Teardrop campers are one of the most popular types of lightweight campers on the road today, thanks to their compact size and efficient and lightweight design.
Making teardrops great for first-time RVers or anyone that wants to focus more on experiences and less on amenities and luxury while camping.
But if you’re new to RVing and trying to decide if a teardrop trailer is right for you, you probably have a lot of questions about teardrop campers.
So we created this ultimate guide on the teardrop camper, to hopefully answer all your questions and help you decide if a teardrop camper is right for you and your family.
What is a Teardrop Camper?
Before we go any further it’s important to define exactly what a teardrop camper is so that everyone is on the same page.
A teardrop camper or teardrop trailer is a small, lightweight, compact travel trailer, which takes its name from its unique teardrop shape and usually offers only basic features and minimal interior space.
Who Should Buy a Teardrop Camper?
While teardrop campers are becoming more and more popular every day, that doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for every RVer.
As teardrop campers are definitely not for everyone due to their compact size and minimal features.
So who is the teardrop camper best suited to?
Teardrop trailers are best suited for campers that enjoy adventure and exploring the great outdoors that don’t mind or even prefer primitive or basecamp style camping.
Which is why teardrop campers are so popular with hikers, bikers, climbers, and RVers that like to boondock or camp in remote off-grid areas.
Advantages of a Teardrop Camper
- Easy to Tow – One of the biggest advantages of the teardrop camper is how easy the trailer is to tow, thanks to its ultra-lightweight and compact design. Allowing the teardrop camper to be pulled by a wide variety of vehicles including many mid-size and compact SUVs such as the Honda Passport, GMC Terrain, and even the Kia Sportage.
- Can Be Stored Inside a Garage – Thanks to its smaller and compact size most teardrop trailers can be stored inside a garage, which helps to keep the teardrop in better shape and reduces the likelihood of a complaint from a neighbor when storing your teardrop camper at home.
- Improved Fuel Efficiency – One of the worst things about pulling a travel trailer behind your tow vehicle is that it usually cuts your tow vehicle’s gas mileage in half. But when you tow a teardrop camper, the impact is often much less severe due to its aerodynamic shape and lighter weight.
- More Affordable – While teardrop campers can get pretty expensive, there are plenty of affordable options to choose from. Making the teardrop camper one of the most affordable and budget-friendly travel trailers on the road today.
- It Just Looks Cool – Without a doubt, one of the coolest looking RVs you can buy is the teardrop camper, thanks to its sleek and unique teardrop shape.
- Better than a Tent – While there are definitely more comfortable and luxurious RVs on the market, for those that don’t mind more primitive and basecamp style camping, the teardrop camper is a huge upgrade from the basic tent.
Disadvantages of a Teardrop Camper
- Limited Interior Space – Despite the fact that teardrop campers come in varying sizes, the one commonality they all share is limited interior space.
- Little to No Storage Space – Another issue with teardrop campers is they offer very limited storage space, as most only offer a few cubby holes on the interior and one or two small compartments on the exterior for storage.
- Most Don’t have a Bathroom – While some of the larger stand-up teardrop campers such as the nuCamp TAB S and Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Mini Max do offer a small wet bath. Most teardrop campers do not have a bathroom.
- The Kitchen is Usually Outside and Small – Teardrop campers do usually come with a small compact kitchenette but they are almost always on the exterior and offer very limited cooking ability. As most teardrop camper kitchens usually only have a small mini-fridge or cooler, a two-burner cooktop, and a small kitchen sink.
- Limited Sleeping Capacity – While some of the larger teardrop campers do offer more sleeping space, most teardrop campers only have enough space to sleep two.
What is the Best Teardrop Camper? (From Lightest to Heaviest)
While the best teardrop camper is somewhat subjective as the best teardrop camper for an individual really depends on their specific needs and wants.
Below we have compiled a list of the best and most popular teardrop campers on the market today.
