Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes a High Camp teardrop trailer different from its competitors?
I have been asked this question for years and technically speaking, my answer has always been that it is the “fit & finish” of our trailers - basically that we took the time and energy to “finish” all the details on the trailer to a standard higher than other trailer manufacturers. To us it means: no exposed plywood edges on our cabinetry, using stainless steel hinges & cabinet pulls, no plastic RV lights, and not accepting material flaws in our materials as “fine”… We don’t measure ourselves against other trailer builders in terms of fit & finish- we aspire to standards set in the Marine and Automotive markets. Can you imagine climbing aboard a luxury Catamaran and seeing cabinets with exposed plywood edges? Neither can we; but we see it all the time on expensive camping trailers.
But this really misses the reason “fit & finish” matters. After all - it’s a camping trailer – “what difference does it make if they spent the time making everything beautiful?”
It’s important because I believe that we perfect what we practice every day. So what you see on the surface of any trailer reflects what you would see under all the aluminum and moldings- the pride and attention (or lack thereof) to the very way that your trailer is put together. To deliver a product with great “fit & finish”, you cannot just do it on the last day, like it was a coat of paint; it has to be built into every step from Day 1. So is it nice that High Camp’s surface “fit & finish” is second to none? Yes, but its real value is in the way that quality extends into the very bones of the trailer itself.
I’ve heard claims that camping trailers built with welded metal internal frames, fiberglass bodies and other construction methods are better for offroad travel/overlanding than traditional wood body construction. What is your opinion?
Medium-duty off-road conditions like unmaintained dirt roads with ruts, washes, gulches, and washboard sections are common conditions that a teardrop tackles particularly well vs. a longer/taller trailer. A High Camp uses a Dexter torsion axle which handles washboard surfaces nicely owing to the independent suspension it offers. Our General Grabber A/TX tires are a great semi-soft compound that offers great traction and a softer ride than overly-aggressive blocky tires.
However, more to the point of structural stability- our design creates a torsion box that is extremely resistant to warping (or torsion) under stress. Honestly, I can say that both a metal-framed teardrop and a wood-built teardrop is going to be plenty strong for offroad travel, simply due to the fact that the low height/short length/narrow width of the trailer simply does not create the leverage on the structure that creates instability and failure. In contrast, a standard trailer that is 10-11 feet tall, 8 feet wide and 15-20 feet long is a much bigger, flimsier box that creates high leverage/stress on every joint and contact point. A small box, regardless of materials is just inherently stiffer and stronger (ours just happens to be even stronger than most).
Finally, while this is all engineering talk, there’s nothing like a real-world example to prove a point! If you have a few minutes to watch the amazing video below, it'll prove the point that a wood teardrop trailer can withstand even rigorous offroad conditions (even when built with much less rigid plywood panels than those engineered today).
What are the trailer's interior dimensions?
The trailer's cabin is designed around a standard queen size bed (80" long x 60" wide). There is 40 inches of headroom from the top of the mattress to the ceiling, giving a feeling of spaciousness to an occupant lying down or sitting up.
An important design consideration for our trailers was not overwhelming the cabin with overly large upper cabinets. Many manufacturers overdo cabin storage as a sales point, but end up creating a more cramped sleeping experience for buyers once they start camping. We believe the cabin is for comfortable sleeping, not storing items that could more easily be organized in the tow vehicle or the tongue box storage.
What are the teardrop trailer's dry weight, tongue weight, and GVWR? Can my car pull a High Camp trailer?
A High Camp teardrop trailer has a dry weight (without camping gear, water, etc...) of 1,620 pounds and a tongue weight of 190 pounds (with propane cylinders filled). Check your vehicle's manual, or ask your dealer or mechanic what your vehicle's tow ratings are. Also consider the ratings on any hitch installed on your vehicle as they have their own set of specifications. Generally speaking, a Class 2 or Class 3 hitch is more than adequate to carry the tongue weight of a High Camp trailer comfortably.
The GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) for every High Camp teardrop trailer is 2,500 pounds. This is a rating that is determined by the maximum weight capacity of the axles and wheels. Our torsion axles are rated at 2,500 to properly carry the weight of the trailer and gear down the road without excessive bouncing.
Do I need electric brakes for my state's requirements or for safety?
We've made it easier and safer for you by making 10” electric drum brakes standard equipment on every trailer. We believe the small additional cost to add them at the time of construction is more than repaid over time since they reduce wear on your tow vehicle's brake system, which is much more expensive to repair. Besides taking considerable strain off your tow vehicle's brakes on downhills and in stop & go traffic, brakes on the trailer greatly improves your response during emergency situations and can avoid jackknifing in hard braking situations.
I've never towed a trailer with brakes- How are the brakes on the trailer activated/controlled?
