what makes it easier to have fun. Having any camper is better than having no camper. And a person doesn’t really know what they value until they use it. And those values change. Go camping and exploring. The perfect camper will come later after many s’mores induced deep philosophical scientific camper attribute discussions. It takes many s’mores. Can’t be rushed.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love this one Mike! You know me. I am always in search for that impossible perfect camper. We have a lot more s'mores to go. We will keep eating them while the manufactures keep getting closer and closer. Haha.

[@mikemead2315]

@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah, well….I dont follow my own advice. You acted! I’m still looking for the perfect camper at the perfect price …. Signed “Camperless”.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@mikemead2315 I still have faith that the industry will come around. Meeting with camper manufacturers this summer they have a lot of neat announcements coming up. A lot of great new technologies, builds, etc. BUT a majority of them are not going in my direction. A lot more tech, offroad, power, etc. But, I bet someone will come out with the almost perfect trailer soon. Almost being the key word.

[@mikemead2315]

@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah. Probably more young people want a teardrop’s attributes vs young families and retired guys. Still, I feel left out. I understand the reasoning behind narrow marketing focus, but still, aren’t lots of the great attributes also valued by multiple groups - just got to make sure those attributes are in the brochure for the non-targeted to see. Seems like leaving sales on the table to me.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@mikemead2315 From all the marketing gurus I run into on occasion it seems like they really push for a niched market these days. I am more of a cast the net wide guy as you can probably tell from my channel content. I know it probably hurts the channel in terms of views, but I love chasing a wider interest and learning from others who see things much differently than me.

[@trytubeniceok]

Cool trailer and good points about what you really need. We went big with a SoCal Teardrop XS10 on 33"s with tons of clearance, water storage and off-road goodies. My point is that at least here in California, you can't even get a camping spot for 6 months to 1 year reservation...it's so lame like that out here. But with our off-road teardrop / vehicle we can cross deserts, climb up legit 4x4 trails and get to places no-one else can or would even try without a serious off-road setup. Not cheap, but the adventures are priceless. Thanks for the great videos!

[@0HARE]

Your whole proposition in this episode is exactly why we are buying a new all fiberglass Casita 17’ Independence. Our first travel trailer was a ‘79 Scamp 13’. It survived a brutal “100 year” hail storm without a scratch, and only one broken window pane. We took it everywhere, and had a ton of fun with it. Seeking more comfort and room, we made the big mistake of buying a traditional stick-built Keystone Passport 23’. Worst decision we ever made. We’ll be selling the Keystone this summer, and taking delivery of our new Casita in July. We’ll be doing some upgrades to the Casita, but right from the factory, with no mods, it is perfectly adequate. Happy Camping

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Congratulations on your purchase! You’ve probably noticed by now we are huge fans of the Scamps and Casitas. They just makes sense in so many ways. We have always leaned towards a Scamp, because of our small tow vehicles, but if our vehicles were a little stronger, we would pick the Casita over the Scamp. Same thing goes with 13 foot versus 17 foot. The 17 foot just makes a lot more sense when you have a table that doesn’t need to be converted into a bed every day.

[@swahilijs]

Thanks drew. I really like your shows. We camp in a Chrysler town and country. We’ve travelled all the way to Alaska and also from Washington state to Florida and back. My wife (51 years of marriage) says she doesn’t want to pull a trailer. We do a lot of camping in the Pacific Northwest. We want to take the Alaska marine highway again in the middle of may. We hope Canada stays open.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love what you are doing. Find what you like and stick with it. Thats my motto. Well, for others. Haha. I am always wanting to try new things. I had the perfect rear bed and storage situation in my Jeep when I met May in my early 20s. She was not a fan. Haha. From there I was always on the hunt for the next best thing to get us outdoors. I have my fingers crossed for your Alaska adventure. The last time we were forced through Canada with just a few days of travel time. It was rough.

[@mkkrafts9261]

I bought the Classic Bean because I love those fenders! I wanted to get outdoors but can't handle sleeping on the ground. I wanted minimal set up, minimal maintenance and maximum comfort. I wanted something that would last and that I could leave packed. Throw some food in there and I'm ready to go at a moment's notice! The kitchen is just as great to cook in as my kitchen at home. I have the same kitchen as your Beanstock. Not to mention that the 90 day lead time gets you a custom build. When I'm out with it I get a ton of admiration and questions... then people hear the price and often think it's crazy. They sometimes mention it doesn't even have a bathroom. Well most campgrounds have bathrooms and most of the time that's where I camp. Also I have a super easy pop up tent with a luggable loo and I don't have to worry about black tanks and the stinky slinky. I know myself and if I had a big camper with a bathroom and indoor kitchen, I'd stay inside. But I want to get outside that's the whole point. With the Bean I cook outside, eat outside, sit outside and explore and hike. And I don't have to worry about rain and high wind blowing down a tent. I love it.

[@DIYOutdoorLife]

😀

[@mark-di5pf]

If Bean has helped in anyway to enhance your camping experience and get you outdoors, you cant imagine how fulfilling that is to us. Bean There!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

So do we! We love it. And we love this comment. It originally was our favorite trailer in the lineup. But when asking about the trailer they thought our style of camping would probably be a bit rough on the fender's paint. However, I asked again this summer if potentially we could rhino line or armadillo line the fenders. And they said of course. It wouldn't look quite as good. But you would still get those nice classic lines and protect that fender from chipping. But like you mentioned, with the places you camp you would be much better off with those nice beautiful painted fenders. It is one thing to see a picture of the trailer online. But a completely different experience seeing a Classic Bean in person.

[@mkkrafts9261]

@@DIYOutdoorLife Hey Brian! We meet again Lol!

[@mkkrafts9261]

@@mark-di5pf It really does enhance my experience! I love the base plus galley with the Norcold. It's so perfectly laid out. I'm going to try boondocking in national forest soon!

[@gtrance3567]

Great video thank you! What we’re looking for is something very basic to literally replace a tent, but not have to set up in the middle of the night. Thank you.

[@susie7121]

Its because of you and your reaserch and trustworthiness that I now have a iceco fridge and a bluetti. Thank you for these informative videos.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That is awesome to hear. Looking forward to updating the community on our newer ICECO. You will love this. It is the JP30. We ran the entire Beanstock and the fridge off of 1 lithium battery powered by a 70 watt solar panel. Talk about low energy usage. The only issue we ran across was that our vegetables would freeze when they touched the side. Will be trying a bit higher temp next season.

[@susie7121]

@@PlayingwithSticks I look forward to that video and all your videos. I have the JP 50. I have a clipper 9.0. Im now looking forward to price drop of the zero breeze. Its hot in summer for camping in Ontario so this might help. However I love spring and fall camping.

[@terryanderson7316]

Wow, so glad we found your content. It’s so informative and you do it so well. Thank you. We are in the process of buying our first fibreglass teardrop. A Vagabond Joey (mid range model) from Cruizy campers here in Australia. South African manufacture and put together in Oz. Very confident we’ve made a great choice. Made much easier by watching your work :-))

[@t7582]

Road Toad (fiber glass, aluminum tear drop) versus Hiker (aluminum, wood, steel square drop), that was our dilemma. Price, features, and actual use. We felt that the Hiker gave us options to modify as compared to a fiberglass setup. The Bean trailers were a WOW on several levels, we just didn't have the cash to dump into such a high quality teardrop. One income family - two in college, and two home schooling ... bills! Glad you were able to get into a Bean. Would love to have it too!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

To be honest between the two of them we would have went with the Hiker as well. And you really do need to factor in the price. I like to tell people they all get us to the same destination. I don't want to even think about the costs we have ahead of us with East and Rye. Haha.

