tear drop campers any experiance?

jetj · Guru

tear drop campers any experiance?

jetj · Guru

milo wrote:
what about when parked at cp ?

I think it rained but it was ok inside. You do need an awning in rainy weather, I cooked at the back, not sure that the tailgate protected me but did the kitchen area. I was camped in a shady area so the sun wasn't a problem. I only used it once, I had 2 dogs, a bird and cage and a kayak in that Corolla. It was a bit crowded.

It's shedded and loved but not used.

-- Edited by jetj on Monday 13th of August 2012 07:02:11 PM

milo · Guru

just wondering if any one has had any experiance with these unique lite vans

i know its been talked about before but thought for new people searching ideas etc

and also not every one can aford a big rig and would be good for solo's with small cars like my self

avan weekender

http://www.awrvworld.com.au/index.php/new-in-stock-caravans-for-sale/355-avan-weekender-for-sale

h http://travelbugteardropcampers.com.au/models.html

http://www.littleguyaustralia.com.au/

http://www.chevronrv.com.au/

just some ideas and thoughts

milo

milo · Guru

thats pretty cool Janette, how did it go in wild weather?

milo

jetj · Guru

Sorry have been editing my post (pic too big).

It was raining as hard as I have ever experienced whilst towing it home and no problems at all. I didn't have any probs with it. The chap who built it builds kitchens so he knew what he was doing and he built it for himself.

milo · Guru

what about when parked at cp ?

sucastja · Senior Member

They are really cute Milo - if I was on my own I'd seriously think of getting one. I could tow it with my mazda3 without any problems.

Oxley · Veteran Member

I owned a custom built unit until recently, the layout was fantastic with kitchen at the rear, very light to tow, a bit too light as I had to modify the suspension so it didn't bounce as much.

But it was easy to man handle by myself.

But the down side for me was the entry to the sleeping compartment, as I'm a larger fellow, and my mobility ain't what it used to be.

Also as I drive a ute I found the lack of storage became an issue on long treks, but they weren't designed for this.

If I was going to by another one I would go the Avan Weekender, mainly for the access.

But I would also look at something that I can modify into a pod that would sit on the ute tray.

Duh · Guru

Oxley wrote:
But I would also look at something that I can modify into a pod that would sit on the ute tray.

I saw a bloke who had modified his Avan Aliner (A shape fold up/down) to go on the back of his truck, he had made hydraulic legs to get it on/off.

For a ute the Avan Sportsliner might suit, but you would have to look into size/width etc. You see a few for sale 2nd hand on Gumtree and other places from time to time. If you google Avan Sportsliner there are quite a few come up, mainly on Gumtree, vary in price according to year. One's built in the early 2000's and since have higher side walls and therefore bigger fridges in the, early models had lower walls and smaller fridges (3 way fridges).

http://www.avan.com.au/products_sportliner.html

Janice · Newbie

Hi Milo,

I have recently looked at the majority of the teardrops on the sites listed. Some teardrops I viewed. However, when I purchased in November 2012 it was the Apple teardrop. This magnificant little teardrop is a replica made of fibreglass. Accordingly it is the lightest teardop on the road. The craftmanship has to be seen to be believed. The body is a fibreglass bubble (no chance of leaks) it has doors on both sides which contain opening windows. All locks are of the highest quality. It has a water tank a small sink, stove,TV /radio and usb port. I can operate on stored battery power for 3-4 days (big saving in parks) and it makes no difference to my fuel bill. Rick and Jessie will build to order. Ref Ebay: teardrop caravans. Little white van with RV annex. I brought the demo model shown in the picture on ebay.

Limitations: Obviously you can't stand up inside. I solved this by using the RV shelter on the kitchen as shown in the photo and then purchased an additional shelter from Dune which I fit to one side. This gives me storage/hanging space, room for a camping toilet and a non see through annex in which to dress. Both shelters take less than 5 mins each to erect (I am 63 and a single woman) - can be purchased from Anaconda (yes wait for the sale). I am particularly happy with the Dune shelters but there are numerous on the market and possibly just as good.

If you want something you can stand in speak to Rickhe is developing a replica of a small van in which you can stand.

Is there anything I would change or do not like? Absolutely not. I plan to purchase a fibreglass storage box which will be made to fit the curve of the teardrop. I also need to purchase a spare wheel.

My van was delivered on my birthday in 2012 - as you might have guessed I am one "happy little camper"

Janice · Newbie

Hi Milo,

Forgot to say that my little 'pod' is pulled by a 2.0 litre Hyundai with no problems at all. It hugs the road beautifully. At Christmas time I was camped at Corindi Beach in NSW - we had a violet wind storm and the RV shelters stayed firm, did not leak rain - in fact in the 'pod' I slept through the storm which was remarkable.

Hope this is of assistance to you. I live in Armidale if you would like to view the teardrop or pod as I call it. I have no affiliation with the maker - simply saw it on ebay, went to view it at Logan in Queensland and brought it.

Duh · Guru

Oxley wrote:
But I would also look at something that I can modify into a pod that would sit on the ute tray.

The Avan trailer I saw modified to go on the back of a ute tray (with electric legs, it had slide out extensions on each side that cleared the tray when he put them down to slide the camper off, then he lowered the legs) could still be used as a normal camper if needed.

This would of course need to be done at home, he had modified the towbar frame so that it bolted on and off, he would remove this then, put out the extension arems and taking the weight on the electric legs remove the wheels, raise the pod up to the required height to back under to load the pod onto the tray. From memory he had a mitsubishi flat top truck.

This bloke was a retired farmer and lived on a semi rural property and was handy with tools, welders etc.