Current Tear Drop Owner

[Civilguy]

Originally Posted by MoreQuestionsThanAnswers

I found that a buddy has a flat bed close to the 19 footprint. I’m going to borrow it to see if the driveway is an issue. From there I can guesstimate the 21. But what kept me up all night was the 5.0. Too many good choices.

Originally Posted by Mike G

There's no substitute for getting inside the different models (19, 21), sitting for a while in each, feeling whether the layout is comfortable to your style and preferences, and thinking about where you would like to store stuff. Spend a good 20 or 30 minutes in each one. It will help.

X10! (keeping the 5.0 in the mix of course)

Our Escape showroom representative began to look a bit worried at the one-hour mark or thereabouts and we sensed that she had another appointment. We assured her that we would not feel abandoned while she attended to her next appointment. We also made a point of steering around the next couple as we continued to poke around and take photos.

By that time we had definitely eliminated the 19 from consideration, and were "pretty certain" that we were most interested in the 21C. However, we continued to review both the 21C and the 5.0 as it was the last opportunity to compare them side-by-side in a warm, dry and well-lit environment. (Incidentally, the 21NE didn't exist at the time, but we'd still go with the 21C.) We took a lot of pictures, many with a tape measure placed across the subject. Once we got home we placed our deposit.

In all fairness, much of our decision to not go with the 5.0 was driven by the fact that full-size pickups have outgrown our garage doors. We even checked out some of the mid-size truck offerings, but we didn't feel like they had "eight hour" seats for those long days in the saddle.

We were also swayed by the desire to carry our folding bikes out of the weather in an SUV or a van. This has been a real success for us as we often find ourselves driving some distance to local trailheads after we've taken the trailer off the hitch.

However, looking back, we really did like the airy feel of the 5.0's high ceiling, and the overall layout with the rear-dinette and a countertop with a nice bit of prep area between the sink and stove. The countertop is a factor that's also shared by the 21C, and is something which I feel surprisingly absent from RVs in general. I guess they figure you'll do your food prep on the tabletops - ?

I'm glad to hear you're engaged by the different prospects. I'd also bet dollars to donuts that Perry is onto something here regarding the relative maneuverability of the 5.0. Maybe time to go to the showroom so you can get your rest - ?

[HABBERDABBER]

I checked out the High Camp and it does indeed appear to be a well made rig. But as I was perusing the site, I kept thinking that you are in a seasonally rainy locale which could make some outings problematic. I'd hate to spend a rainy day inside the breadbox of a teardrop, or a rainy night with a bathroom pit stop needed.

I get it that your rig offers advantages you enjoy, but an Escape does too, like being able to get out of the weather, inside cooking & dining and a flush toilet with hot water shower. I would be remiss not to mention air conditioning if equipped, and a heated cabin, both of which can extend your camping season.

Everytime you get something new, you give something up, or so it seems to me. And most choices end up a compromise. It's all up to you to ponder the issues pluses and negatives.

A buddy spent a summer or two living in a truck camper with his daughter while building his house. He'd said it was like living in a shoebox. It was. Or like living in a shoe.

[sherminator]

Originally Posted by MoreQuestionsThanAnswers

Now I need to decide if we “need” the 21 or is the 19 perfect for us.

My brother owns a 19 and I own a 21NE, so pretty much the same except sizes of things. The first thing my brother said about my trailer was that he really noticed the extra 4" width of the aisle. He said he had a hard time passing his wife in the aisle. My wife and I have little trouble, and we're both larger people than my brother and his wife. The dinette is also obviously larger. There are some less noticeable size differences, a couple inches more counter between the stove and sink, slightly wider wardrobe / pantry (although the opening is exactly the same).

If the decision is between a 19 and a 21C, the differences are more profound because of the different layout. I consider the 21C a perfect two person trailer. We got an NE because we travel with grandchildren, and the 2nd queen size sleeping area and larger dinette were the prime reasons. The NE has larger sitting and sleeping areas, the C has a lot more storage and counter space.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by MoreQuestionsThanAnswers

We have absolutely loved or teardrop, and it got me into doing yoga so I could continue to change inside. With that said my wife would love an inside bathroom and being able to be dry all the time.

I camped this year a few times in our daughters Trolley Top Square Drop I made her a year ago. With the higher top and sunken rear floor you can almost stand up in the rear to dress. There is plenty of shoe storage inside and of course a portable toilet for no outside night trips.

[HABBERDABBER]

Comrade,
Do you have additional photos of the finished rig? Interior, other details? I'm just curious, but interested.

And with the completion of the Trolley, what's next?

[Steven M]

Hello again. When my wife and I went looking at Escapes we first saw a 19 and then a 21C. We had three and for a short while 4 people in the 19 and it felt crowded. We had 5 people in the 21 we saw and my wife said after that this is what we are going to get. 5 people in the trailer and she and I didn't feel crowded in it. The 2 feet extra in length may not be noticed but the extra 4 inches of width is a lot of difference, we can pass each other in the kitchen area with ease.

As other have said go out and see for yourself. Then comes the decisions to make on what you want/need inside. so many choices, so many options to make it your own.

[MoreQuestionsThanAnswers]

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I checked out the High Camp and it does indeed appear to be a well made rig. But as I was perusing the site, I kept thinking that you are in a seasonally rainy locale which could make some outings problematic. I'd hate to spend a rainy day inside the breadbox of a teardrop, or a rainy night with a bathroom pit stop needed.

I get it that your rig offers advantages you enjoy, but an Escape does too, like being able to get out of the weather, inside cooking & dining and a flush toilet with hot water shower. I would be remiss not to mention air conditioning if equipped, and a heated cabin, both of which can extend your camping season.

Everytime you get something new, you give something up, or so it seems to me. And most choices end up a compromise. It's all up to you to ponder the issues pluses and negatives.

A buddy spent a summer or two living in a truck camper with his daughter while building his house. He'd said it was like living in a shoebox. It was. Or like living in a shoe.

Absolutely, I agree, everything is a compromise. There’s a reason we are seriously considering the upgrade, and rainy weather is high on that list.