1. Little Guy Trailers MyPod
Quick Specs
- Cost: $13,500
- Dry Weight: 760 Pounds
- Length: 11 Feet 6 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
For more information on the lightest teardrop camper, be sure to check out Little Guy Trailer’s website by clicking here.
2. Timberleaf Pika
Quick Specs
- Price: $13,200
- Dry Weight: 1,025 Pounds
- Length: 12 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
For more information on the Timberleaf Pika and the other two teardrop campers that Timberleaf makes including the Classic and Kestrel, check out Timberleaf’s website by clicking here.
3. Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK
Quick Specs
- Price: $12,000
- Dry Weight: 1,252 Pounds
- Length: 11 Feet 3 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
For more information on the Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK and to see its floorplan, check out Forest River’s website by clicking here.
4. nuCamp TAG
Quick Specs
- Price: $17,000
- Dry Weight: 1,284 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet 7 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
For more info on the nuCamp TAG, make sure you check out nuCamp’s website by clicking here.
5. Jayco Jay Feather Micro 12SRK
Quick Specs
- Price: $15,000
- Dry Weight: 1,585 Pounds
- Length: 13 Feet 4 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2
For more information on the Jayco Jay Feather Micro 12SRK, check out Jayco’s website by clicking here.
6. nuCamp Tab S
Quick Specs
- Price: $27,000
- Dry Weight: 1,969 Pounds
- Length: 15 Feet 3 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2+
For more information on the nuCamp Tab S, check out nuCamp’s website by clicking here.
7. Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Mini Max
Quick Specs
- Price: $28,500
- Dry Weight: 2,320 Pounds
- Length: 17 Feet 2 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2+
For more information on the Little Guy Trailers Mini Max, make sure you check out Little Guy Trailer’s website by clicking here.
8. inTech RV Sol Dawn
Quick Specks
- Price: $30,000
- Dry Weight: 2,650 – 2,730 Pounds (Depending on Options)
- Length: 16 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 2+
For more info on the inTech RV Sol Dawn and to see its floorplan, be sure to check out inTech RV’s website by clicking here.
9. nuCamp Tab 400
Quick Specs
- Price: $38,000
- Dry Weight: 2,876 Pounds
- Length: 18 Feet 3 Inches
- Sleeping Capacity: 2+
For more information on the nuCamp Tab 400, make sure you check out nuCamp’s website by clicking here.
10. Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Max
Quick Specs
- Price: $38,000
- Dry Weight: 3,010 Pounds
- Length: 21 Feet
- Sleeping Capacity: 2+
For more information on the largest teardrop camper on the market today, check out Little Guy Trailer’s website by clicking here.
How Much Do Teardrop Campers Cost?
Teardrop campers can cost as little as $8,500 for a small basic trailer to more than $30,000 for a large stand-up feature-rich trailer. But in general, you can expect to spend between $12,000 and $20,000 for an average-sized teardrop camper with standard features.
To see individual teardrop camper prices though, check out the below teardrop camper pricing list.
Which lists just about every teardrop camper on the market today from lowest to highest.
| Teardrop Camper Model | Size | Self-Contained | Price |
| Timberleaf Kestrel | Small | No | $8,500 |
| Braxton Creek Bushwacker 10FB | Small | No | $9,900 |
| Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK | Small | No | $12,000 |
| Riverside Retro 135 | Medium | Yes | $12,500 |
| Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E12SRK | Small | No | $13,500 |
| Little Guy Trailers MyPod | Small | No | $13,500 |
| Braxton Creek Bushwacker Plus | Medium | Yes | $14,000 |
| Timberleaf Pika | Small | No | $14,500 |
| Jayco Jay Feather Micro 12SRK | Small | No | $15,000 |
| nuCamp TAG | Small | No | $17,000 |
| nuCamp Tab S | Medium | Yes | $27,000 |
| Timberleaf Classic | Small | No | $23,400 |
| Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Mini Max | Large | Yes | $28,500 |
| inTech RV Sol Dawn | Medium | Yes | $30,000 |
| nuCamp Tab 400 | Large | Yes | $38,000 |
| Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Max | Large | Yes | $38,000 |
Why are Teardrop Trailers so Expensive?
