After deciding on going for a road or camping trip, the main decision now might be choosing where you’ll be staying for the night.
While RVs are widely popular, they’re not precisely space-efficient. That’s why you might cast your sights on either a pop-up camper or a teardrop trailer.
Both campers are exceptional choices because of how compact they are. It makes them easy to move around in. Their design concepts are similar, but the differences lie in price points and aesthetic appearances.
Stick around if you want to better know whether to choose a pop-up camper vs. a teardrop.
About Pop-up Campers
When you think of a pop-up camper, you might compare it to one of those expandable organizers. You can pop them open to store your items, and if they’re not in use, you just fold them up and quickly shove them inside a drawer.
With pop-up campers, you first get a small trailer. Then when you pop every side open, it becomes a more livable space.
You can have a bedroom, dining area, or a kitchen with a proper sink. Other pop-up campers can have bathrooms as well. The best part is, if you’re camping on a particularly sunny or chilly day, you can store an AC or heater unit in there.
This tent in a camper creation can be stored away in your garage or backyard easily. When it’s closed, its size is around seven feet and six inches in height and five feet in width.
About Teardrop Trailers
Teardrop trailers are easily recognizable by their signature domed exterior. Most of these trailers come in small sizes, accommodating a single bedroom space.
Other teardrop trailers can be larger and provide more room for other uses, such as a kitchen or additional beds. You can even find a bathroom in some rare models.
If you’re wondering why these trailers became so popular, it might be due to their vintage aesthetic that entices a large portion of campers.
Other than that, they’re among the most lightweight trailer attachment options out there. They average at around 1000 to 4000 lbs.
Pop-up Camper vs. Teardrop
Now that you know more about pop-up campers and teardrops, it’s time to figure out which one will be the right option for you.
Both trailers might be suitable, but it all comes down to the price point or how often you’ll be using the contraption.
Here is a brief comparison of pop-up camper vs. teardrop without further ado.
Arrangement
Picture yourself on the outdoor excursion, and it’s time to set up everything. You might think, which camper requires less effort to prepare? This round might have to go to the teardrop trailer.
With a pop-up camper, you’ll need to, as the name foretells, pop it up. The process might be pretty easy, to begin with, but once it’s time to pack everything up, then it might take you a long while to close the pop-up back to its compact shape.
On the other hand, with a teardrop trailer, all you need to do is have it towed to your vehicle. You don’t need to crank it open like a pop-up.
Appearance
This might come down to personal taste, but a teardrop trailer might be more conventionally appealing looks-wise.
A pop-up camper might look clunky, as opposed to the teardrop trailer’s sleek and minimalist design. Nevertheless, that also depends on the pop-up camper model you bring. Modern pop-up camper models can sometimes offer a better look.
Apart from that, pop-up campers’ roof tent fabric will also bear more maintenance measures since rain can bring mold and mildew if improperly cleaned.
Space
Appearances aren’t usually in touch with functionality. In other words, just because it looks pretty doesn’t mean it’s better.
Sure, a teardrop trailer might seem aesthetically pleasing, but it carries less space than a pop-up camper.
Teardrop trailers might not even allow you to properly stand up because of how low they can be. Meanwhile, pop-ups offer you more space and room for comfort.
Price
If you’re reflecting on the price, you’ll need to take into consideration that some trailer models are more expensive due to added features.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, then you might want to think about getting a used trailer.
On average, a pop-up camper takes the cake in terms of price. These campers can range from around $5,000 to $20,000.
Teardrop trailers can set you back a heftier $10,000 to $40,000. In this case, a pop-up camper could be a better option since it provides a lot more space for a cheaper price tag.
What if you’re thinking of renting to try both before buying? Well, pop-up campers are still cheaper as well, but both options are pretty close. A pop-up camper can cost around $40 to over $190 per night, while a teardrop is about $50 to $130.
The renting option is perfect if you don’t want to fully commit to a trailer. You wouldn’t need to deal with other costs relating to maintenance.
Pros of Pop-up Camper
- More spacious
- Affordable pricing
- Easily towed due to lightweight
- Includes running water
Cons of Pop-up Camper
- Inconvenient setup process
- Requires more maintenance
Pros of Teardrop Trailer
- Aerodynamic design
- Sturdier
- Lightweight
- It comes with a lock
Cons of Teardrop Trailer
- Less spacious
- Higher in price
To Conclude
After getting a good rundown of pop-up campers and teardrops, you might already have chosen your pick.
If you’re a small family or maybe a couple, a teardrop trailer might be more sufficient. It’s sturdy and can provide enough space. You can even hook it up to a car, which makes transportation easier.
A pop-up camper might be a more fitting choice if you’re accommodating a larger crowd. It has a lot more space, plus it’s more budget-friendly.
Whichever trailer you choose, we hope you have an enjoyable and comfortable trip.