[@tomraidna8421]

I love my kit built Chesapeake Light Craft ( marine ply, fiberglass and epoxy ) teardrop, I could cook in the galley but use a folding camp kitchen to cook next to the picnic table. Also it’s so light to trailer, just had a great 1200 mile trip from Pittsburgh to Mackinaw City in Northern Michigan. My kit cost with basement ( integrated cargo carrier) was about $8k and about 300 hours of my time. Really appreciate your videos.

[@mikemead2315]

Those Chesapeake’s are the best looking teardrop period. Impressive. More campers should be made that way. I originally thought they were WAY out of my price range, but it looks like wood parts kits start at around $3k now, and their (non mandatory) trailer less than $2k. Interesting.

[@nunyabidness3075]

They seem to sell a lot of those kits. I hope a larger, more traditional model will be offered. I’ve been dreaming of building one of their boats because they offer them in sizes that fit me.

[@sunnymonkey2389]

Agree! Living here in Colorado we have several options of trailers but after doing our research about fiberglass, we chose our teardrop from High Altitude Trailer. Yes, we had done our homework for nearly four years and finally found what works for us. We love it! Yes, we asked ourselves all the questions you discussed here in this video too. We wanted something that would not fall apart in three years, especially here in the Colorado! We camp year round too.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

This is what I LOVE to hear. Someone doing their homework and then purposely seeking out a local option! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@krippleinacaravanxxx707]

I’ve been fibreglass here in the U.K. for 20 years with our Polish Neiadow. They are amazing! Very professional vid’ with great info and you will NEVER loose money on this type of caravan. They hold their value! Looking good boy!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I couldn't' find that trailer online. Does it go under another name? Would love to see it. You are absolutely right on the losing money part. I used to see these trailers as expensive. Now I see them more as investments. You are going to have to post some videos of your travels some day. I can't even imagine what caravan camping looks like in the UK. Sounds so fun!

[@victory-loriebarnett1877]

No other vlogger makes me want a Bean trailer as you, May & the kids do. Another good video! Thank you. Blessings all around

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you so much! We really appreciate this sweet comment.

[@victory-loriebarnett1877]

@@PlayingwithSticks I only speak truth. That’s the way Holy Spirit likes it. I am getting pretty fond of your channel. And most importantly your family. Very precious

[@jazzwyld1]

Third time watching this video in the past 2 months. I created a spreadsheet comparing the bean vs other trailers, and they keep coming out on top. There are a lot of great teardrops, Bean makes some of the best, and I agree it is difficult to put a value on fiberglass. Great video.

[@drewjohnson6107]

Share the spreadsheet?

[@ljprep6250]

Glass and foam are the only way to go. I'd love to see that spreadsheet, too. From the builders, where did you source your composite walls and glass channels?

[@yooperdog]

Love the fiberglass. We were on the list for an Escape, but changed to a Scout truck camper so the wife feels comfortable in sharing some of the driving details. Very nice camper though 👌.

[@mjchurch7645]

Great video! We love our Bean and all our interactions with the Bean Trailer. Couldn't be happier.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you for sharing. It is always nice to have feedback from actual owners.

[@mixflip]

I finally saw the black bean for the 1st time at overland Colorado and I get it now. They are extremely well built. I call them works of art. Some are ugly square wooden boxes on wheels. Bean trailers are now on my list of top tier trailers. I still love that extra large valiant though. I'd have him make a bunk bed model for me if I bought a valiant. I have 3 kids

[@markkuthielkozak8753]

do they make a bunk model?

[@DarrylSheather]

The comments about costs with regard to Teardrop and Squaredrop campers is an interesting one. Before I started to build my Squaredrop, I looked at lots of caravans of all sizes to see how they were constructed and frankly, was amazed at how poor the construction was in a lot of them. Whilst well made Teardrops are small, there is a sizeable amount of work in them. I have the analogy that a well made Teardrop is like a piece of high end furniture that will last for many years rather than say, something from Ikea that looks awesome initially but isn't going to be handed down from generation to generation. Thanks for the videos, enjoy the channel.

[@ryanburton7628]

Thanks man, we love your stuff-super helpful and informative. We looked at teardrops after viewing your videos recently but decided a Casita was the best for our family right now. You are spot on about fiberglass. Went to see a non-fiberglass trailer and it just didn't sit well how poorly things are made for the price. Plus, who buys a trailer with the hope they will only last in great condition for a few seasons? Talking with Scamp and Casita owners so many have had their trailers for years and they look and operate so well. Hoping to make it your way this upcoming summer. Cheers!

[@mikemead2315]

Casita! Nice! Lots of the old fiberglass campers (Casita, Scamp, etc.) sell for more than their original price!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You made a great choice! You have probably noticed we are big Casita fans as well. We definitely consider ourselves part of the fiberglass cult following. Haha. You definitely need to make your way to Alaska. Just Canada alone is worth the trip!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes they do. And especially the last 2 years!

[@steveho7190]

Good video and I agree with you wholeheartedly about the benefits of fiberglass construction for an RV. I don't have a Bean but rather a 1998 Bigfoot fiberglass truck camper. Its 2 molded shells and no seams to caulk other than around the windows. IMO it's the best way to construct a truck camper compared to as you said with wood, aluminum, glue etc. Northern Lite is another fiberglass truck camper company and along with Bigfoot are constructed in Canada so these things are built and insulated to handle harsh sub zero temperatures. Keep up the great work and looking forward to your videos 👍

[@jacktyler7599]

I just happened to be the 800th 'thumbs up' viewer, only ONE DAY after this was posted. It's easy to see why...or why there are 117K subscribers. This channel's content speaks to 'value' - in experiences and in products - in unique ways and it's a joy to subscribe.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you so much Jack! This is why we do it. It’s so fun knowing people see value in the content.

[@robincrook5630]

Whenever we went to look at tear drops...the height of the galley counter was absolutely my number one complaint. Thanks for doing this video. Now, to convince my husband that my 1999 Ford Ranger XL off road, 3L V6 could pull this.

[@kevinmoon6973]

I ford ranger V6 would easily handle a bean tear drop. Drew and I towed with a Subaru Outback effortlessly.

[@robincrook5630]

@@kevinmoon6973 Thanks!

[@alorsherryselen5095]

Thanks for all the good advise you give to the small trailer community. I agree fiberglass is the way to go, we have a 2012 Little Guy with fiberglass sides and an aluminum and the fiberglass looks like new, what we liked most it was built on a 2 x 3 steel tube frame with the Dexter axle. we brought it without a many options and kitted it out our self as we go. We have been all over the lower 48 states and loved every adventure. We always tell people we sleep inside and live outside.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

"Sleep inside and live outside" Love that. We have heard great things about those trailers. There are a handful still running around Alaska.

[@maykouhansen6713]

I love the quality of the bean. The more I learn about teardrop trailers, I think the bean is reasonably priced for its quality:)

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You are starting to sound like Drew!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@joemomma3770 Right!