New RVers are often shocked by the high price tags associated with teardrop campers.
As they assume the smaller size and reduced features of the typical teardrop camper would equate to a less expensive and more affordable travel trailer.
In reality, though teardrop campers are often just as expensive if not more expensive compared to larger full-size travel trailers.
But why is this, why are teardrop trailers so expensive.
The three main reasons why teardrop trailers are so expensive are due to their lightweight design, higher-end building materials, and large demand, which we’ll take a look at more closely below.
Lightweight Design
The first and biggest reason why teardrop trailers are so expensive is because of their lightweight design.
This is because to make a camper lighter, RV manufacturers usually have to over-engineer the RV in order to reduce the overall weight.
Leading to higher costs associated with the design and research for the camper as well as more advanced building techniques being used that the RV manufacturer then passes on to the consumer.
Higher-End Building Materials
Lightweight teardrop trailer design doesn’t just end with more research and development and advanced building techniques though.
Because to keep the overall weight of a teardrop trailer as light as possible, RV manufacturers often use more premium and higher-end building materials such as full fiberglass shells, aluminum framing, and Azdel sidewalls that can add considerable cost to the camper.
Large Demand
Another reason teardrop campers are so expensive has been the huge demand for them in recent years, which often outstrips the supply.
As their explosion in popularity has led RV manufacturers and RV dealers to increase their prices, as they often can’t produce enough or keep teardrop trailers in stock.
What is the Cheapest Teardrop Camper?
The cheapest teardrop camper is the Timberleaf Kestrel, which has a starting price of just $8,500, thanks to its compact size and minimalist design.
It’s not just the cheapest teardrop camper though, as it also happens to be one of the lightest teardrop trailers as well, with a dry weight of just 860 pounds.
Allowing you to tow the Timberleaf Kestrel behind a wide variety of compact and mid-size SUVs including the Mitsubishi Outlander.
But just because the Kestrel has a budget-friendly price and ultra-lightweight design don’t assume it’s some bare-bones stripped-down camper.
As the Timberleaf Kestrel has numerous features to make your next camping trip more comfortable as well as enjoyable including:
- A 54-inch wide mattress that comfortably sleeps two.
- Fully enclosed fiberglass shell with dual windows with screens for ventilation.
- Entrances on either side making it easier to enter and exit the camper.
- Plenty of interior storage space for all your camping gear.
- Battery-operated LED lighting throughout the interior including two reading lamps and a large dome light.
- Loads of optional features such as an awning, galley, power system, skylight, and vent fan allowing you to customize the camper to your liking.
For more information on the Timberleaf Kestrel, make sure you check out Timberleaf’s website by clicking here.
Do Teardrop Campers Hold Their Value?
RV depreciation is very real and has a very large impact on an RV’s value over time.
As it’s not uncommon for RVs to lose more than 20% of their value in the first two years and more than 35% in the first 5 years, according to Camper Report in their article about RV depreciation.
The good news for teardrop camper owners though is that they usually have less depreciation over time and hold their value better compared to other types of RVs, due to their more simple design and higher demand.
How Much Does a Teardrop Camper Weigh?
Teardrop campers have a dry weight that ranges from as little as 800 pounds for a basic compact trailer up to 3,000 pounds for a fully loaded large stand-up trailer.
In general, however, most teardrop campers will usually have a dry weight that ranges from 1,000 pounds to 2,500 pounds.
Which is one of the main reasons why teardrop campers are so popular, as their ultra-lightweight design allows them to be pulled by a wide variety of vehicles.
But if you’re trying to decide if your particular vehicle can tow a teardrop camper or what type of teardrop camper you can tow, take a look at the below list of teardrop trailers and their corresponding dry weights to help decide.
