Should You Buy a Teardrop Camper with a Bathroom?

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Teardrop campers with bathrooms have become one of the favorite travel trailers of part-time RVers. They come in various sizes and shapes and have a full menu of standard features.

This article about teardrop campers with bathrooms shows you some of the best examples of the current RV market. We’ll also explore the benefits of teardrop campers with bathrooms and how their definition and subcategories can blur the lines between other compact towable trailers.

The 9 Best Teardrop Campers With Bathrooms

1. Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus 17BH

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We’ll go for the gusto by starting with a family-friendly teardrop camper with a bathroom. Yep, we said that right; there’s such a thing as a teardrop camper for a family of 4.

If you head to your local RV One Dealership, you’ll find it exclusively as the Free Solo 17BH with some additional perks. Otherwise, it’s known as the Bushwhacker Plus 17BH. Either way, this self-contained teardrop camper with a bathroom is made by Braxton Creek.

While mom and dad sleep on the comfortable convertible rear dinette, the kids have solid wood twin bunk beds in front. You’ll find a good-sized kitchen and a side-mounted A/C unit on the roadside.

On the camp side is a wet bath with a roller shade door. There’s a bigger step into the wet bath, and there isn’t a sunroof above for extra head space, so adults may have to take a sitting shower. Yet, having a wet bath available where mom and dad can scrub the little ones full access makes bathtime enjoyable for everyone.

2. inTech Sol Dawn

Are you looking for a teardrop camper with a bathroom with more of an upscale mature look? inTech’s Sol Series should be on your shortlist. The inTech Sol Dawn gives you a self-contained teardrop camper experience with its signature front panoramic window, large rear kitchen, and luxury level convertible dinette.

inTech designed the dinette space to work in four different ways. The first, of course, is the dinette table and benches. Second, the side benches are wide and long enough for dual twin beds. Third, use the front half as a full-size bed or fill the whole table space for a large queen bed.

The camper’s wet bath is also top-end. It comes with a genuine porcelain toilet, adjustable height shower head, a waterproof accessory storage net, and a combined 28-gallon black/gray holding tank.

Whether you choose the campground-oriented base version or the slightly heavier off-road Rover edition, this teardrop camper with a bathroom adds that touch of class to your camping experience.

3. nuCamp [email protected] CS-S

nuCamp has three teardrop campers with bathrooms in their lineup. Both the [email protected] 320S and [email protected] 400 are self-contained teardrop trailers. The nuCamp’s [email protected] CS-S Clamshell is their largest traditional teardrop camper with a kitchen in the back.

Adults under 5.7 feet won’t have a problem standing up in this camper or laying down on the 5.9-foot long dual-twin beds. Since it’s a convertible dinette, you can place the bridge pillows in between to make a 4.8-foot wide full-size bed.

The front corner wet bath takes advantage of the teardrop roof’s apex, so owners will have the most headspace in the shower. The bathroom faucet extends out from the sink so it can be used as a hand shower or locked high against the sidewall. The commode has light indicators that show you the level of the cassette.

Keep your eyes open for the 2023 models. In 2019, nuCamp partnered with Barefoot Caravan to bring their teardrop camper with a bathroom to the U.S. Now that RV towable production is mostly on track, we may soon see this UK camper on dealer lots!

4. ProLite Plus S

As Americans, we sometimes forget how significant our neighbors to the north have been to the RV world. Some of the best Canadian RV manufacturers kept the Class B motorhome alive during the 1980s and 90s. Bolar was the Canadian RV manufacturer that gave us the original ultra-lite molded fiberglass travel trailer a few years before the 1973 U.S. Gas Crisis.

Today, the Roulette ProLite Plus S is a self-contained teardrop built to withstand the Canadian spring thaw and fall cooling temperatures. The front dinette converts to a full-size bed, and the additional bench is wide enough for a child to sleep.

The wet bath has a vent with a full-size fan to evacuate the steam and moisture. The 10-gallon freshwater and 15-gallon gray tanks will let you scrub down for quick “military-style” showers, but if you’re smart with your water, you could boondock for days. The same is true for the 5-gallon cassette black tank.

If you’re a minimalist, Roulette designed the Plus S for tow vehicles under a 1,500 lbs. tow capacity. Yet, with a Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of 3,000 lbs. a Subaru Outback would be a better option for those at the comfort camper or glamping level.

5. Riverside Retro 135

Teardrop campers with bathrooms can have some style, but if you want a self-contained teardrop trailer with personality, check out the Riverside RV Retro 135.

