Off-road Teardrop: Adventure Trailers Overland Teardrop

[CLK Foxhall]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Chris & I'm thinking about purchasing an Overland/Off-road teardrop.

I was originally considering the AT Horizon trailer, but I live in the PNW (rain/cold) & think I'd be more comfortable w/ a teardrop trailer,.. instead of a trailer with a tent on it.

I'd like to use it for extended exploration road trips & some off-roading (mainly forest service trails/ light 4x4 stuff - nothing really hardcore). I'm a bachelor & have no kids (girlfriends will have to rough it). So the teardrop is mainly for me & perhaps a small dog.

I've spoken with Martyn @ AT,... & he's been very helpful in answering my questions. I understand it's a new product (so probably not that many in the field), but am hoping to hear from owners, or people who've used them

Does anyone here own an AT Overland Teardrop?... Or has anyone here had experience with the AT Teardrop?

Based on what I described my intended use (above), what particular things should I be aware of,... or consider? How rugged are they really? Are they really built for moderate off-roading? Opinions on their chassis & suspension?

Apologies for all of the questions - I'm a newbie,...know very little about teardrops,... & have never trailered anything!

TIA!


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[Rexsname]

They are quite rugged. I would have no hesitation about taking one off road at all. I have a grand total of ONE(!) nights expirence sleeping in one. It felt a little stuffy inside when all closed up, the small windows in the doors didn't feel like there was enough ventilation to me. That being said, I believe you can ask that a roof vent/fan be added when they build it for you.

They look cool, they sleep well, tow well and women love them.


REX

 

[jim65wagon]

Can't help you on the AT Teardrop (but, man, does it look sweet!) nor can I help you on teardrops in general. We (wife and I) plan on building our own teardrop and if you want to learn about them you need to visit the Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers site. Absolutely tons of info and some very helpful people there can answer your questions.

 

[CLK Foxhall]

They are quite rugged. I would have no hesitation about taking one off road at all. I have a grand total of ONE(!) nights expirence sleeping in one. It felt a little stuffy inside when all closed up, the small windows in the doors didn't feel like there was enough ventilation to me. That being said, I believe you can ask that a roof vent/fan be added when they build it for you.

Thanks for the reply & info REX - I appreciate it!

I'm not a hardcore 4x4er, so no need for it to be capable of the 'extreme' (at least not for me). However I was told, that unlike the Horizon & Chaser,... w/ the Teardrop, crossing streams & creeks is not a good idea (because of the wood construction). Also, both the Horizon & Chaser are better suited to endure dings, abrasions & basic body damage (they're steel!! vs aluminum skinned wood) & would be easier to fix. So, perhaps the Teardrops is capable to travel off-road, it is a bit more fragile than the other AT Trailers. For me, I'd use it sort of as a 'cross-over' habitation - some off-road, but also for extended road trip explorations.

As a single traveler, the quick setup & simplicity of the Teardrop vs the trailer/tent option is very compelling, plus the hard-shell enclosure sounds good for the cold & rain in the PNW.

However, it would also be nice, if it have some sort of small enclosed space, outside the Teardrop (living space outside the teardrop in bad weather, plus a place to change out of wet/muddy cloths, before going inside). Finally, I'd like to have more awning coverage, particularly above the back kitchen (again, PNW rain) Perhaps something like the RhinorRack Foxwing awning.

They look cool, they sleep well, tow well and women love them.

If that line's not in the brochure,... It should be


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[CLK Foxhall]

Can't help you on the AT Teardrop (but, man, does it look sweet!) nor can I help you on teardrops in general. We (wife and I) plan on building our own teardrop and if you want to learn about them you need to visit the Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers site. Absolutely tons of info and some very helpful people there can answer your questions.

Thanks Jim.

I actually started over at T&TT,... & a regular suggested I try posting over here, too.

I agree - Lots of good people & info over there. Unfortunately for me, I'm not that mechanically inclined, nor do I have the tools & space to do my own build. For those who are able - My hat's off to you! I've seen some great & creative builds, during my brief research.


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[Borrego60]

Not a tear drop trailer but I own a Horizon and love it.The same quality goes into what ever AT builds. The skin of the TD would be some of a concern but you stated no hard core stuff. I just did a offroad trip 228 miles in the horizon and not one problem and that includes a 3ft deep water crossing. AT puts out good stuff,just depends on what your needs are.