[@maykouhansen6713]

Love the bean! Great reasons why you choose the bean! I love fiberglass trailers and the bean looks great! Very sleek and modern.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It definitely turned heads this summer on the road. But so did the other brands we towed as well. Teardrops just look good rolling down the road!

[@jlscielo]

I am definitely on board with this trailer company. Great information as always! Happy trails!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Likewise. We definitely give it our stamp of approval. One of these days I will put up the Bean factory tour video. I think once folks see what type of quality control goes into these trailers they will have a better appreciation of them. At least that is how it went for us.

[@MaryOKC]

I spent my life working and we traveled every 2-4 years for 23 years (military) including 16 years in AK eight of which I was a civilian…we had an 18’ camper we used quite a bit (2 years) and even bought and lived in a fifth-wheel for 2 years…then I retired at age 60 and wanted to travel again so I bought a Nucamp TAB 400 and it was too big! Now I car camping my SUV…but I’ve been looking at these and the Nucamp TAG.

[@brycemariano5955]

Congrats on the new trailer Drew!! You are definitely making me second guess building a trailer from scratch haha

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It would be so rewarding though. We have found with traditional construction I think you can keep them intact for decades. But, they require a bit more tlc. I think the main one is just keeping it covered and preferably inside. And the one I don't like to think about with my traditional teardrop is knowing that overtime the harder I push it the quicker I will probably have to tighten things up down the road. But with all that said. We push our little teardrop hard and have had no structural issues. Over the years the vibration has impacted trim work and all the ground trim on the trailer. But that is all aesthetic and easily fixed.

[@brycemariano5955]

@@PlayingwithSticks You make some great points! Unfortunately I won't be able to store mine inside so long term weathering is definitely a concern. The fiberglass construction of the bean trailers seems like the best option if I want a worry free trailer.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@brycemariano5955 Yes, if worry free is what you need. We definitely would lean towards fiberglass or something like a cargo trailer with zero would components.

[@farstrider79]

Love it! My wife and I are arguing back and forth beta Safaricondo Alto and a Tab 400.

[@FreysOnTheSide]

Drew - your video is crazy polished. Love it. We had our eye on a bean for many years and still may end up with one. We have officially sold out T@G and are now in our TC Teardrop! Teardrop for life!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you! It has been pretty amazing having autofocus for the first time. I can't even believe I used manual focus for all those years. Congratulations on the new teardrop. I keep telling May we need to catch up on your videos. We are so behind. It has just been such a crazy 6 months!

[@FreysOnTheSide]

@@PlayingwithSticks how to walk everyone through the video, switch angles when it makes sense, laced with great b roll, informative and great storyline. I (Matt) don’t even think I blinked. Stay in touch and stay safe out there.

[@TruckCamperBooBoo]

I love it! My only issue is the rear outdoor kitchen. I spent 3 months in Alaska in 2023. It would be too cold to cook outside when the temperature is below zero. How would I combat the hundreds of mosquitos? I mainly travel in the Fall and Winter 2~3 months at a time. Other than that, I love it! Thanks!

[@jeffwrinkle575]

Really great, honest and insightful video. You provided a perspective I had not given much thought with a fiberglass trailer. I really like the Hiker Trailer models and the 270 degree awning they come with. Really fits our style of camping. But you made very valid points with the wear and tear of fiberglass vs aluminum box/bolt framing.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Hiker is a great little trailer. And with care this type of trailer can last for a long time. To me it really comes down to how much you will be using it and how long you think you will be owning it. And if many of us are honest with ourselves I think we don't use trailers and keep trailers as long as we think we will. You are going to laugh when you see our 270 awning video this year. It is about how much we love them and hate them at the same time. Like you we are big fans. But then we flip flop and absolutely swear we will never use one again. And the cycle starts over. Haha.

[@jessag136]

We are researching getting a fiberglass camper of some kind. We have a 5yo (who is really big for his age) and a baby due any day, so we were thinking along the lines of maybe a 13’ scamp, but we are absolutely fascinated with the teardrop idea too. We currently have an older popup camper that needs a lot of work, and honestly using a pop up is so much more work than what I like to deal with as far as loading, unloading, etc. It would be nice to have something we could just load up some food and clothes and go in.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Big fans of the Scamp. We like the 16' model because you don't' have to convert the bed into a table every morning and then reverse it each night. I have seen a few 13' layouts over the years that have a stationary table, but those are pretty rare. And yes, it is so nice to have a dedicated space for all your items in your trailer. The packing/unpacking in our opinion is the worst part of camping.

[@jessag136]

@@PlayingwithSticks we like the idea of being able to tow the 13’ with our current vehicle, but I agree, the 16’ would be preferable for the table setup. We are still a year or two out on actually taking the jump, so lots of time to suss out the details and wait for the camper to actually be done if we do in fact go with a Scamp. I heard they’re around two years backordered.

[@gabrielc1060]

I like tear drops because it's basically set up and ready to roll, small compact and good for tight areas. They are also very comfortable for sleeping. Low maintenance is another one. They do get expensive though it just comes down to what type of camping you do and what you can afford. I like that you can unhitch it and turn it around relatively pretty easy. I give you props for doing it with your whole family. The bean seems cool and well built but testing is the real way to know if it's worth it. I'd like to have one to push it to the limits. Im sure it would hold up a long time.. Good video Cheers to you guys! 👍

[@beejoy6153]

For me...the need for an indoor porta potty is essential. Yes, I know there are ways to get around that but there is just something about having access to a potty indoors IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT that is so very vital for some (ME!). Nice video and cute little camper there.☺️

[@gearlist]

Really informative, great review Drew. Giving that Valiant video a second look 👀

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Glad it was helpful. That's what I love to hear!

[@paulenright]

Nailed it Drew ...fiberglass one piece shell, low maintenance ✔ minimal kitchen set up, junk free✔ light weight, ⛽ saver✔ + + + good choice crew

[@txag007]

Nice new rig!!!! I've been looking around at small trailers and for some reason I keep coming back to the Bean website. They may very well be my first "teardrop" trailer. Can we get a full walkthrough video? I would love to see how y'all make use of the storage in the trailer.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You sound just like us! It's funny I wonder if many people have the same journey as us. Meaning you look at Bean, you don't get it the first time. But eventually it starts making sense. I have had to have a lot of conversations with folks here in the comments and trailer manufacturers to really understand what I was looking at. These trailers may be small and simple. But, there are some fine details you can easily overlook.

[@txag007]

@@PlayingwithSticks Watching your videos and some other walkthroughs of larger RVs (all the way up to class A) the thing that keeps popping into my head is water intrusion. As a homeowner that is always on my mind. Their biggest win is the lack of seams on the shell. It also helps the long term life of the camper and help prevent it shaking itself apart. I hope y'all are able to keep up the great content overseas in Thailand! I wish all the best on the next journey in y'alls life!!!

[@chloesamclutch]

I kind of went a different route, buying used. Found a Heartland MPG that is in good shape and has enough amenities to keep the wife happy. Teardrop shaped and pretty well built. We're approaching retirement so this is a good fit for us. Hoping to upgrade it to a rear kitchen instead of those useless rear bunks. I can probably do upgrades and solar for half (or less than) the price of a comparable new trailer. We don't extreme off road so suspension is fine.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I love the idea of converting the bunks to a kitchen. That’s half the fun isn’t it? Making it your own!