The Retro Series is known for its Vintage Era 1950s look. Still, the RV manufacturer recently expanded the exterior color palette, giving buyers the same styling but a more Modern Era appeal. Previously, you’d find the Retro with a white base and four diner-themed colors.

Now you can choose between 8 bold colors, two-toned with 3 neutral shades. This author is a fan of the reversed light blue and gray.

This rear-entry teardrop camper with a bathroom has a partial dry bathroom. The commode sits outside the shower stall, but you’ll need to use the kitchen sink to wash your hands. The trade-off is that you get more space in the shower without a wet bath configuration.

If you agree with Mike from RVBlogger, you may want to install an RV shower curtain rod extender, so the shower curtain doesn’t invade your space.

6. Rockwood Geo Pro 15TB

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Forest River’s Rockwood Geo Pro 15TB (A.K.A. Flagstaff’s E-Pro 15TB) has been a favorite teardrop camper with a bathroom since its initial release. So what better way to make your own trail than with an off-road teardrop trailer with all the features and amenities you could want.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love all of the standard features and options that come with the Geo Pro. Add a hitch mount rack for your bikes or a roof rack for your kayaks. Upgrade the 100w solar panel with a second 90w to power the RV off-grid better.

The wet bath uses the front cap by adding a waterproof storage compartment against the wall. The convertible dinette has an “anti-awkward feature” since it allows for a dual twin or a king-size bed configuration.

7. Scamp 13 With Wet Bath

Scamp Trailers is one of the daughter brands of the original Bolar RVs. Initially, they used the same die-cast molds before their 2006 plant fire. Today, Scamp is still one of the leading molded fiberglass RV brands on the American roads.

While it’s thought of as a travel trailer, the Scamp 13 is very much like a self-contained teardrop camper with a bathroom. Its length, ultra-lite weight, and core features are smaller than many self-contained traditionally shaped teardrop campers. Yet, the standard and customizable features make this coach one of the best “dressed” campers on the highway.

When you order the Scamp 13 with the bathroom, it comes with a wet bath and a 9-gallon black water holding tank. The deluxe model gives you many upgrades, including a corner sink in the wet bath. The dinette drops to a full-size bed, and you’ll be amazed at how much storage you’ll find within the two closets and overhead cabinets.

8. Winnebago Hike 100 H1316FB

When Winnebago jumped back into the small travel trailer sector with their Hike Series, they included the 100 models to dabble in the teardrop category. Winnie introduced two floorplans in 2022 for the Hike 100, with two more on the way. The Hike 100 H1316FB is the most unique of the two teardrop campers with bathrooms on RV dealer lots.

Inside, you’ll find a convertible dinette that creates a queen-size bed and a raised loft area great for cargo or twin-size sleeping space. Outside, the 2-inch receiver hitch, roof rack, and other mounting places are ideal for Thule mount accessories for bikes, kayaks, and other non-motorized adventure toys.

The rear hatch includes a second outdoor kitchen. The extendable shower hose, collapsible sink pan, indoor/outdoor induction cooktop, and Thule chest-style fridge/freezer are great additions.

The front kitchen shares the cap with the far corner wet bath with a corner sink. Like their camper vans, Winnie adds removable shelving above the commode, making the wet bath a storage closet.

9. Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Mini Max

If you’re looking for a self-contained teardrop trailer, look to Xtreme Outdoor’s Little Guy Mini Max. Instead of a rear hatch, the kitchen inside allows for the most interior space possible in this 17-foot self-contained teardrop trailer. 

Their teardrop camper with a bathroom has a front wet bath with a 9-gallon black holding tank instead of a small cassette. Little Guy makes water usage as efficient as possible. The adjustable height shower uses a unique 2.2 gallons/minute water regulator and has an integrated on/off switch. 

The Little Guy Mini Max also has that “anti-awkward feature” for sleeping. The dinette’s benches are wide enough to use as dual twin beds. Add the bridge pillows to the table, and you have a 70 x 75-inch near RV short king bed.

Add the popular stargazer window, solar package, and mid-level off-road upgrades, and this teardrop camper with a bathroom will boondock at many public land locations.

3 Definitions of Teardrop Camper Trailers

The teardrop camper first appeared on American roads as wooden DIY projects in magazines like “Popular Mechanics” and others right before WWII at the end of the Antique Era (1910-1944).

Yet these little campers didn’t take off until the G.I.s came home from Europe and the Pacific at the beginning of the Vintage Era (1945-1970). Many early examples took advantage of the surplus of military vehicle parts for wheels, tires, outer shells, and framing.

