Teardrop Trailer Updates

For the summer camping season, I just finished a few updates on the Sunflower. Since these trailers are so small, any minor improvement you make to your teardrop can really make a big difference...and these improvements don't cost too much. This year, I put up some new curtains, added some storage boxes to the galley and installed a netting hammock above the bed for additional storage.
 

When camping, we tend to shove any extra sweaters, vests or fleeces under or around our pillows. It makes for a soft, comfortable sleeping arrangement, but when it's cold, the extra clothing items really add up. We wanted a storage space where we could just throw up our sweaters when we were inside the teardrop. We installed a car/truck cargo netting just above our pillows. Since it's located in the curve of the teardrop roof, it stays out of our way. We can also unhook it if we want to take it out.




I also installed some new curtains. Originally we had some flannel curtains made from some old pillow cases, but it got so dark inside the bed area, we ended up sleeping in way too late. These curtains are light panels from Wal-Mart that were longer than the teardrop windows, but I hemmed them up about halfway up the panel. This gives us a darker shade on the bottom so the morning sun doesn't hit us right in the face, and a lighter shade on top for letting in more light.




We also needed some additional storage in the galley for some cups, our coffee and tea and some random spices and sauces. My galley space is limited, but we did have a small area next to the stove and under the main shelf. I found some soft storage boxes at Target that fit perfectly under the shelf. They also don't slide around when we are towing the trailer.



And last, but not least, I added a custom bumper sticker to the back of the trailer with my blog URL...just for those readers on the road.





12 comments:

  1. Christina,
    Great job with those upgrades! I bet you'll really appreciate that netting when you want your fleece handy, etc.

    Also like the storage boxes and curtains. I'm going to get my inner seam master going to make some curtains of my own really soon.

    Best,
    Todd

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    1. Thanks Todd. Yes, I'm always a bit nervous when drilling holes into my teardrop. I'm not a great seamstress either. I'm sure someone in your area would be thrilled to make some curtains for your tear.

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  2. Christina,
    Love the cargo net idea...did the mounting hardware come in the package, or did you find it elsewhere? I visited the site, but could not tell from the product details if it was included. Love your Blog. Keep those good ideas comin'.

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    1. Thanks Jan! Yes, the mounting hardware came with the netting, but not the screws. You will have to find some screws that fit through the plastic holders but that are short enough not to go all the way through your roof. The nice thing about the netting is that you can hook it in various areas to create your desired tautness.

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  3. I am stealing the cargo net idea.In my teardrop it will be to hold items on an open shelf.Oh for cup storage we found cup hooks work great.For curtains we used small bungee cords instead of rods and hooked them to cup hooks :}One item that needs to be in everyones teardrop tool kit is velcro strip tape from a dollar store.

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    1. Thanks Gary. It's really amazing how many different ways I've seen to hang up curtains in a teardrop. I originally used the strip tape for my curtains, but it gets so warm here that the sticky part started to melt! I had to remove it and start over.

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  4. Christina can you tell me where you found those curtain rods? I've been tossing ideas around for putting some in my new trailer and I love those!

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    1. Hi BJN3. I bought the curtain rods at Wal-Mart. They are very light and thin and slip onto a catch on the part that screws into the door. I would not suggest putting a very heavy curtain on these rods. I'm afraid I don't remember the manufacturer, but I can look it up next time I'm at the store.

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    2. I just found them!! Thank you! I'm very glad I stumbled upon your blog the other day, I've already got a few great ideas from your posts that I will be putting to use. My fiance' and I took out Our trailer last weekend for our first time and have noticed a few things we need to modify/add to it.

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    3. Sweet! Yes, you will be slightly changing how you do things each time you go out. Congrats on your new trailer and I would love to see what it looks like.

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  5. Can you tell me where you purchased the cargo net please?

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    1. Hello Gill. There is a link in the second paragraph to the Amazon page where I purchased the cargo net. You can find these kinds of nets online where they sell truck/car trunk supplies. Check the size to make sure it will fit the width of your teardrop trailer.

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