[@davidreed3647]

We picked up our Bean Classic late May of this year. Every thing you said is exactly why we chose a Bean.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

That classic is so cool! That was the initial Bean trailer we were interested in.

[@DD556762X51]

Mean Bean owner here. You get what you pay for. They are made to last and hold value.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you for sharing! You are absolutely right. I should say that more. Very simple "you get what you pay for." I know that is painful for folks to hear sometimes, but it typically is the truth in the small camper industry.

[@fuzzychest]

I was really interested in the trailer at the price you shared, $17,990. The Bean Stock, base price, is now $26,790. The average price is over $30 k. At about double the price you shared, just two years ago, would you say it's still worth it?

[@linseyolesiak6781]

I recommend checking out TC teardrops. Their most basic model is $4,000 and is WELL BUILT! We love ours! They have several models and can be customized. Oh, and I should mention, TC stands for Todd and carol who are the couple that build them in Wisconsin.

[@CampingTherapy]

I have a 1987 Cadet fiberglass trailer. I love that I don't have to worry about water damage.

[@pringlized]

Just stumbled on your channel. I really appreciate all the great work you put into your vids. Thanks for the awesome work.

[@twoallame]

Great video, great points on clearance, great points on pricing, you get what you pay for. I could see mt wrangler jku pulling this into the back country with the right hitch. Looking to tour the Bean plant in October

[@ajf5823]

I bought a Tiny Camper Company off road Kong for $12k. It’s composite, has a Timbren axle-less suspension and came with a ton of standard equipment. It’s a tank that can go anywhere my Jeep can go. The owners worked with me to install solar power and a bunch of extras.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love hearing this. Composite, Timbren, small camper. You are talking my language. Then you throw in $12K... You are screaming my language! I wonder what a comparable build from Runaway would come to? I am guessing more in the $16K range? I haven't priced it lately.

[@tonyronquillo2246]

Love your videos. Had the same discussion and did the same research. Wanted a smaller trailer I could take to remove places. I have a large 5th wheel, but I want to get in the back country more. I ended up going with the E - Pro 12SRK. After 7 months of waiting, I'll pick it up next week. Offroad package, solar, 2 propane tanks, 2 batteries, manual awning, TPMS, AC, furnace, hot water heater, electric jack for less than 15,000 out the door. With the price jumps this year, they are 2k to 3k more this year.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You are going to have a blast in that. A lot of people end up going with the trailer you selected. And why I think that is is because there really isn't any trailers out there that offer all those features for that price. And the other is that they have created their trailers as a good bridge between the small camper industry and the larger 5th wheel industry you are more familiar with. Meaning you get that small camper we all want to get out to remote places. But you still get some of those nice amenities that typically only come on larger campers.

[@Scooters4521]

The family time/memories are priceless!!

[@bryanemmett2610]

Great videos! They have been super helpful as our family starts camping with a teardrop trailer. Would love to hear your take on the rooftop tent in general as a solution to teardrop camping with a family of four and any comments on the iKamper specifically.

[@kellymclark5532]

17 k sounds like a lot of money but im building a DIY full custom all aluminum but vintage styled teardrop just im materials it will cost me over 10k easy i am 10k in and I'm not done that is no labour its a different builds so it's not cheap but it shows what the costs or build if you do a nice job can be. if i had to pay for my labour it would be very expensive. people for get the hours that go into some of these people don't work for $2 per hour so and materials are not cheap. great channel! really enjoy it. it has been helpful for thinking of stuff on my build. im very good with fiberglass but wanted to try aluminum for that high polished look but fiberglass is a great way to go!

[@mark-di5pf]

Between steel frame, powder coating, wheels, tires, fiberglass shell, composite sheets(floor and walls) axles, doors, electrical, lighting, fans, millwork, galley components and the rest of the direct materials, that equal more than 50% of the purchase price of the trailer. That does not include any labor or overhead. That is why when someone claims that they can 'build a way better trailer cheaper' I invite them to apply for a job at Bean; I want to see them do it. I don't think people realize the expense of quality materials.

[@Steve-yo4ld]

@@mark-di5pf Agreed!!!!👏👏👏

[@mikemead2315]

$$ Yikes! Yeah. If you want to build one, go for it. I’m still itching to do so. The typical build diary say count on way more time and way more money. I helped build one. The issues was not the main components which took a few weeks to put together, but the uncommon little stuff that had to be ordered taking a week each time stopping production and stuff had to be modified and doors, latches, and windows leaked and refit, wiring …. It goes on forever past when it kind’a looks like a camper. Ha! - Getting the mattress in the tiny door 🤣. That was fun. End of summer it was useable. Next year it was done. Cost 2x the main components. 2nd one would be WAY faster. Build plans help first time. I still want to build one, even knowing I will still underestimate.

[@mark-di5pf]

@@mikemead2315 good point. I did not include the hundreds of little items(adhesives, wiring, latches.....) that add up.

[@merds01]

Thanks for the great videos! My wife and I have been thinking about going the teardrop camper route - bouncing around a few options. We really like the Bean except one big worry - lighting. From everything we have read, an aluminum body RV is safe to be in during a thunderstorm, but a fiberglass shell is not. One of our reasons for getting the tear drop is in case of bad weather. We love tent camping and want this to enhance the experience - I love the outdoor cooking area (all the time it takes to setup/tear down/clean/stow my current kitchen stuff is a pain), and we love the inside for a rainy day/bad weather. When we're out for a couple weeks at a time - bad weather can happen. So what does everyone do during a thunderstorm in a fiberglass trailer? Thanks.

[@kevinmoon6973]

Good information. I hope more Beans show up on rvshare or outdoorsy so more people can try before they buy one. I see this must be my first youtube cameo, hopefully I show up in a few more videos. Thanks for a great trip in the Bighorns my cousin.

[@jenniferstewarts4851]

You do bring up one good point here as well. Base Models. RV dealers will always try and upsell, they will always suggest, On you need these independent suspension, you need the backup camera, you need... But in truth, you don't NEED any of this, and don't need it right away. Does your SUV "need" the raised exhaust, the raised air intake for the engine so you can Fjord 4' of water? Some people will take their vehicles out to that type of place almost weekly, so yes, they need those modifications. The average person though doesn't. And this brings things back to the trailer/rv. Think about what you truly need, then, decide if after market items you already have, will do the job for you. Do you need a built in solar panel on the roof, or will your portable panels you already have work, especially with your portable generator. Do you need all sorts of hookups? or are you not going to be using this teardrop at camper parks where you can have a cable hook up? Going with the most basic model is often the best for most people, knowing that as things change as you grow, you can always add on if needed. You can always make changes, or carry a few extra things. Its always harder to REMOVE things you've paid for, that you never use, then to "add" something. heck even if you want something like Satellite tv, why pay to have it perminatly mounted on your RV, when you can get small, portable ones. This way you are not "bound" to using it with just 1 vehicle, you could have it in your suv for tent camping, your tear drop, or your larger campers. Same goes for Satellite internet, why permanently buy one to mount on each vehicle, when you can buy a portable unit that sets up and auto-locks to the satellite for you.

[@36PawsPNWC]

We have a fiberglass trailer!! So glad you chose this!

