A teardrop camper is a small, streamlined trailer with a bed inside and a kitchen (the galley) under a hatch at the back. It suits couples and solo travellers who want a proper bed and a cooking setup without towing something big, and in North America it typically costs around $60–$130 a night to hire.
| Typical length | About 8–14 ft (2.4–4.3 m) overall for most; larger teardrop-style models are longer |
|---|---|
| Typical weight | Typically about 1,000–2,000 lb (450–900 kg) dry for a classic teardrop; larger models with more kit can approach 3,000 lb |
| Sleeps | Usually 2 adults; some larger models add a small bunk or a rooftop tent |
| Tow vehicle needed | Many small cars, crossovers and SUVs, if their towing rating allows it |
| Typical hire price | Around $60–$130 a night in the US; delivery and setup often $150–$300 round trip locally |
| Best for | Couples, short trips, anyone towing with a small vehicle |
What a teardrop camper is
The name comes from the shape: a rounded front and a tapering back, a bit like a teardrop in profile. The cabin is only about as tall as a car roof, usually just big enough to lie down in. You do not stand up inside. Most of your time is spent outdoors, with the door open and the bed as your shelter.
Inside, you will usually find a full-width mattress, a couple of storage cupboards, a roof vent and often a small fan or lights powered by a battery. Some have a shore-power socket so you can plug in at a campsite.
The back hatch lifts to reveal the galley. Expect a worktop, a two-burner stove or space to put one, a small sink or water container, and storage for pots and plates. Many models have a cooler or a 12-volt fridge. It is a compact outdoor kitchen, so cooking is more like camping than caravanning. Teardrops are made by specialist builders and some mainstream makers, for example nüCamp in the US, and there are a number of smaller builders in the UK and Europe.
Most teardrops have no bathroom. Some have a cassette toilet or an outdoor shower attachment, but you should plan on using campsite facilities. That is the main trade-off for the light weight.
Towing a teardrop: the basics
Light towing is the big reason people choose a teardrop. The trailer weighs far less than a travel trailer, so many family cars, hatchbacks and small SUVs can pull one without strain. The details differ by country, so check the listing and your own vehicle.
In the UK
- Licence: since 16 December 2021, drivers with a standard car (category B) licence can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). A teardrop is well inside that. See the GOV.UK guide to towing with a car licence.
- Your car's limit still applies. Check the towing capacity in the handbook or on the vehicle plate. The caravan clubs advise keeping the loaded trailer at or below about 85 per cent of the car's kerb weight. That is advice, not law: the legal limits are the car's maximum towing weight and the gross train weight on its VIN plate.
- Noseweight: the downward load on the towball must stay within your car's maximum, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends around 5–7 per cent of the loaded trailer's weight (this is guidance, not law). Too little makes it sway, too much overloads the rear axle.
- Brakes and electrics: trailers that weigh over 750 kg when loaded must have a working brake system, plus a breakaway cable or secondary coupling. Lighter models may be unbraked. You need a towbar and a working electrical socket on the car, either 7-pin or 13-pin, so lights and indicators work.
- Speed limits: 50 mph on single carriageways and 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless a lower limit applies. You must not tow in the right-hand (outside) lane of a motorway with three or more lanes. These are on the GOV.UK speed limits page.
In the US and Canada
- Licence: in most states you do not need a special licence to tow a typical rental trailer of this size. Rules vary by state and province, so check locally.
- Towing capacity: your vehicle's rated towing capacity must be higher than the trailer's loaded weight. Look in the owner's manual; the door-jamb labels show the payload and gross weight ratings, which matter too because tongue weight counts against payload.
- Hitch: teardrops usually need a Class I or Class II receiver hitch, with a ball sized to the trailer coupler. Ask whether the owner supplies the ball and wiring adapter.
- Trailer brakes: most states require brakes on trailers above a set weight, commonly 3,000 lb and as low as about 1,500 lb in some states, such as California. If the trailer has electric brakes, the tow vehicle needs a brake controller. Many teardrops fall under these limits, but not all, so check the rules for each state you drive through.