In order for the standard 10" electric drum brakes on the teardrop trailer to work, you need a brake controller installed on your vehicle (usually mounted beneath the dashboard or at the hitch via Bluetooth). A brake controller senses that the vehicle is slowing via an internal accelerometer and sends a pre-set voltage back to the axle to apply the electromagnetic brakes on the trailer. This is an easy install for any hitch installer or uHaul service center.
How is the Trailer chassis built?
Every High Camp teardrop trailer chassis is built from square steel tube. The chassis is fully welded and features a stout 2" x 3" tongue with 2" ball coupler, safety chains, and breakaway activator for the trailer brakes. The frame is powder coated dark gray for a good looking, durable finish that will outlast any any other traditionally painted frames.
The chassis is wired with a 7-pin wiring harness that controls all side marker lights, brake and turn signals and reverse light, as well as operates the trailer's electric brakes and facilitates charging of the trailer battery from the tow vehicle's alternator.
How is the teardrop trailer body constructed? What materials are used?
A High Camp teardrop trailer is designed to maximize strength and withstand the elements. All of the wood components are CNC milled for precision from high-quality 3/4" birch plywood manufactured here in Oregon. It is a premium hardwood plywood constructed from uniform laminations of solid grade 1/16" Birch that results in an all-hardwood core panel that is strong and straight with almost no voids. Each sheet has a formaldehyde-free core and is finished in a durable, zero-VOC clear coat. You simply won't find any other teardrop manufacturers building with a better quality plywood.
Is the bottom of the trailer covered in aluminum or that Polyethylene underbelly material? What is the floor made of? How is it Protected?
Regarding the floor- it is a single 5' x 8' sheet of 3/4" hardwood-core plywood with exterior grade glue. We actually ship units of this plywood up from San Diego as this is the closest distributor that sources this high-quality plywood. There are no scarf joints or seams in the floor and the plies have as near to zero voids as I have ever seen. And since a picture is worth a thousand words..
The bottom of the floor is coated in 3 coats of "Battleship Gray" Dock paint with an added fungicide to avoid mold or mildew under the trailer even if it is stored outside during the off season. The top/inside is coated with a zero VOC, UV-cured clear coat finish. You do not want to have any type of covering material (like this- https://interstatervmetalandsupply.com/collections/under-belly-materials-blue-board-insulation/products/darco-skin) or belly pan over the floor since water or moisture can get trapped in between the floor and belly pan/material and cause mold/mildew and rot. An open floor is the best to allow road spray and any moisture to drip off and air dry. The Dock paint holds up indefinitely since it is not exposed to UV rays and is actually relatively well protected. Also should an area be scraped or damaged, spot applying is a snap since everything is open underneath.
Why does a High Camp weigh more than some other teardrops?
The short answer is that we use better materials. (more to come...)
Can a High Camp teardrop trailer handle off road conditions?
A High Camp teardrop trailer excels in difficult terrain. The frame is fully welded with a very beefy tongue configuration that extends all the way back to the axle creating a very strong triangle between coupler and both wheels. The torsion axle on a High Camp trailer is well suited for handling rougher roads like gravel fire roads at speed, or picking its way through rocky terrain. And with approximately 12" of ground clearance, a High Camp teardrop trailer can follow behind just about anything that any tow vehicle can negotiate. A High Camp trailer actually has significantly more ground clearance than many of its popular tow vehicles. Consider that the top 10 “high-clearance” trucks are: Ram 1500 (10.3”),Ford F-150 Raptor (11.2”), Toyota Tundra (10.6”), Toyota Tacoma (9.4”), GMC Sierra (9.1”), Nissan Titan XD (8.8”), Chevrolet Silverado (8.8”), Chevrolet Colorado (8.4”) and other common tow vehicles we see - Inches Subaru Outback (8.7" ground clearance), Jeep Grand Cherokee (8.6"), Toyota 4Runner (9.6"). The aggressive tread of our standard 6-ply General Grabber AT tires and torsion bar suspension combine for traction, clearance and durability.
Some manufacturers offer a sink/faucet and water tank option... why doesn't High Camp?
While we understand the initial draw to a sink/water tank option and have in fact installed these on some early builds at the request of customers, our own experience with these systems has led us to see that their Cons far outweigh their Pros (in our opinion). Here's why... A sink takes up precious counter space in a teardrop, as well as storage space below to accommodate drain plumbing. A sink small enough to fit in the counter is too small to be useful for doing much more than brushing your teeth in, or washing a cup or two. Some builders have a sink with 8 gallon fresh and gray water storage, which is a very small amount of water considering your average low-flow 12-volt water pump is about 1 gallon per minute. A full tank of fresh water will only give you 8 minutes of water flow (including washing, drinking water and filling pots of water for coffee/spaghetti, not to mention if you actually wanted to take a hot shower or two). In addition, a trailer with a built-in water system needs to be winterized every year, otherwise you will burst a supply line and/or pump. Lastly, polyethylene fresh water tanks invariably develop a stale plastic taste meaning you will likely find yourself bringing extra gallons of water simply to drink anyway. The High Camp solution is our Aquacube on-demand water heater that provides hot or cold water for dishes or a long hot shower. You can customize the amount of water you need for the length of your trip simply by bringing more or fewer 5-gallon "Jerry" cans of water. Jerry cans are great because they come in various sizes/capacities, are relatively inexpensive, can be easily emptied and stored dry when not in use so that they don't develop any "unwanted" taste or odor, and can be stored either in the tow vehicle or added to the trailer itself.