[@metaxaanabeer]

For those of you with a Dexter torsion axle, Dexter offers a lift kit for around $300 that you can do in your driveway. Axle stays the same, it lifts the actual trailer about 3" so, in my case, no more plowing the hitch and dragging the rear when coming up from a lakeside camp back onto the road. And Drew, mine was a CnC kit, put together like a big adult jig saw puzzle. 10 years now and I haven't had to re-caulk, replace or re-screw anything. As you know we rattle up and down logging roads, mine access roads, some deactivated, some abandoned. I was pretty anal while putting it together. Glued and Screwed!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

This is good to hear! And goes against most of the information I read in forums. I know from talking to you, you go to some pretty rough places. So what do you think is the difference? Maybe lack of attention to detail by manufactures versus you doing the process yourself? Because it sounds like you didn’t do anything special… glue and screws. Or am I just being too paranoid and have heard too many stories over the years? Thanks a lot for sharing this, I love hearing the counter arguments.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love what you shared with the dexter torsion axle by the way! At that price it’s almost a no-brainer.

[@metaxaanabeer]

@@PlayingwithSticks Ya, I probably took twice as long on the caulking/butyl tape/glue segment as most but it pays off now, for sure. I thoroughly inspect it each spring and so far...touch wood. I also used the polyurethane glue that was just out then and took a lot of my products from the marine industry. If its going to hold a tuna boat together off shore it will hold my 5x8 as well. Also, and this is big, if it said it took 12 hours to cure it got all 12. I didn't rush a thing. I paid $4,000 for a 5x8 flat packed on a proper welded frame, Dexter torsion, 15" wheel/tires, insulated hatch and roof. Took me two weeks to put it together and all we have done is use it ever since. I should have bought 6, eh? Guy has left the business years ago, I bet he is regretting that now. Sorry for so chatty but I love my teardrop...

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@metaxaanabeer You know we love this chatty stuff. Haha. And everything you are saying is pretty new to me. Always nice to learn new things on here and reflect on our practice of maintaining trailers. Ours held up really well and like you I think it really came down to the proper spring inspection. We typically tackled things before they got out of control. Minus our tongue jack. That thing was always one step ahead of us. Well really all 4 of them! haha.

[@kafri07]

Love this walkthrough (and your channel in general). Unfortunately the Bean trailer doesn’t seem to be available here in Denmark - or even in Europe. I would have loved to take it out in the Swedish and Norwegian wilderness. So my question is: what are my options for a fiberglass teardrop here I Denmark? Or Sweden? Or Europe at all? I’ve looked at the Mink Trailer and the danish Hero Camper (not fiberglass though), but would love to see some alternatives… know of any? Hope you can help.

[@teardroplite]

Great video as always. I am a composite expert and will not disagree with you on all the positive things about composite trailers. I will add that there are many ways to manufacture composite trailers. I use that word instead of fiberglass, because it encompases many options. They can be very well done or not so much. They can be a little heavy with certain techniques. Or they can be extremely wight weight. When shoping, look at weight, tap the surfaces with you knuckle. pinch where you can to get an idea of how thick the structure is. And as Drew says, figure out what you want.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes, this has been something I’ve been hoping Bean Trailer will adopt at some point. And basically that is a lightweight fiberglass model. But I understand why Mark doesn’t want to go that direction because it’s not on brand. I sure hope somebody fills this gap in the industry though. I truly think it’s needed and I think there’s a market there.

[@davidbraddock_us]

Love the Bean Stalk BUT…. What would you recommend to be towed by a two door Jeep Wrangler?

[@hg2.]

Do the fiberglass RV makers offer "trade-ins" on their old campers? Since they seem to last indefinitely, the manufacturers could by them back and resell them as used at a markup.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I haven’t seen any do this. But it would be a good business model. My guess is why you don’t see this with scamps and Casitas is that the design really has remained practically unchanged for the last few decades. So no real incentive for people to upgrade.

[@vietnguyen-ud9wn]

Hey drew! Love the video on bean. My wife and I have been torn between this or the vistabule. Have always appreciated the way you break down pros and cons. Hopefully you can do a comparison video in the future

[@SudhanshuV]

Same here - bean vs Vestibule. Have you guys decided?

[@mrdave22]

looking forward to the tour. thanks for sharing, thumbs up

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thank you! I even talked May into giving us a cabin tour. Its always nice to have her do a bit of the talking.

[@a.i.whitehat1642]

Great videos! Really helpful info. Thanks!!! Would you mind sharing your video tow vehicle specs? (Or is there a video for that?) 4 or 6 cylinder? Type of transmission? I don’t want a trailer that’ll hurt my car or make it hard to drive. That’s what scares me the most... getting a trailer that’s not right for my car.... I don’t always trust the specs of the cars or the trailers 😉 It’s great to hear the common info posted on other camping videos about older vehicles that have pulled trailers for years, but that’s not a fair comparison to the more complex (& often more fragile) newer cars. (I already visit the on-line car/camper-specific consumer groups. A great source of first-hand experience info.)

[@mikemead2315]

Ground clearance of my 4x4 Ram is 10.6 inches which is HUGE compared to most. 15 inches is lots of clearance. However, the big issue with trailers is dragging the tongue or tail going through gullies and bumps where the trailer is going in the opposite direction up or down than the tow vehicle. Notice any issues?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

You are absolutely right there. This summer we have mentioned this to many people. We saw a guy with a lifted truck and teardrop bottom out in what appeared to be a measly little dip. You are exactly right when those angles don't line up well, no matter how much clearance you have that tongue is going to find it's way into the dirt. This summer it happened to us about 2 maybe 3 times. However if we would have had the same tow vehicle and trailer 3 summer ago. It would have happened over 20 times. Meaning May and I are getting better at seeing the terrain and can maneuver the trailer and vehicle better through the dips. We also see this issue intensified greatly with an unlevel towing setup, hitch extenders, etc.

[@KNbean]

Love the outside kitchen the Bean offers. Do we have to install 7 pin connector on the Wilderness to able to tow the trailer?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes, the kitchen is PERFECT! Yes, it would be a 7 pin connector. When we got the tow package I didn't realize 7 pin wasn't a standard option. At the time it was pretty exciting because we believe and were told this was the first wilderness to hit on the road. So when we asked for roof rails and things like that they had no clue where to find them. The car was that fresh on the market. Surprisingly we got more comments over the summer about the car than the teardrop. Haha.

[@joxieblue]

Hello there , I watched this video & also the bean factory walk around . These Beans are like $20.000 and upwards & you have went from like a very knowledgeable budget tear drop trailer camper To now you have got the bells &whistles !!! I kind of feel that you put a very lot of effort into this review , is it possible you received some type of kick back for your Bean ? There are many many campers being built using the traditional birch & alloy skins . I really enjoyed all your old reviews , now I am just skeptical of all your reviews after your Bean factory walk around . I’d love to hear back from you & hopefully learn more from you .

