Teardrop trailer travelers have one thing in common: They are all completely different from one another.
To celebrate the fact that teardrop trailer owners are not afraid to be different - to stand out from the crowd of campers and motorhomes – Liberty Outdoors and Little Guy Trailers are hosting their 5th annual Tearstock 2018 on July 12-15 in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
“These are not your typical RV'ers,” explained the event's co-founder Chris Baum. “These are people that go against the grain. People with that 'life on their terms' mentality. People looking to get away.”
And Baum isn't talking the traditional RV stops. With a tiny teardrop camper, travelers can fit – and stay – where most RV'ers cannot, one of the biggest selling points of going small. The ease. Being carefree. Spontaneous adventures. The kind that starts with a sudden road trip with friends, and ends with kayaking to a mysterious island or hiking a new trail in the mountains...
“It's all about living your best life. Right now. That's what we want to encourage people to do,” said Baum. “People want to get out and do things. They want to feel good. They want to bike. Kayak. Get away from the shootings, wars, politics... We want to show them a way to do that. And with Tearstock, people can come and have that escape…that community. They can talk about their travels, their hopes, their dreams.”
And that's the core of what Tearstock is truly about, year after year. Why it keeps growing. Why it went from a 30 trailer gathering its first year to selling out over 150 campsites this year before the event even began. People are enthusiastically traveling from all over the United States not just to explore the history, nature and culture of Mackinaw City, but to meet other people who are just like them: Unique. Different in each way with one thing in common: They're not afraid to be different.
“The rally welcomes all types of trailers at Tearstock and this year is held Thursday, July 12th – Sunday, July 15th, 2018.”
Loose Schedule, Tight Friendships
The “fluid” weekend offers some concrete scheduling. But for the most part, it's a free form event where guests are there to do as they please. Using a chalk board, events are added to the schedule almost on the fly. But one thing is constant at Tearstock: The sense of community and comradery. “The sense of ‘we have something cooler than anybody else,’ said Baum.
“These are the people that have a line outside when they pull up at a campground,” he continued. “These are the people who sometimes take a half hour to get out of a gas station because everyone wants to check out their trailer. These people want to share their stories and ideas.”
So every night, the festivities end with bonfires. People are having cocktails and cook outs. And it's that sense of togetherness – even with total strangers – that makes Tearstock truly a “weekend of peace” and togetherness. With the bass of the DJ's song coursing through their bodies, and alcohol pulsing through their veins, the teardrop trailer enthusiasts huddle together around the bonfires to share their stories.
When the guests first arrive – from Oregon, Texas, Florida, wherever – they are given a flag to be placed outside their trailer if they are open to giving tours. Because that's one of the biggest pulls of Tearstock. That closeness to others who may be so different from you in so many different ways, but they share that passion of exploring the world their way, even if they stand out from the crowds. And these are the kind of people that have the most interesting travel stories and innovative trailer décor ideas.
Because they have all made their teardrop trailers completely their own.
Awards are given out on the last night for various categories, voted on by Tearstock attendees. But all participants are truly winners in the end, because they got to learn from each other. And learn about each other. And that's what Tearstock is all about.
“I recently had a customer and his wife just tell me they got rid of everything and are going to start camping full time,” said Baum. “This guy has also become an amazing teardrop trailer cook. And he's going to have a whole couple hours at the event to show people his recipes and do some demonstrations.”
So add that to the chalk board.
Far Out Numbers
While teardrop trailers are currently considered niche in the RV industry, Baum says the market for them is continuing to grow. Little Guy Trailers, the most notable teardrop trailer designer and seller, started off with virtually nothing 14 years ago, and now sold over 5,000 trailers last year, stated Baum.
“The teardrop trailer industry is reaching a lot of millennials,” he explained. “They don't want their parents' RV. They want something that looks cooler. Something hipper. Something with more modern conveniences, like solar panels and an off-roading package.”
Baum recalls his own daughter, now 25, purchasing a teardrop trailer of her own. She spends her summer camping and going to music festivals with her boyfriend. And the teardrop trailer offers an affordable way to live that lifestyle and do what she wants to do.
And that's really at the core of what teardrop trailers are all about: Living life your way.
“Coca-Cola Travel Trailer at last year's Tearstock event at Camp Hatteras in North Carolina.”
That's one of the reasons Tearstock is being held at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. It's not only a scenic campground with access to trails, bike paths and the water; it's close to a lot of fun things to do in Mackinaw City. And this is an area Baum and other Tearstock organizers have always had on their bucket list.
Tearstock is held in a different location every year to not only allow attendees from different regions a chance to make the trek, but to explore parts of the nation that have always interested Baum and other teardrop trailer enthusiasts. A way for them to check it off their traveling list.
It's always going to be a location that allows guests to celebrate their own way. Of course there's Tearstock activities like drinking, dancing and karaoke. But attendees are free to explore the parks or the cities, and make the trip something all their own. Then each night they can come back together, share their stories and discoveries.
Reserve A Spot
While Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground is sold out of sites already, feel free to reach out to Baum, who always has a few sites available for anyone who signs up late, no matter what kind of RV or camper you have.
There are also many nearby campgrounds in the area. Check out MobileRVing campground search in Mackinaw City for options here.
This is an event open to anyone who wants to participate, no matter your age or how you choose to travel. We all have stories to tell and a desire to go on an adventure. Whatever that may be.