Fewer class B vans, lots of teardrops

[booster]

We just got home from our yearly 2 weeks at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have been doing this trip in various lengths since 2009, before we retired, so shorter then but longer for the last 10 years.


We stay in and older, smaller, shorter sites, in park, campground so it is a good chance to see what the "not large" camper trends are over the years. Early on it was nearly all popups and tents, plus us in our Roadtrek. Small trailers and a few Cs are now in the mix also.



Class B vans had started to get very common around 2018 and all over the place by the end of Covid, but now, only a couple of years later, they seem to be seen much less often on this trip.


On the 600+ mile drive out to Custer we saw only a couple of Bs and very few RVs in general which was a very big surprise and different than normal. We wrote it off to the unsettled weather that had just passed, but may have been wrong on that.


We had no class Bs in the 23 site for the entire first week we were there. Maybe 3 or 4 the next week with them mostly 1 or 2 nights. That is way down from even last year when there had already started the trend down in numbers.


On the trip home we saw more RVs and probably 4-5 Bs which is still low compared to the past.


On the other hand, in Custer teardrops of both traditional and "box" versions were all over the place. There were 4+ in the campground almost all the time as they rotated through for various length stays. The owners looked to be on the ends of the age groups, young couples or retired/near retired couples. The trend started last year and now has gotten substantially bigger.



Perhaps the crazy high B pricing is driving the less affluent entry level campers to the teardrops as it is probably a much easier entry path. Lower price trailer and towable without having to buy a big pickup to do it with.


I have no idea if this is happening elsewhere, though, as Custer is in the heart of flyover country and a long ways from major population centers, so may be a totally different dynamic than other areas have.


I wonder what we will see next year?


We had one teardrop of the very small size two sites from us for a few days that had probably every matching accessory you could get for it. Huge attached tent with a tunnel to trailer with separate fly over it to waterproof the connection the trailer. Special umbrella on bracket to the rear hitch of the trailer to cover the outdoor kitchen. Piles of bags and storage boxes that matched the tent with several coolers also. It took them over 2 hours to set it all up and another 2 to take it all down and pack it up. Of course if it was windy and raining the kitchen was not usable unless you got really wet as the umbrella had to come down in it was windy.

[mumkin]

Sounds like a new entertainment channel for those of us with B's. Even longer than the usual camping trailer or 5th wheel set-up. It sounds like they figured out how to make even a little teardrop an expensive camping mode. lol

[booster]

Originally Posted by mumkin

Sounds like a new entertainment channel for those of us with B's. Even longer than the usual camping trailer or 5th wheel set-up. It sounds like they figured out how to make even a little teardrop an expensive camping mode. lol

It certainly was entertaining to watch the whole adventure.


We are die hard camper watchers so we can see how hard or easy different ways of camping to setup and use, especially since we don't even plug in anymore and don't need blocks at Custer. We usually do leave our mat upside down on the picnic table though. It is painted with a bit "site occupied" line.

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by booster

We just got home from our yearly 2 weeks at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have been doing this trip in various lengths since 2009, before we retired, so shorter then but longer for the last 10 years.


We stay in and older, smaller, shorter sites, in park, campground so it is a good chance to see what the "not large" camper trends are over the years. Early on it was nearly all popups and tents, plus us in our Roadtrek. Small trailers and a few Cs are now in the mix also.



Class B vans had started to get very common around 2018 and all over the place by the end of Covid, but now, only a couple of years later, they seem to be seen much less often on this trip.


On the 600+ mile drive out to Custer we saw only a couple of Bs and very few RVs in general which was a very big surprise and different than normal. We wrote it off to the unsettled weather that had just passed, but may have been wrong on that.


We had no class Bs in the 23 site for the entire first week we were there. Maybe 3 or 4 the next week with them mostly 1 or 2 nights. That is way down from even last year when there had already started the trend down in numbers.


On the trip home we saw more RVs and probably 4-5 Bs which is still low compared to the past.


On the other hand, in Custer teardrops of both traditional and "box" versions were all over the place. There were 4+ in the campground almost all the time as they rotated through for various length stays. The owners looked to be on the ends of the age groups, young couples or retired/near retired couples. The trend started last year and now has gotten substantially bigger.



Perhaps the crazy high B pricing is driving the less affluent entry level campers to the teardrops as it is probably a much easier entry path. Lower price trailer and towable without having to buy a big pickup to do it with.


I have no idea if this is happening elsewhere, though, as Custer is in the heart of flyover country and a long ways from major population centers, so may be a totally different dynamic than other areas have.


I wonder what we will see next year?


We had one teardrop of the very small size two sites from us for a few days that had probably every matching accessory you could get for it. Huge attached tent with a tunnel to trailer with separate fly over it to waterproof the connection the trailer. Special umbrella on bracket to the rear hitch of the trailer to cover the outdoor kitchen. Piles of bags and storage boxes that matched the tent with several coolers also. It took them over 2 hours to set it all up and another 2 to take it all down and pack it up. Of course if it was windy and raining the kitchen was not usable unless you got really wet as the umbrella had to come down in it was windy.

....teardrops or others. Insane prices will have an impact on financial validity of many B-class startups when they will have to compete in a saturated, highly depreciated used market.

[Moto vita]

Originally Posted by booster

We just got home from our yearly 2 weeks at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. We have been doing this trip in various lengths since 2009, before we retired, so shorter then but longer for the last 10 years.