- Wiring: typically a 4-pin or 7-pin connector.
The camper trailer guide covers towing in more detail, and the licence guide explains the UK rules for campervans. If you have never towed, first-time driving tips are a useful start. Reversing a trailer takes practice, so try it in a car park before you head to the campsite.
Who a teardrop suits
A teardrop works well for a couple who want a comfortable bed and a kitchen without paying for a full RV. It also suits solo travellers, festival and event weekends, fishing and hiking trips, and anyone who wants to tow behind a small car. Because it is low and narrow, it is easier to park, fits on small pitches and is less affected by crosswinds than a tall caravan.
It is less suited to families with children, long stays, wet-weather stays where you want to sit inside, or travellers who need a toilet and shower on board. If that sounds like you, look at a travel trailer or a Class B motorhome instead.
Is a teardrop camper right for you?
Pros
- Light enough for many small cars and SUVs
- Cheaper to hire than most other RVs
- Easy to tow, park and store
- Quick to set up: stabilise, open the hatch and you are cooking
- Real bed in a weatherproof shell
Cons
- Cramped inside: no standing room and little seating
- Usually no toilet or shower
- Cooking happens outdoors in the rain or wind
- Limited storage for gear
- Fewer listings than larger trailers, especially in the UK
What a teardrop costs to hire
In the US, teardrop and pop-up trailers typically run around $60–$130 a night, below the roughly $75–$225 for travel trailers and the $150–$350 for most RV hire. Prices rise in school holidays, at weekends and for larger or better-equipped models. Many owners set a minimum stay, a prep fee or a mileage or generator allowance, so read the listing.
If you do not have a tow vehicle, many owners offer delivery and setup, often about $150–$300 round trip locally. A rental may also include extras such as a camp stove, bedding or levelling blocks, so check what is provided. For a full price breakdown see how much it costs to rent an RV.
How hire works
- Search for teardrops near you with your dates.
- Check the listing: delivery option, whether the hitch and wiring are included, the towing requirements, and the insurance details.
- Book through our partner Outdoorsy. Insurance and payment protection come with every booking, and 24/7 roadside assistance is optional.
- Collect it or have it delivered. Allow time for the owner to show you the hitch, the lights and the galley.
Teardrops are most common in North America and Australia, with fewer in the UK. See the US RV rental guide, the Canada guide or the Australia guide for local detail, and the insurance guide to see what cover means.
Other types of camper
Not sure a teardrop is right? Compare it with a pop-up camper, which folds down for towing and gives more room, or a travel trailer, which has a bathroom and standing height. A truck camper is another option if you have a pickup. The camper trailer overview compares all the towable types side by side.
FAQs
Can a small car tow a teardrop camper?
Often yes, but it depends on the car's rated towing capacity, the trailer's loaded weight and the noseweight. Check the figures in your handbook, compare them with the listing, and ask the owner if you are unsure. Do not assume any car will do.
Do I need a special licence to tow a teardrop in the UK?
No. Since 16 December 2021, a standard car licence lets you tow trailers up to 3,500 kg MAM. A teardrop is well under that, but your car's own towing limit still applies.
Can you stand up in a teardrop camper?
No. The cabin is low, so you sit or lie down. Some models have an extra-tall cabin, but most are built for sleeping and storage, with cooking and relaxing done outside.
Do teardrop campers have a toilet?
Most do not. Plan to use campsite toilets and showers, or choose a model that lists a cassette toilet or outdoor shower. Check each listing.
How much does it cost to hire a teardrop camper?
In the US, typically around $60–$130 a night, with delivery and setup extra if you need it. Prices vary with season, size and equipment.
Can I take a teardrop camper off-road?
Some are built with higher ground clearance and sturdier suspension for rough tracks, but most owners restrict use to normal roads and campsites. Check the listing and rental terms before you go.
Find one for your dates: search trailers and campers near you.