Do I need a battery isolator to prevent draining the tow vehicle battery when the tow vehicle is not running?
The quick answer is you don't NEED one installed in the trailer. To isolate the trailer battery from the tow vehicle battery, all you need to do is unplug the 7-pin plug from the vehicle. If you would like to be able to skip that step and have the fail-safe of an isolator, we recommend installing it in the tow vehicle itself. They are inexpensive, and much easier to install in the engine compartment of the car without taking up valuable space in the trailer itself, not to mention ease of serviceability in the car rather than in the trailer.
I don’t know what a “Deep Cycle” battery is - how is it different from other batteries and what does it power on the trailer?
For a more thorough discussion on this, check out our recent blog post on Batteries! A deep cycle battery is designed to provide sustained power over a long period and run reliably until it is 70% discharged or more, at which point it needs to be recharged. It is important to note that although deep cycle batteries can be discharged up to 80%, the more deeply discharged a battery repeatedly is, the shorter the lifespan of that battery will be.
The level of discharge is the “deep cycle” and stands in contrast to other types of batteries that provide only short bursts of energy before they need to be recharged. For instance, a car starter battery discharges only a tiny percentage -- usually 2% to 5% -- each time it is used. A starter battery provides high intensity power (vs. sustained power) over a few seconds (vs. hours).
The deep cycle battery powers everything on the trailer including reading lights, cabin overhead fan, galley light, and anything plugged into the 12-volt outlets in the cabin and galley.
Does the solar package attach to the trailer?
The trailer comes pre-wired with a universal SAE port to plug any portable solar panel package into. Alternatively, you can select the Lightleaf attached solar panel Option, reducing the space needed to store the panel during transport. Many people find that our 170 amp-hour AGM deep-cycle battery, or 206 amp-hour Lithium battery options provide more that enough power for medium-length trips without the need for additional solar inputs.
Do you, or anyone else, rent High Camp teardrop trailers so I can try before I buy?
No, we do not rent High Camp trailers as this is really an entirely different business and our sole focus is on building quality trailers for our customers. Renting trailers would be a major distraction from that effort. Several other companies rent trailers and would be reasonable proxies for experiencing camping in a teardrop. You can always rent to get the feel for teardrop camping and then come see what we are offering with that experience and knowledge.
Do you offer shipping for out-of-state or out-of-country customers?
Yes, we certainly do. We have customers from all over the country and can help facilitate flatbed shipping of a finished High Camp using a Portland-based shipping broker that we have worked with regularly, or we can work with your own shipping broker/company. Shipping rates are very difficult to estimate since it is not simply a matter of distance from us to you, but a more complicated equation accounting for your closeness to shipping hub cities and major freight corridors and time of year. If a trip to pick up isn’t in the cards for you, let’s explore shipping options and costs upfront to help you get some visibility on what it might cost to get your High Camp to you.
Do I have to pay any taxes/DMV fees when I pick up in Oregon?
None at all. Oregon does not have a sales tax. However, keep in mind that if you live out of state, when you go to your state’s DMV to apply for a title and plates for your trailer, your DMV may assess taxes and fees based on the final purchase price of the trailer. Consult your local DMV to find out what these may be.
What is your Cancellation policy?
As a very small teardrop camper builder, cancellations and refunds put significant stresses on our cash flows. Our employees, customers and vendors rely on our continued financial stability that cancellations and refunds strain. As such, all deposits are non-refundable once paid. We structure our deposits to minimize any “penalty” for customers who need to cancel their orders for unforeseen reasons. The initial $1,500 deposit (7.5% of Base price) is small compared to the 30%-50% deposits often required from other teardrop trailer builders. Further, we do not request any other deposits until 6-8 weeks prior to the expected completion of your trailer (when we are actively purchasing supplies & materials for the build.)
However, we have no interest in penalizing our customers in the event they need to cancel their order. One option is for the customer to see their order through to completion, making final payment and taking possession of the trailer and then simply listing the trailer for immediate sale in the private market. Custom-built teardrops are widely known to have lead times extending many months or even more than a year and a high-quality teardrop trailer listed on RVTrader, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace should find a new owner quickly and with minimal discount, if any, to the price paid.
For customers who would like to avoid the work of selling the trailer themselves in the private marketplace, but have made final payment for the trailer, we are happy to facilitate finding a buyer who may be seeking a ready-to-go teardrop through High Camp. In the event we find a buyer for the trailer and receive full payment for it from the new buyer, we will refund all monies paid to the original customer.