Teardrop campers generally cost less than their more traditional counterparts. They are small, light, and aerodynamic, making them easy to tow without severely affecting fuel efficiency. They are more comfortable than tent camping, but less expensive and more versatile than an RV or large travel trailer.
So, how much do teardrop campers cost? New teardrop campers typically cost from $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the size, type, finish, and add-ons that you select. Used teardrop campers will naturally be cheaper than their new counterparts. You can also opt to purchase DIY teardrop camper kits, which will significantly reduce your upfront cost.
Let’s check out example costs from three different options in each category: new, used, and DIY kit.
New Teardrop Camper Pricing Examples
New teardrop campers will of course be the most expensive in general, although they can also be customized to your exact needs and they’ll be covered by warranties. Purchasing a new teardrop camper is often a good choice for those who will be using their campers extensively, as the possibility of things breaking is higher with frequent use and the protection of a warranty will be most valuable.
Little Guy Trailers – Max
Price: Starts at $35,000
This is quite a large teardrop trailer, designed for maximum comfort while traveling. It boasts an interior height of 6’7”, a wet bath, an indoor kitchenette, a queen bed, a dinette that converts to a single bed, a pantry, and storage throughout. The kitchenette includes a microwave, two-burner stove, a 16×16” sink, and a 4-cubic-foot fridge.
The bedroom area has a TV built in, and there’s an external TV mount available as well. The trailer comes with an air conditioner, ducted furnace, and propane and carbon monoxide detectors. An optional 6’3” awning can be added for a shaded outdoor living space.
This teardrop trailer has essentially all the amenities of a traditional travel trailer or an RV, although it’s still relatively light – it starts at just over 3,000 pounds. You wouldn’t want to go off-roading with this big boy, but it’s certainly comfortable enough for long-term travel.
More info: golittleguy.com (featured image top of article)
nuCamp – Tag Trailer
Price: Starts at $20,629
The Tag trailer from nuCamp sleeps two people and the back hatch opens into a covered outdoor galley area. The queen bed is situated under a large stargazer window that provides natural light and a killer nighttime view of the sky. The trailer is equipped with a heater/air conditioner and wireless thermostat, custom Amish-made cabinets, electric brakes, under-bed storage, and a bluetooth media center.
The kitchen area features a large sink, a two-burner stove, a Yeti cooler, a microwave, and storage space. There’s an external propane hookup for grilling and an external shower to rinse off easily.
There are several graphic and trim color options, as well as a slightly larger Tag XL layout option. The Boondock Package offers several upgrades like off-road tires, a solar package, a Yakima roof rack, a heavy-duty axle, beefier fenders, and so forth.
More info: nucamprv.com
Timberleaf Trailers – The Kestrel
Price: Starts at $8,500
The Kestrel is a minimalist trailer, with no bells and whistles – it’s essentially just a sleeping pod with storage space. However, by eliminating the galley, power system, and other accessories, this high-quality trailer is quite affordable. It comes standard with two doors, two windows, a roof vent, and a 6-inch-thick full size mattress.
This ultra-lightweight teardrop trailer comes in three different package options: Standard, All-Road, and Off-Road. The Standard package includes three battery-powered LED cabin lights, a pre-wired electric system in case you want to upgrade, and a spare tire.
The All-Road package includes independent axle-less suspension, electric drum brakes, all-terrain tires, upgraded wheels, diamond plate fenders, and a Max-Coupler articulating hitch. The Off-Road package includes even beefier suspension, a 4” lift, off-roading tires, aluminum wheels, and front corner rock sliders.
The Kestrel is truly a go-anywhere type of trailer that’s perfect for even the most rugged adventures.
More info: timberleaftrailers.com
Used Teardrop Camper Pricing Examples
Buying a used teardrop camper is a great way to save some cash, especially if you’ll just be using the trailer infrequently or for a short time. Used trailers may be out of warranty though, and it’s important to thoroughly inspect any used trailer before you purchase it. Check that all the appliances work, that there’s no visible mold or water damage, and so forth. Then enjoy your bargain trailer!
I’ve selected a few used campers that are available at the time of writing to serve as examples. Of course, the options for used campers are extremely diverse, as are the prices.
Custom Teardrop Camper
Price: $6,999 OBO
This custom trailer has huge windows on three of the walls including on the pop-up door, making it light and airy inside. It weighs just 350 pounds for easy towing and has an angular, modern teardrop shape. The trailer comes with a 30W solar panel and a 12V battery, so you could charge small devices while traveling.