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Hey Joy. Yes, the prices are getting crazy! Even at $18,000 this was a tough video for me to post. Before I explain you probably have noticed we are very upfront and honest on this channel. We also have regular day jobs . So no kickbacks from Bean needed. In terms of effort for the review it was actually a really easy video to make. And the Bean videos are often a bit more polished because it is the trailer we have in hand. Its not a video we are shooting in 30 minutes at some dealership or Outdoor Expo. This is one of the first videos I shot with my new Sony camera (I finally have autofocus!) All I did is cut the video after every thought. Basically a bulleted list of ideas I wanted to share. One of the shortest videos I ever shot. I actually shot three videos that day in the same location (one on the Bean, one on the Subaru that I never published, and another on towing. Yes, autofocus is awesome! Haha. As for skepticism I don't quite see why you feel that way. Hop back to our oldest videos. Or any video of ours really that highlights a fiberglass trailer. We are teardrop enthusiasts, but always wish they were made of fiberglass. This is the running theme of the channel. Searching for the perfect trailer that unfortunately doesn't exist. And don't just take my word for this. Check out the most budget camper on the market (Runaway). What are they now building their campers with? Yep, composite materials. Check out Escapod, one of the, if not the best birch and alloy skin teardrops on the market. What did they just come out with for their top tier camper? Again, fiberglass. This isn't by accident and it is not to compete with Bean. Companies like T@G put out 10Xs of thousands of trailers a year. Bean puts out about 500 I believe. I really do want to make a video though in regards to this subject. We used to have so many people email us every day about the campers they were considering. Now we get less of those emails because they are ashamed they are not fiberglass. And when we do get an email they usually start saying "we know you love fiberglass, but... what do you think about.... "Honestly I just wanted one season of Playing with Sticks to try out all the higher end campers to ensure I wasn't giving false information to people. Basically I needed to know what was in the market, how they all compared, so I could give honest feedback moving forward. And this was part of this honest feedback. Would I purchase one of these at over $20,000? No. But, do I still think it is the best teardrop currently on the market regardless of price? Yes. And to be honest the internet can be quite the brutal place and nobody seems to want to challenge my thought process on this one. Folks who know their trailers well realize composite has some very strong attributes. So back to the video I want to make. Can a wood teardrop last a lifetime? Of course. But in the market I would only say 10-15% of the builds are actually built for this type of longevity. Many of them appear to be robust, but cut corners here and there. We will actually be talking about this in a future video with a DIY trailer builder. This is season 4 of Playing with Sticks coming up. Between you and me I have seen all the expensive builds. Well, I still have a few more to see. But we will primarily be back to our regular builds. I don't feel I can call myself a small camper expert. But, I feel that I have been in enough trailers from a multitude of pricepoints and markets that I feel like I can more balanced feedback to folks now. And if you truly mean what you say and want to learn more from me. Please watch the video again, and listen to the advice. Put the trailers you are studying on paper side by side and see how the components line up in terms of price and the quality of the build. You will be shocked how many people out there are overpaying for their trailers! And I mean overpaying big time!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

So here’s your homework assignment. Basically how you can determine if you can trust us again. Haha. Take this base model trailer from the video called the bean stock .price out its components and build and compare it to every other trailer on the market. I think you’ll sleep better at night after this assignment knowing we didn’t fill your brain with a bunch of corporate sell out lies. I really do appreciate your comment Joy it helps me have a better understanding of how some of our videos can come across. I think one of the toughest things for me is keeping a video at around the 10 minute mark. I can go on and on about these trailers, but I know our audience would like for me to keep it short. Because of this I tend to cut a lot of information that I either shared in previous videos or in the comment sections. Basically you only get time to tell one side of the argument. I knew making a video like this would be received negatively by some, because I don’t have time to put in the other side. And remember, each videos an argument in itself. Check out the Bushwacker video I did with Brian. That was a video where I tried to convince you to purchase a camper that was poorly manufactured. You wouldn’t believe how many people in the comment section said I was paid to do that video. And my response every time was I can’t imagine any company paying someone to make an entire video saying how bad their trailer was and how poorly manufactured. Oh the joys of creating content on KZbin. Nah, just kidding. I love it! You get pretty thick skin over time.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Okay, Joy. Did you do your homework yet? I've been thinking about you. Now if you did your homework. And you found some of my points slightly convincing. But, you still prefer a budget trailer like us. Check out this trailer from Road Toad. A lot of folks have been asking us about it lately. roadtoadcampers.com/index.htm

[@TomWuQ]

Finding a mini camper for my wilderness, then your video, nice setup

[@jccapwell]

Thanks for the video and information. Quality enhances ones experience and avoids downtime and field repairs. Question: is your Subaru Outback equipped with the turbo four engine which gives it more towing power? Thank you.

[@byever1]

The wilderness Outback comes standard with a 2.4l turbo. The main reason manufacturers use a turbo is to get maximum power out of the smallest engine. Towing capacity is generally dictated by weight and braking.

[@robertkelleher1850]

@@byever1 Perhaps, but for the Outback specifically, the 2.4L turbo models (Wilderness, Limited, etc.) are rated at 3500 lb. tow capacity, and the 2.5L standard is rated at 2700 lb.

[@gringolatino97]

saw your setup on tfl channel, glad i found this channel

[@oscarzana1728]

Bean stock is now over 22k. They have gone up so much! The Mean Bean is over 26k? Dang!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It hurts doesn't it? There are still a handful of companies keeping their prices down, but I wonder how long they can hold on. Supply issues and labor rates are really hurting these smaller companies. I hope it doesn't start taking some out of business soon. And selfishly I hope it doesn't keep increasing prices for us consumers.

[@oscarzana1728]

@@PlayingwithSticks yup Too rich for my blood. I was about to pull the trigger on one. Do you have any other fiberglass companies that you recommend?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@oscarzana1728 Yes, at a fraction of the price you have the Road Toad starting at $7,500. I also like the Runaway campers that are made from composites. And if you like a larger trailer I am a big fan of Scamps and Casitas.

[@mikemead2315]

Ya done good! Great breakdown and delivery of your reasoning. You are a really good communicator. Your decision is the result of research, knowledge and experience. The natural Evolution of values, needs, and wants chooses your “Next Last Camper!” I did not realize it was fiberglass! Nice! I recognize and appreciate more quality attributes now. And the resulting price creep! Yup. Getting more comfortable with the prices 😳. Kind’a. Still can’t tear the money out of my hand, but getting closer.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Like you Mike, we didn't realize it was fiberglass either. And then when we did hear it was fiberglass we thought it was two piece fiberglass. If you look at this trailer in real life it has some beautiful lines in the one piece fiberglass. But online those lines appeared to me as end caps. Meaning, holding together two pieces of fiberglass (a potential weak point in the design). But, nope. I was wrong as I often am. This trailer is 1 piece fiberglass. I think when I realized that I quickly became much more interested.

[@mikemead2315]

@@PlayingwithSticks Really! One Piece! Even better. Did not even realize. Most marketing departments are not selling to my type. I had discounted Bean long ago…but that one piece fiberglass is something new 🤔. Interesting.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@mikemead2315 When I dropped off the Subaru yesterday they interviewed me. That was one thing I mentioned. The marketing is definitely not for me. I'm not a go big or go home, weekend warrior, charging mountains, chugging bears type of guy. As you probably have noticed I am a take it slow, build my outdoor living room, enjoy my family time kind of man. So honestly the marketing is what pushed me away in the beginning, because I didn't think the trailer was built for me. It seemed to be built for someone else. But, I say this to you a lot on hear. I find I am wrong quite often these days.

[@mikemead2315]

@@PlayingwithSticks Yeah, I am pretty sure you live your life knowing being wrong on the path to knowledge is still very valuable. Your “wrong” showed us Bean has a one piece fiberglass camper. No one knew that! Never heard it before! You need to be “wrong” more often! Thanks! I’ll take your “wrong” any day! 😃

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@mikemead2315 Aww, thank you! My ego needs that from time to time. I need to balance out all those wrongs with some positives. Haha. And that is really neat to hear this is shedding some light on the build process. I thought I was the only one who missed the messaging on that.

