Let's talk Teardrop Trailers

Can you define "larger than stock trans cooler"? What did you go with? Also, did you plumb a temp sensor into the trans lines? I did that once years ago on my old Bronco, but I'm not sure I want to mount a round-faced mechanical gauge in my Taco.

The only new Baja Edition AC I could find in 2013 was not equipped with the factory the tow package, so I'm slowly upgrading for towing. The truck came with Toyota class-3 hitch and 4-wire harness dealer installed. I added a factory oil-to-water cooler after finding a kit of genuine factory parts at Source One Auto Parts: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-oil-cooler-parts-kit-for-4-0l.462618/. Next will be the trans cooler and I was going to hunt down a factory unit, but I'm always open to advice from folks who have already tried stuff.

After that the higher output factory alternator and wiring for a 7-wire plug will happen. The bigger battery will go in when the factory non-tow battery dies. I already have a single add-a-leaf from wheelers to deal with cargo.

Now I just need something to tow!

 

I'm figure these are too small for my wife and I and 2 kids. Age 2 and 7

 

I'll throw mine in here if it's ok. It's a Tiger Moth by Taxa outdoors. We were looking at tear drops when we came across this and it fit all our needs. We got the basic camper and then I have done a ton of mods since then including extending the tougue, widening the frame in the front, Installing a Lock N Roll hitch, I fabbed a 24"x24"x60" steel box on the front to house the fridge and for storage, dual batteries, and dual solar. We have become self sufficient and have been traveling all over Va and up into Pa so far. We absolutely love it. After millitary and 17 years as Girl Scout leaders we were done with tents this is the perfect compromise. Simple, rugged, and light it also gives us a sitting area inside if needed.













Sorry for the photo bomb but I love these tiny campers all kinds. They're just so much fun

 

Get a bigger one.

Not being a smart a$$, but they are built in many different sizes. Some even have bunks inside.

Or, you could put a RTT on the top for the kids.

 

Larger than stock is just that - the cooler I added is physically larger that the stock one. The replacement is about 2 1/2 times larger that stock - more surface area for cooling.

I replaced the factory cooler with Derale one:



It is installed where the stock one was:



I also added an external filter (this is where I pick up the transmission temperature - the brass fitting):



It is installed behind the passenger headlight:




I fabricated a mount on the a-pillar to hold two gauges:



My CB is mounted in the center console, so I couldn't put the gauges there. Someone makes a mount to hold 1 or 2 gauges on the top of the steering column - but I have plans for that. And, I really like to have trans temp and oil pressure up high, were I can easily monitor them.

Ask any other questions you have, and more detail is in my build thread.

If you decide to go with a stock cooler, mine is available.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

What steps could I take to build a teardrop that could support a RTT (let's say... 500lbs)? I've seen a few that you can buy new that can handle a RTT but most of the builds I've seen don't have RTTs.

Just curious, I'd love to build one but if I'm going to, it's gonna last a while. And while I don't have a RTT right now, I can see a day where I might need one in addition to the teardrop for kiddos and such.

 

How's the fit-and-finish on your Escapod? I'm seriously considering one, but I've seen some videos and pics online that gave me pause. There were some uneven gaps in corners, light coming through joints, and it looks like all the wiring is butt-spliced and not soldered or connected with automotive-grade plugs. Also, the battery controller was just mounted inside of the front interior storage compartment with the (butt-spliced) wires hanging loose and easy to snag. Most of the videos and pics I found that were not part of their official marketing showed older models, and in one case a heavily used rental, so maybe the new models are better. The price and features are perfect for me, but I have never seen one in person.

 

A strong roof!

I've seen steel framed teardrops, which should be able to handle the weight but make for a heavy trailer. I'm sure you build one strong enough out of wood, too. If it were me, I would probably build an inner frame structure, specifically to carry the RTT weight.

Check out the Teardrops n tiny Trailers forum - tnttt.com - for more ideas.

 

Nope butI have been looking at them also

 

Thanks for the link!

I was toying with the idea of using a metal frame and then skinning it with wood, but I know 0 about metal working and not real sure where to start.

 

Do you use that as a shower tent in public campgrounds? I've been asking opinions since many rules prohibit dumping gray water, which a portable shower tent technically would.

 

I have but only a couple of times at State and National parks. It doubles as a bathroom and a shower. I never saw any rules against it where we were or we wouldn't have done it. It is a deffinate asset to have and the "Green elephant" is a really well made one that just folds rt up

 

Gotcha, thanks. Not that a camp shower generates much runoff at all.

 

Nope and we are very frugal with the water. When your camping in the summer humidity and get to feeling all greasey a quick wash makes alot of difference.

 

From what I have noticed there are two ways to mount the roof rack to support the RTT. One would be mounting the brackets directly on to the roof. The other way is to mount the brackets on the side wall. Like Oregon Trailer does on their teardrops http://www.oregontrailer.net/teardrop-trailers.html

 

I have not experienced any of the things you mentioned above. The fuse box is located inside the interior headboard compartment, but wiring is coiled and tacked in place with wire mounts. In fact, the Escapod trailer I bought was a 2018 and was used as a rental for the spring/summer of 2018. It has some basic wear, but nothing that remotely concerned me (or deterred me from buying). I was looking to get a brand new one, but this former rental became available for much less money and immediate pickup (new one would not have been available until April/May). It was also spec-ed exactly the way I wanted. The only thing I upgraded was a set of new 17" wheels and tires (it came with 15").

I looked at a lot of trailers, demo-ed a few and came up with a short list. After visiting the Escapod HQ in Wanship, UT, I was sold. The owner took me through the entire operation, viewing multiple trailers at various stages of the build process. Their attention to detail was second to none. Personally, I like the idea of a hand-made trailer, built start-to-finish by 2 guys that care about their product. And I know where to find them if need be!!

A close second was Bean Trailers in SLC, UT. Great facility and a similar tour. They also make a really great product. I demo-ed the Mean Bean trailer and it was awesome. They are a little more expensive than the Escapod, but also have some more features. However, the extra features were not really things I was looking for.

Third was the Nu-Camp Outback (now called the Boondock). It was nice. It had a lot of extras that I would never use and it was the most expensive on my short list.

Here is a really bad photo of the interior storage cabinets and my feet.

 

Good info here! I am also new to towing. Do you know of any towing limitations in the 3rd gen Tacomas? I have a 2017 TRD OR and it is pretty much straight stock w/ towing packing. My little teardrop is right at 1677 lbs loaded up (without water) and does not have trailer brakes.

I have had it for a month and only towed it home from the factory (30 miles). That short trip was over a mountain pass and the truck seemed to perform like normal. I did no manual shifting and didn't use the "ECT" button. Should I be doing either of those things?? Thanks!

 

These are stock equipment on my Escapod trailer. They were also on a Bean Trailer that I demoed. I don't know much more about them. It's a smooth ride and great clearance!

 

Thanks for the heads up