Just picked-up this old "Teardrop American" Outbacker camper. Attempting to restore it and would appreciate any information anyone might have. I've looked on-line and can't seem to find anything - I've seen one sold on EBay, and another one for sale on-line in San Francisco. The SanFran guy was asking $6000.00, but I find it hard to believe anyone would pay that much! Anyway, I'm not sure if this thing is fiberglass or plastic - but it needs some work and I'm glad I found this forum.

Welcome to FiberglassRV Paul, we're glad you found us!

We've had a couple of good discussions about the Teardrop American. Unfortunately the links to the eBay stuff are dead...some of the pictures still show within the topic. Hopefully you'll might find some information you seek.

And now, for something completely different...., Via eBay

Molded Fiberglass Teardrop (eBay), CA

Paul,
Very neat looking teardrop! I don't recall having one before. Usuallly the smallest we encounter is 13'. you've gone them one better in terms of going minimalist.

What needs fixing? Just about anything imaginable has been done to a molded fiberglass trailer by someone who frequents this board.

Thanks for sharing your find with us and please keep us posted on your progress and experiences with it.
Kurt & Ann K.

Well, I do know for sure that this a 1989 vintage. The maufacturer was "Teardrop American Inc." 380 E. Penny Road, Wenatchee, WA. The whole camper weighs in at about 400 lbs. and is 9.5'(l)x7.5'(w)x5'(h). Two adults would fit comfortably but I think it could manage myself and my two kids (ages 6 & 4). I'm really planning on using it for solo trips... my wife doesn't know that part yet!

The previous owners hadn't noticed that one of the springs had gone - resulting in one tire actually wearing through the shell wheel well. It's not a huge issue, I can fix it with a fiberglass patch. I also want to extend the tongue and install a large storage box of some kind on the front. I'd like to replace the wheels with something larger and nicer looking. All of the rubber molding needs replacing as do the door handles, locks and wiring. The hinges don't appear to have rusted BUT the screws they used to attached them have... like to redo these with stainless. Right now, if it rains, the back galley area fills with water. There is no stove or icebox, but there is an interesting double wall removable plastic sink. You fill the inside of the double wall with clean water, and use a hand pump to get it out.... kinda hard to describe - I'll post some pics later.

One of the selling features of this camper was that the "pod" is removable should you want to use the trailer for moving stuff - the pod itself weighs about 225 lbs.

Right now, I've got the pod off and the trailer taken apart in my garage. Hoping to have it ready for spring.

Like most teardrops, the axle is very far back on this trailer. That means that even after extending the tongue, the location of the storage box would likely be quite close to the hitch, compared to the distance to the axle, so most of the weight would be carried by the hitch. Since teardrops are usually chosen because the tow vehicle has very low towing capacity, I would want to check carefully to ensure that the resulting hitch weight is still suitable.


This sounds like a common design of portable sink intended for tent camping. I've never used one, but have seen them in camping stores.

Paul,
You might also look around this teardrop site.

Tom Trostel

http://www.mikenchell.com/

Hello Paul!
Welcome to fiberglass RV, that's a neat looking unit.
Check out Don Stoddart at Util Equip in Woodstock. Besides building Hydro Boom trucks and pole trailers he also manufactures teardrops. He could be a source for new axles and other parts. He's on Clarke St south of dundas and it's no longer a long distance call, and only about a half hour away.