[@MaryOKC]

What are the VOC off gases? Some fiberglass you never get rid of the gases …

[@MikeGotta]

Hi. If you have a weight limit of 2000 (‘22 Ford Bronco Sport) - how close would you get in terms of GM dry weight? The Bean Stock lists 1650. I’d rather not go right to the limit so curious. Thanks!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Unfortunately I would say you’re about 500 pounds off in terms of towing capacity. Meaning if you’re towing capacity was 2500 you maybe could go this route if you are being very conscious about your load. But in all honesty you are best going with something south of 1500 pounds preferably around the 1000 pound mark. Many people follow the The “80 Rule for Towing” . This states you should never exceed 80 percent of your vehicle's max tow capacity. Again this is just a general rule, not something concrete.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I’m also very surprised that the bronco is only 2000 pounds for towing capacity. I’m assuming because you have a bronco you are looking to take this trailer off road? If so this will definitely limit your trailer choices with weight, but if you’re just doing general camping with gravel roads here and there there’s a ton of great options for you!

[@MikeGotta]

Thanks! It’s the Bronco Sport model not the full Bronco. I’m not looking for off-road per se just something to get to where I want to bike or kayak. So something minimal just to overnight or two then move to the next spot.

[@jamespaul2587]

Thanks for another great discussion and overview Drew, we'll have to start calling you Mr. Bean from now on!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Love it! I will take that name. Big Bean fans here. Comedic and trailer. It is the nerd in us!

[@richardmorrow5060]

Another great video. I noticed that you have a new tow vehicle. It looks like the Subaru Wilderness. How do you like it?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It was a loaner for the summer. It was definitely fun. My parents own a couple outbacks. Very similar to theirs in terms of ride. But that turbo and a little bit of clearance definitely pushed me into some spots I typically wouldn’t go. For me the ride was a little soft. It was amazing in terms of comfort. Meaning driving on the trails and dirt felt like I was on highway. But I wouldn’t necessarily call it a fun vehicle if that makes sense. I kind of like a stiffer, more playful vehicle out here. It’s kind of funny I always thought I hated the stiffness of a jeep, but after this summer I think I like it.

[@GetTheFamilyOutdoors]

For those drone shots, if you are using a GoPro, you can use reelsteady to get the shakes out

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Thanks Jake! That is a good tip. All the shots in this video were shaky due to faulty propellers. Had a pretty good crash this summer and never had the chance to switch out the props. I just looked into realsteady. I am a Vegas Pro user so it looks like I won't be able to use it. Bummer. Seems to be the case for most things with me beings I use a fairly obscure video editing software.

[@nunyabidness3075]

Any concerns about the Subaru transmission issues carrying and towing your load?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I get that question quite often. I’m not sure what to believe. Outside of Subaru forums, everybody says a CVT transmission is not designed for towing. But within Subaru forums, nobody really seems to have issues. Especially with the newer models. We didn’t have any problems, but we also only used the wilderness for about four months of straight towing. What I tell people is that if you’re using it as a weekend warrior, I wouldn’t worry about it. But if you’re doing this extensively like us or full timing, I’d probably look at a different vehicle.

[@nunyabidness3075]

@@PlayingwithSticks in upstate NY last year all the new Subaru owners were pretty mad about some extraordinary issues with the CVT’s. All under warranty, but of course, the replacement part might have the same issue. We ended up buying a big SUV instead. It was a terrible time to buy. Thanks for info.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Oh wow, that’s awful. Thank you for sharing. Living in Alaska it’s like living in the land of the Subaru. I’m not even exaggerating. It feels like every third car We see is a Subaru. Alaskans love their Subarus. 😂

[@jeremyanddebballon4811]

We have a 2009 AND a 2020 Subaru Forester. It looks like you have a Wilderness edition Outback. And it seems like it can pull this Bean. You think ours can pull this as well?

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Excellent argument for a teardrop. I like the off road lifestyle too.

[@sonnyblu6299]

I played in a band called Red, Beans & Rice... We had a bumper stickers etc... "Let It Bean" I'd have to add that Graphic... ;-)

[@PlayingwithSticks]

I may have to share this idea with Bean Trailer. they love using little play on words like this.

[@Followthepinas]

Thank you for your videos! I like the bean but do you have some recommendations for a budget option? We've done some tent camping in the past and enjoyed it. My wife and I are in our mid 40s and are looking for something to do some beach and state parks camping. I'm not sure how much it will get used. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge!

[@mikemead2315]

Mounting accessories. Does the Bean have ways to mount interior and exterior hardware through screws and surfaces that accept command strips? I would envision anything from heavy exterior items like additional awnings, shovels & tools, solar panels, and hooks to attach paracord, to interior/cooking items like paper towel & hot pad holders and cloths-hooks and nets.

[@JimSedlock]

I want to complement you on your content, it's very informative and helpful. I've been interested in both the Bean and Hiker. I'm in MI and wondering how I'd handle repairs on a Bean. In your time of ownership, would that even be an issue. I've owned a handful of larger RVs so am not new to trailers and their faults. I like Bean's fiberglass aspect; however, it seems like the Hiker may offer a bit more storage space. By the time I options them with my needs, the Bean isn't much more expensive, however, what is your opinion between those two I mentioned?

[@gabrielc1060]

Nice subie by the way. My favorite part is fiberglass shell. My little tear drop has a slight water leak and with being wood construction it's not the best mix. A Fiberglass shell is the main factor for already being better construction but the price tag makes it hard to decide.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes, the price tag is a tough one. There are some squaredrop composite campers out there at a much lower price tag if that peaks your interest?

[@gabrielc1060]

@@PlayingwithSticks oh yeah I'm sure between the car and trailer. I'm going to stick with mine for now but thank you for the heads up. I'll definitely check them out.

[@vonheise]

Why are so many campers being built so many ways? Because needs, wants, and budgets are all different, and people's lives go thru seasons of maybe single, married, family, and retired. I have been camping since age 12 and I have camped in at least 9 different campers in my 60 years of camping, starting at the bottom, to a fifth wheel, and now to a 21' with one slide built for comfort and useability. Never have we needed a camper that will last 40 years, nor even 10 years so durability is not that important to us but bang for the buck is. A mid-size camper with refrigerator, AC, stove and sink are far more important than having the strongest box made. But they sell them all, so it appears that there is a market for them all and one needs to choose what works for them at the stage of life they are in. We have added solar and a generator to our outfit, so we are quite prepared for whatever comes.

[@walidmeliane8006]

Drew - do you have a hot water shower on the passenger side? I am wondering what is the black box given that you did not opt for the 18 gal tank…? Thx.

[@mauchkimberly]

I really love your channel. I can't invest in the trailer where I'm at currently in life, but I have found your insights really informative, particularly where other camping related products I can invest in are concerned. Anyway, thanks for the info on this trailer. A bit out of my budget, but if I happen to fall into some funds, I'm glad to know about it.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Glad you are enjoying the channel. There are a lot of great used campers out there. Even if this is out of your price range I hope you can use it as a base for determining the quality of other campers. There are a lot of fiberglass campers out there in the $4,000 to $7,000 range. Well, that was before Covid.