Teardrop Camper Weights (From Lightest to Heaviest)
- Little Guy Trailers MyPod – 760 Pounds
- Timberleaf Kestrel – 860 Pounds
- Timberleaf Pika – 1,025 Pounds
- Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro G12RK – 1,252 Pounds
- nuCamp TAG – 1,284 Pounds
- Braxton Creek Bushwacker 10FB – 1,320 Pounds
- Jayco Jay Feather Micro 12SRK – 1,585 Pounds
- Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E12SRK – 1,763 Pounds
- nuCamp Tab S – 1,969 Pounds
- Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Mini Max – 2,320 Pounds
- nuCamp Tab 400 Teardrop Camper – 2,876 Pounds
- Little Guy Trailers Little Guy Max – 3,010 Pounds
If your curious how long a teardrop camper is, check out our article “How Long are Teardrop Trailers? (With 10 Examples)“.
What is the Lightest Teardrop Camper?
The lightest teardrop camper is the Little Guy Trailers MyPod, which has a dry weight of just 760 pounds and a tongue weight of only 110 pounds.
Making this little teardrop camper one of the lightest and easiest to tow travel trailers currently on the market today.
In fact, this teardrop trailer is so light that it can be towed by just about any mid-sized SUV, most compact SUVs, and even some cars.
For more information on the Little Guy Trailers MyPod, be sure to check out Little Guy Trailer’s website by clicking here.
Can a Car Pull a Teardrop Camper?
While most cars are not rated for towing of any kind, as you can actually void your vehicle’s manufacturer warranty by towing with it.
There are a few 2021 cars that can actually pull a teardrop camper, which we have listed below.
- Subaru Outback – 2,700 to 3,500 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- Subaru Crosstrek – 1,500 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- Volvo V90 Cross Country – 3,500 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- Volvo V60 – 2,000 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- Toyota Corolla – 1,500 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- BMW 5 Series – 4,400 Pound Max Tow Capacity
- Ford Fusion (w/ 2.0L 4-Cylinder or 2.7L 6-Cylinder) – 2,000 Pound Max Tow Capacity
How Tall are Teardrop Campers?
Teardrop campers are one of the shortest types of trailers on the road today with exterior heights as low as 5 feet and an average height of around 6 feet tall.
Allowing most teardrop campers to easily fit inside a home garage as most standard garage doors have a height of 7 feet.
With that being said though, there are some larger stand-up teardrop campers that are much taller that wouldn’t fit in a standard garage, such as the nuCamp Tab 400 and the Little Guy Max, which both have a height over 8 feet tall.
Do Teardrop Campers Have Bathrooms and Toilets?
While there are some larger teardrop campers such as the nuCamp Tab S and the Little Guy Mini Max that do have a small wet bath that includes a combined shower and cassette toilet, such as the one pictured above.
Most teardrop campers do not have a bathroom or a toilet. And often don’t have a fresh, gray, or black water tank, which is why they are usually not self-contained trailers.
How Many Can Sleep in a Teardrop Camper?
Most teardrop campers have a 2 person sleeping capacity, however, some of the larger stand-up teardrop camper models have what I would consider a 2+ person sleeping capacity, as there is enough room for two adults and maybe a dog or a small child to sleep.
However, if you’re looking at larger teardrop campers, expect to see RV manufacturers often advertise a 3-person sleeping capacity.
And while this is technically true, as it is possible for three adults to sleep in some of the larger teardrop campers, just know that there is only one sleeping space and it will be very tight quarters.
Which is why I consider larger teardrop campers to have a 2+ person sleeping capacity.
Do Teardrop Campers Have AC and Heat?
While some of the more basic teardrop campers such as the Timberleaf Kestrel, do not have AC or heat, most teardrop campers usually have either a roof or wall-mounted AC standard or that can be optioned.
Providing both AC and heat to the teardrop camper when connected to a 110 outlet, thanks to built-in heat strips.
However, if you plan on doing a lot of boondocking or off-grid camping, it’s important to choose a teardrop camper that has a dedicated heater that can run off propane, as you won’t be able to plug your teardrop camper into a power source to run the AC.
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