Disconnect from the Job with Teardrop Trailer Camping

By Neil Baldwin, retired counselor

It’s not long past sunrise on the rugged southern coast of Manitoulin Island, about 100 miles southeast of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The sun has just emerged from a band of clouds on the horizon, and from my teardrop trailer’s window, I can see an expanse of rocky shore peppered with wind-bent conifers. Beyond that are the aquamarine waters of the vast lake, white-topped waves rolling in. The rhythmic sound of those waves lulled me to sleep last night, and greeted me again as I woke.

What I don’t see is people. What I don’t hear is the noise of humanity. It’s just me, surrounded by nature, in bed under a cozy duvet with a fresh-brewed coffee in hand. And a very contented dog at my side. Luna, a Shar-pei/Lab rescue and my faithful companion, not only loves getaways but also probably feels that our tiny camper trailer is like a den we both get to live in!

If you’ve ever felt the need to escape daily life and be away in a space and place of your own – and most first responders have or will – a little teardrop trailer like the one Luna and I travel in allows the freedom to get away from it all, without the challenge of leaving it all behind. No to boundaries, waiting, routine. Yes to self-sufficiency, variety and spontaneity. An expedient, minimalist escape.

Small but Mighty

Teardrop trailers are to RVs what tiny homes are to houses. In fact, “teardropping” is perhaps closer to camping than RVing. But in this version of camping, the bed is comfortable, the interior is dry, and the kitchen is always ready at hand. The entire thing can be on the move in short order.

Most teardrops are essentially a bed on wheels, with a rear clamshell hatch that opens to access an external galley. They’re small, lightweight, and can be pulled by most types of vehicles. I have even seen one behind a hybrid car.

My particular rig is fairly true to type, weighing in at less than 1,000 lbs when loaded, and with a mere 4’ x 8’ footprint, not including the front box and trailer tongue. But that doesn’t mean bare bones. 

A solar panel on the roof, two deep-cycle batteries, and an inverter give me on-board power for lighting, multiple USB sockets, a 12-volt freezer, a little rice cooker, and even a mini space heater to take the edge off cool nights.

Teardrop Trailer Kitchen

In the galley, a butane stove and everything else needed for simple reheating or complete meal preparation is immediately at hand. And of course, there’s a hand grinder and coffee apparatus for the perfect cup of java anytime, anywhere.

In the sleeper, a memory foam mattress is surprisingly comfortable even for multiple nights, and interior walls of finished maple add to the cozy feel provided by my down duvet and pillows. My favorite non-essential “essential” upgrade was a dimmable, color-changing LED up-light strip, so I can fine-tune the ambience to my mood. Clever storage and multiple wall hooks help keep things in their place in this compact space.

Teardrops, despite the generic name, come in many shapes and sizes, though most accommodate just one or two occupants. There are a variety of manufacturers, ranging from big-name RVs to a wide range of small- and hobby-business builders. For those who really dislike boundaries, there are even beefy teardrops suitable for “overlanding” rough terrain.

Also popular are plans and parts kits. Some of the do-it-yourself teardrops are a gorgeous melding of form and function. As many firefighters are hands-on folks who balance their professional and personal lives through immersion in hobbies, building your own escape vehicle could be your ultimate practical leisure pursuit.

The Downside of Teardrop Trailer Camping

But … even I must admit that teardropping isn’t for everyone. While more comfortable and convenient than conventional camping, there are tradeoffs and limitations to this minimalist RVing. You have much of what you need, but you can’t have everything you might like. You must choose what is important and what your version of essential is. And once you have tried dressing inside a teardrop, you may want to sign up for a yoga class to help that go more smoothly!

What’s more, with the possible exception of the fully-featured teardrops from big-name RV makers, there’s usually the potential for tinkering, upgrading and fixing with these tiny camper trailers. Teardrops are, therefore, ideally suited to resourceful, practical, problem-solver types who like to figure out how to make things work better and tweak their camper experience. Whether you order one or build your own from plans, winter is the perfect time to get moving on it.

As a retired counselor, I appreciate the importance of self-care. Professional firefighters and allied first responders, I know, grow weary of advice about cultivating balance in your life and marshaling mental and emotional energies beyond your shift. Teardropping is not another theoretical recommendation; it’s a concrete, action-oriented endeavor that can support your mental health.

The Benefits of Teardrop Trailer Camping

A change is as good as a rest, the saying goes, and sometimes one can be even better. I love having all my essentials packed with a trailer at the ready, much like emergency vehicles at a station. I can pack a cooler, some clothes (and my canine buddy) and take off when I wish to change the scenery around me or inside me.

Humor the counselor in me when I suggest keeping a notebook in your little trailer to jot down thoughts, feelings and perspectives. Even for those who value action over words, writing is a form of thinking, and can be an ingenious way to untangle the swirl inside our heads. 

Being in the here and now, settled in a teardrop away from the daily routine, you may find the perfect place to unwind.