Over the past decade, caravans have been getting smaller, influenced by the increasing popularity of small engined cars and electric vehicles.
With fuel prices rising sharply, lots of people are forgoing the behemoth twin axle caravans of yesteryear in favour of compact, lightweight options that are easier on the wallet and far less hassle to maintain and store.
Teardrop campers & trailers are now more popular than ever, and for good reason. If you're willing to make slight compromises on the facilities available in your leisure vehicle, a teardrop could be an excellent choice for you - and save you a lot of money in the process.
Origins of the teardrop camper
The teardrop camper, like so many other leisure vehicles, can trace its humble origins to the garages of hobbyists. They first became popular in the 1930's, when DIY magazines in the USA (such as Mechanix Illustrated) published blueprints for their readers to work from.
They enjoyed considerable popularity until the mid 1960's, when they vanished in favour of early versions of the gargantuan RVs that dominate the US leisure vehicle industry today.
However, from the mid 1990's, DIY plans became available on the internet and sparked somewhat of a resurgence, though they still aren't considered mainstream across the pond.
It wasn't long before ambitious and forward thinking caravan manufacturers in the UK & EU adopted the teardrop, and they've since exploded in popularity to become one of the best-selling forms of small caravans available on the market.
The early versions of teardrop caravans consisted of standard 4x8 sheets of plywood, bolted together to form a shell. They've come a long way in the years since, with the classic 'teardrop shape' now synonymous with the name, but there are quite a few variations around.
The CUB teardrop camper
The CUB is a modern take on the teardrop camper, with a one-piece fibreglass shell that massively reduces the overall weight, compared to a traditional teardrop with separate panels. It's packed full of features despite its small size, and you'll be surprised to find that it has many of the accessories you would find in a traditional touring caravan.
Outside, there's an external kitchen typical of teardrop campers, complete with a sink, gas hob, fridge/freezer and lots of storage. The CUB includes an airbeam awning that can be positioned over the kitchen to provide cover from the elements, or over one of the side doors to create a 'porch area' for getting dressed.
In the cabin, there's a fixed double bed with memory foam mattress and a fully upholstered headboard - perfect for watching the stars through the full length panoramic window!
If stargazing isn't your thing or it's overcast outside, don't worry - there's a 19 inch smart TV mounted at the foot end of the cabin, pre-loaded with your favourite streaming apps!
There's also a Webasto