We stay in and older, smaller, shorter sites, in park, campground so it is a good chance to see what the "not large" camper trends are over the years. Early on it was nearly all popups and tents, plus us in our Roadtrek. Small trailers and a few Cs are now in the mix also.



Class B vans had started to get very common around 2018 and all over the place by the end of Covid, but now, only a couple of years later, they seem to be seen much less often on this trip.


On the 600+ mile drive out to Custer we saw only a couple of Bs and very few RVs in general which was a very big surprise and different than normal. We wrote it off to the unsettled weather that had just passed, but may have been wrong on that.


We had no class Bs in the 23 site for the entire first week we were there. Maybe 3 or 4 the next week with them mostly 1 or 2 nights. That is way down from even last year when there had already started the trend down in numbers.


On the trip home we saw more RVs and probably 4-5 Bs which is still low compared to the past.


On the other hand, in Custer teardrops of both traditional and "box" versions were all over the place. There were 4+ in the campground almost all the time as they rotated through for various length stays. The owners looked to be on the ends of the age groups, young couples or retired/near retired couples. The trend started last year and now has gotten substantially bigger.



Perhaps the crazy high B pricing is driving the less affluent entry level campers to the teardrops as it is probably a much easier entry path. Lower price trailer and towable without having to buy a big pickup to do it with.


I have no idea if this is happening elsewhere, though, as Custer is in the heart of flyover country and a long ways from major population centers, so may be a totally different dynamic than other areas have.


I wonder what we will see next year?


We had one teardrop of the very small size two sites from us for a few days that had probably every matching accessory you could get for it. Huge attached tent with a tunnel to trailer with separate fly over it to waterproof the connection the trailer. Special umbrella on bracket to the rear hitch of the trailer to cover the outdoor kitchen. Piles of bags and storage boxes that matched the tent with several coolers also. It took them over 2 hours to set it all up and another 2 to take it all down and pack it up. Of course if it was windy and raining the kitchen was not usable unless you got really wet as the umbrella had to come down in it was windy.

What is a box teardrop?

[booster]

A box teardrop, as I have had it described to me by my FP doctor who has one, is small trailer with the same layout and features as a regular teardrop, but with a top that is flat rather than curved, so it can get a bit more storage area. Basically it looks like a small and low box trailer with a few windows and tiny doors. The kitchen still opens out from the rear, also.

[RobRyan]

I think this topic is fascinating from my perspective it appears that the proliferation or Teardrop and small trailers a result of the influence of the Australian RV industry on the various Overland exhibitions. Australia has the third largest RV industry globally it's specialises in off-road as a result companies like red arc and ARB have had enormous impact on the various Overland exhibitions in the US. Manyi startup US off-road companies copied Australian hybrid caravans some not so well another's a passable job, Teardrops are a US thing. No not many Australian caravans are small as you get Truck pulled Off Eoad rigs weighing 26,000lbs

[RobRyan]

Originally Posted by booster

A box teardrop, as I have had it described to me by my FP doctor who has one, is small trailer with the same layout and features as a regular teardrop, but with a top that is flat rather than curved, so it can get a bit more storage area. Basically it looks like a small and low box trailer with a few windows and tiny doors. The kitchen still opens out from the rear, also.

Looks like a very bad imitation of a Hyvrid Caravan

[RobRyan]

A 26000lb Off Road Caravan and tow vehicle

[Doneworking]

Interesting, Booster. We made the same observations a couple of weeks ago on a ten day stay in a campground in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. This campground can accommodate big rigs and with 20 something sites it had a real assortment during our stay. We saw a few Bs, a lot of fivers and a bunch of small tear drop and boxes. I don't think I have ever seen that many of those small trailers in this campground in the past. We have been going to the campground for most of forty years.

Mostly, they came and stayed anywhere from one to three nights and then were gone. I walk the campground several times a day for exercise, visit with other campers and generally take in the sights.

What I don't understand is after seeing these things at RV shows and looking at the prices, I conclude you can buy a nice light weight pull behind conventional travel trailer near the same price ranges. Buy a trailer a couple of years old and you get a real deal.

Personally, I fail to see the attraction of the tear drops, but there is something for every one.

[RobRyan]

Yes if it is Off Road makes sense, otherwise get a conventional Light caravan possibly the Scamp type ' Eggs' would make more sense

[Traverse12]

I have a 2012 Pleasure Way Traverse with a busted window latch. It's the passenger side rear side pop-out window. The manufacturer of these windows and latches is out of business and there are no spare latches to be found. Any ideas for how I can get this perfectly good window to function again?

[booster]

Originally Posted by Traverse12

I have a 2012 Pleasure Way Traverse with a busted window latch. It's the passenger side rear side pop-out window. The manufacturer of these windows and latches is out of business and there are no spare latches to be found. Any ideas for how I can get this perfectly good window to function again?

I think this was meant for another discussion that is going on.

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by Traverse12

I have a 2012 Pleasure Way Traverse with a busted window latch. It's the passenger side rear side pop-out window. The manufacturer of these windows and latches is out of business and there are no spare latches to be found. Any ideas for how I can get this perfectly good window to function again?

You likely need to start a new thread as few will see this in the middle of a thread on Teardrops...

[mumkin]

Originally Posted by RobRyan

A 26000lb Off Road Caravan and tow vehicle

Good Grief!! Be ready for the Apocalypse.