 

[1speed]

I have not had any hands-on experience with an AT teardrop. I can tell you the concept of an off road capable teardrop is a good one though. A few years back before there was anything on the market I built my own. My wife and I have spent up to three weeks at a time living out of it and my Jeep and loved it. Crawling into a warm, dry bed without setup is priceless. Plus some women, my wife included, don't feel secure in a tent regardless of it's height. My trailer is nowhere near as sophisticated or capable as the AT product but I have drug it through some pretty gnarly terrain.

If you are leaning toward an off road teardrop, I have kept on on what's available and have not seen a better one than than the AT product.

 

[CLK Foxhall]

I have not had any hands-on experience with an AT teardrop. I can tell you the concept of an off road capable teardrop is a good one though. A few years back before there was anything on the market I built my own. My wife and I have spent up to three weeks at a time living out of it and my Jeep and loved it. Crawling into a warm, dry bed without setup is priceless. Plus some women, my wife included, don't feel secure in a tent regardless of it's height. My trailer is nowhere near as sophisticated or capable as the AT product but I have drug it through some pretty gnarly terrain.

If you are leaning toward an off road teardrop, I have kept on on what's available and have not seen a better one than than the AT product.

Thanks 1speed!

I checked out your Teardrop - Sweet! There's a guy in my area (Spokane) named Mark, who also built his own teardrop,... & it too, looks really well done. I haven't conversed with him yet, though.

I see you're from Florida - Have you had any problems with mold/mildew? How about wood damage? As noted, I'm from Seattle (rain) & am curious if either have been a problem, particularly mold.

Also, I would consider adding a vent/fan/skydome,... but the potential of a leak scares me. What's your thoughts/experience with this (or anyone elses' thoughts/experience).

Finally, thoughts on spare tires? I have one for my tow vehicle, & would have the same tires on the Teardrop,... but is an addition spare needed? I would like to take long trips (including a combo of trails & surface roads/hwys). Any thoughts on how the AT Teardrop would trailer on long hwy travel?


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[XJBANKER]

Read through this thread. I think this would definatly be worth waiting for. Price and options seem great. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44964&page=17

 

[05liberty]

I built my own teardrop ....LOVE IT ..... Its not quite as off road capable as the AT but I have towed it down some unmaintained fire / loging roads with no problems ! The best part IMO its not a tent !
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=34570&d=1258079468

 

[CLK Foxhall]

Not a tear drop trailer but I own a Horizon and love it.The same quality goes into what ever AT builds.

That seems to be the consensus, from what I've seen & read. Does make me feel more confident, in making a purchase. Plus, they've been doing it (overlanding/expo) long enough, to have worked out many bugs/issues.

The skin of the TD would be some of a concern but you stated no hard core stuff. I just did a offroad trip 228 miles in the horizon and not one problem and that includes a 3ft deep water crossing.

I agree. And even though I don't intend to take it on the Rubicon Trail,... dings & whatnot, still happen on tamer trails. For example, up here in the PNW, the trails tend to be narrow & can get very slippery, so it need take much, to slip into something you didn't plan too. (like a tree). Also, I wouldn't want to be worried about crossing shallow water, if I needed to.

I guess what I'm trying to say is - if you go off-road, even on easy trails, dings/rock rash/ abrasions seemed to just happen,.... And with the AT Teardrop - How do you fix a dinged corner (which wouldn't even have left a mark on either a Horizon or Chaser,... & if it did - it probably wouldn't cause structural damage). So, structural damage, & how to fix it, presents a bigger problem with the Teardrop, then it does with other trailers.

Problems is - As a single traveler, I really like the quick/easy setup, & the warm/dry enclosed sleeping area of the Teardrop,... much more than the Horizon option.

I guess here, like elsewhere - when there's options, there's also compromises.

Thanks again for your reply & info!


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[CLK Foxhall]

I built my own teardrop ....LOVE IT ..... Its not quite as off road capable as the AT but I have towed it down some unmaintained fire / loging roads with no problems ! The best part IMO its not a tent !
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=34570&d=1258079468

Very nice!

Some very talented & creative people, making some cool stuff here!


