Teardrop trailers have been around a long time, but they’ve experienced a resurgence in recent years. It’s easy to see why, too. On the one hand, teardrop trailers offer comfort, functionality, and convenience. On the other hand, companies across the nation offer services for building a teardrop trailer to your specific needs.
In other words, you don’t have to buy a pre-built teardrop trailer off a lot somewhere. Instead, you can partner with a company for building a teardrop trailer that meets your specific and unique needs.
Now, I’ll say this – all the decisions you have to make when building a teardrop trailer can be a bit overwhelming. After all, there might be dozens of options to choose from, and in many cases, builders will accommodate bespoke requests from their clients for features that might not appear in any of their other trailers. So, that begs the question, what options should you prioritize?
Table of Contents
- Building a Teardrop Trailer: Design and Layout Options
- Choosing the Right Materials for Your Teardrop Trailer
- Off-Grid Features and Power Systems are Essential When Building a Teardrop Trailer
- Interior Comfort Should Be a Priority
Building a Teardrop Trailer: Design and Layout Options
When considering building a teardrop trailer, one of the first things you have to think about is the design of the trailer, or, more specifically, its layout. Space is limited in teardrops, so you want to maximize the utility of every inch of space.
In most cases, you’ll find that the basic design and layout of the trailer is already determined for you. For example, the Second Wind Trailers Freedom Stealth shown throughout this article has a cabin for sleeping and lounging (with storage, too!) and a rear galley with a large upswinging hatch that protects you from rain and snow while you cook.
Personally, I find this layout to be the most functional because it maximizes how much cabin space you have for sleeping while also keeping all the food smells out of the cabin! Besides, when you’re standing at the rear galley making some awesome food, you can enjoy the view around you!
As I said a moment ago, storage is at a premium in teardrop trailers, so when building your ideal home on wheels, maximize storage space to the extent possible.
Upper cabinets inside the cabin, cupboards, drawers, and shelves in the galley, and a tongue box up front are prime storage options. Depending on the trailer, you can also add a roof rack for a rocket box to accommodate even more gear.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Teardrop Trailer
Building a teardrop trailer also requires you to consider the nuts and bolts of how it’s constructed. Though there are many different materials companies use to build these trailers, I prefer aluminum. But why?
Well, first, it’s durable. Aluminum not only stands up to the rigors of environmental elements, but it also shows resilience when traveling off-road. Aluminum is corrosion resistant, so it can get caked in mud and gunk without worry that it’ll turn into a rusted shell in a few years.
Secondly, aluminum is lightweight. With far less bulk than other materials like plywood, an aluminum teardrop trailer is far lighter and easier to tow. Let’s use the Second Wind Freedom Stealth as an example again – it’s 1,200-1,499 pounds, depending on how it’s customized. The aluminum roof and side walls help keep this weight down, so you can tow it with a small car, SUV, or compact truck without issue.
What’s more, this lightweight design helps keep fuel economy as high as possible while also ensuring you don’t have an overly heavy load to tow up hills and mountain passes. Better gas mileage and improved towing – what’s not to like?!
A third feature of aluminum that makes it ideal for building a teardrop trailer is its longevity. Sure, aluminum can be more expensive up front, but the need for little maintenance over the life of the trailer means you can spend more time enjoying your travels and less time performing trailer maintenance.
Off-Grid Features and Power Systems are Essential When Building a Teardrop Trailer
The whole point of having a teardrop trailer is so you can experience the freedom of travel, right? Well, to do that, you have to ensure that you’re building a teardrop trailer with off-grid features and power systems that give you the freedom you seek.
Solar power is on the top of my list of off-grid features, that way I don’t have to rely on shore power when I stop for the night to camp. Teardrops have an ideal roof for solar panels that can collect the sun’s rays and charge up the onboard batteries. But don’t let your builder skimp, here…
For example, Second Wind Trailers uses a deep-cycle RV 12-volt battery system to run the Freedom Stealth’s mechanicals. And, depending on how you customize your trailer, you can add one or two Renogy 100-watt solar panels with a 10-amp charger. Renogy is one of the best names in the business, so you know that this setup will be reliable, perform well, and be easy to use, too.
I personally use lithium-ion batteries in my trailer, and I’d recommend the same to you when building a teardrop trailer. These batteries charge quickly, have a better depth of discharge, and have a much longer lifespan than traditional AGM batteries. Many lithium-ion batteries also have features like a built-in battery management system, a built-in heater, and the capability of smartphone monitoring, too.
Of course, pairing the trailer’s electrical system with energy-efficient components makes the power generated by the solar panels and stored by the batteries last even longer. For example, Second Wind Trailers uses LED lights to give you the interior and exterior lighting you need to see what you’re doing, but without drawing a ton of power. In fact, the exterior lights are solar-powered!
These components might not be the flashiest on your trailer, but they add to your overall comfort while you’re on the road. And when done smartly, your trailer’s electrical system can be both efficient and give you reliable performance for years to come.
Interior Comfort Should Be a Priority
Having a well-built trailer is a necessity, but you also want it to be comfortable. When building a teardrop trailer, there are many different things you can do to ensure the interior space is as cozy as possible.
A perfect example of this is the bed you choose for your trailer. On the one hand, you can add your own bed, if you like. A blow-up mattress, camping sleeping pad, or custom-fit mattress are all viable options for giving you a comfortable night’s sleep.
On the other hand, the company building your teardrop trailer is likely to have bedding options available. For example, Second Wind Trailers offers a tri-fold memory foam full-size mattress as an option. This mattress is perfectly-sized for the Freedom Stealth interior so you get the maximum surface area for sleeping in total comfort.
Another example of comfort you should prioritize when building a teardrop trailer is something you won’t even see – insulation. Adding insulation to the trailer helps keep warm air in when you’re camping in cold weather and hot air out when you’re camping in hot weather. Companies like Second Wind Trailers fully insulate the ceiling and walls of their trailers specifically for this purpose.
Other comfort features you might prioritize include the following:
- A powered fan for improved ventilation
- Dual doors with windows for easier access and cross-ventilation
- Stabilizer jacks to prevent the trailer from rocking and bouncing when you’re camping
- Ample USB ports for conveniently charging your devices
- Water heater and shower
- An awning for protected outdoor living space
Not every teardrop trailer company offers these types of standard and optional features, so be sure you thoroughly research the company’s you’re considering for building a teardrop trailer.
I will say this, though – I’ve used Second Wind Trailers as an example in this article for a reason! With these and many other options and customizations available, plus top-shelf build-quality and made-in-America durability, Second Wind Trailers is one of the best options out there for building a teardrop trailer!
But…don’t take my word for it. Visit Second Wind Trailers today to see the many possibilities for building your teardrop!
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