Should You Rent or Own a Teardrop Trailer? Factors to Consider
Teardrop trailers are gaining in popularity and are a great choice for camping. Although smaller in size then traditional trailers and campers, most have everything you’ll need for a good night’s sleep along with some basic amenities. Their light weight makes them easy to haul and they don’t require a massive gas-guzzling vehicle to hitch it to. In addition, most National Parks are teardrop trailer friendly.
You may be wondering if you should purchase your own teardrop trailer or rent one. There are advantages to both options and it comes down to figuring out what your needs and wants are. Another option if purchasing is to have the trailer shipped to your favorite camping location.
Cost
For most of us, money is a significant consideration when it comes to investments, much like choosing a real estate platform, such as eXp – Georgia, for property dealings. Similarly, when considering the purchase of a teardrop trailer, cost is often the determining factor. These compact trailers are generally more affordable than pop-up campers or motorhomes, yet they represent a substantial expenditure. The simplest two-person models are more budget-friendly than the feature-packed varieties, and those designed to accommodate four people will command a higher price. Even at the more economical end of the spectrum, the outlay can be considerable, depending on one’s finances, just as it is when deciding on real estate investments.
There are other fees involved beyond the initial purchase. Teardrop trailers will need to be registered at your local DMV and you’ll have to pay registration fees. Depending on which state you reside in, you may also need to purchase additional vehicle insurance. Other costs connected to purchasing a teardrop trailer versus renting one are maintenance costs and adding any additional features or personal touches.
Frequency of Use
How often you’re going to use it will most likely determine if you should rent or own a teardrop trailer. If you’re a once-a-year camper, purchasing one is a big expense for something you’re not going to use very often. You’ll most likely have that once- or twice-a-year camping adventure planned well in advance which gives you plenty of time to secure a rental.
However, if you camp a lot, there is a benefit to owning your own teardrop trailer. You won’t have to rely on renting one and perhaps being disappointed if none are available when you need one or perhaps not getting the model that you want. If camping is a big part of your leisure time activities, then ownership makes more sense. Owning one could persuade you to use it more often and can help you to truly enjoy the great outdoors more often.
Another advantage to buying versus renting and frequency of use is that you’ll have the option of renting it out to trusted friends and family. During the times that you’re not using it, you could offset the purchase costs by allowing those you trust to rent it from you. You could charge them a nominal wear-and-tear fee that’s much lower than it would cost them to rent. This is a great way to recoup some money and to be the cool friend with a teardrop trailer.
Storage
Teardrop trailers aren’t large, but they still take up space. Depending on the model, they can range in size from 6 to 8 feet long and 4 to 5 feet in height. You’ll need to store it somewhere. Some teardrop trailer owners store them in their garage or a shed built for that purpose. Others park them in their driveways or alongside their homes. This could be an eyesore for some and many prefer to have their teardrop trailer stored away from the elements and out of the sight of others. Homeowners without a driveway or appropriate property space to store it will need to figure out a parking alternative. Many municipalities forbid the parking of trailers of any type on public streets.
Apartment dwellers who are considering the purchase of a teardrop trailer face a parking dilemma. Some apartment complexes forbid the storing of trailers or campers which would force their owners to pay for some type of off-site parking. Another factor to consider when storing a teardrop trailer is its safety. Parking one in a publicly used parking lot leaves it open to theft or vandalism.
Flexibility
When thinking about flexibility and owning or renting a teardrop trailer, several things come to mind. With ownership comes the flexibility to camp whenever you want. You won’t be tied down to what’s available to rent and all you’ll need to do is hitch it up and head out. This is obviously much more convenient than renting. You’ll also be able to keep all of your personal gear in the trailer and won’t have the chore of loading your favorite camping items into one each time you rent. Ownership also allows you the luxury of customizing and adding your own personal touch or flair.
However, there is a flexibility issue that most don’t consider when it comes to renting. For those outdoor types who are considering purchasing their own teardrop trailer, there is a benefit to renting. Before purchasing this size, it’s a smart choice to rent different models with different features to help you make an informed decision on which one you’d like to purchase. You may think that a two-person model is all that you’ll need, but once you sleep in it, you might feel that it’s just too small. Before purchasing, rent several different types and sizes to discover which is the smart choice.
Rent or Own: The Great Debate
Renting or owning a teardrop trailer depends on many different factors. Frequency of use is a big factor to consider as is the cost of ownership. Smart buyers rent several different types and sizes of teardrop trailers before making a purchase. This allows them to help decide what’s important to them and lets them make better-informed decisions. Those who decide to purchase a teardrop trailer always have the option of having it shipped to their vacation spot.