Teardrop camper popularity faded away in the Classic Era (1971-1989) but came back in the Modern Era (2008-Present) as affordable, fuel-efficient entry-level RVs. Independent RV companies found this category a great way to enter the RV Industry since the established brands focused on the bigger types.

As the current category developed, the line between teardrops and small travel trailers began to get fuzzy. A self-contained teardrop camper with a bathroom that measures 17-18 feet can also be considered a small travel trailer.

General Traits of Teardrop Campers

So how do you draw a line between teardrops and travel trailers?

Generally, teardrop campers have a single axle where their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) are the same. The RV is so short that all of the coach’s weight sits on the axle instead of being spread out along a chassis frame.

Also, The GAWR doesn’t exceed 3,500 lbs. Most teardrop camper brands use this weight level of the axle. Some of the lighter-weight teardrop trailers may use a smaller weight class axle, but 3,500 lbs. axles allow for the coach’s weight, two people, and camping gear.

Teardrop campers with bathrooms usually have wet bathrooms. There are exceptions, like the partial dry bath in the Riverside RV Retro 135 we saw above, but full dry bathrooms take up too much space.

Finally, the teardrop camping lifestyle is ideal for weekenders and part-timers. If you’re looking for an alternative to a pop-up camper that’s easy to tow, affordable, and gets you away from your daily grind from time to time, teardrop campers may be the right choice for you.

Teardrop campers have evolved into three subcategories. Traditional, Non-Traditional, and Self-Contained teardrop campers. Here’s how to tell them apart.

1. Traditional Teardrop Campers

Traditional models are based on the original World War II designs. They have interior sleeping spaces and a rear hatch with kitchen setups. Their aerodynamic shape and less than 14-foot design make them easy to tow with almost any vehicle on the roads today.

The kitchens have sinks, cooking devices, and space for a refrigerator. Most come with electrical systems that connect to a battery and have a shore power hookup. Many also have small freshwater tanks and/or city water hookups. One or two solar panels will run everything in the coach, but if it has an A/C, you’ll need shore power.

2. Non-Traditional Teardrop Campers

The rectangle is the new teardrop! Non-traditional-shaped teardrop campers offer more room and unique features than traditional-shaped teardrops. Most notably, the rear door.

The rear door or hatch allows for storing long items while traveling. Some, like the inTech Flyer Explore, are teardrop toy haulers that can haul an ATV. Even with the motorized toy, these teardrops still stay within the weight limit definition.

Other non-traditional teardrop campers with this rectangular shape may not have the capacity for motorized toys but still have a cargo utility that’s highly sought after for outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll also find that RV dealers prefer to order these with the off-road option if they have the choice.

3. Self-Contained Teardrop Campers

Self-contained teardrop campers are the ones that blur the line the most into small travel trailers. Of course, the line of demarcation between the two categories flexes based on individual brands, but generally, if you look at a 17-foot RV, it could go either way.

Teardrop campers with bathrooms usually only have a convertible dinette and maybe an extra seating space. However, small travel trailers will usually find a way to have a sleeping area separate from the dining table.

Teardrops will have smaller refrigerators and more of a kitchenette space with one or two stovetop burners. If they have an oven, it’s only a microwave, and it’s rare to find one with a convection upgrade.

The list goes on, but the point is that self-contained teardrop trailers will take a minimal approach when you look at the feature choices, whereas the small travel trailer will choose to step up to a mid-range level. For example, a small travel trailer may not have a convection microwave, but it will have a stove and oven.

Why Are Teardrop Campers So Popular?

There are still teardrop campers that are one step above the Tent Life. Yet, most of today’s teardrop campers have amazing features that’ll keep you comfortable on a rainy day. Entertainment features, kitchen appliances, and even dual climate control.

A couple of the defining characteristics of the Modern Era are fuel efficiency and affordability. The second half of the Modern Era, defined as the Remote Period (2020-Present), is characterized by the desire for self-containment and self-sufficiency. That’s precisely where teardrop campers with bathrooms fit.

Are Teardrop Campers Worth It?

RVers of every demographic can hitch up their compact coach and head out to the campground, public land, or rally without much effort. Cost-cutting camping is a simple matter with teardrops because they don’t need a lot of space or too many hookups.

Saving up for that 40-foot RV with all the bells and whistles is great, but teardrop campers with bathrooms are more affordable than travel trailers under $30,000 and can get you camping now. So get a good ball hitch system for your crossover or SUV, and check out some of the best teardrop campers with bathrooms.

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