What are the standard features?
Frame & Running Gear:
Fully welded and Powder coated custom steel frame
2,500-pound torsion axle
2" ball coupler
10" electric drum brakes
15” solid aluminum rims and 6-ply General Grabber AT2 tires
Emergency breakaway switch (automatically activates trailer brakes from on-board battery)
Drop down trailer stabilizers at rear corner
Rhino-Lined heavy gauge steel fenders
Clear Anodized aluminum exterior (.04" thick) for durability and a maintenance-free satin finish
7-pin trailer connector equipped with tow vehicle charging and brake line (*requires brake controller installed in vehicle*)
LED marker lights & LED tail lights with integrated reverse light
Lighted license plate bracket
Propane & Electrical Systems:
Propane:
Dual 20-pound (3.7 gallon) Composite fiberglass propane tanks (*lightweight and do not rust*)
Rugged, insulated Corrogated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) propane lines and brass fittings throughout
Electrical:
Victron 170 amp-hour Group 27 deep cycle battery
NOCO 10-amp 3-stage intelligent battery charger/converter
Renogy marine-grade battery monitor
15-amp shore power plug
Individual fuse-protected circuits for cabin lights, fan, DC outlets and galley lights/DC outlets
Cabin:
Warm birch cabinetry and paneling
5 foot wide cabin
High-quality 5" firm foam queen mattress
Largest available custom entry doors on any teardrop trailer
Entrance doors on both driver and passenger side.
12-speed remote-controlled roof fan
Single 5' x 8' exterior-grade 13-ply plywood floor
2 swiveling LED reading lights in cabin
1 overhead LED light in cabin
2 LED porch lights above each entrance door
2 folding cup holders on headboard
2 12-volt outlets for charging phones, laptops & devices in the headboard cubbies
2 coat hooks
Galley:
Slide-out 3-burner residential-style stainless steel cooktop
Slide-out Dometic/Mobicool 40 quart 12-volt fridge
48" warm-light spectrum LED overhead light in the galley
Large (36" L x 18" H x 8" deep) under counter storage cubby
Heavy-duty automotive hatch lifts
Locking hatch handle
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.
What are the exterior dimensions of a High Camp teardrop trailer?
A High Camp teardrop trailer's total footprint is 7 feet wide (outside of fender-to-outside of fender) and 12 feet long (coupler to license plate).The trailer is 5 1/2 feet tall from the ground to the roof.
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 pendulum 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 2" x 2" 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 trailer 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 bateries and what does it power on the trailer?
A deep cycle battery is designed to provide sustained power over a long period and run reliably until it is 80% 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 is over and over, 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 roof or just sit on the ground once in a resting spot?
The trailer comes pre-wired with a universal port to plug any solar panel into. We don't recommend solar panels mounted to the trailer itself for several reasons: (1) the trailer must be in full sun for the panels to charge. Therefore, if your campsite happens to be in shade, you would need to move the trailer out into available sun for charging. (2) solar panels need to be relatively perpendicular to the sun for full charge- this means more turning of the trailer to follow the path of the sun. (3) Mounted solar panels are constantly exposed to the elements, dirt, bug splatters, etc, eventually leading to lower power transfer. (4) Mounted panels represent a serviceability problem if they cease working. Serviceability should always be a consideration in any feature of a trailer. If a part/appliance fails, can the customer replace it easily with a minimum of mechanical work? Lastly, not having them mounted to the trailer means that a customer can make a decision on their necessity at a later date since they are "plug-n-play." Many people find that our standard deep-cyle AGM battery (or larger 170 amp-hour deep-cycle battery) provide more that enough power for weeks without shore power.
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 getting to know 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 pickup isn’t in the cards for you,let’s explore shipping options and costs up front to help you gets some visibility on what it might cost to get your High Camp to you.
What if I need to cancel my order?
While this has been a very rare occurrence in our history, we gave this a lot of thought to come up with a process to handle this potentiality that is fair to both of us and does not penalize you for an unforeseen financial event, or even a genuine change of heart. So should you need to back out of your order, you will be still responsible to provide the 2nd Materials deposit ($5,000) at the normal 6-8 weeks prior to the beginning of your scheduled build. We will build your trailer (minus any options specific to your order) and once the trailer is completed, we will make it available for sale to any interested parties at the time. We routinely get calls and emails from people who are ready to buy a High Camp, but want one on short order, so we feel confident your trailer can be sold in a timely fashion once it is completed. Once the trailer is sold to a new buyer, we will refund both your initial $2,500 deposit and your 2nd $5,000 deposit. This way, you aren't out any "non-refundable" deposits, we don't risk not being able to fill your build slot, and some other happy camper gets a High Camp teardrop. We think it's a good old Win-Win-Win.