Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

The bride and I are doing our homework and would appreciate your input. I really don't want this to go negative so please stick to the manufacturer you would buy from again. Things like quality of build customer service and follow up (when needed) would be really helpful. Thanks.

You might ask this question over on the Tearjerkers forum too: http://www.tearjerkers.net/new_forum/in ... c2233bc888

I think you may find more owners of commercially built 'drops there than here. But don't let me scare you off. (Ducking for cover/concealment.)

Tony

Yep! I would buy from the same manufacturer. The manufacturer was me; so, I know exactly what I've got!
If you can do it yourself and do a halfway decent job, you'll know how it was done and how to fix it if it ever needs fixing.
Plus, you can get most of what you think you want!

S. Heisley wrote:Yep! I would buy from the same manufacturer. The manufacturer was me; so, I know exactly what I've got!
If you can do it yourself and do a halfway decent job, you'll know how it was done and how to fix it if it ever needs fixing.
Plus, you can get most of what you think you want!

I'm not so sure about my builder. Overbudget, a planned 3-4 month build took 21 months, there were countless recalls and upgrades (still going on), and he's always suggesting new items. A pest. Unfortunately I am he. I actually enjoy the building, modifying, and tinkering as much as the camping...but, I've done much more of the former than the latter. But, back to your subject: if I had chosen to buy instead of build, there are several mfgs represented here, with advocates for each...if you want customization, service after the sale, and such, I'd buy from the one (with recommendations from other buyers, of course) closest to your locale. Be sure to visit the build site, if you can; a shop in good working order tells a lot about build quality (I just condemned my build with this statement!).

The company that built ours is no longer in business and it took a lot of work to unscrew the screwups, however we are pleased with it now. Were we looking for a replacement It would likely be a CampInn or a http://www.safaricondo.com/en/caravanes_R1713
Ours

I have owned a 2007 4x8 Pleasant Valley, a 2011 5x8 Silver Shadow, and currently a 2008 5x10 Pleasant Valley. I bought them all used, so no contact with the factory's as far as warranty or follow up. I would buy another. A good pre-purchase inspection is a must when buying a used trailer. Hope this helps! Ronnie

S. Heisley wrote:Yep! I would buy from the same manufacturer. The manufacturer was me; so, I know exactly what I've got!
If you can do it yourself and do a halfway decent job, you'll know how it was done and how to fix it if it ever needs fixing.
Plus, you can get most of what you think you want!

Work space, skill set, patience, and disabilities preclude me from a DIY rig. Well that and I want it to look like a decent TD instead of a dust bowl era camper made with beer cans duc tape and bailin' wire. And gang I realize this site is mostly a DIY crew, that's why this post was made in the "Teardrop Manufacturers" section...or was I thinking wrong again?

(I can see this smilie is going to be one of my favorites.)

Shadow Catcher wrote:Were we looking for a replacement It would likely be a CampInn or a http://www.safaricondo.com/en/caravanes_R1713
Ours

Nice set up but whoo boy do they like their product! The light weight and amenities are a big plus however the price gave me heartburn.

rockinrobin wrote:I have owned a 2007 4x8 Pleasant Valley, a 2011 5x8 Silver Shadow, and currently a 2008 5x10 Pleasant Valley. I bought them all used, so no contact with the factory's as far as warranty or follow up. I would buy another. A good pre-purchase inspection is a must when buying a used trailer. Hope this helps! Ronnie

My Google Fu is weak today...the Silver Shadow is from Little Guy, right? However the WWW does not give me the manufacturer for a Pleasant Valley TD.

Should add here that the TD will be towed by a 4 cylinder Outback and parked covered but outside on concrete. That's one of the reasons we are looking at the Nest Egg for now...light weight and water resistant construction.

Pleasant valley was bought by little guy. They are now manufacturing the silver shadow.

Thanks Debbie. BTW love your TD. The wood ones are just so compelling...if I wasn't too lazy to keep one up that is.

Actually the upkeep is not that bad if you do it right the first time and keep it sheltered. Epoxy first, the several coats of marine varnish, renewed every 3-4 years.

Law Dawg (Ret) wrote:

S. Heisley wrote:Yep! I would buy from the same manufacturer. The manufacturer was me; so, I know exactly what I've got!
If you can do it yourself and do a halfway decent job, you'll know how it was done and how to fix it if it ever needs fixing.
Plus, you can get most of what you think you want!

Work space, skill set, patience, and disabilities preclude me from a DIY rig. Well that and I want it to look like a decent TD instead of a dust bowl era camper made with beer cans duc tape and bailin' wire. And gang I realize this site is mostly a DIY crew, that's why this post was made in the "Teardrop Manufacturers" section...or was I thinking wrong again?

(I can see this smilie is going to be one of my favorites.)

No, you weren't wrong and, to date, there's no duck-tape or bailing wire on mine. But, I did say "If you can do it yourself...." If I were going for a commercially manufactured teardrop, I'd seriously look at CampInn, (here we go again with the "if") if it is within ones budget allowances. I haven't yet met anyone who is unhappy with one of those. I personally think of those as the Cadillac of teardrops, especially their Raindrop. There are other, smaller manufacturers that seem to do a good job, too. Your best bet may be to look for what you want via the internet; and then in person, if you can, and narrow down your preferences, based on location and "likes". Once you've done that, ask people on the forum to PM you with their opinions of that/those particular brand(s). People can be more candid when sending a PM.

PS. That Safari Condo one appears to be very nice but I haven't seen one in person nor heard from anyone who has one yet. They are fairly new to the market, only been out a couple years. It all depends on what you are looking for.

Thanks Sharon...really impressed with the Campinn units. The 550 lower end series is about where we need to be weight and price wise. You sure were not kidding about the Cadillac of TDs, these ooze quality. BTW nothing personal in my reply...I am on a hammock site with a bunch of DIYers very similar to y'all in focus. They tend to evangelize.

I have had my camp inn 9 years. And would buy from them again. The quality is excellent. I've had no major problem just a few small upkeep type stuff. The guys at camp inn have great customer service. There are a lot of features in a CI that aren't in other manufacturers trailers. My daughter and her family are soon taking delivery of a raindrop model. I know their pricey but I think their worth it.

Definitely would. My "manufacturer" is a small, one-man outfit (Bobby Morgan of Teddybear Teardrops outside of Atlanta).

Bobby was a joy to work with. We talked extensively about what our expectations were and he made sure that he knew exactly what I wanted. It was a complete custom build that he allowed me to help design to a certain degree. He sent me progress pictures at every step that allowed me to see where everything is/was placed under the skin. We've already taken it through many trips in most all types of weather and it is weather-tight with no leaks. His attention to detail and work ethic made it a joy to hand over the money at the end of the build. He had to make the hatch twice because he didn't like the fit of the first one. He didn't like the way that the original stain came out on the first two sides he made, so he cut out two new ones and did it again.

He missed his self-imposed deadline by two weeks due to crappy late-winter / early-spring weather and wanted to offer a discount due to that. He even drove it two and a half hours to deliver it to us! I refused the discount and paid our agreed-on price.

I would definitely do another one with him!