Cheers!
~CLK

 

[STREGA]

I got to tow the AT teardrop around @ the first Overland Expo during the offroad trailer class and even though it was not very technical terrain at that site it was obvious it would be very capable of going almost anywhere your tow rig could take it. The coach/cabin is built very stout (which is built by So Cal Teardrop, they are also building their version of a offroad TD), but you would have to be more careful with it offroad than say a Horizon/Chaser IMO.

I currently own a Horizon that I like alot but ultimately will be going to sell it and get a teardrop again. I had a homebuilt TD before the Horizon that for the most part worked really well, I especailly like the fast setup/takedown time, warm and comfy bed, carried all the gear we had, easy to get in and out of and the kitchen in the rear is brilliant. Unfortunately it was built for on road use mostly although It went down alot of gravel roads. Ours was a 4' wide cabin which is a little on the narrow side, you really got to like the other person your with. The extra 6" the AT has although it doesn't sound like much would make alot of differance in inside comfort, a 5' wide would be luxurious but at the cost of getting to wide on tight offroad trails.

I also would not hesistate to put in a Roof vent, preferably with a fan helps alot with ventilation/condensation issues. If installed properly and with occasional maintenance you should never have any leakage problems. We found that we didn't need a heater either, but we only do 3 season camping might be nice in extreme cold. For rainy weather or if in direct sunlight we have a 10x15 easy- up awning that helped alot in keeping the inside dry and the interior from getting hot, putting up the easy-up and tying it down to the TD is what took the most time during camp set up.

The real beauty of the TD is towing them, we only gave up 2mpg with the TD, the Horizon is 5 to 6 mpg, maybe not a big differance but on a 3k trip it does add up. Our homebuilt also towed so well I would almost forget it was behind me, the Horizon tows pretty good also but I always know its there. I don't know personaly how well the AT TD tows down the highway, it does weigh more and is taller and wider than the one I had but is still a very aero shape so my guess would be that it would be somewhere in between my old TD and the Horizon.

Alot of people don't like TD or are skeptical of them, I would bet alot of them have never owned or used one before. I was one of those people before I owned one also. If you are intrested in a TD, but not sure if you would like it or not do what I did. Find a good used factory or homebuilt TD you can usally find one at a good price and try it out, it you don't like it resell it most likely for what you paid for it. Or like in my case I found out what I want my next TD to be like, I used mine quite a bit and got most all my $$ back with a education to boot.

The biggest draw back is all the questions/finger pointing you will get from people at campgrounds or gas stations (most frequent question is "you can actually sleep inside that thing?") but the Horizon gets alot of attention also. So if your trying to hide from the Law or just don't like talking to people it might not be a great choice.

Long winded post here but I think I have convinced myself to get another TD now, anybody intrested in a nice used Horizon?

 

[Rexsname]

Ref: Highway towing. I was only about an hours drive from AT headquarters to my camping spot and it tows REALLY well. I wont say "tows like it's not even there" or "I forgot I was towing it" but It really is seemless. My trailer brake controller was(is) on the fritz and I had zero issues stopping at all. It tracks very well even in side winds and was simple to back into tight spots.

Deep Water crossing. The one I borrowed had 33" tires. My guess is that it would rtake water more than two feet deep before there was a problem. I don't live where you live so I don't know if two feet is enough for you.

Awning/Changing room Ezi-Awn has a nice awning that is capable of accepting a zip-on room. The one I borrowed was fitted with the FoxWing and man, that thing is fantastic! It is capable of accepting zip-on walls but I don't think there is a floor available.

You are correct that the Chaser and Horizon are less vunlnerable to body damage, however, I dont think that the tear drop is focused on the same group of camper that the others are.

REX

 

[STREGA]

^ thats about what I figured it would tow like. My former TD had its axle placed well to the rear of the frame which at hiway speeds it followed the tow vehicle very well, but didn't go over offroad obstacles so well plus the fact it didn't have alot of ground clearance either.

I have a favorite campsite about 20 miles from home that requires a creek crossing that is about 2' deep mid summer, I figured it would be about as deep as I would want to take the AT TD through.

I guess you didn't get to tow it long enough to get a real mpg reading, I'am currious to how much it effects the mileage.

You're right about the average users of the Horizon/Chaser would more likely be willing to go into rougher terrain than the average TD user. What was your overall impression of the TD?