[@gameopsdk]

I just built out a bean stock online, $27k lol. They're nice, I thought they'd weight less being fiberglass though. The 1600lb weight was kinda surprising. Kinda feel like you made this video for me, I wanna get into overlanding but not the extreme type most people do. I wanna overland in my Jeep SRT but it's an AWD pavement princess. My dilemma is idk if I should go lightweight(class 1 receiver) or upgrade to a class 2 for a interior bathroom. I'm leaning towards Oregon trailr's Terra drop alpha or Frontear if I go class 1, or a escapod. off-grid, Nucamp or bean if I upgrade to class 2. Tongue weight is my main concern after it's loaded up with cargo though.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Yes, Once you start turning any trailer into an Overland trailer with accessories the prices add up fast. And that’s regardless if you have them add it at the factory or you do it yourself. And once you get into the build quality of a more off-road trailer they typically are coming in no less than 1500 pounds. Even that Escapod you’re looking at would come in about the same weight as the Beanstock. Not sure what they advertise it as, but I towed it this summer and they felt very similar. You’ve probably noticed on our channel the three brands you’re considering of Teardrops our brands we also are interested in. We’ve highlighted Oregon Teardrop, Escapod and Bean this year. So really, you’re right this video is definitely for you. I would put those down on paper and see how they compare component wise and cost. When it comes to anything with a bathroom, I tend to find their built more with industry standard RV construction. And that typically isn’t the best for over landing. Now there’s probably exceptions to the rule, but I’d be cautious. If a bathroom is something you think you need I would look more into a simple fiberglass Trailer Like Scamp or Casita. You don’t see these in Overland forums or videos, but I think they’d make a great Overland Trailer as long as it’s more soft over landing like we do. Like we mentioned in the video we see these trailers everywhere and they are getting into some hairy locations. Oh and that off grid trailer is very similar to the Valiant trailer so I would compare it to that.

[@pavelcech9603]

Love all your videos! Question… with the teardrop; in official campgrounds, do you go to the “tent sites” or to the “RV” sites? How about the pop up?

[@lyrarojas]

That is very nice, now, i want to know the size of the bed? We are family of 4 and hoping for us to fit in one bed. Thank you so much for the information 😊

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Most teardrop beds, including this bed are queen size. I like to share with people that they live bigger than a queen though. At home once you get near the edges it is not comfortable, because you sense that you will soon roll off if you get too close. In a teardrop you can sleep comfortably right up to the edge. As a family of four we slept in this all summer. But, we prefer 3 of us in the bed and one up in the bunk. However, there is what we prefer and then there is reality. Many nights East hopped down and joined the three of us on the queen bed.

[@SefaDrums]

Happy to hear the Bean is working out for you guys! How do you deal with condensation inside? Thanks so much

[@tayman06]

Question on your airmaxx fan. With the Ikamper on there, is it usable at all?

[@Bookerdevin101]

Why did you get rid of the Escapod? What are some of the pros and cons thank you

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Escapod is a great little trailer. We never owned one just borrowed it to test it out. No real cons, minus the galley height may be a little tall for my wife. It is just a completely different style of trailer compared to fiberglass. I don't know if you have seen but Escapod came out with a fiberglass model this year as well. They also see the benefit.

[@jmilton1069]

I’m digging it. How was cooking outside in cold snowy weather. That’s my only concern.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Good question. COLD! No it really isn't that bad. The only thing I struggle with is keeping the food warm. It seems like the second it leaves the burner it is already cold. BUT, now that we use the skottle that shouldn't be an issue at all.

[@jmilton1069]

@@PlayingwithSticksThanks for the reply! I had to look up a skottle. Looks good. A cast iron pan has always accompanied me on trips.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

@@jmilton1069 Yes, just like a cast iron in terms of seasoning and cleaning. But, what we love is you push the food to the outside edges after cooking and they stay very hot, but no additional cooking. Pretty neat little system.

[@jmilton1069]

@@PlayingwithSticks Nice! I currently just do truck camping, so space is a premium. But I have been eyeing a camper like your for awhile. I appreciate your honest videos and love that you’re family is involved.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Another neat thing about the Skottle is it eliminates all the extra pans. So even though it seems big, it actually all kind of balances out. It’s really popular in the truck camping niche.

[@devinbraun1852]

Thanks for this video; I’ve been scoping out Bean for a while and love their concept.

[@moblegames4833]

Can you add solar panels as a option on it ..??

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Good question. Yes most people do. And if you get this stealth window as an option they put the solar panel in front of the window to protect it during transit. It’s a really durable panel coming out of Canada.

[@sarankdairies]

Please someone tell what's the name of that Subaru SUV he's using in this video!!

[@PlayingwithSticks]

It is the newest version of the outback called the outback wilderness.

[@sarankdairies]

@@PlayingwithSticks One h**l of a Cool suv dude..

[@robertlay5015]

Now I wonder about the longevity of my all Aluminum Livin Lite VRV 16 x 5 with Adzel panels. I was hoping for another 20 years, maybe I'm optimistic after hearing about fiberglass sheathed trailers. I do have a question about the Bean Propane tank placement. I have already made the decision to move my spare from underneath to the outside like the Bean. I have the same outboard tire and fender setup. My question is the safety of mounting the propane from the tongue to the side. Is it unsafe in a side collision? Also the Bean has one tank not two. Is it a larger size tank. One last thought, is it better to mount on the passenger side away from oncoming traffic. Thanks

[@mikemead2315]

First, Livin Lite was a at one time a high quality all aluminum build. They were too expensive for the time - probably would do better now. I don’t know how they hold up over really long term, but no rot! I wanted one. Don’t find many, which also says something. Yeah. That side propane bothers me too. First, I’ve seen all sorts of propane tank placement both company and personal placement including rolling around in a trunk - never heard of problems or anyone stopped. When I was looking at building a camper, DOT info said between frame sides, between bumpers, above lowest frame, and not on roof. The common tongue mount does that. To me the side mount doesn’t match those requirements. Maybe the smaller tanks? Maybe the DOT requirements changed, because no real issues (i cant find them anymore)? Bunch of companies do it. Although the side tank placement bothers me, propane tanks are pretty safe. A 1/2 size 10 lb tank will run a stove just about forever. Furnace is what uses a lot of propane.

[@robertlay5015]

@@mikemead2315 My Livin Lite is an early model with an aluminum floor before they started focusing on cost over quality. I'll see how it holds up. I like my little camper a lot. Thanks for the info on side mounted propane tanks. You have great information.

[@mikemead2315]

Just read an article about the demise of LivinLite & CampLite (truck camper arm). Dealers could not get enough of them. They even had version teamed up with and built for Ford trucks. Thor bought them then moved production, but the team did not follow. Thor moved production a few more times to try to find a fit, but no joy. Died of neglect.

[@robertlay5015]

@@mikemead2315 They are a finders keepers item in my mind. My daughter will inherit mine and she can sell it if she wants. I'm putting solar on mine and many other personal wants to improve it's boondocking capabilities. I'm a Happy Camper!

[@artieromero5107]

Can you please indicate where you obtained the stove that slides out?

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Of course. That is a cook partner stove. Kind of pricey. Very popular with North American overlanders.

[@Kurt1969]

Great information and different perspective from other trailer videos. Very helpful mate! Thanks.

[@PlayingwithSticks]

Glad it was helpful Kurt!