This fully insulated custom trailer comes equipped with a 6-inch-thick memory foam mattress, a roof vent fan, a pull-out single-burner propane stove, and a small counter space. The seller also notes that a storage box can be attached to the tongue of the trailer to store extra equipment.
More info: facebook.com
2018 nuCamp Tag XL Boondock
Price: $16,200
I chose to include this example to demonstrate the difference between new and used trailer prices. As we saw above, a base model nuCamp Tag starts at over $20,000, and a new Tag XL Boondock runs about $25,000. So, this used three-year-old model is only about ⅔ the cost of a brand new one.
The owner claims it’s in mint condition and highlights the benefits, mentioning that it’s easy to tow and comes equipped with fresh water tanks, a 12V fridge, a microwave, air conditioning, a TV with a DVD player, and so forth.
More info: facebook.com
2015 Little Guy 5 Wide
Price: $9,200
Little Guy no longer makes this model of small teardrop trailer, although they make a semi-comparable model called the MyPod, which, for reference, starts at $11,000 new. While $9,200 may seem steep for a 6-year-old trailer, the owner says that it has only been used for 14 nights of camping and has been stored safely in a garage.
She mentions that it has a two-burner cooktop and a sink in the galley, LED lights, a 12V TV and DVD player, a radio, and a roof vent fan.
More info: facebook.com
DIY Teardrop Camper Kit Pricing Examples
Finally, you could opt to build your own teardrop camper entirely from a DIY kit. This option provides a fun project and it can actually get you on the road faster than if you have to backorder a completed trailer or spend time searching for the perfect used option. Let’s have a look at three different DIY kit options.
Hyk Outdoors Teardrop Camper Kit
Price: Starts at $6,950
Hyk Outdoors will drop-ship you a kit with everything you need to build a sturdy, retro teardrop trailer in a matter of days.
The kit includes the chassis, precision-cut wood pieces that you assemble into the shell, aluminum skins and trim pieces, insulated pre-built doors and rear hatch, electrical equipment, formica to create the galley countertop, 12V reading lights, an interior dome light, a Fantastic Fan, exterior side tables, and all the hardware and miscellaneous pieces that go into a trailer.
You can even choose what color you want for the exterior finish.
More info: hykoutdoors.com
CLC Boats Teardrop Camper Kit
Price: Starts at $2,879
These teardrop kits are very unique and honestly look super cool – like a little tree house on wheels! While the starting price is quite low, it’s important to note that the kit does not include a trailer, and shipping will run about $500.
Plus, the starting price includes only the bare minimum for the teardrop box: okoume plywood pieces that have been CNC-ed to the perfect shape, a slot-together plywood mold, fiberglass, epoxy, copper wire, marine acrylic windows, hinges/latches/gaskets for the door and hatch, and a shop manual.
From there, you can opt to take an actual class on how to build the trailer ($2,600) or add a storage box ($469), roof rack ($489), galley module ($369), or interior headliner ($345). So, a completed trailer might realistically cost somewhere around $5,000.
The creators of this kit note that they applied their boat building techniques and materials to create a teardrop trailer that deviates from the “canned ham” shape and flimsy construction of many other available teardrops. This sleek little trailer is sure to be comfortable and an excellent conversation starter!
More info: clcboats.com
Teardrops NW Teardrop Camper Kit
Price: Starts at $8,500
Teardrops NW also makes a teardrop camper kit. The base for the camper is priced at $8,500, with available additional components like an off-road upgrade kit ($2,750), an electrical kit and trim package ($1,795), a cooler slide ($275), and various cabinet and drawer options ($300 to $550).
Unfortunately, the sale of their DIY kits has been temporarily suspended due to supply chain issues. They also do not ship their kits, so they must be picked up from the factory in Salem, Oregon when production resumes.
The base kit comes with the frame, side walls, jack stand with wheels, floor panels, aluminum skins, a Formica counter top, a hurricane hinge, doors, axles with tires and wheels already assembled, and all the other pieces needed to complete the body of the trailer.
More info: teardropsnw.com
Which Teardrop Camper I Would Choose
If I was to pick a teardrop trailer for myself, I’d be hard pressed to choose between the luxurious Little Guy Max with all the amenities and plenty of space, and the CLC Boats camper kit. I love the look of the wooden trailer and the challenge of assembling it sounds like a cool project.
I also like the fact that you can order the exact modules you want for that trailer and essentially custom build the whole thing to your personal taste with no wasted space or unused elements.
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Cat is originally from Seattle, WA but has traveled around the US and Canada full-time in a self-converted school bus with her boyfriend Aaron since April of 2018. She enjoys rock climbing, paddleboarding, hiking, and generally being outdoors!